San Antonio, TX

We were all up and ready to go this morning!  Today we are moving across town but first wanted to stop by a few places in the area!  We explored the outside of the Alamo . . .

. . . and of course the inside too but no photos allowed inside.  I have been to the Alamo many times and it still amazes me just how small it is!  We wanted to go to the Market Square area so jumped on the Trolley . . . only to be rejected because you have to have the exact amount.  So we had to go find a store to get change.  Take two we had it all together.  We walked around the market area and boarded the trolley back to the hotel.  Now this is what was weird to me . . . there were three trolleys lined up for the route we needed.  The front one told us to get in the middle one so we did.  The driver got off and walked down the block to I assume take a break with his friends . . . we could see them all chatting it up and thankfully he did leave the air conditioning on for us.  It was a long 15 minutes but at least we were coo; oddly they all left at the same time.  The kids saw all the snow cone vendors, and we promised . . .

. . . some happy campers!  We claimed our bags and waited for our car to arrive.  Loaded up and head for a late lunch to Taco Haven . . . yummy!  This is the point one of the kids realizes she can't find her iPod . . . major drama and searching and calling the hotel and valet parking . . . and finally it is decided it is forever gone!  At least we all enjoyed our lunch at Taco Haven and tried; we really, really did try to forget about the iPod but . . . 

One thing I really, really wanted to do while in San Antonio that I have never done before is go to some of the Missions on the Mission Trail Drive.  Time had sort of gotten away from us and it was HOT so we decided to start with Mission San Jose since it had the Visitor's Center.  Of course I got lost and off track with all the road detours, but we finally arrived.  The kids all grabbed a Junior Ranger book and started to work!   

The mission is set up where you tour on your own which was nice.  They did have a Ranger led tour but it was too hot and too long to be tied to a group.  It was beautiful and exploring on our own was amazing!  Of course there were maybe only two other people on the grounds.  Now I really want to visit all the other missions too!

As we left Mission San Jose, I asked the Ranger about going to Mission Espada.  He told me that the gates close at 5 and due to lack of security he recommended, "be sure to take your pepper spray".  Of course as we walked back to the car we saw this . . .

Well, that makes the decision pretty easy and it was about 4:30 so we had to hurry.  We arrived before closing and no one else wanted to go see inside so I left them in the car.  I also only saw one other couple while there too!  I thought this tree was so beautiful as I walked to the mission . . .

. . . but the Mission Espada was so adorable and cute.  I love those bells!



Too bad the sun was so stinking hot and not helping me with the photo.  I knew the natives in the car were probably becoming annoyed so zipped back to the car.

We stopped by Sea World to see if we could pick up our tickets for tomorrow but were told NO.  Alrighty then off to the hotel which is less than two miles down the road.  So as we were unloading the car guess what fell from the car door?  You guessed it the Ipod.  I swear we searched that car up and down ten times and out of no where there is was.  As we went to check into the hotel one of the rooms was not ready (yes, it was after 5pm and still not clean; that annoys me . . . should be an automatic discount) so we headed to the pool to swim and hang out.  The kids had a blast, but it was to bed early because tomorrow is a BIG day!