Day 10 - Relax and Then Head to Town!

Ken and I were up by 8.  The 4 of us decided to have a "catch-up" day so we could pay bills (Yuck!), make the rest of our CG reservations, and hopefully get our blogs up to date!  It also was a morning to relax and rejuvenate!  We finally have all our reservations made for this trip -hallelujah!  It has been quite a project to set-up the route and the sites we wanted to see and then find CG's in that area.  Ken did  wonderful job with the route and we only made a few variations to his original plan.  We appreciated the input from many fellow campers on how to go about this adventure and recommendations of sites to see and campgrounds to stay in.  It made Ken's job easier!

At 2:15 we got on the bus in front of the CG and headed into San Antonio!  This week is Festiva in town and there are so many events happening for about 1 week.  These people know how to party!!!  We stopped by the Buckhorn Saloon that was established in 1881, the oldest Saloon in Texas.  The Saloon is where Teddy Roosevelt recruited Rough Riders and where Pancho Villa is rumored to have planned the Mexican Revolution.  The back bar is original and handcrafted of marble and cherry wood.  There are antlers hanging in every doorway and so many animal heads including an elephant and giraffe!

The Buckhorn Saloon built in 1881!

An authentic cowboy greets you when you enter!

Bragging rights for this 7 point deer!

Heads, heads, and more heads.  A beautiful old bar!

From there we went to the Menger Hotel, San Antonio's most popular hotel through the 19 century.  In 1898 Teddy Roosevelt used the bar to recruit more of his Rough Riders.  It is really a gorgeous hotel.  Teddy Roosevelt stayed at this hotel at least 3 times.  

We passed The Alamo on the way to the Mengor Hotel!

It is a very beautiful, stately Hotel!

Beautiful Lobby!

Gardens in the center of the Hotel - so lush and well "groomed"!

From there we went to the Tower of the Americas, a needle tower that resembles the one in Seattle, but is taller at 623 feet.  This one was built in 1968 for the World's Fair and has a Chart House Restaurant at the top that revolves.  We took the elevator (not one of Ken's favorite things - doesn't like heights or looking out when going up) and enjoyed Happy Hour at the very top with 1/2 drinks and appetizers.  The margaritas and the Mango Mojitas were delicious.  The prime rib sliders with caramelized onions, horseradish sauce, and "juice" were incredible!

It's a tall one!

Looking out from the bar area!

What a setting for Happy Hour!

My mango mojito was delicious!

Looking at downtown San Antonio from the top of the "needle"!

From there we walked downtown and stood on one of the bridges overlooking the River Walk to watch the Boat Parade.  They decorated the pontoon boats and using the theme, "Believe........", had the most interesting parade.  Again, these people know how to have a good time!  Lots of music and color!!!! You had to pay for seats along the River Walk, but could watch from the bridges for free.  It did require being patient, for we stood on the bridge for 1 1/4 hours before the parade started, but we all agreed it was a great experience.  They estimate that 250,000 to 300,000 attend the parade each year!  We left before the parade was finished, because we were concerned that it would be difficult to get a seat on the bus after the parade.  We were back to the CG by 8:45 and got together to play one game of Skip-Bo (women won) and a very long game of Pinochle which the men won!

Such good music before the parade!

Talking to one of the Texas Cavaliers who help to organize
the boat parade each year!  He gave us each a medal!

People eating on one of the boats right before the parade!

Here comes the King and Queen!

The floats were very colorful and festive! Live music
on almost every one of them!

Spectators totally lined the River Walk to watch the Parade!

This is the oldest "skyscaper" in San Antonio
and it is built to look like a ship!

It was another wonderful day in San Antonio!