home of the alamo...

We had the opportunity to go to SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS just before Christmas.  We went to attend Raymond's great aunt Ardis' funeral but with our cruise being cancelled we figured we would make it a little vacation.  Be aware, I have lots of pictures below.  Sorry, but San Antonio is such a pretty city with lots to do!  We had a blast and kept busy!

We got to SLC international bright and early!

Watched an amazing sunrise from the plane.  We had a layover in Houston and almost missed our connecting flight.  When the flight attendants know your name as you are checking in you know your the last ones on the plane!

We stayed at this lovely hotel...the left top tower was our home for the 5 days. The back of the hotel was right on the riverwalk.

This was our room.  Isn't it lovely.  I almost stole the throw blanket on the bed as well as a chair out of the lobby...but it wouldn't fit in my carry-on...and it's dishonest and all!

We got to visit the Alamo.  I previously thought the Alamo was a "spirit of Texas" type thing but oh no it is so much more ( I am dumb, I know). If you would like to learn about it just give me a call, I watched the movie @ the barracks!

It was so fun that we got to hang out with John & Erin while here!  They moved to Texas in August for school. They were awesome enough to drive down to sight-see with us!  Thanks guys, it was a blast hanging out with you!!

More of the Alamo

The Riverwalk...just below street level there is this beautiful sight.  There are shops, restaurants and sitting areas all along this beautiful river.  It truly was amazing and so fun.  We spent a great deal of our time along here.

Behind us is the Ampitheater at La Villita...more wonderful shops and beautiful buildings!

We saw this random bear in the park, we all had to stop and give it a hug!

Tower of the America's

Lots of beautiful water features were everywhere in this city, like I said it is a beautiful city!

Raymond turning Texan, I loved it but he didn't buy it.  He stated "It won't fit very well in our luggage".  Yup, I am sure that was his only appeal.

Casa Rio...delicious mexican food along the riverwalk

The riverwalk at night notice all the luminaries along the sides, all the trees were lit up as well.

Riding the river barge, seeing the sights. 

I tried on a new headpiece at the Earth Goods Store, we also bought Raymond a fidget ring here that he could wear since his wedding ring doesn't fit! I asked him, and he said yes! Yay!

It was kind of weird to be going to dinner and just walk past the Alamo.  It is right in the middle of downtown.

We had delicious smoked BBQ--Texas sized--at County Line.

We had lunch at the Tower of America's revolving restaurant 700 feet up in the air.  It was incredible.  It was very fine dining, everything served on a platter, even our bill agreed it was fine dining!

We started with a chopped spinach salad, Raymond had a steak with yummy potatoes and Fried Mac & Cheese (notice the large square on the black plate...that was different but very very good!), I had the Salmon Rockefeller.  It was all incredible!

Raymond holding up the tower...he is so strong!

The weather was beautiful & warm, in the 70's!

Warm enough to have ice cream sitting on the patio at the riverwalk.  Funnest part was all the restaurants along the riverwalk were outdoors.  As well as many of the shops.

Some more amazing mexican food.

Gorgeous buildings at Mission Conception, it is still a functioning chapel.

Raymond was getting dragged away by the Spanish monks...or so we thought.

Mission San Jose, all their buildings have incredible architecture.

Arches at Mission San Jose

All of the detail work was incredible

Some new family we were able to meet...Kristy, Misty, Becky, James, Kristy's Mom

Some more family...we just love this family!  Mike, Caroline, Ross, Teresa...they are the sweetest people!

After the funeral & luncheon we went to the shops at La Cantera.  It is an incredible outdoor mall.  Very upper class, you wont  find Dillard's or Payless here.  Instead it will be Neiman Marcus & Tiffany's. The mall lines amazing gardens, fountains and we were lucky enough to see it with Christmas lights.

Afterwards we headed to Rudy's for some yummy BBQ, we were told to find the original Rudy's which is actually still a gas station with restaurant off the side!  You order all your meats by the pound in whatever combination you want.  We tried some of everything!

We were kinda nervous to be eating BBQ with our hands in our Sunday dress but we did just fine!  It was really worth the drive to find the ORIGINAL Rudy's. Our GPS lady, Lucita, was freaking out and kept getting lost.

See we really did stay clean :)

On our way home, our flight was a bit delayed due to weather but it went without a hitch.

We had a great trip, we were able to see lots, rest lots and eat lots of yummy foods!  We also went to the San Antonio museum to see their Egypt exhibit, we drove all around the neighborhoods looking at the cute houses, walked all along the parks, went to El Mercado and walked along the shops and even had a real Mariachi band serenade us during dinner! It was our first time flying together so that was really fun as well!  I love San Antonio and would love to go back! The architecture was incredible, the city was enchanting, and the food was incredible!