Remembering the Alamo

Next stop: San Antonio, Texas. We stayed at an RV park just outside the city, and rode our bikes for five miles along the Mission Trail - a historic route that connects several of San Antonio’s renowned Spanish missions - into the center of San Antonio.

Our bike ride into the city took us along the San Antonio River

Some of the lovely mansions we passed along the Mission Trail

In my trunk of antiquities at home, which includes my high school year book and a Beanie Baby, I have a vintage Davy Crockett comic book. My mother gave it to me years ago, though I don’t recall ever reading it. The story of Davy Crockett really did not have much significance to me growing up, though Drew has a better, albeit somewhat romantic notion of this historical legend. His memories are highly inspired by the Disney movie and song “Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier”, that was popular when he was young.

Visiting The Alamo put things into a better perspective for both of us. The Battle of the Alamo in 1836 was an important moment in history, when Texas (at that time a Mexican state) sought independence from Mexico. In all, 189 Texan defenders (all men), including Davy Crockett, died during the siege at the Alamo. Despite the Texan’s defeat, the Battle of the Alamo became a symbol of resistance against Mexican oppression, and helped unite Texans. “Remember the Alamo!” became the rally cry for the Texan army, and motivated them to ultimately defeat the Mexicans and gain independence just six weeks later.

The Alamo

Inside the Alamo, restoration is ongoing

Graffiti dating 1848 on the walls inside! 

But San Antonio is not just about the Battle of the Alamo. The city is built around the San Antonio River, and the River Walk is 15 miles of unique riverside shops, restaurants, and historical sites. Talking a break from sightseeing, we stopped for lunch at a restaurant along the river and were serenaded by a group of three mariachi performers, as the tourist boats and ducks floated by. Although it was only January, the weather was warm enough to sit outside and enjoy the scenery. 

Bright umbrellas of the restaurants along the River Walk

Colourful tour boat on the river

Street musicians on the River Walk

These guys were hoping for a free lunch!

On our final day in San Antonio, we ventured just outside the city to visit Mission San José, one of the most impressive of the five Spanish colonial missions in the area. It was a cold and rainy day, so we didn’t spend as much time as I’d have liked touring the mission, but we did have the opportunity to hear the church bells ring on the hour, just as they have done since 1778.

The walls at the mission are almost 4' thick and made of a rock called Tufa

A view of the Mission San Jose church from the playa

The church was build in 1772

Communal oven in front of the living quarters