Exploring the River Walk

We left our hotel this morning and spent the whole day walking along the River Walk in downtown San Antonio. I could not stop taking pictures! Be sure to click on "Comments" below to read Glenn's additions to this post.

The myriad of awning and umbrella varieties is astounding! Here we have fresh yellow and white stripes coupled with crisp black and white polka dot!

This line of rainbow colored umbrellas is on postcards and websites everywhere!

The finale of all the umbrellas sports the lone star of Texas.

Am I Dreaming?

I can't recall ever seeing an airport concourse seating area that was not of the "black vinyl seats in rows with chrome legs and armrests" variety. What a refreshing change we found in San Antonio! This is the main terminal which was lined with comfy looking white verandah-style rocking chairs!

Arrival

A few pics from our first day.

View from the gate... the American Airlines was our plane, but when I saw this sight, I was tempted to switch!

A kind soul took this picture of us waiting at the gate. Blurry, but HAPPY!

We got to San Antonio after dark, so this was our first look at the River Walk. Can I just say AWESOME? It was vibrant and pulsing with energy!

This is where we are staying:

An adventure for tomorrow since the pool was closed by the time we returned from dinner.

Decisions, Decisions

So many tantalizing options for things to do and see in San Antonio! Here are links to some of the choices.

Who could resist a museum called "The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum?"

Or maybe the local IMAX movie of the battle of the Alamo!

Or for the truly adventurous, perhaps a trip down into the far reaches of the earth at the Natural Bridge Caverns?

Family Connections in San Antonio

As with our last trip to Texas in 2008, we will be visiting several areas of genealogical interest for both Glenn and Nancy's family roots including a few in the San Antonio area.

By far the most exciting, though not the closest, family connection in San Antonio is Nancy's distant cousin, Patrick Herndon, one of the heroes of the Alamo battle. Patrick's mother, Judith Hampton, was the sister of Nancy's 3rd great grandmother, Francis Hampton. This makes Patrick Nancy's 1st cousin 4 times removed and Johnathan's 1st cousin 6 times removed! The history of Texas online give the following bio of Patrick:

"HERNDON, PATRICK HENRY (1802-1836): Patrick Henry Herndon, Alamo defender, son of John and Judith (Hampton) Herndon, was born in Virginia in March 1802. His family moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 1811. He married Pamelia (or Pamela) Smith in Fayette County, Kentucky on November 1, 1824. She died on February 5, 1825. He subsequently moved to Navidad, Texas. He joined the army at Bexar on December 1, 1825. On January 15, 1826, he became attached to Capt. John Chenoweth's company. Herndon may have been one of the volunteers who accompanied James Bowie to Bexar and the alamo on January 19, 1836. He died in the battle of the alamo on March 6, 1836."

All of the heroes of the Alamo are entombed in the shrine with an honorary placque that lists the names of those who gave their lives defending the Alamo:

Other connections in the San Antonio area include Nancy's mother, Ruth, who lived in nearby Shertz as a teenager while her dad, Herbert Henry, was stationed at Randolph Field (now called Randolph Air Base). Herb was the base band director. Glenn has living relatives in Shertz, as well, so we hope to fit in a visit. This is a photo (borrowed from Baseball in Wartime blog at http://www.baseballinwartime.blogspot.com/) that shows Randolph Field as it was when Herb was stationed there.

Announcing Glenn & Nancy's 2010 Trip to Texas

Glenn and Nancy are excited to announce another trip to the great state of Texas. This time we will be bringing our grandson, Johnathan, and our first stop is the beautiful city of San Antonio. Our hotel is right on the world famous San Antonio River Walk (see links in Sidebar). Our digs in San Antonio, Drury Inn & Suites Riverwalk, boasts that they are so close you can almost do a cannonball into the river from your room's window!

Just Another Sunset in Paradise

Koi

Koi, swimming in one of the lush, tropical pools on the grounds of the Hilton Hawaiian Village resort on Waikiki.

Board Beauty

Images from the Lanai

I never tire of the ever-changing display of color and light at one of our favorite places on earth. We are here again on Waikiki beach for our annual fall trip and loving every moment.

Old and New at Waikiki

Standing on the corner of Lewers and Kalia, just about the only familiar site is Denny's which I decided did not warrant a photo. What used to be a cozy little trattoria, is now a glitzy Roy's restaurant in the also new Embassy Suites. The entire block has been revamped with a grassy area for concerts and lots of fun shops and restaurants.

On the corner of Saratoga and Kalia, the new Trump Hotel is close to a grand opening. They were busy with the landscaping this week.

Beauty Everywhere You Look

No words needed...

Critters

Not sure if fish are critters, but aren't they beautiful? The green grasshopper-like creature crawled in through our 8th floor kitchen window and the snail was making its way across a path in the park--so glad I saw it in time and didn't step on it!

All Neck and Legs!

I could watch these creatures for hours. Photo taken at the Hilton Village.

Here we are back in Paradise

Once or twice a year, this blog becomes less about photography and more about our travels. A long-time annual family tradition, Glenn and I are happy to be in Waikiki again with my mom. This year is my mom's 39th consecutive visit to the island of O'ahu. Here are some photos of our arrival and first morning in Hawaii. Due to some "interesting" last minute changes by the airlines, we arrived in Waikiki much later than usual... just in time, however, for this WONDERFUL sunset! Barely got the camera out of the bag in time for this shot.

Sunday morning. Outriggers heading out to sea, as seen from the beach at Fort Derussy.

From the lanai. Loved the shadows.

Never tire of this view from the lanai and have to post it especially for my girls. Bring back memories? Wish you were all here!

New mug from Starbucks.

Surf's up?

Breakfast on the lanai.

A man and his son setting up fishing rods at the water's edge in front of Ft. Derussy.

Glenn on his morning walk through the park. Hang loose!

My sweetheart... neither a martini drinker or a cigar smoker, but definitely a Tommy Bahama kind of guy.