LAST STAGE !!!

I am going to be so glad to be finished journaling about this trip;

It seems like its been forever since I’ve just posted about ordinary, daily stuff!

After we left San Antonio, we headed for a very special meeting.

At this restaurant, I was finally going to get to meet resolved2worship ~ face to face!

She and her husband brought their six gorgeous children to share a meal with us.

We had the best time!  We talked non-stop the whole evening.

After the meal, we drove to a nearby park and watched the children play as we visited.

We were so busy talking, I neglected to take a photo of the two of us.

I was awake quite a bit of the night, upset with myself about it.

So, the next morning, I called her to see if she could meet us for a quick photo.

Even though she was really busy getting her brood ready for church,

she said she was more than happy to meet us as we were traveling her direction.

We met alongside the road where there were lots of flowers for sale.

Thank you, dear friend ~ you are such a blessing to me.

~ the waffles served at our motel that morning ~   ~ just the right size ~

One thing I really wanted to experience in Texas was seeing the wildflowers.

The local people said it was a bad year for them ~ because of not having enough rain

last fall, the wildflowers were not as plentiful this year.  But our new friends

told us about a wildflower farm we could visit to see fields of flowers on our way north .

On the way there, we did begin to see patches of flowers here and there

in the medians and side ditches.  They were such welcome respites in the

endless landscape of dry and dusty ranchland, dotted with oil wells.

As we turned west toward the farm, we saw this colorful wheelbarrow ~ it made

me wonder what the owner was planning to do with all the artificial flowers.

Suddenly, I saw a large meadow of bluebonnets!   Yippee!

Dh turned into the side road, so I could get some photos.  Enjoy!

I finally tore myself away from them ~ what a treat to just wade through bluebonnets!

We arrived at the wildflower farm and I was delighted to discover this field of poppies.

They were just so beautiful ~ dh could hardly get me to move on.

These bluebonnets were being cultivated like a garden ~ there were red and white ones too.

Driving away from all that beauty, we started looking for a typical ranch gate to photograph.

We saw a lot of such gates, but rarely could see any buildings ~ just the narrow drives

extending into the vast ranchlands of central Texas.  That state stretches on forever, it seems.

Can one of you Texas natives tell me the significance of hanging boots on fence posts?

We liked this gate ~ wondered if it was the Circle Boot Ranch or something ~

 ~ more bluebonnets ~

~ Indian Paintbrush ~

Our last special event on this trip was to spend an evening with idonotfearthem

and her sweet family at a restaurant in Oklahoma.  She and her husband have three

adorable little girls and we so enjoyed getting to know them a bit.

Thank you, dear friends, for carving out some hours from your busy schedule for us!

Our time together with you was a highlight and you were such an encouragement.

The next morning we headed back east, towards home ~ with lots of wonderful memories.

Hubby was not much for slowing down for any more pictures by that point.

This shot of the St. Louis Arch as the sun was just beginning to come up

was taken very hastily ~ it’s blurry, but I kind of liked it for an ending anyway.

Thanks for riding along with us ~ I’ve really liked having you and hope you enjoyed the trip.

I may take a bit of a break now from posting, but will return before too long, Lord willing!

STAGE TWELVE

When we exited the Alamo, we were very glad we had arrived early in the day;

the line of visitors waiting to enter the shrine was winding through the stone courtyard

and down the block as far as our eyes could see.   We had hoped to re-enter

 the sanctuary to see into one of the rooms we had missed ~ guess not! 

We then walked a couple of blocks to see the famous River Walk.

What a beautiful oasis in the midst of urban noise and traffic!

Towering trees arched overhead, muting the sounds of the city above.

Steps descend one story below street level to the San Antonio River

where a network of walkways line its banks. 

It is a place of retreat ~ away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Many bubbling fountains and cascading waterfalls dot the beautiful landscaping.

Ducks raise their families and entertain the passersby.

After walking for a long stretch, we decided to board one of the tour boats

to learn a little more about the history of the River Walk ~ we had soon discovered

we didn’t want to attempt to walk the whole thing yet that day.

 On the boat, we were able to see the entire area and rest our weary feet at the same time.

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God . . .”

Psalm 42:1-2

Beautiful bridges enable crossing over the river to visit more shops, restaurants and hotels.

There were oodles of restaurants to choose from ~ lots of people were dining outside.

These charming fellows serenaded potential customers.

~ tree growing right through the stone wall ~

Our tour guide made some silly joke about these “famous bells

representing the first five Taco Bells in San Antonio” ~ 

~ lantana ~ 

We enjoyed our boat ride ~ leisurely floating along; it ended all too soon.

After hunting down an ice cream shop and indulging a bit,

we then ascended the stone steps, back into reality ~ and made our way out of the city.

We enjoyed our visit, San Antonio!

TGBTG

STAGE ELEVEN

I hope you all had a wonderful time last weekend, remembering our country’s birthday!!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Our next stop on this trek was San Antonio.  I’ve heard of the Alamo all my life,

but nothing prepared me for the fact that it is located in the heart of this bustling metropolis.

Somehow, the fact that a city had grown up around the one-time mission never registered.

Most of you are already familiar with the story about the Alamo (Spanish word for cottonwood),

where the 1836 battle for Texas Independence was fought ~ where Jim Bowie died,

as did around 187 other Texas volunteer defenders who fought to their deaths.

They fought against 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days under siege;

all of them died in the battle or were executed soon after, except for perhaps two men.

One of the most famous defenders, Davy Crockett, was one of those who were executed.

The conquering Mexican general, Santa Anna, questioned and released

the women and children of the Texan troops.  They carried the news of the defeat

back to Texas settlers along with a warning from Santa Anna.

The battle at the Alamo was fought in February and March.

After hearing news of the fall of the Alamo, many Texan colonists joined ranks

under Sam Houston, the Texas army commander.

On April 21, the army attacked Santa Anna’s forces in the Battle of San Jacinto.

During the battle, the rallying cry, “Remember the Alamo” was shouted over and over.

Santa Anna was captured and forced to order his troops out of Texas,

ending Mexican control of the province.

After we finished touring the chapel (shrine), they told us we were free to take photos again.

There were several entrances into the long barracks which is now a museum.

We entered at one end and saw no sign that said otherwise.

I snapped this photo inside of a painting which depicts the battle.

The chapel is at the upper right ~ it was roofless at the time.

As we left the barracks at the other end, there was a sign that again said, “No pictures allowed.”

Oops!  I didn't know ~ and I am so sorry!  

I think the flash on cameras is damaging to exhibits.  At least I didn't use any flash.

There were beautiful gardens on the grounds.

~ ancient walls ~

~ friendly visitor ~

This old mission that witnessed such a ferocious battle for liberty is now

a serene and tranquil place where we all can go to learn and remember

that freedom does not often come without great cost. 

Because Jesus came to die for our sins, we can be free in Him.

Opportunity for spiritual freedom came with immense cost too ~ His very life.

He willingly paid the price.

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

John 8:36

TGBTG

STAGE TEN

Much was blooming at the reservoir/refuge ~ this thistle blossom stretched

its pretty head to the sky, soaking up the hot Texas sun.

Lantana shrubs were scattered along the walkways.  At home, lantana grows only

as a small annual ~ it doesn’t flourish into huge bushes like it does in Texas.

~ a gold-fronted woodpecker keeps watch ~

“The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.”

Genesis 31:49

~ javelina ~

I took this photo from the window of our vehicle ~ before I knew they were mean.

Now, I am so thankful I didn’t try to get out to take a photo.  He we was pretty close.

Is this a white-tailed deer ?