Dallas and San Antonio

At the end of September, Mary and I flew down to Dallas, Texas for the 25th Navy Nuclear Weapons Association reunion. It was great seeing again all those old shipmates and making new friends. It seems as if military based reunions are always a rewarding time for those who spent time in the military. The Navy Nuclear Weapons Association (www.navynucweps.com) is no exception.

We passed on the tour in Dallas and chose to go into Dallas using the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Since it was Mary's birthday, we checked with the local Convention and Visitors Bureau and they suggest RJ's - a good choice. We then went to the Heritage Park and saw some older Texas dwelling that had been moved to the park. Then it was off to Fair Park (unfortunately it was State Fair week) but we were able to get in Free (maybe because I am a senior) and saw some really great buildings, but weren't able to spend that much time there - and we almost got hit by a great rain storm - but it passed by.

We did go on the Ft. Worth tour where we saw the typical touristy things? The longhorn cattle drive down street, a short stop in Billy Bob's, the world's largest Honkey Tonk, dinner at the stockyards in Ft. Worth and the indoor rodeo.

After the reunion, we rented a car and drove down to San Antonio, one of our favorite cities.

Interstate 35 from Dallas to San Antonio is one of the longest parking lots I have ever navigated. Traffic was slow and it seems as if drivers in Texas are some of the worst lookie-loos. Any minor accident or roadside breakdown would have folks slowing down to see what was happening - of course everything would then slow down.

In San Antonio, we stayed at the Riverwalk Plaza (not actually on the Riverwalk but on the river just one block from the current Riverwalk). Decent price, decent room overlooking the river and close enough to everything so that we could walk (actually right next to the Bexar County administrative building.

We walked the Riverwalk, and did take one of the tour boats. Then we found out about the water taxi so we bought the all day tickets and got to ride the new 1.3 miles section that recently opened. Apparently they are expanding both upstream and downstream to expand the Riverwalk to almost 8 miles when it is all done.

Eating is a big thing in San Antonia (as is drinking margaritas).

Margaritas:

We had margaritas only at the Original and RioRio and La Marghareta (in the Mercado) and Chili’s. Surprisingly, one of the best was at Chili’s located at the Rivercenter Mall (still on the Riverwalk).

Meals

Mi Tierra in the Mercado for both a late lunch and a breakfast - good food!
Roasrio's (located south of the city center) - great food but with a big crowd the acoustics are really bad - and that was on a Wednesday night.

On Tuesday, we met with Marty and Gail Phelan (hometown folks) and drove up to Gruene, Texas (Gently Ignoring Change since 1872)) and had a good lunch at the Gristmill River Restaurant. We also saw Gruene Hall that has been featured in several movies, among which is Michael starring John Travolta as an angel with earthly appetities.

After we left Marty and Gail we drove by Canyon Lake, drover down to a marina and had a good long chat with one of the boatowners. We envy those folks who can sail all year long.

The drive back to the Dallas Forth Worth airport (with an overnight in Las Colinas) was much more pleasant since we chose to go up Route 281 out of San Antonio.