We love visiting places that have elaborate Christmas decorations. Two places come to mind is St. Augustine and Disney World. By accident, we have discovered our third favorite place, San Antonio.
Named for a Portuguese priest, San Antonio is the second largest populated city in Texas and is in the top ten in the United States. It is the city where the Alamo is located.
This mission, near the San Antonio River, is close by to the famous River Walk of San Antonio. Boat tours can be taken up and down the river.
At night, the River Walk has brilliant Christmas lights and decorations along the trail.
In 1968, San Antonio held the HemisFair—similar to NYC 1964 World’s Fair. I was but 13 when my family traveled through going to visit our cousins in California. We had a hard time finding parking as I recall.
One of my two memories was eating in an open-air food court. My dad splurged on buying slices of Quiche Lorraine. It was my first experience eating Quiche. I have been a fan ever since.
My other memory was seeing “The Alamo.”
I learned all about the Alamo watching Disney on Sunday nights. ABC (one of only three TV stations in the 1950’s and 60’s) would broadcast “The Wonderful World of Disney.”
A five-part series was developed starring Fes Parker as Davy Crockett.
Many of you know Davy died at Alamo fighting for Texas Independence. I still remember the beginning stanza of “The Ballad of Davy Crockett”.
Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
Greenest state in the land of the free
Raised in the woods so he knew ev’ry tree
Kilt him a be’are when he was only three
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier
Today the Alamo has a roof. It did not have a roof on March 6, 1836 when the battle took place.
In the Christmas season, there is a beautiful tree not far away from the Alamo
We loved going there in the early morning when no one was there.
Inside the Alamo are plagues and plenty of history. Close by is a 20th century large statue of the event.
I took a picture of a “Bowie” knife that may have been invented by James Bowie, one of the leaders who died at the Alamo.
I have found out since 1968 there is plenty of myths and legends about the Alamo—and American History.
There is good evidence that Davy Crocket actually surrendered and later executed. A 1960 John Wayne movie helped to propagate the myth that Davy fought to the bitter end.
Another myth is the belief that commander William Travis carved a “line in the sand.” There is no evidence of this event ever happening.
For years, even with me, the “Anglo” version of the fight for Texas is taught in American schools. There is no question that Mexico invited settlers in. Once in, many settlers did not want to give-up their slaves which was against Mexican law. It is like inviting Canadians into North Dakota, and having that state break away. There are plenty of “grey” areas in history, and nasty too.
It is fact today there is a “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” opposite the Alamo. There was no Ripley’s in 1968.
In 2005 along the front atrium, there was a life size statue of Robert Pershing Wadlow (A.k.a “The Alton Giant). In 1940, he was apparently the tallest person living at 8 feet and 11 plus inches tall.
In our 2009 visit, the Ripley’s display was changed to a “Predator” statue from the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie or close relative of other movies.
We have never been in a Ripley’s Believe it or Not, but have visited the Maddam Toussaint attraction in London.
Not far away is the Menger Hotel that was initially built by a German family in 1859.
This hotel had such famous people as U.S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. Even Babe Ruth visited the Menger Hotel.
There is a plaque in the hotel for Sidney Lanier, a famous southern 19th century poet. He is considered the “Poet of the Confederacy.” He was quite brilliant, but died early in his life at the age of 39 being expose to Tuberculous during the Civil War.
In August of 1992, candidate Clinton visited the Menger hotel as pictured eating ice cream.
In most Texas displays, there is always a reference to “America’s Team,” the Dallas Cowboys.
I think it is fascinating that Teddy Roosevelt recruited his “Rough Riders” from this hotel back in 1898 for the Spanish American War. San Antonio was a center point for many cattle trails and there were plenty of cowboys.
Not far from the Menger Hotel on a round-about is the 2002 65-foot statue of “The Torch of Friendship.” It was given by the Mexican government. The sculptor, Sabastian, designed it to mean that “the two countries are always close and always in a complex friendship.”
I don’t remember in 1968 the “Tower of the America’s.”
This 750-foot observation tower was the largest in the USA for 24 years until the Las Vegas Stratosphere was built in 1992. There is a revolving Chart House restaurant on top. Kathie and I had a satisfying lunch at the “Tower of the America’s” in 2009.
From the observation tower, there are spectacular views of the entire area.
We could see the famous AT&T Stadium. The NBA Spurs have won five titles from this place.
This stadium was also home in 2005 to the Division One Volleyball championships held in December of that year.
In 2005, I attended the USA Volleyball conference held at the same time during the Division One championships. The University of Washington defeated Nebraska in three sets.
I vividly remember on the second point of the game Nebraska calling a time-out. I said to myself, “This match is over.” Volleyball at the high level is so mental.
I took a picture of Washington using a “three-person block.” I read about this block, but never did have the courage to incorporate it in my volleyball repatoire.
The University of Washington fans were over-the-top.
At the airport, I happen to meet the University of Washington’s head coach, Jim McLaughlin. At that time, he was the first coach to ever win a men’s Division One volleyball title at USC and the Women’s Division Title for the Huskies. Without a doubt, he is a “nice” guy. Jim later went on to coach at the University of Notre Dame.
The River Walk is a main attraction for San Antonio. In 1921, over fifty people died in a major flood of the San Antonio River.
There were serious thoughts of filling in the “bend.” Brighter minds prevailed and today we have one of the most interesting River Walks in the world. At Christmas, the areas just light up in a festive atmosphere—known in our vocabulary as “ambiance.”
To control the San Antonio River, dams and flood gates have been incorporated:
Obviously, commercialism abounds along the walk with such places as the Hilton, Rain Forest Café, Hooters, Yard House, Hyatt and most everything else like a Hard Rock Cafe. Ironically, all these places’ blinds into a festive atmosphere. We had the pleasure to actually go to highly rated Tex-Mex restaurant, with music.
Just before we arrived in 2009, the River Walk was expanded to include a museum and even a brewery.
By accident, we came across the Pioneer Flour Mill built in 1859 and the Guenther House Museum and restaurant. This place is famous for their breakfasts.
The grinding stone imported from France is on display.
We had to wait our turn to go through the highly decorative house.
Since our 2009 visit, we have learned that the River Walk has continued to expand. It is our wish someday to return—particularly around the Christmas season.
