San Antonio Travelers

The group of women with whom I went to San Antonio. Friends since grade school or junior high, we all graduated together from Oak Harbor High School, many, many years ago. We get together a couple of times a year and make a major trip about every other year.

The (other) River Walk, San Antonio, Texas

We walked the two miles along the San Antonio River from Pearl to our hotel. I was surprised at the cement sides to the river and its lack of flow. What we were seeing was actually a controlled portion of the San Antonio River. Because of prior flooding, a tunnel had been constructed in 1990s, running 150 feet below the city, releasing the water downstream. We walked along a channel that held waters controlled by dams, flood gates and drains. It was a pleasant walk and we met many walkers and joggers. We saw some interesting scenes along the way too.

Pearl, San Antonio, Texas

We had taken an Uber to an out of town Sunday BBQ and asked the driver the location of his most requested destination. It was Pearl, by far. The 22 acre site had been a brewery from 1883 to 2001. Now it has green spaces, retail shops, restaurants, hotel, and a campus of The Culinary Institute of America.

San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, Texas

We stopped by the cathedral one evening to watch the award winning 24 minute light show by French artist Xavier De Richemont. Lights are projected onto the cathedral telling the story of San Antonio from its beginning to today. The light show is in its third season. You can watch a four minute video of the highlights of the show here. 

Scroll down to the bottom of this post to see the cathedral with its regular night lighting and in the daytime. 

San Antonio Botanical Garden

The 38 acre garden has a variety of habitats. I was struck by the cloud of butterflies in one area.

There is a desert area.

There is a lush area.

There are beautiful areas for strolling.

We saw exotic trees, like the silk floss tree, native to South America. Seed fibers are used for stuffing pillows and mattresses. 

We saw unusual flowers, like this golden shrimp plant from Peru.

One could spend days at this garden, to do all of the habitats justice.

Japanese Tea Garden, San Antonio, Texas

The garden is in an old limestone quarry. The Alamo Cement Company produced cement here for 26 years.

The land was donated to the city in 1899. An oriental style garden was visualized but work did not start until 1918, when private donors provided the funds.

The garden was renamed the Chinese Tea Garden in 1941 because of anti-Japanese sentiment.

The city restored the Japanese Tea Garden name in 1984.

Friends for well over fifty years contemplate the gardens.

River Walk, San Antonio, Texas

By night.

River Walk, San Antonio, Texas

By day.

Bowen's Island, San Antonio, Texas

We would go on the River Walk several times and photos will follow, such as this one of the Ameson River Theater. I was interested in the whole River Walk idea and discovered some of its history. The "island" was initially a peninsula called Galveston Island. A bend in the San Antonio River surrounded it on three sides and the Pajalache Acequia (irrigation ditch) nearly on the fourth. It became known as Bowen's Island when postmaster John Bowen and his wife built a home there with lush gardens. The Bowen family sold the island in 1910 and real estate developers rerouted the river and extended streets to create a ten acre building site. Rock walls lining the banks of the River Walk and the Ameson River theater were completed in 1941.

Historic Market Square, San Antonio, Texas

 We took the short walk to Historic Market Square, a three block area with over 100 shops. It boasts authentic goods. It was a bit overwhelming.