Day one of my Road Scholar adventure in San Antonio was very full so I am just now getting around to writing it up. We spent the morning listening to a fascinating lecture on the history of Texas then set out to make it real with a tour of the Alamo.
Well the Alamo is well loved and well visited so I had to shoot over the crowds on this one and I grunged it up a bit because the skies were so boring. One thing the morning lecture did for me was put the battle of the Alamo into perspective because though the battle was lost the war was won. Possibly through dumb luck from the perspective of the lecturer. In any case Texas was born after the battle of San Jacinto and the Alamo defenders were vindicated if not revenged. Another thing I learned is that the famous hump on top of the Alamo wasn’t even there at the time of the battle(note the different colored stone). It was added many years late
r when the ruined misson chapel was turned into a military supply depot.
The next stop on our tour was at the historic and reportedly haunted Menger Hotel. No ghosts were seen but the decor was worth the trip.
We then pr
oceeded via trolley to La Villita an old neighborhood now turned into shops.
We stopped at the theater to learn about the history of the Riverwalk which was originally envisioned as a Venitian canal flowing through downtown San Antonio. It took some t
ime to put the dream into reality but the results are quite stunning. I did a painterly treatment to simplify this view of a barge passing by. Our own barge ride was at night and after dinner. The lights on the water make for lovely views.
We ended the day at the San Fernando Cathederal where a laser light show projected on the face of the building provided another perspective on Texas history. I only wish I could share all the amazing views of the Cathedral I shot during the show.
Next up the King William District and more on the Riverwalk.