The day after Thanksgiving we took a ride out to the Mission District. The chain of missions were established along the San Antonio River in the 1770's. Together, these missions form the largest concentration of  Catholic missions in North America. These missions consist of The Alamo, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose,

chapel of Mission San Jose

outside Mission San Jose chapel

compound in Mission San Jose

Mission San Juan and Mission Espada.

entrance to Mission Espada

Inside Mission Espada

Christmas tree outside Mission Espada

It is an easy drive to visit these missions. (They are well marked). In 1978, Congress created the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. By agreement with the Archdiocese of San Antonio, the mission churches remain active centers of worship.
As we were driving to the various missions,

we noticed that at the cemeteries along the route, the majority of headstones all had flowers.
  Also you come across the Espada Dam (completed in 1745) which is the preserved acequia system. It still diverts river water into a mother ditch, which is ten carried over Sixmile Creek via Espada Aqueduct (see picture - is the oldest Spanish aqueduct in the United States. Floodgates controlled the flow of water. 

Espada Aqueduct

Woke up to rain on Thanksgiving. Made coffee and watched the Macy's parade. Jonathan and Joan went to parade. They said it was great. Skip and I went to the Hilton in town for our Thanksgiving dinner. They had advertised a Thanksgiving buffet, with complementary glass of champagne (our waitress kept refilling) and free valet parking.

There was not an empty table. Skip and I were not the only ones dining out! The large ballroom was filled with tables. There was lots to choose from at the various food stations - appetizers, omelets, scrambled eggs, bacon, mashed potatoes, bacon, vegetables, rolls, and two turkey stations, and desserts.

One did not leave hungry from this dinner!!! Also had a harpist to entertain.

We did miss the family on Thanksgiving and wished they were here to enjoy it with us!!!!

  

Spent morning grocery shopping, getting car washed and cleaning up. Going through maps and brochures and saw Gustafson Stadium. Since it is my maiden name, off we went to find Gustafson stadium. Found it!!!! Don't know who C. Marvin Gustafson is or was. Will have to find out.

Part of a sports complex for track, baseball, swimming, etc. In fact just before we arrived, they were doing some track and filed for the Special Olympics. Too bad we missed it. Afterwards we drove down to The Market "Mercado" in town. Had lunch at the Mexican restaurant, La Margarita. In fact, this is the same restaurant we ate in a few years with Skip's cousin, Gary. Afterwards we browsed through some of the shops.

 

Arrived in San Antonio! We are staying at the Blazing Star RV Resort in the northwest section of San Antonio. Previously we had stayed on the other side of the city.

our site

pool area

We are about 13 miles from downtown area. Very nice campground - great satellite for Skip and great dog park for Thumper, and if weather warms up, may enjoy the pool. When we checked in, we were able to sign up for their Thanksgiving dinner which the campground does a week before Thanksgiving. Campground has been doing the dinner for years. I asked what the charge it for the dinner. I was told nothing. They enjoy doing it for the residents that are staying. We have met a few residents of San Antonio that have sold their homes an live full time in the motor coaches. Campground prepares turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy. Campers bring side dishes or desserts. It was very good! We met lots of fellow travelers and had a good time.
  Over 1 million people reside in San Antonio. Unlike the northeast which is congested and tall buildings, San Antonio is spread out and congested at times. When leaving the campground, we enter the 1604 loop at 60 MPH. When not in traffic or construction, you move it in Texas!!
  Drove into town the following day. Finding our way in around the various loops and routes we made it. Parked the car in a lot (10.00 fee - a bargain compared to parking lots in a few other states) - walked around River Walk area. Overcast but nice. It is a nice area. Skip and I have always enjoyed coming here. Since we will be here for a month, we can just stroll around. We had late lunch at the Original Mexican Restaurant on River Walk.

 

 

I enjoyed the beef burrito which rice and beans and Skip had steak eggs. Afterwards we walked up to the Cathedral.

 
 
 

Starting to head  east. Left Carlsbad, NM heading to Fort Stockton, TX on Route 285-S for a day or two. Driving through West Texas (Pecos), all we saw were oil rigs, and haulers pulling into rig sites to pick up oil or leaving refineries. It was an endless line.

One Texan we spoke to said years ago there were oil rigs here and there; now they are everywhere. Also spotty cell service. Sage brush and oil rigs for about a 3 hour drive.

  We are staying at the Fort Stockton RV Park right off Route 10. They have a big dog park so Thumper is happy. Our site is at the end of a row, so Thumper is able to hang around without being on the leash.

 We have been lucky with the weather. In the 70's during the day. Nights cool down a little. Biggest attraction in Fort Stockton is the Road Runner statue in center of town and the various representations of Texas at the Visitor's Center. 

Skip at Visitor's Center

Grocery shopping is at Walmart. Walmart has definitely covered the landscape of the U.S. They are all over the place!
  Happy Veteran's Day to all!!! We were up early and heading east to San Antonio.







With an 80 MPH speed limit, great landscape and no traffic jams,  we should be there in no time.

 

 

Forgot to post our favorite billboard located in Carlsbad, N.M. I can honestly say we have never seen a billboard like this anywhere we have traveled. Skip and I wondered how many diamonds were sold over the 3 day period to get their free hunting rifle.

Before leaving Carlsbad, we went to a local vineyard. Balzano Family Vineyard. The vineyard is part of a cooperative. Can't pass up a winery!

   In the morning, we packed up heading east into Texas. We are heading to Fort Stockton. We took S-283  which takes us south into Pecos, Texas.

All we saw were oil wells, trucks hauling fuel down highway, trucks pulling in and out of oil rigs, and lots of land.  Not my favorite part of the state!  Sorry!!

   Fort Stockton is still the same as when we stopped 3 years ago. Drove into town to the Visitor Center.

We are heading to San Antonio. Think Thumper will be a lot happier! Not much for a dog to do in Fort Stockton.