Eastern Texas - Day 8

April 14, 2025 - Remember the Alamo

We rode the hike and bike trail around the McKinney State park before heading to San Antonio. The trail was rough pavement and surprisingly hilly. It traveled through a canopy of live oaks and was very nice.

Our first stop in San Antonio was the San Antonio Missions Visitors Center at Mission San Jose. We walked around the old mission and were reminded of the monasteries we’ve toured in Ireland and Scotland. We’d planned on riding the River Walk trail between the missions but it was 94 degrees and the trail didn’t look to have much shade.

We’re staying at the San Antonio KOA We usually try and find federal or state campgrounds, but this was close to downtown San Antonio and next to a bike trail. According to the host that checked us in, 94 is unseasonably warm for this time of year. We have a nice site, mainly because the sites on either side of us are empty.

We took a little rest and then set out to explore the bike trail. Nice trail, mostly shaded. According to a trail side map, there is a trail system that circles the greater San Antonio area.

After our ride we found the Alamo, then walked around the San Antonio River Walk. The Alamo is old and pretty with ornate brick work and beautiful wooden doors. We took pictures of it before and after we walked on the river walk. It is lite up at night

The river walk is fascinating. Restaurants and shops line the river. The river and walkways around it are about 30’ below street level. As you descend the steps onto the walkways it’s like entering a different realm. We were most impressed with the huge trees along the river. They must be hundreds of years old and you can’t help but wonder how they survived as the city grew around them. We had dinner at a table next to the river at a BBQ place called The County Line. Very good.

It’s cooled down and I’m sitting outside the camper as I write this blog. A big moon is raising into the clear Texas sky. Night, night.