Riverwalk Revisited - 2019

After all the years we have been comimg to and living in San Antonio a visit to the Alamo is always a must. 

It happens to be Spring break for schools and so many others felt the need to come out to see this important icon of the war between Mexico and America. 

The Riverwalk is always a good place to dine and to enjoy the sights of the river.  The walk to the actual riverboat area is dotted with lots of plants and water features.

The Riverwalk skirts both sides of the river which snakes throughout the city.  Boat rides are available and a must as the sightseerer gets the full history of the city.

Each side of the river offers lots of restaurants where the diner can enjoy music from a Mariachi Band.  These are small, strolling, Mexican bands consisting usually of trumpters, guitarists and violinists.

We enjoyed lunch whilst the band played.  The appertizers included gumbo and a crab and spiced shrimp with lemon butter and rice.

The main we shared which was spiced tuna with rice pilaf,  beans and soy and ginger sauce.

This was the view from our table.

On the walk back to the Almo there are many magnificant buildings. 

Cheers,
Beverley and Ross 

A day of shooting

Yesterday we spent sometime at the Lone Star shooting range which is located on the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas.  At present the countryside is very green and lush which is very good for the farmers and cattle.
On entry to the range are some magnificant Longhorn cattle which were anxious to eat.

We were welcomed by the Statue of Liberty who totes a weapon.

The range is set up in the usual fashion.

 They will never forget 9/11.

Located in each bay is a photo which pays tribute to a fallen soldier of the US Military.  Following are just a few of the many remembered.

It was a great opportunity for us both to shoot the 22 pistol.

Ross refreshed his skills with our leaver action 30-30

Here is Justin in action.

Both Stephanie & Justin enjoy a day at the range.

Following our shoot we decided to meet at the Fork and Spoon located in New Brunfelds for a very late lunch.  The restuarant is located North of San Antonio & serves German food which is delicious.  However, being Friday afternoon we forgot how heavy the traffic can be hence the 30 minute trip took so much longer.

This is what the traffic is like at 3 pm on a Friday afternoon.

We finally arrived at the Fork and Spoon.

Beverley had ham and asparagus crepes.

Ross enjoyed the most delicious ham, asparagus and cheese omlette.

It was a great day all around.

Cheers,
Beverley and  Ross

Faith Chapel - Jeykell Island

Faith Chapel was built in 1904.  The Chapel's Gothic - influenced design, exterior gargoyles, luxurious carpeting, and rich stained wood interior are most impressive.

The original organ which is very grand.

The West wall of the Chapel's front, features a stained glass window which was designed, installed, and signed by Louis Tiffany.  Reportedly this is one of 5 such pieces know to exist.

The Tiffany Window.

At the east end of the Chapel behind the altar, is a beautiful stained window - Adoration  of the Christ Child by Maitland Armstrong and his daughter, Helen.  The window was installed as a memorial to Joseph Stickney, a Charter member of the Jekyll Island Club.

Adoration of the Christ Child.

A visit to Jeykell Island is certainly worth while.  It provides a walkback in time of the rich  and famous of their day.

Cheers,
Beverley and Ross

Georgia- Part 3

We had a wonderful time with our dear friends and time just flew by.  Reginna and Jim were gracious hosts who live in a beautful area of Georgia.  There are magnicicant trees on their property.

And pretty azalias.

Saying farwell is never easy.

We  had a fantastic time and thank you Reginna and Jim for making it such a relaxing and fun time.  We look forward to catching up again before returning to Australia.
Cheers,
Beverley and Ross

Georgia - Part 2

The Jekyll Island Club remains very much as it was in the early days. It is located in this grand building.

The decore is beautiful and speaks for itself.  This is  the grand dinniing room.

We were fortunate to meet Butler Robert who had been in service.  Included in this role was teaching young folks etiquette.  He was a local who after retiring he returned to the place where his heart was.  He was a font of knowlege of all things on the Island and a real gentleman.

Every room had a different theme.

It has grand hallways.

There is a great coffee house located in the hotel were we enjoyed a coffee out on the verandah.

It provided many delicious eats such as this chocolate turtle.  We oped for a brownie cut into 4's.

Before leaving we popped into the gift shop.

It was a great place to visit.
Cheers,
Beverley and Ross

Jekyll Island - Georgia - Part 1

Last year we spent 3 weeks in our RV in Georgia and this year we decided to fly to Savannah to spend time with our dear friends Reginna and Jim.  They were very gracious hosts and took us for a day out to Jekyll Island which is located on the coast of Geogia.  Today the Island is owned by the State of Georgia and run by a self-sustaining, self- governing body.  The Island has an interesting past and since 1888 when iconic families such as the Vanderbilts, Morgans, Pulitzers, and Rockefellers were

members of the Jekyll Island Club. They came for the winters by private rail cars and luxurious yachts. The days were filled with red-bug races on the beach, golf along the ocean, tennis on grass courts, and dinner lasted for hours in the Grand Dining Room as the Members laughed, celebrated, and planned entirely new worlds. 

Today, the Island is open for all to enjoy so we hopped onto a trolley and enjoyed a 90 minute guided tour. There are beautiful moss covered trees through out the Island poviding tree lined streets.

                               

Furness Cottage also known as the Old Infirmary, for its later purpose.  Its a Shingle Style Victorian was designed by the prominent architect Frank Furness for his nephew, Walter Rogers Furness, who later became an architect himself. The younger Furness was one of the founding members of the Jekyll Island Club and wintered here for several seasons. He sold the cottage to Joseph Pulitzer in 1896 and after three moves and several subsequent owners, it served as the Jekyll Island Club Infirmary. Today, it’s home to the beloved Jekyll Books, a must-see shop for regional literature and unique gifts.

Built as a farmhouse for John Eugene DuBignon before he sold the island, this Stick Style Victorian seems out of place among the grander cottages built later by members of the Jekyll Island Club. It was used as the superintendent’s residence and housed overflow guests of club members in the early days of the organization. It originally stood on the location of the Sans Souci Apartments but was moved to its present location in 1896 to accommodate construction of that structure.

There are many elegant homes throughout the Island which are called grand cottages.

The Club house remains very much as it was in the early days.  Croquet anyone.

We enoyed lunch at the wharf which provided a wonderful view of the sea.

More to follow,

Cheers,

Beverley and Ross