If you plan it they will come... day fifteen

Friday October 11th

What a contrast!!! It was about 30ºC/86ºF when we went to bed last night but when we woke up this morning it was only 11ºC/52ºF and breezy. A cold front had rolled in from the north overnight!

After breakfast we all piled into the Festiva and headed into central San Antonio and the Alamo. With it being cold and breezy we just picked a parking lot close to the Alamo to reduce our walking times... paid about $25.00 for the day. 
 

First view....

Details.

Living History Encampment

Toured around the Alamo site starting with the chapel, then over to the Living History Encampment, Alamo Exhibit and gift shop. The gentleman in the black top hat regaled us with stories of San Antonio and of how life was lived back in the day.

Architecture new...

...and old.

Next on the agenda was a ride on the San Antonio version of the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour. Expectations were high as we had had really enjoyed our New Orleans tour. We didn't enjoy this tour as much buy I'm sure the cool blustery weather  played a part in that. We hopped the bus close to the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum and headed there for lunch. 

Inside the Buckhorn Saloon.

Albert Friedrich was just seventeen years old when he first opened the Buckhorn in 1881! Realizing the many folks traveling through San Antonio didn't have much money in their pockets he had the brilliant idea to accept horns and antlers in exchange for a free beer or whiskey from his saloon. This was the start of the collection of not just horns and antlers but the animals displayed there as well.

In addition to the Alamo and the other missions San Antonio is also known for its River Walk, a city park and network of walkways stretching for fifteen miles along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath the streets of San Antonio. We enjoyed the short section we walked and again, it would have more enjoyable had the weather cooperated. 

One of many views of the River Walk from the tour bus.

On a warmer day these table would be full.....

A performance stage across from an amphitheater.

In addition to the Alamo there are four other missions that make up the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. After lunch we walked back to the car and made our way to the Mission San José. This mission was founded in 1720 and the current building was built in 1768 from local limestone to replace the original brush, straw and wood buildings.

Mission San José

Inside one of the Mission San José buildings.

Parked at the Mission San José.

We were all feeling a little tired and ready to get out of the weather. The decision was made to head back to the mall we visited yesterday and to check out the closing Beall's store again. Thankfully the car was running ok in spite of the apparent miss in one cylinder. After our evening meal at Outback Steakhouse we returned to the hotel for the night. We went over plans for the following day, programmed our Garmins and called it a night.

Is there something we should have seen in San Antonio? Let us know in the comment space below... perhaps we can include in a future visit.