Sunday Jan 20th, San Antonio , The Alamo and Riverwalk

Sunday January 20th - San Antonio - The Alamo and The River Walk 
(EXCUSE THE FONT IN THIS BLOG.... Don't know what happened)

THE ALAMO.... YEY!!! 

A trip back to 1835-36...... "remember the Alamo."We have become steeped in Texas history and no story of this vast state would be complete without investigating the Alamo. Established as the first of 5 missions by the Franciscan monks, the enclave was 
occupied by the Spanish, Mexicans 
Texans and Americans a number of times. 

Happy to be here!!

Good view of the entrance to The Mission

Side room in the shrine...
 cannon used during the battle.

The Mexican government felt that there was too much immigration from the eastern States and realized that Mexicans were being outnumbered in their own regions (Tejas being part of Mexico ) they stopped immigration and started to take back the land and bring Tejas back from its self declared independence.The Texans in San Antonio decided to take a stand, even when they found out that support forces were not going to arrive; they retreated inside the mission and decided to fight to the end.

Artistic rendition of the Alamo before the Mexicans attacked

The well in the Alamo Mission courtyard

The Mexican general, Santa Anna, provided due warning that he would take no prisoners and offered a chance for surrender. The Texans were outnumbered 7:1. But as history would have it, Colonels David Crockett, James Bowie and  W. B.Travis made their stand.

Model plan of the Alamo in the early 1800's

Looking good in Alamo Plaza

To a man they were all slaughtered, about 230 people. Gen. Santa Anna spared only a few women and children and a male black slave, to enable them to retreat and tell General Houston of the debacle. Santa Anna felt that his victory would demoralize the 'Texans', instead it gave them purpose and a short while later General Sam Houston led his forces on a surprise attack and defeated Santa Anna at San Jacinto and secured his victory and the cessation of Texas from Mexico. The rallying cry during the attack was 'Remember The Alamo' and 'Remember Goliad'

While all Americans are proud of the Alamo, Texans gained their identity and their independence, and so the Alamo is a shrine to those who defended the independence of Texas and paid the price with their lives.

The ruins are now historic and while much has been removed by commerce over the years The Alamo is still an amazing place to visit.

We combined this trip to the Alamo with a lovely lunch and boat ride on the famed San Antonio Riverwalk on a beautiful 70F sunny day. 

Lunch on the Riverwalk 

Duck and small bird playing a tag team for scraps at lunch

You do see some strange sights in San Antonio!!! 

Cormorants at the river's edge

Enjoying the river cruise

Also enjoying the river cruise

Strolling on the Riverwalk

The Boathouse - Catfish Heaven!!!

Our day was completed with a dinner of fried catfish at a local restaurant near Hudsons Bend called 'The Boathouse' ... a 'dive' of a place, but very popular with the locals. It was a fun day with a history lesson to boot!