San Antonio

On December 16th, Kevin and I went on a day trip to San Antonio for our 2 month anniversary (monthiversary?) and had such an amazing time.

We started the drive a little later than we intended but weren't really surprised by that at all. We drove for a bit with my iPod adapter providing music but because it uses the radio airwaves, it would produce static anytime we were in the trough of a hill. It was ridiculously annoying so we ended up pulling over at a Best Buy and bought the best of Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, and Willie Nelson. We got to San Antonio and were expertly guided by the tourist signs to the Alamo.

The closing remarks in a series of letters from William Barret Travis during the battle of the Alamo, asking for reinforcements and supplies, requests that were forced to be ignored due to the lack of extra resources and the overwhelming possibility of defeat.

An amazing 100 year old tree that was transplanted to the Alamo grounds as a gift.

After touring the Alamo and its accompanying museum, we walked across the street and down a floor into the underground river system/shopping and eating extravaganza The Riverwalk. Its so beautiful there, its like walking through a postcard. To get down to The Riverwalk, we walked through the Hyatt hotel and its waterway that resembles what an Indiana Jones themepark would look like.

On the balcony of this building, it says "Architect: R. H. Hugman" who is the visionary responsible for the Riverwalk complex and atmosphere.

We had the most perfect dinner at Casa Rio. It was the first restaurant on the Riverwalk, paving the way for what it has become today. It was so delicious and the margaritas were spectacular.

Established in 1946, "Casa Rio was the first San Antonio business to open its doors to the River and take advantage of the River's setting. Canoes, gondolas, and paddle boats, evolving into tour and dinner boats, began here and helped create the Riverwalk of today". - Casa Rio - A Taste of History on the River

 

Deluxe Dinner -  Cheese  Enchilada, Tamale, Crispy  Beef  Taco, Chili Con Carne, Guacamole Salad,  Chili Con Queso, Mexican Rice, and Refried Beans

Vegetable Quesadillas - Filled with cheese, pico de gallo, and sauteed onions, zucchini and squash.

After dinner, we walked back up to street level to the car to get our coats as a cold front had come in. We walked past all the tourist trap stores and attractions, one being the Guiness Book of World Records museum. We didn't go in as it was $20 per person, but at the entrance was what we thought was a statue of the world's tallest man, sitting in a massive chair. I say we thought it was a statue because as you can see in this picture, when Kevin went to stand next to it (to compare his towering 6'4 stature), it STOOD UP. I screamed bloody murder and was then laughed at by a few people walking past on the sidewalk.

After we got our coats, we went back to the river level and took a riverboat tour. We boarded immediately onto a boat that was waiting at the dock and the boat took off at half capacity. Apparently we lucked out because as we passed the other docks, there were lines at least 50 people long and all the other boats were completely full and uncomfortable looking. Our tour guide was wonderful and very sweet. Kevin and I flirted with the idea of moving to an expensive condo on the Riverwalk where I would work as a riverboat tour guide and have a job that actually makes me happy along with a wonderful and exciting new home with my wonderfully exciting new boyfriend.

Hilton's Palacio Del Rio was constructed one complete room at a time offsite (with the beds made and the lamps and coffee makers in place) and then transported to the Riverwalk where the rooms were inserted into the main structure like pieces of a puzzle.

The Tower Life building. The top tiers are illuminated with red and green lights for the Christmas season.

While on the riverboat tour, we heard mariachis playing from the patio of a restaurant and decided we'd track it down and go watch them over a few margaritas. The Riverwalk is much larger than we thought and we ended up walking probably a mile or two trying to find the right Mexican restaurant. We eventually found it, snagged the perfect table along the water, and were serenaded by the mariachi. After one sub-par and overpriced margarita, we began the hunt for a different restaurant. We ended up at The Landing which is attached to the Hyatt hotel and has live jazz music and wonderful (half priced!) margaritas. We sat outside in the cold, reflected over our romantic and adventurous day, and soaked in the atmosphere. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day.