Yesterday the temperatures were up in the 80's and today's temperatures have continued to fall since morning. That weather map showing all that cold north air blowing south shows it aiming for Texas, too. I told the dogs they were just trying to get us used to grey overcast skies and cold so that we wouldn't be too shocked when we headed north the end of this week. For now we are hoping to continue heading east and catch a few more days of more moderate weather.
Driving across highway 90 on the way to San Antonio it was a quick side trip to visit the Historic remains of Judge Roy Bean's empire. It wasn't much of an empire but it was all his and he got to rule it as he liked.
The Opera House was really his home but it made it sound so much more exciting as he kept inviting his Miss Lilly to come visit his town.
And further down the road we crossed the Pecos River. People didn't get across this river without some work. Judge Roy Bean got to take care of the folks that made it across and tried to travel west....
The puppers and I made it to Nikki's driveway, or in this case in front of her house. (Her neighbors are very accepting) The next morning was the beginning of the San Antonio tour. Tours here start with breakfast from a small home town place that has now gathered national recognition from foodies. Yes, the breakfast tacos were that good.....
And we stopped to walk through the fairly new San Antonio Library......(I thought of you, Lyn.) Peak up the stairs and you find out one of the reasons we stopped.
I found the base interesting....how the glass curve around the bases.
The library also has gallery shows in its art section.
This is for a look at the ceiling. These were all just neat spaces that made you want to grab a book and sit awhile over in a nook.
This was a "happy place." Right as you walked in the door are the shelves with "freebies." Find a book you like and yo can have it. Even visitors from Ohio. The rest of the store has used books and books withdrawn from the library collection for sale. They also had used books on tape and CD for sale. It was probably a good thing that we didn't stay too long.....it was a very dangerous room.
Nikki left her car parked at the Library garage and we walked through the beautiful grounds of the Southwest School or Art. The school lives in what was once a monastery. Wonderful stone, trees and lines. Nikki leading the way....
Nikki went in to find out where the gift shop might have been moved to only to find out the gift shop had disappeared to make room for some student lounge area since they have added undergraduate programing. It appeared to be administrative offices and cubicals in the area behind Nikki, but who cares....just look at that rock archway and the size of the doors
Walking through a northern section of the San Antonio River Walk.
We walked down to the main section of the walk to pick up one of the boat tours. The city has apparently continued to develop and take advantage of the attraction the water front provides for tourist and local live. More and more restaurants have been opened and old buildings have been repurposed to take advantage of income potential.
Nikki and I enjoyed watching all the young recent air force graduates walking around town in their uniforms with their proud parents, girl friends, little brothers, etc. The airmen (and women) looked so young, so full of promise, so sharp in their uniforms....ready to head of to their next assignment.
We walked over to the Alamo and explored the grounds and used my imagination to consider how bare these lands were and what this area looked like back in the day. It isn't as if I hadn't driven across miles of Texas frontier the day before.
Not a cowboy but a Texas Ranger.... Somehow it just isn't that same.
Inside the larger grounds of the Alamo.....
Yes, Ohio, it really is spring here in Texas.....
Mountain Laural......
The next day Nikki and I head out to a near by Farmer's market......Beautiful fresh produce. Not thinking I will see any of that in Ohio for awhile either. This guy was just taking a break in the back of the truck.
From the Farmer's market it was back on the road to explore more of the Hill Country and the art galleries and antique shops that exist out there. We found more than our energy would allow us to explore. But I saw a good representation of Texas art.
Gruene is a town with a strong German heritage.
Not a bad look for a Pottery Studio....
Cactus Jacks did have quite a collection of local artist's work. I really like their steps .
We stopped in Blanco for lunch and on the way to the restroom I found this sign and watched a short video of the 3D pottery printer in action. I don't think Dennis is in danger of loosing his plate and bowl customers....
Looking across the front lawn of the courthouse towards the store fronts. The buildings were original stone and had been there awhile.
Driving back towards home we made a pass through Wimberley....and more artsy shops and ...wait for it....a pie shop. It was time to stop for desert.
Today I tried to buy some new tires at Costco only to find out that similarly to Liz's discovery in Stockton, the tires for a Honda Sport Fit are not always carried on the shelves. Guessing I will be ordering them when I get back to Ohio. They are all still holding air I just know that they don't have enough tread left to make it over snowy Ohio roads.
We were both running out of steam but we did make it to a Thrift Store and on to lunch.
If San Antonio is going to start getting cold on me, I will at least continue to enjoy it's food! Everything was so fresh and the sauces were everything Nikki said they would be. Delicious!
My grilled fish with shrimp and spaghetti squash....
Nikki's Shrimp and Lobster salad .....
Pups are ready to head east tomorrow is the wind allows it. I will drive in rain and cold and even in snow but excessive wind...not so much.
Big thank you to Nikki and her sweet Olive for inviting us to San Antonio and introducing us to her city and the beautiful scenic views out in the surrounding Hill Country.
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