JOURNEY TO VAN HORN, TEXAS

We spent a couple of nights in Alvarado, TX at the Motor Home Specialists, where we bought our new coach.  We had some minor repairs to get fixed.  They have a huge operation there, complete with stalls to park in your coach during your stay.  We left out of there to our next destination - Van Horn, Texas - to visit Van Horn High,
since Tom and I both graduated from Van Horn High School in Independence, MO.

As we headed west along southern Texas, we saw a lot of oil rigs and wells and wind turbines.  The land was pretty barren and sandy.  We then came into an area covered with sand dunes.  If I had just opened my eyes not knowing where I was, I would have thought we were at the beach.  It looked just like it, plants and all.  Once upon a time all of the western part of the US was under the ocean so there is still lots of sand, rocks, fossils, etc.  Before reaching Van Horn, the landscape started to change and mountains were seen off in the distance. 

 

When we reached Van Horn, it was 81 degrees and sunny.  The wind blew all day during our trip and really wore Tom out.  We were tired but wanted to visit Van Horn High before the sun dropped.  We  quickly set up then drove into town.  The town was a little run down but the school looked great.  We'd say they could be sister schools. They both are red and gray.  One is the Falcons and this one is the Eagles.

 

After a great brisket dinner at the camp ground diner, we turned in early only to be awaked by very strong winds.  So strong that we had to get up and pull the "slides" in on the coach (est. 40 -60 MPH).  The canvases were flapping and the coach was rocking.  When we awoke the next morning, we found out what was blowing in.... the temperature had dropped from 81 the night before to 35 degrees!  Brrrrrrrrrrrrr  So after a warm breakfast in the diner, we took off towards Tuscon, Arizona.



TOWER OF THE AMERICAS in San Antonio
Located in downtown San Antonio, the 750-foot-tall Tower of the Americas provides guests the most spectacular view of the Alamo City. Enjoy the gorgeous panorama from the Tower's revolving Chart House Restaurant.

We noticed this tower as we drove into town so when we went back to spend the day siteseeing, - going to the top was on our list.  It was cloudy in the morning but the clouds soon burned away into a beautiful day so we went up before leaving town.  You could see a long ways out.  It is part of the Marriott and the revolving restaurant reminded us of the one in KC which resentlly closed.

SAN ANTONIO

After visiting the Texas historic spot of the Alamo, we walked quickly to the "River Walk".  It is one of our favorite places there.  We went there with Jim and Vicki Shepherd in Dec. many years ago and had a great time.  We searched out places we remembered and found many more new ones.

In September 1921, a disastrous flood along the San Antonio River took fifty lives. Plans were then developed for flood control of the river. Among the plans was to build an upstream dam (Olmos Dam) and bypass a prominent bend of the river in the downtown area (between current day Houston Street and Villita Parkway), then to pave over the bend, and create a storm sewer.
Work began on the Olmos Dam and bypass channel in 1926; however, the San Antonio Conservation Society successfully protested the paved sewer option. No major plans came into play until 1929, when San Antonio native and architect Robert Hugman submitted his plans for what would become the River Walk. Today, the San Antonio River Walk (also known as Paseo del Río) is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath downtown San Antonio, Texas. Lined by bars, shops and restaurants, the River Walk is an important part of the city's urban fabric and a tourist attraction in its own right.

A couple of the favorite places we visited before with Shepherds was "Dicks Last Resort".  They made being rude fun!  Don't go if you can't take a joke.  The other place was Michelinos; an Italian restaurant where we found the BEST ULTIMATE MARGARITA!    Yes - who would have guessed Magarita at Italian restaurant.  Well, we had to stop in and get one to be sure they were still good and they were!



REMEMBER THE ALAMO!!!   Feb. 20, 2012

The day was spent in San Antonio!  It is a beautiful city.  First stop just had to be the Alamo complete with watching film from History Channel & visiting the museum!  Tanner would have loved this.

The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar (modern-day San Antonio, Texas, USA). All but two of the Texian defenders were killed. Santa Anna's perceived cruelty during the battle inspired many Texians—both Texas settlers and adventurers from the United States—to join the Texian Army. Buoyed by a desire for revenge, the Texians defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, on April 21, 1836, ending the revolution. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamo)

It's hard to imagine such dedication.  We all remember the series of Davy Crockett on TV but knowing that men like him came and fought to the death for what they believed is so inspiring.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN! Feb. 19, 2012

Good news and bad news.  We are leaving Harlingen, TX today.   It will be good to get on the road again but sad to leave our friends behind.  Most will be going home next month and wish them safe journey.  Before leaving town, we had to make a run to "Cowboy's" to get some fresh (picked the day before) grapefruits and oranges.  Their ruby reds are the BEST!   We plan to spend a couple of days in San Antonio then go to Alvarado, TX on the 21st.  That is were we bought the new coach, Motor Home Specialist.  We have some minor repairs to be done so will spend a couple of days there before heading to Phoenix to visit brother Bob.