Feliz Navidad desde San Antonio

      As is our custom, each year we celebrate the Christmas Holiday in a new location.  The past 3 years it has been Big Bend NP, Natchitoches, LA, and San Felipe, BC, Mexico.  This year we enjoy the culture, heritage, and festivities that are San Antonio, TX.  Of course this includes the Riverwalk area.  We booked our camping area months in advance for the Fort Sam Houston Fam Camp.  Another one of our veteran retiree perks that we use whenever we can.  Full hookups within 5 miles of all the festivities for $120 weekly. www.myjbsa-fss-mwr.com/nm/templates/?a=55  This is the nicest Military Fam Camp we have stayed at to date.   Large, paved, level sites with full hookups, laundry, showers, bbq pits, playgrounds, fenced dog run, and propane service.  Fort Sam Houston is a very large facility located very close to downtown on the NE part of the city.  They have several gas stations, an incredible BX and Commissary as well as other services including veterinary service, golf course, thrift shop, SPA, and a huge VA hospital.  That's right, I said a SPA.  

      We had 2 weeks here so our itinerary was pretty much 'whatever strikes us' on any given day.  This became contingent on the weather as well.   The staff at camp was very helpful in showing us routes for the easiest trips into any part of the city.  We did spend a day exploring the Market District, but that adventure is detailed in the blog review of Mi Tierra Café and Bakery.
      One day we toured the Alamo, Buckhorn Museum and the Texas Ranger Museum downtown.  An important note here.  There is no cheap parking in this part of town.  We paid $15 for 5 hours with 3 blocks of the Alamo and downtown district.

The Alamo (main chapel)

Alamo Grounds & Gardens

The Buckhorn Saloon

Bonny & Clyde's original car in the Texas Ranger Museum

      Several other times we walked and boated the Riverwalk, toured the shops having some lunch, and later took in the nighttime decorations.  I did screw up the times for getting downtown and watching the Opening Night for Riverwalk Lights and the parade.  So we got there late and got a few shots off the bridges, but nothing anywhere near what we had hoped for.  It was a beautiful night.

      We also took a day trip north to Gruene, TX to pick up some Pecan Roca.  If you're familiar with Almond Roca.......this is even better.  In fact it is sinfully delicious.  It is all I wanted for Christmas.  Afterwards we stopped near New Braunfels at Coopers BBQ.........like so many Texas BBQs it is delicious, but their brisket is the BEST I have ever tasted.  Flavorful, crunchy, peppery crust with delicious interior.  Add some beans tater salad, pickle and onions, and voila.........paper towels, no BBQ sauce, or utensils, heaven can wait.

Pecan Roca

Coopers BBQ

      Of course, let's not forget Christmas Dinner:  Maple Crockpot Ham, Mashed Taters, Peas, Chutney, King's Hawaiian Rolls, Deviled Eggs, and Apple Cobbler for dessert.

Christmas Dinner

      This is our last stop before our annual pig hunt so we have been trying to whittle down the freezers.  There was a lot of rockfish and clams on our menu this past two weeks.  We did vary the menu with Monster Cheeseburgers, Finger Food, Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches, as well as Cajun Rockfish, Fried Clam Steaks, and Rockfish Frittata.  Yeah, what I said.

      It was a very nice stay in the area.  The wealth of culture and festivities fits the holiday season perfectly.  We're not crazy about the San Antonio metroplex as with most large cities navigation around, over, under, and through traffic pretty much defines stress.  Although they do their best with digital bulletin boards that update conditions, this area is a MONSTER.  Thankfully our camp at Fort Sam Houston was within 5 miles of downtown so our commutes weren't bad.  We toured downtown from the Alamo to the Market District to the Riverwalk to the numerous Catholic Missions, exploring the other aspects and culture of the surrounding communities.

      After one more day of relaxation, we depart with hearts full of memories and hopes for the future.  A wonderful Christmas.  From here we have a short jaunt of 77 miles to the east to Gonzales, TX.  It is nearly time once again for "Hogapallooza".  

"Life is a daring adventure or nothing" 

Helen Keller 

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