It was a getaway for Carrie’s Birthday Celebration to San Antonio, TX this year. Last year was San Juan, Puerto Rico. John & Nancy Desmond had San Antonio on their radar sites too. So we ventured out together to adventure the historic legendary Texas city.  I had been stationed in San Antonio in the Air Force twice many moons ago. A first for Mark & Nancy.

    The first stop in going to San Antonio is remembering and seeing the Alamo. We were staying right on the famous River Walk at Embassy Suites. A quick walk around winding river bends and along the beautiful tree hovering river banks loaded with restaurants, gift shops, hotels and clubs. We came upon the Texas Revolution’s 1836 fighting mission fortress, the Alamo. Over 200 Texas soldiers died in the Texan-Mexican Revolution attack. Yes, the great frontiersman Davy Crockett and Colonel James Bowie were killed there.

    Walking up from the river banks to our amazement, a new group of citizens were getting their American citizenship in an outside ceremony in front of the Alamo with the San Antonio Mayor and District Court Judges presiding and giving out the new citizens certificates. The Alamo seemed so small. It is Texas’s biggest tourist destination.

    On the Double Decker bus tour we ventured to the old Pearl Beer Brewery. A grand repurposing of an old institution with Condo’s,  Hotels, retail spaces, restaurants, community space and bars taking over the old grand facility. Continuing on the bus tour we went to the Fiesta Market. A similar open air Mexican trade market as along the Rio Grande. Authentic Mexican Restaurant signs were placquered on all the cafes and restaurants (ok were are here!). Margarita time!

    I had written an email note to the San Antonio Pride Committee of our visit. We were contacted by their secretary, James. We met up with he and their president Phillip in the “Gay” section of town. Over 26 gay bars, restaurants, new apartment complexes and Rainbow Stripes painted on all the intersections. Pride events also happen here as there is a park right in the center of the district. We had a lot of comparing notes.

    To add color to a touristy town visit, he asked if we would like to go to an antique village 45 minutes outside of San Antonio. He wanted to be our daylong tour guide. What a great town, Guerney with boutiques shops, small creative eateries and loads of vintage items. And yes, Mark found a lot of historic forged iron pieces for the plantation. Back in San Antonio we went up the 1964 World’s Fair, Tower of the America’s that goes up 75 stories in the air with bar, restaurant and observatory of the Texan flat lands.

    Thanks to our great tour guides James and Phillip. Put San Antonio on your places to visit.