Mission San Jose

San Antonio has a number of missions which came about in the 18th Centuary when the Spanish church built 5 Catholic missions along the San Antonio River.  The purpose was to extend its denomination northwards from Mexico and to convert the native population to Catholism.  The five missions are The Alamo of Davey Crocket fame, Mission San Jose considered the Queen of the missions, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada.  We visited Mission San Jose which is the most restored mission of the five.   It was established in 1720 and is the finest example of a completely restored mission in the USA.

 The church continues to provide services and weddings.  At the entrance of the church Christ's family tree is evident.  To know more about the missions have a look at

www.nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/sanjose.htm
www.nps.gov/saan/

On the groungs of the mission is the San José's grist mill in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.  It never ground corn, only wheat? The mill was built late in the mission period; by then the mission Indians had acquired a taste for wheat-based foods. Today the mill is mostly a reproduction, but is in operation five days a week.

There is a lot of Cactus around Texas and it even grows on the roof.

The missions are worth a visit as they provide some insight into the lives of those who fought so hard just to survive.

More to folllow.

Best wishes,

Bev and Ross

Australian Friends Visit

Over the last week we have had the pleasure of hosting some of Australian friends who came for a visit.  So one of the first places we visited was the Alamo.

While walking around we enjoyed not only the stories of the fateful events of 1863 but also the gardens which surround the barracks block.  It was a very hot day with temperatures of 100 F so as sun wise Australians Julie, Ross and Beverley ensured they were well protected.  None of the hats would have won  an award but they did the job.  No sunburn for us.

No visit to downtown San Antonio would be complete without a trip to the Riverwalk.  So after a visit to the Alamo and a 45 minute tour bus tour around the city we headed for lunch at a favourite Mexican restaurant located on the river.  Jennifer, Garry and Julie had never been to San Antonio before so we introduced them to some Tex/Mex fare.  The fajita and the margarita.

Another staple of this part of the country is the pizza.  We thought we were doing well with a 20"- 16 slice.

Our friends had the giant version.

Have a look at the slice from the giant pizza.  Brendon and Patrick thought this was just great.  As you would be aware 'everything is bigger in Texas' especially if you eat at Big Lou's.

June is also Dennis' birthday and so this was good opportunity to spoil him.  He really enjoys chocolate cake and did a good job serving it up to us all.

Jennifer was the photographer while we looked on.  Marilee was also able to  join us.

It was a delight to have Julie, Jennifer and Garry come to stay and to be able to introduce them to some of our friends.    

Best wishes to all,

Bev and Ross

Dallas

Everyone has heard of Dallas and whilst we have been through this town many times we had never had the time to have a good look around.  So we took the opportunity to visit and enjoyed looking around at the interesting city buildings. (All three photos taken from the seventh floor of the book repository - there no photos allowed from the sixth - see below).

It is well known that many Texans enjoy hunting and fishing so much so they make furniture out of their hunt.

The Texans really enjoy owning a good pair of boots and as you can see there are a lot to choose from.

Dallas is also the place that JF Kennedy was asassinated in 1963 so no visit would be complete with out immersing oneself in the activities of that fateful day.  The photo below is looking from Elm Street towards the grassy knoll, long a point of contention for those who believe there was a second shooter.

This is from the roadway towards the grassy knoll where it was thought that the second shooter was located (in the trees behind the wall).

And this is looking from that location. (if you look closely you will see an X marked on the road and this is the location where the second shot hit Kennedy).

The Book Repository (building on the left) where officially all the shots came from.  The window at the end near the road, second floor from the top (just hidden by the tree) is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired three shots from.  The Repository is now a museum and very worthy of a visit.  To know more about the events of this day in 1993 please have a look at http://www.jfk.org/   and http://www.jfkstudies.org/   There are a number of conspiracy theories about who did what and to whom on this day and while the US Government has officially closed the case there are many who believe the truth has not been told.  So its up to you to make up your mind about the events of November 1963.  JFK is still a significant part of the American psyche.

The weather was hot with temperatures around100F.  But it was worth the visit.

Best wishes,
Bev and Ross

Corpus Christi - Texas

It had been many years since our last visit to Corpus Christi so we took the opportunity to spend a couple of days there having a good look around.  Corpus Christi is a 21/2 hours drive south from San Antonio and is positioned on the Gulf of Mexico.  As you can see it has a nice beach and is a very clean and friendly town.  It was good to see the sea after spending the last 6 months in a very hot San Antonio and to be able to enjoy the cool sea breezes.

Corpus Christi is also the home of the Texas State Aquarium which is a most interesting place to visit.

It has an amazing collection of animals and fish many of which we do not have in Australia such as the Bald Eagle the National bird of America.   They also have a very interesting array of Amazon creatures.  Most of which you would not wish to meet in the jungle.

Other outdoor exhibits include turtles crocodiles, stringrays and otters who thrill the crowds with their antics.   To see more of what this Aquarium has to offer have a look at http://www.texasstateaquarium.org/

The USS Lexington which is a now retired WW11 aircraft carrier is also located here and very worthwhile visiting.

It's decks are huge.

It has an impressive war history.

Over its many years of service many sailors payed with their lives so we could have the freedoms enjoyed today.  The poem below speaks of their sacrifices.

To know more of this champion of the sea, go to www.USSLEXINGTON.com/

Best wishes to all.
Bev and Ross