San Antonio, Texas -part one

                San Antonio, Texas – Trip Log

Thurs. Feb. 28, 2019

        We arose early at 3:30 A.M., prepped and set off for Ft. Myers Airport (RSW) by 4:15 A.M. Planes were landing and airport personnel were scurrying hither and yon, even at this early hour. Our 6 A.M. flight boarded on time and set off for Dallas, Texas. It was supposed to be a routine two- and one-half hour flight. As we landed at Dallas. Ft. Worth, things came to a grinding halt. Temperatures had dropped below freezing overnight, so all of the early flights leaving Dallas/Ft. Worth were waiting in line for deicing, before take-off. That meant that the arrival gates were clogged with aircraft. We sat for over an hour on the run way, waiting for a gate assignment.

        When the plane did arrive, we made one of those “O.J. specials” and ran like hell for the small, light-rail train that would ferry us to the next terminal and our departure gate, for the continuing flight to San Antonio. We arrived, breathless, just as the plane was boarding. It was sro. (full) As we taxied for a run way spot, the pilot informed us that we too had to de-ice before take-off. That added another hour onto the flight. Luckily, there were small movie screens on the backs of our seats, so we just chilled out and watched a film. When we did off-lift, it was a quick hour’s flight into San Antonino, Texas. We collected our bags, hailed a cab and set off for the Holiday Inn on the Riverwalk, in the downtown area. We were looking forward to seeing this area, that we had heard so much about.

       It was 43 degrees out, overcast and chilly for any Floridian. The hotel was booked to the rafters. No rooms were ready for an early check in. We left our bags with the hotel staff and then set out to see what we could see. The hotel is situated on the left bank of the Riverwalk, so we descended the 20 feet of stairs onto the Riverwalk. The San Antonio River here is about 20 feet across. It is lined on both sides by hotels and restaurants, attractive Flora and a small walkway. Today's chilly temperatures had made the place a ghost town. The area has the leafy ambience of the French Quarter in New Orleans. When holidays, Rodeos and large conventions hit here, the place is awash with tourists. Small, narrow craft drag boatloads of sightseers up and down the narrow River in a circular loop that is eye appealing and fun. The length of the Riverwalk is over seven miles. The entire area had been built after a massive flooding of the river in 1921. Now, it is not only lined with walls, it has flood control structures, with raising gates, that can channel a massive surge of water. The City drains the whole river, in the downtown area, every five years to clean and scour out accumulated silt. Naturally, this being San Antonio, they have a “Mud Festival” to celebrate the process with Mud Princesses and parties galore. 

          We made our way to Crockett St. (Yes, named after frontiersman Davy) and then walked into the heart of San Antonio, Alamo Square. First laid out by the Franciscans in 1723, this humble mission, similar to all of those in California, was to occupy a central spot in Texas History. In December of 1835, 700 Texas Militia had stormed the Alamo and defeated the Mexican garrison there, commanded by the brother in law of President Sant Ana. Other battles in nearby Goliad had set the stage for the beginnings of the Texas revolution that would create the Republic of Texas.

          On Feb. 23^rdof 1836, several Thousand Mexican troops, under the personal command of Mexican President Santa Ana, made a surprise appearance to the North of the small Mission. Inside, 157 Texas Militia, commanded by Col. William Barret Travis, set up to defend themselves. Travis sent riders out to surrounding towns asking for reinforcements, but few were forthcoming. One small group of 32 Tennessee volunteers made it through the enemy lines. The stage was now set.

         The siege lasted for thirteen days. Finally, on March 6^th, 1836, Santa Ana raised the flag for “No quarter” (no prisoners to be taken alive.) In the early hours of that morning some 5,000 Mexican troops attacked the small mission in three columns. The Texans gave a good account of themselves, but the Mexicans were many times their number. A massive assault on the North Wall of the mission allowed the Mexicans entry to the compound. Sheer numbers overwhelmed the defenders. They were shot or bayoneted as they fought. Brave frontiersmen like Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett died alongside of Col Travis, until none were left alive. A victorious Santa Ana entered the compound, surveyed the human wreckage and ordered the dead Texans to be placed in pyres and burned to ashes.

         The slaughter of 189 Texans and the casual treatment of their interment inflamed the rest of Texas. General Sam Houston, three weeks later, led a surprise attack on the main Mexican force at nearby San Jacinto. The Mexicans were totally unprepared, camped out in the open and unready for the assault. Houston’s men routed the much larger force in 19 minutes and the new Texas Republic was born. All of this is now celebrated every Feb. 23 through March six, in the square surrounding the small mission every year. It is the heart and pride of Texas.

       Next to the Alamo mission, we boarded one of those marvelous, hop on-hop- off, two-deck buses that are so convenient in many cities. We had purchases a financially attractive package that allowed us unlimited use of the bus for three day, plus a Riverboat cruise and two other attractions of our choice. The bus, with its chatty driver, took us on an hour’s tour of central San Antonio. The area is awash in construction projects. We Noted the attractive shopping areas, The San Fernando Cathedral, the famed Buckhorn Saloon and other areas of note that we would visit during the next few days. The City is now bustling with over 1.5 million souls. It is also the home of Fort Sam Houston and Fort Stanley. Additionally, two Air Force bases, Lackland and Randolph AFB call the area home.

       The day was waning and we were tiring. We entered the attractive two-story Riverfront Mall. There we caught a 45-minute film describing the Siege of the Alamo.No, John Wayne wasn’t in this one.  From the Mall, we retraced our way back along the Riverfront and found a good seat in “Rita’s” a famed eatery on the walk. We sampled some pretty decent Tex-Mex fare, shrimp tacos with rice and beans, all washed down with Dos Equis. Afterwards, we walked back to our hotel, where our fourth floor room was available. We settled in to unpack, sip something relaxing and watch the events of the day on television. It had been a long day, but so far worth the time.

                                      -30-

                                  (1,189 words)

                                   (to be continued)

                                  Joseph Xavier Martin