Texas - Buchanan Dam to Canyon Lake to San Antonio

We travelled some byways between Buchanan Dam and Canyon Lake.  Secondary highways offer a variety of things to see.

I guess this person wanted to have a great view of the hill country because he built himself one heck of a lookout tower.

overcast day but gr

view of the hill country

We are presently in a gated community.  It is very quiet and peaceful.  We have daily visitors and they would stay longer if we fed them.



we see this buck every day with his harem

 The sun shone and the weather was perfect for a day into San Antonio.  We did the usual touristy things but we first went to the Alamo.

this is the church (Alamo) where the Texans made a stand against the Mexicans

the only two remaining parts of the Alamo - church on right and long barracks on left

In 1836 for thirteen days the Texans held out against Santa Ana's Mexican army.

This impressive monument is a memorial to those who lost their lives at the Alamo.

Across from the Alamo in a little park we were reminded of the season but other things took us back to summer.

As we walked back from the river walk we came across a sculpture that had been presented to the city of San Antonio.

Apparently the same artist presented one to Mexico and Canada.

We took a narrated trolley tour of San Antonio.  Our guide was very knowledgeable, humorous and interesting albeit fast on some of the corners to make the lights!  Clark had to be very fast at capturing some of these pictures.

Tower of the Americas with a great view of San Antonio and a revolving restaurant on top

Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center with canopies cut out so the sun shines through and
casts shadows of mustangs on the building

the San Antonio river source is about 5 miles from the city  where it emerges from underground

established in 1720

a mural of the Mission San Jose captured on a drive in theatre

oldest unrestored church in U.S.A.

this mill makes flour for tortillas

Tower Life Insurance Building

built in 1734 by settlers from the Canary Islands

the famous Menger Hotel where Theodore Rosevelt and many other famous people stayed

We ate lunch at a small cafe and then ventured down to the river walk where we realized that it is bounded by cafes and restaurants!

this river is only about 3 feet deep

beautiful bridges span the river

the cypress trees are losing their needles much like our tamaracks back home

bridges of all different configurations and design

once again another image of the season that is upon us

The trees are hung with strings upon strings of lights.  I am sure at night it is a spectacular sight but also very crowded.  There are forty river boats and they can each hold 40 people.  At night and at this time of year there are massive lineups for the cruises.  We were fortunate to enjoy a sunny day and few crowds and got out of town before rush hour traffic.

and to keep everyone in line - the River Police

As we strolled back to the car Clark took pictures of a very romantic hotel - the Emily Morgan.

a truly beautiful looking hotel

One thing we learned from our guides and it is 'that no building can cast a shadow on the Alamo'.  It is a law.