Today we went to the Padre Island National Seashore just 15 miles south of our location on Mustang Island.
“Located along the south Texas coast, Padre Island National Seashore protects the longest undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the world. The National Seashore embraces 70 miles of sandy beaches, wind-carved dunes, vast grasslands, tidal flats teeming with life, and warm, nearshore waters.”
We saw lots of birds, people camping on the seashore, and windsurfers.
Some Photos:
First thing in the morning bright and early at 10 AM we went to the beach. Jenna had to make sure that all the bird could fly.
Later on in the morning we went to the shipping channel to watch the ships and the dolphins.
In the afternoon we went back to the beach in front of the RV park.
More photos:
Today, (29 Jan 09) we drove from San Antonio to Corpus Christi. We found a lovely 500+ RV park on Mustang Island near the town of Port Aransas. We are a boardwalk away from the Gulf of Mexico in a very clean RV park.
So this week we will be at Pioneer Beach Resort at Port Aransas, TX
Some photos:
On the 28th of January we went to the Natural Bridge Caverns. The Cave entrance was found in 1960 so there is no graffiti or stolen formations or oils on the wall.
The description is: “A guided 75 minute tour of the North Cavern takes visitors 180 feet below the surface through a half-mile of underground rooms and passages. Highlights range from the 40-foot King’s Throne and Watch-tower to tiny, delicate soda straw formations.”
The Natural Bridge:
The inside the Cave:
The rest of the photos:
On the 27th of Jan. we went to the Witte Museum. The description is “hands-on exhibits exploring Texas History natural Science and anthropology.” I especially liked the Wild Wild West Show Posters.
Some PHOTOS:
On Monday Jan.29th we took a slow drive to Fredericksburg. The town was founded May 8, 1846, by 120 German immigrants under the auspices of the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas.
“The “hallmark” of Fredericksburg is its 3.5 mile-long, wide Main Street which runs through the business district. Century-old native limestone homes and stone commercial building stand side-by-side with new structures, depicting a true blending of the traditional and the contemporary.”
On the way there we found out where welfare comes from.
Then we arrived at Fredericksburg and walk the main street and had lunch at a German restaurant for some German food. I had the best beer I have ever had at lunch, also the most expensive beer I have ever had.
Then off to the Pacific War Museum – Nimitz Museum – and the George Sr. Bush Museum.
Here is some more PHOTOS:
Today we went to one of the many missions here is San Antonio. ‘This one is founded in 1720, it is called the “Queen of Missions”. Most of the compound including outer walls containing American Indian dwellings has been restored. A 1794 Spanish Colonial gristmill, rebuilt outside the north wall, still is in operation. The domed church has a rich facade, ond on it south side is one of the finest examples of stone carving in America, known as a Rose Window.’
Tomorrow we will go on a scenic drive to Ferrville and Fredericksburg, with a stop at the National Museum of the Pacific War.
Until tomorrow
Terry and Teri.
Today we got up early and went to the Alamo here in San Antonio, Texas.
For a little history on the Alamo:
The San Antonio de Padua mission was selected in 1724. It was named in honor of Saint Anthony de Padua and the Duke of Valero, a Spanish viceroy. The cornerstone of this chapel was laid May 8, 1744. Founded for the purpose of Christianizing and educating the Indians, it later became a fortress and was the scene of many conflicts prior to the immortal siege of 1836. Its activity as a mission began to wane after 1765 and it was abandoned in 1793 and the mission archives were removed to San Fernando, the parish church during Mexico's war for independence from Spain. A company of Spanish soldiers from Alamo del Parras Coahuila, Mexico, occupied the abandoned mission. Using its buildings as barracks for a number of years. From this association probably originated the name, “Alamo”. According to some historians, the name “Alamo” was derived from a grove of cottonwood trees growing on the banks of the acequia, “Alamo” being the Spanish word for cottonwood.
The off for the river walk in San Antonio. The walk is an oasis in the middle for the of the city, very quiet were the city noises all but disappear, bars and restaurants everywhere.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the photos:
On the 21st we had a quiet day, did chores and got ready to move on the 22nd.
On the 22nd we went to San Antonio to the Tejas RV Campground. We arrived at about 2 PM.
Today we went to the Houston Space Center. The highlight for me was mission control.
I uploaded the photos to http://Picasaweb.google.ca/tntmeyers420/20090120HoustonSpaceCenter#slideshow Houston Space Center
Hopefully these links work.
Off to a wine sausage and beans night at the clubhouse
All for today
We went back to Galveston the next day and in the morning went to see some of the old 1890’s homes.
On the 18th we went for a day trip to Galveston Island and the old port city of Galveston.
We first went to the to the Sea Wall boulevard and sidewalk.
Then we went to the north end of the Island and had lunch watching the sea traffic out of the Galveston strait.
After lunch we went down the Sea side highway down to the south end and found a lot of damage. The houses are only about 3 feet above high tide. The water damaged many of the homes on this beach.
On the way back we stopped at the pier area and saw the cruse ships at dock.
Then we went on a tour of ‘the 1877 Iron Barque ELISSA’ at pier 22 on Galveston Island. The ELISSA is one of the only traditional “tall ships” still sailing regularly. The ELISSA is a riveted iron hall with 3 soaring masts 1/4 acre of sails and 7 miles of rigging. The sail this ship once a year for about 2 weeks, this year in April.
Then off for home.
On Jan. 16th we went to the Kemah Boardwalk, about a 5 minute drive from the campground. The hurricane Ike has left a mess of the boardwalk but it will be ready by summer.
Just a few photos of the camp ground:
The above photo is taken at the back of the RV park on the Jarboe Bayou.
Back to the boardwalk, here are some photos:
Teri had to feed the fish and the birds of pray on the boardwalk.
The huge ships a few miles offshore.
Caracals and all sorts of rides.
All sorts of Wild Life!!!
And of course Sail Boats!!!!!!
On 17th of January we did the laundry and a little shopping.
We will write again soon
Terry and Teri (TnT)
On Jan. 13th we went to the old stockyards in Fort Worth. This once was once one of the larger stockyards in the USA.
Fort Worth freeways:
To the Old Stockyards
To the Information Center
To the museum:
Old Photo of the Stockyards:
One of the exhibits is of a 100 year old light bulb that is still working. The light-bulb came out of a theater that was near the stock yards.
Then of course there was a cattle drive of Texas longhorn cattle. (daily at 11:30 AM)
Of course you could try and ride one!!
Then lunch at the old hotel where “if our service is not up to your standards, lower your standards” is one of the themes of the bar. I love the belt driven two blade fans.
We took a look at the auditorium.
Then off for home at the RV Ranch. Tomorrow will be the King Tut Exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art.
This morning (14 Jan. 09)we left for Dallas to the Dallas Museum of Art to see the King Tut artifacts. We purchased the tickets with a day and a start time. We could soon understand that the start time was absolutely needed.
Dallas
We enjoyed the King Tut artifacts, I especially liked the jar the liver was kept in, magnificent.
Tomorrow on to Houston.
Today we left at 9:30 AM to Houston area. We arrived at 3:30 PM at Marina Bay RV Park in Kemah, Tx.
Tomorrow the Space Center
On Nov 11th, we drove from Wichita, Kansas to Fort Worth, Texas. We spent all of 4 hours in Oklahoma.
Some Photos of the trip
Then we made it to Texas
Our home for the next 4 nights.
