San Antonio is a beautiful city. We were very fortunate to have hotel rooms about two blocks from the Riverwalk and the Alamo. Our rooms were some of the best we experienced on our travel so our two nights there were very enjoyable. The first night we walked to the Riverwalk for dinner. The next day we spent most of our time at the Alamo. After the Alamo we took a barge ride on the San Antonio River. This lovely tourist attraction known as the Riverwalk has a very functional purpose. It is designed to prevent flooding of the downtown area. In 1921, a rainstorm left 9 feet of water on Houston Street, killed 50 people, and damaged many downtown shops and business. After that the city built a by-pass channel, flood gates and storm drains to prevent this from ever happening again. As years passed, although it was effective, the water had become very polluted and the area was unsightly. Some citizens called for the channel to be filled in, but some foresighted city leaders refused and instead revitalized the channel, upgraded the flood control devices and encouraged businesses like shops and restaurants to settle in this area. Today it is a very lively area filled with people strolling on the sidewalks, eating at outdoor cafes, shopping at boutiques or riding on the river. At night music is in the air and the restaurants are filled with diners. Seafood, steakhouses and of course Mexican restaurants are the most common. However, you could probably find any kind of food you could imagine along this 2.5 mile area.
The Alamo was fantastic. We did an audiotour and a guided tour. I learned a great deal about the history of Texas, and the battle of the Alamo. It was a very inspiring story. I even found if you can prove that you are a descendent of person who died at the Alamo you will be granted a large amount of land. I found that there was a doctor by the name of John Purdy Reynolds. He was a surgeon trained at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. My maiden name is Reynolds and we come from West Virginia. It would not be inconceivable that one of my relatives was educated in Philadelphia and moved to Texas. I will have to do more research. If you are interested in understanding Texas history or the Battle of the Alamo, let me know and when I return I will fill you in on this.
First, the battle did not take place in the chapel. It took place along the walls of the Alamo. Alamo in Spanish means cottonwood. The Alamo was orginally a Spanish mission intended to teach the natives the Catholic religion, the language, and how to be successful Spanish subjects. They learned trades including, farming, construction, weaving, and much
These next two plaques must be zoomed in on or stretched if you have an Ipad. They are about the Masons and their association with the Alamo.
Unfortunately, they would not allow pictures inside any of the buildings so all I can show you are exterior shots.
This is a very special tree. It is a Live Oak and is hundreds of years old. It sit next to the well the settlers used while fighting.
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