The Riverwalk is 15miles long and was built in 1929.
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon...no trip is complete without a boat ride....
And away we go...lovely day...
Was so fun going under all the bridges...
A lovely hotel...
Check out that building on the left when we come out from under the bridge...looks so cool. Neat illusion.
The Master Gardener does a wonderful job..
This monument called La Antorcha de la Amistad (Spanish for "The Torch of Friendship"), was a gift from the Mexican government. It is a 65 ft tall sculpture that weighs over 45 tons. It was unveiled on June 27, 2002.
Beautiful mosaic and building ...dedicated to the woman that was San Antonio's 1st female mayor Lila Cockrell
Love me some Buffett....
Wonderful shopping area...
Statue of Anthony of Padua, Saint Anthony, holding the Child Jesus, located along the subterranean public walk known as River Walk bordering the San Antonio River in San Antonio, Texas. It is Saint Anthony from whom a Spanish mission in the area, and the city itself, got their names
Beautiful old church..
Hilton wanted to be on the Riverwalk so bad at this location, they jacked up and moved an old landmark hotel so they could have this spot...wow...hope it has been worth it
Lovely looking restaurant and outdoor amphitheater area
he 18th century they became the largest concentration of Catholic missions in North America. They flourished during the middle of the 18th century, but later declined due to inadequate military support, disease, and increased hostilities with Apaches and Comanches. Here they are in chronological order: The Alamo (1718), San Jose (1720), San Juan (1731), Concepcion (1731) and Espada (1731). These five missions have been named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO).
"Coming Home to the Briscoe,” a monumental new sculpture on the River Walk, was three years in the making.The sculpture, which depicts longhorns thundering up the banks of the San Antonio River, driven by a wiry vaquero on horseback, is the work of artist T.D. Kelsey.
The sculpture is outside the entrance to Briscoe Western Art Museum.
More bridges and scenery along the riverwalk
The Tower Life Building opened in 1929 to house a Sears & Roebuck store and office space overlooking the river. The gargoyle's faces along the top floors are supposed to be the faces made by the building's owner as he flung himself off of the top floor on the way down to splat on what is now the Riverwalk. It was the tallest building in San Antonio for over thirty years. It has a unique octagonal shape to the building, and has a mix of brick and terra cotta details. At night, dramatic lighting adds height and intensity to the tower, which, like Gothic cathedrals, emphasizes by refined vertical ascent the desire of humanity to reach out to mysteries far beyond.
Bridge of locks...where couples attach their locks of love
The church Denny attended when he lived in San Antonio in the 1960's.
We accidentally drove past his old church...so cool
It had been a wonderful afternoon on the Riverwalk, we stopped for a Mexican snack and headed north to New Braunfels where we were staying in a cabin at a Hill Country campground.
It was an easy ride and we got checked in...it was a one-room wonder, but it would be just fine. I did think I booked a one-bedroom unit, but we can do anything for 5 nites.
It was clean and comfortable, we'd be just fine. And we were getting a little taste of camping, something I still hope we do one day.
The next day we were lazy, but finally got in gear and headed to a local popular place for brunch then off to explore New Braunfels and Gruene (pronounced Green). Breakfast was good and we headed to the downtown area of New Braunfels. It was very small and unfortunately not very lively. We did go into an art store where they had local artist work displayed as well as some children's art displayed. Was fun looking. While in there, we chatted with the volunteers and ask them what should we go do. Go to Gruene...well, it was on the list, so off we went....was only 10min away, and lots more alive.
1st stop a winery....after a tasting, bought 2 bottles and moved on.
This is a map of all the wineries in the area...WOW!!! Don't think we have enough time.
Next stop ...Gruene Hall...Texas oldest continually operating Dance Hall
Built in 1878 by Henry D. Gruene, son to German immigrant Ernest Gruene. 6k sq feet and looks almost exactly the way it did when it was built. Open air sides, and a large outdoor garden. A small stage, but has hosted big names, Garth Brooks, Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson, George Strait, and Lyle Lovett just to name a few. Gruene Hall is also where the dance seen in the movie Michael, with John Travolta was filmed...it's just such a neat place.
In the back of the hall they have walk up open bar windows, so you don't have to go to the front to get a drink...cool idea
George Strait...very young..lol
Gorgeous long bar...
During the filming of Michael
The shows that are coming this year...wish we were gonna be here, I'd have bought a ticket
Travis Tritt
Leon Redbone
All the table tops had carvings...kinda cool
It was a neat place, glad we could see it. We walked down the street into some shops and into this old "a little bit of everything" store... had some ice cream and sat outside to enjoy the day.
Cutest old store...
We were ready to head "home", but first we needed to stop at the famous Buc-ee's ...the biggest gas station and store I have EVER been to. No truckers allowed...it's so cool. And has the BEST beef brisket sandwiches. They make them fresh right there. They make great jerky too...we bought our dinner and headed for the cabin.
One amazing place...
The wine area...it was ...wow!!
The candy and junk wall
It was another cool wonderful evening, and we sat on our front porch. This cabin was like a duplex and our "duplex mate" came over to visit. A wonderful older woman from NH, that came here during winter. She was delightful. Wanted to make sure her TV did not bother us...nope we didn't hear anything, but very nice. We visited a while, ate our dinner and headed for bed. Tomorrow, a bucket item for me... Waco, TX...Magnolia Silo's....
Slept great, ate some fruit and hit the road, planning to really eat at Magnolia Table
It was a bit of a drive, but we finally arrived at noon. We got a reservation for 215p. So we headed over to the silos, only about 10min away. First stop, the Bakery.... cute building on the corner. There was a line, but it went fast, so yummy.
Then we headed to see the big store and the very cool outside area
There is nothing in the silos, yet, but a great place for sitting in the shade..
Fantastic outside area, and food trucks all around with cool yummy different stuff
Love the big bean bags for lounging on...there were some outside games too...just a great space.
They had some great signs up all around...Some made by Jimmy Don on metal, some on leather made by Clint Black...nice items
Documented...we were there!!!
We covered the silos very fast and had to head back for lunch
Bacon and Eggs appetizer....YUM....
Loved all the old things from the original restaurant...
The ladies restroom was like a subway...so cute
The nice outside area for waiting...and the outside are where you can get coffee/pastry..while you wait
Great sign...
All about the Elite Cafe
They do a huge Take Away (Out) business. Very nice inside. And amazing service.
As we were leaving I happened to see this...cool, their handprints...
It was a really long ride home as we got caught in Austin traffic....yuck, but we finally made it. Got home and had to do some laundry...was really easy our cabin was very close to the laundry. I walked over and got it all started and came back. Went back and moved stuff to the dryer and hung out till it was done. Got it all back to the cabin and watched a little TV, and off to bed. Next day we checked out a park and just did a little more exploring, and relaxed for the long Tues we'd had. Our neighbor friend came over and we shared some wine and cheese and got to know each other...love that about campgrounds...most are so friendly.
Thur we headed back to San Antonio...we wanted to go see The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum...is the oldest saloon in Texas...it did not disappoint. We had a snack in the saloon and headed into the massive museum part.
Unbelievable mounts..everywhere...
Just amazing...never seen this many mounts in one place before...
The museum has over 520 species of animals, from all over the world. There was a Texas Ranger area, a Bonnie and Clyde area...it just went on and on
so, off we went to see...
1st area was about The Saloon and its history..
Chairs made especially for the saloon
This deer picture is made of rattlesnake rattles....no joke!!!
Then some things about the area...
Then on the The Rangers area
Some of the first Rangers...
These guys helped capture Ma Barker and Machine Gun Kelly...tough guys
What the badges mean...
One of the Chiefs of The Rangers
Things used during the Bonnie and Clyde era
The Ranger part was awesome...
Then a little step back in time....
The Bonnie and Clyde car....
I was in jail....thankfully not for long...
Evolution of Texas beer....
Back into rooms with more mounts...
A look down on the bar area from the 2nd floor...
Then into an area of oddities...
Plinky...the best markswoman ever....she could shoot.
Albino Caribou...very rare
Another look below...at the bar...very long and very cool...
Very odd rack.....
Elephant skull...
Hunted in Africa with a bow and arrow and got 1 of each Africa's Big 5!!
Loved this chandelier on the way out.....
What an amazing place, way more than we ever expected. We headed to turn in our car and then back to the hotel. In the same parking lot with our hotel was a Pappadeaux restaurant...we headed there for a yummy dinner then off to bed, we had a really early morning.
It had been a great trip...but time to head back to our palm trees.....until next time....
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