The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas

Aloha Everyone,

Going out of our comfort zone, J.J. and I took the public bus to the downtown, San Antonio.

We met Tim and Shelly from Minnesota at the bus stop located just across from the KOA gated entrance.

San Antonio Living History Association presents the siege and battle of The Alamo to visitors. This event occurs on the first Saturday of the month in Alamo Plaza. J.J. and I happened to arrive at the plaza just as spectators and actors were settling down for the program to commence.

Billie from New Mexico was my sidewalk neighbor while we watched the reenactment of the Battle of the Alamo. Billie's ancestor came to the United States with the Conquistadores from Spain. Wise with a broad knowledge and understanding of the world as she lived abroad with her husband who was in the military. We conversed about the roles of Tejano volunteers and myopic views of some people who prefer to remain isolated.

Joe's Crab Shack on the Riverwalk was our lunch stop. J.J. ordered fried calamaris appetizer and a steamed pot consist of mainly crawfish and shrimps. As you can see J.J. loves his seafood prepared in the Cajan style. I was happy with spicy corn and potatoes.

J.J. and I probably walked for about 90 minutes to and around The Alamo. We therefore keep our evening walk along the Salado Creek Trail that runs along the KOA campground to about half an hour before dinner.

Aloha -- Cathi

Return To San Antonio, TX

Aloha Everyone,

J.J. and I are back in San Antonio, TX. We explored this city nearly 42 years ago on our very first driving trip across the USA. We were on our way to Europe where we spent 7 months traversing the continent. We've been by-passing most major cities as their narrower and crowded streets are challenging to navigate with Honu.

We are staying at KOA San Antonio. It is one of the best commercial RV parks. This franchisee received the KOA 2015 Campground Of The Year award.

We had lunch at the La Playa seafood restaurant just a 1/2 mile drive from KOA. Everyone was speaking in rapid Spanish which is very different from Spanish spoken in Ecuador or in Spain. From the menu selections and some words being pronounced, J.J. thinks that staff are a mix of Hondurans and Mexicans.

Roxie is an impressive 10 years old Great Pyrenees. Her owner, Chuck explained that Great Pyrenees are a solitary animal and they are used as sheep dog because their body shape and the color of their coat resembles sheep. Chuck and his wife are full-time RVer. Interesting thing about Chuck is that he runs a virtual advertising agency and he is a videographer and business consultant. Chuck told us that he communicates in advance with potential clients prior to arrival.  Very interesting! http://stroopfx.com/ 

Jeff added a feature on my blog where one can subscribe to receive email notification to any new entry. Please go to the web version of www.seniorRVadventure.blogspot.com and you can click on the upper right hand corner to subscribe.

Aloha -- Cathi

Beautiful And Unique 9-Hole Golf Course Lockhart State Park

Aloha Everyone,

The unique and outstanding feature of Lockhart State Park is its golf course which was built by the CCC between 1935 and 1938. It has been operating as a state park since 1941.

There are a total of 20 camping sites. Ten are laid out around the fairway, occupied by golfers. We were given our choice of any space open in the Fork Creek Camping Loop.

There are about 60 to 90 minutes in the late afternoon before sun begins to set when birds are active and you are not bothered by insects and bugs. This is when J.J. and I like to go on our evening walk. We went along the Creek View Trail enjoying the sound of the running water and birds singing  No bobcat, fox, opossum or armadillo came across our path. Just lots of squirrels climbing up and down tree trunks.

For dinner, we enjoyed a Middle Eastern-style sandwich and a fresh mixed greens, strawberries, blueberries and toasted almond salad.

On our RV adventure, J.J. and I learn to always focus on the brighter side of life.  

On our way to Lockhart, we stopped at a small town called Luling to do our laundry. The facility was large, clean with at least 40 washers and dryers. When we removed our clothes from the dryer, I noticed that J.J.'s white T-shirts and our pillow cases were in a color of lightly toasted brown. Really hot dryer. At least our clothes did not catch fire and caused damage to the dryer! Anyway it's about time for us to replace our wardrobe. :-)

Aloha -- Cathi

Oyster Creek Park & Cooking Up A Home-Made Dinner

Aloha Everyone,

Oyster Creek Park is just a short drive from the home of Ria and Rene. It is one of their favorite places to go for exercises. There is a bike trail, picnic areas and amphitheater for special presentations and of course, a wonderful walking trail. I had my binoculars and iPhone around my neck, and I tagged along. Ria pointed out wild blackberry bushes full of flowers.

Thanks to Don & Sharon from Galveston, I now recognize the singing of cardinals before I have a sighting. The most exciting was a crane that seemed to be drying his wings in the sun.

Rest of the day was spent all working on individual tasks at hand until it was a dinner time. J.J. went out with them to purchase steaks.

Here is J.J. grilling the meat. I made a vegetable and fruits salad while Ria made a side dish consisting of red cargo  rice, white rice and quinoa. Red cargo rice added the color while quinoa contributed to the nutty-like taste and crunchy full body. Delicious!

Aloha -- Cathi

Return Visit With Ria & Rene In Sugarland,TX

Aloha Everyone,

Neatly a year ago, J.J. and I visited Sugarland to see his cousin Ria and her husband Rene. The name Sugarland comes from sugar plantations founded in mid-20th century.

Located within the metropolitan area of Houston, Sugarland is one of the most affluent and fastest growing areas of Texas. Based on the 2010 US Census, Sugarland has grown more than 158% in the past decade with a 46.24% job growth. The population of Sugarland was estimated to be 86,777 in 2014 with a median family income of $113,261.

Over a Thai dinner and French pastries, we talked beyond our normal bedtime and enjoyed Ria's and Rene's company.

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life." - Richard Bach

Aloha -- Cathi