Before this trip, I had been across the northern part of Texas five or six times to visit family in Arizona. My husband had traveled the same route just one time, when we drove the 2,440 miles of Route 66. The Mother Road follows Route 40 across the northern part of the state, the part Texans refer to as the panhandle. I’ve never understood the reason behind that nickname. Florida has a panhandle and Oklahoma has a panhandle, but that part of Texas would be better called a chimney. When I researched, I found “A state panhandle refers to a narrow projection of territory extending from the main body of a state, resembling the handle of a pan.” Therefore, there are nine states that qualify, but I digress.

Even though we had stopped at Cadillac Ranch, got a pressed penny at Big Texan Steak Ranch and took a picture of the giant cross in Groom, since we only traveled a 177-mile stretch at the northern most part of that huge state, we hadn’t seen Texas. The friends’ home we were planning to visit was near Galveston, on the Gulf Coast, the most eastern part of the state, therefore we still wouldn’t have seen much more of Texas. Our stay in Lago Vista, which I mentioned last week, was in Hill Country. Prior to this, we had only seen the flat, grassy plains up north.

We headed farther south when we left Lago Vista forgetting about a minor detail. When we left home four weeks before, much of the nation was experiencing some of the coldest weather they had had in two decades, but now warm weather was finally showing up in southern Texas. Neither my husband nor I remembered our van’s AC needed to be charged, therefore I found the two-hour trip to San Antonio very uncomfortable, but he wasn’t fazed by the eighty-degree temperature.

FINDING THE RIVERWALK

The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is pictured.

We found a reasonably priced hotel online, but wanted to look at a room before booking, something we always do. The exterior of the building and the lobby can be misleading. We have learned not to judge a book by its cover.

The woman at the desk called the maintenance man to open a room for us to inspect. We later learned he was the clerk’s brother and she was the owner.

After taking our shared overnight bag and the contents of our portable refrigerator to our room, we drove farther into the city where hotels were more expensive. San Antonio was in our radar because I have seen many lists of landmarks, national parks, tourist attractions and cities following the question “How many have you visited.” The Riverwalk is almost always on the lists. I had no idea what or where it was the first time I saw it listed.

The Riverwalk, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the entire state, is a network of sidewalks that run for 15 miles alongside the San Antonio River. Five miles of the walkway wind below street level through downtown San Antonio.

After descending several steps, we found a different environment along the banks of the recessed river. A world of small shops, restaurants with outdoor seating, theaters, coffee shops and art galleries awaited us. We chose to take a cruise on a small open boat where the driver doubled as a tour guide and a wannabe comedian. We passed sculptures, manmade waterfalls, grand hotels and churches and went under arched bridges made of the stone that was prevalent in nearly every wall along the way. We learned from our navigator that the Riverwalk is drained and cleaned each year, the last time being just before we were there. At that time over 1,000 cell phones were found, which we were told was not uncommon. Our cruise began before dusk, allowing us to see a magical, lighted view as darkness fell. The watercrafts stood out with their colorful lighted hulls. The mood was peaceful and a nice way to end our time at the Riverwalk.

San Antonio’s Riverwalk illuminates at dusk. Photo by Beverly Kehe-Rowland

REMEMBERING THE ALAMO

We checked out of our room the next day, but not without a friendly conversation with the owner, who called her brother to tell us good-bye. Rick told us we were “good people” (We fool people all over America.), asked if he could take our picture and gave us his address. His sister hugged me as we left.

We couldn’t leave San Antonio without visiting The Alamo.

Visitors to the Alamo Church are asked to lower their voices and remove hats in reverence to the heroes who died there “to blaze a trail for all Texans.” Although the limestone walls are four-feet thick, signs are posted warning visitors to avoid touching or leaning on the very fragile walls that are in need of preservation. The Alamo is also in need of structural repair. There is an ongoing effort to preserve the historic landmark to ensure it remains standing for future generations.

The Battle of the Alamo took place in 1836. A row of bronze plaques with the names of the Heroes are displayed. Jim Bowie’s and Davy Crockett’s names are among them. The men and women whose names history did not record are honored on a plaque as well.

I can now check off the Riverwalk and the Alamo the next time a “How many have you visited” list pops up.

A BIG BUC-EE’S

After leaving the historic mission, we set out on the last leg of our Texas trip, the home of Fred’s classmate in Alvin.

It should have taken three and a half hours to drive the 227 miles, but we made a stop at Buc-ee’s in Luling.

Buc-ee’s is like going on a cruise, everyone needs to do it at least once. This happened to be our fourth time with the first being nearly two years ago. We learned later this location was the largest Buc-ee’s to date.

Some say the family-friendly travel centers with a logo of a beaver sporting a red hat are like no other. There are more than 100 gas pumps at most locations, but Buc-ee’s claim to fame isn’t their gas prices. Customers are greeted by one or more store employers as they step through the door. Pork rind or another food sample with someone shouting out a catchy phrase or rhyme to promote the product, will likely be the next event to stimulate the senses. Your nose may then lead to the beef brisket station where more product promoting is called out. A snacker’s paradise awaits on one side of the huge store. Snack crackers, pretzels, chips and every flavor of jerky you can imagine and many you never would, are neatly displayed. Nuts, many varieties of trail mixes, candy and 12-ounce bags of colored syrup-filled wax bottles from your childhood are nearby. Everything needed for a cook-out is offered, including the grill, charcoal and insect repellant. Texas-made Blue Bell ice cream can be found in the freezer, including 3-ounce single serve portions for the kids to drip on the upholstery in the vehicle.

Western-style clothing, cook books, serving dishes and jewelry, holiday decorations and home decor are on the opposite side of the store. A variety of brightly-colored clothing with the beaver logo is interspersed throughout.

A large section of the center back wall is taken up with stainless steel ice machines where sweet and unsweetened tea are dispensed. There are four large Icee dispensers, with 11 flavor choices in each. Coffee-lovers haven’t been forgotten.

Most repeat visitors to Buc-ee’s stop for their favorite foods. When my friends heard we were there, they asked if we bought Beaver Nuggets, which are caramel-coated corn puffs and if we indulged in a beef brisket sandwich. Some may be stunned to know we have only purchased gas and pressed pennies to add to our collection. What is my favorite thing to do at Buc-ee’s…checking out the immaculate restrooms, but not for the obvious reason. I count the sinks and individual stalls, more like closets, with red and green lights indicating if they are vacant or occupied. This one had 34 stalls and 16 sinks.

One thing is for certain – you will not forget that beaver logo!

To be continued.