10/21/07 – 10/22/07
San Antonio KOA
San Antonio, Texas
Odometer Reading:13,418.8
Headed out early to San Antonio. Ron was hoping that with cable TV he might be able to catch the Pat’s game but no luck. The only broadcast was for Texas. He’s missed the last three games and is in withdrawal.
Spent Sunday afternoon and evening touring downtown San Antonio. We Strolled the River Walk and took a boat tour of the River. The tour guide was great pointing out many landmarks and giving us the history of the River Walk. All along the River are Restaurants, shops and a casino. There is an enormous fully functioning hospital along the walk that has a bar on the first level!!!!!! It is a beautiful area and great concept to revitalize the city. The River Walk is directly across the street from the Alamo
which is right in the center of the city of San Antonio.The Alamo
is not part of the National Park 
Service and is privately managed by the Daughters
of the Republic of Texas who were entrusted by the State of Texas in 1905 with the care and maintenance of the Alamo as a historic site and shrine “as a sacred memorial to the heroes who immolated themselves upon that hallowed ground”. The DRT’s receive no monetary help from local, state or federal government and depend solely on donations and proceeds from the gift shop adjacent to the Alamo to preserve and maintain the complex and exhibits.The Alamo, built around 1718, originally named Mision San Antonio de Valero served as a home to missionaries and their Indian converts for nearly 70 years. In the early 1800’s , the Spanish military stationed a calvary unit at the former mission. The soldiers referred to the old mission as the “Alamo” (Spanish word for cottonwood) in honor or\f their hometown. The commander established the first recorded hospital in Texas in the long barrack. (scary hospital)
Until the Texas revolution, the Spanish, Rebel and then 
Mexican military continued to occupy the Alamo.The fateful 1836 battle at the Alamo was preceded by the defeat of the Mexican troops in December of 1935 when the Texan and Tejiano volunteers forced General Martin Perfecto de Cos and his soldiers to surrender. The victorious volunteers then inhabited the Alamo and strengthened its forces.
Unfortunately, General Antonio Lopez Santa Anna had other ideas. He was angry and wanted to recapture the Alamo. On February 23, 1836 Santa Anna, with his forces 6000 strong was outside the Alamo. The defenders of the Alamo (under 200 men ) were able to hold the Alamo for thirteen days against Santa Anna’s army. On March 6, 1836 the final assault on the Alamo took place when Santa Anna’s army stormed the Alamo http://www.thealamo.org/
in the pre-dawn hours surprising and overwhelming the defenders. Despite the loss, this battle has come to symbolize the heroic struggle against overwhelming odds – a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Not long after the battle at the Alamo, Santa Anna’s army was easily defeated by Sam Houston and his army allowing Texas to pursue its’ quest for independence.
Within the museum are artifacts from Jim Bowie (his knife) and David Crockett (his gun, clothing and personal items). Of the men that died four were from Massachusetts and one from Rhode Island. It is amazing to be here this location and walk in the footsteps of those who fought such a famous battle.
Today, Monday, we’ve encountered our first day of less then perfect weather. Heavy rains this morning kept us in the RV. Amazingly the temp was in the high 80’s yesterday to 62 today with a brisk wind. Around one PM we headed out to take in the Mission’s in the area. There are five missions including the Alamo.
This chain of missions established along the San Antonio River in the 18th century is a reminder of one of Spain’s most successful attempts to extend its dominion northward from present day Mexico. Collectively they form the largest concentration of Catholic missions in North America.
The Alamo was the first mission on the San Antonio River. Although it does not house a formal church the area of the Alamo that was the church is now the shrine to honor those who died during the 1836 battle.
Mission Concepcion has endured time and the elements for 250 years. It is the country’s oldest original stone churche. There is extensive art on the walls inside the buildings of the mission. Experts restored these frescos in 1988 and they are beautiful and colorful.
Masses are held in the church every Sunday. When we were in the church there was organ music being piped in. It was very serene and beautiful.
Built in 1720 mission San Jose was viewed as the model of mission organization. The overall size of the complex reflects San Jose’s reputation as the “Queen of the Missions.”
Mission San Jose was the most beautiful and largest of the missions we toured. You could imagine living within the confines of the mission.
Built in 1720 mission San Jose was viewed as the model of mission organization. The overall size of the complex reflects San Jose’s reputation as the “Queen of the Missions.”
Mission San Jose was the most beautiful and largest of the missions we toured. You could imagine living within the confines of the mission.
Next it was on to San Juan Mission. San Juan mission was originally established in East Texas and was moved to its permanent home on the east bank of the San Antonio River in 1731. Once again, one could imagine living, working and worshiping within the mission complex. 
The final mission was the Mission Espada located Southernmost of the San Antonio chain of missions. It is the most remote of the missions and in the 1700’s this proved a problem when threatened by the Indians.
The biggest threat to the residents within all the missions was the Apache and Comanche Indians. Although they did not attack the missions they would kidnap the people and steal supplies.
A Park Ranger told us that all the missions still have active congregations. If one parishioner from one mission goes to another mission and behaves badly there is hell to pay. One parishioner stated that if “I were caught by another mission parishioner doing something wrong, I would just turn myself into the police- the punishment would less severe.”
Then it was back to the River Walk.
Ron because wanted some ice cream. Little did we know it 
would cost us $9.50 for two cups of ice cream. What I can’t believe is that Ron actually paid that kind of money. I’m still in shock. 
It was a great day, although chilly. The missions were beautiful and all were a little different. A must see for anyone visiting San Antonio.
I apologize for being so wordy!!!
The biggest threat to the residents within all the missions was the Apache and Comanche Indians. Although they did not attack the missions they would kidnap the people and steal supplies.
A Park Ranger told us that all the missions still have active congregations. If one parishioner from one mission goes to another mission and behaves badly there is hell to pay. One parishioner stated that if “I were caught by another mission parishioner doing something wrong, I would just turn myself into the police- the punishment would less severe.”
Then it was back to the River Walk.
Ron because wanted some ice cream. Little did we know it 
would cost us $9.50 for two cups of ice cream. What I can’t believe is that Ron actually paid that kind of money. I’m still in shock. 
It was a great day, although chilly. The missions were beautiful and all were a little different. A must see for anyone visiting San Antonio.
I apologize for being so wordy!!!
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