Remember the Alamo? We do - fondly

The Alamo
Our time in the "Alamo City" of San Antonio, Texas

Me and the wife had been thinking, we should get away to the Texas Hill Country.  I got in touch with my old housemate from my days at the University of Texas in Austin, who now lives in Fredericksburg, Texas - smack dab in the middle of the Hill Country.  I asked Dave if he and his wife Teri would be available to see us while we were in the area.  Dave graciously offered a chance to stay at his place, and we figured the middle of November would work best for all parties.  With Dave & Teri's offer to stay at their ranch house, I decided to turn our trip into a San Antonio + Hill Country rendezvous.

Hotel Contessa
Our First Night Destination

I booked a night in San Antonio for the two of us at the Hotel Contessa on the River Walk, and told myself this was my birthday present (a few days early).  We looked over our options along the plenteous places to dine along the beautiful River Walk, and opted for ease and simplicity to dine al fresco rith there at the hotel's own restaurant, Las Ramblas.  It was good choice.  Our table was outdoors along the sidewalk and the evening air was a calm 70 degrees.  Perfect November ambiance for wine, Spanish cheese and cured meat before salmon and steak.

Dining al fresco with my date

Hotel Contessa
A great launch point for exploring
the River Walk & downtown San Antonio

 

Our Hotel Contessa
Viewed from across the River

Morning stroll along San Antonio's River Walk

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Marriage Island
Mark "strikes a pose"
My idea was to act like I was proposing marriage to Sue while a Water Taxi
passed by telling the tourist this is 'Marriage Island', the site of many proposals and weddings;
only to have Sue say demonstrably, "NO!!!" as the tourist passed on down the river.
Something for them to remember. 

Water Taxi

We promenaded along the River Walk Circuit and then navigated several blocks beyond our hotel to the Historic King William District of San Antonio, with its blocks of antebellum and varied architecture.

Crossing over the River Walk and on into the King William District
in search of lunch.

We happened upon Tito's Cantina at the corner of Alamo Street and Beauregard Avenue.  

Tito's serves their food with fresh, hand-made tortillas, arena o maize.  It was simply some of the most flavorful Mexican food I have enjoyed in a long time.

Start with chips and salsa

A siesta along a busy boulevard

We walked back to our car and set the navigation to Mission Concepcion, the first of four 18th Century Spanish Missions build along the San Antonio River.