King of the Wild Frontier

32 degrees

Tony, since a child has wanted to come and see where the battle of the Alamo took place, but honestly it was his relationship with David “Davy” Crockett that brought him here. Good old television tales that began in the 50’s.

Davy was a 19th century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier and politician who died at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, along with 189 plus Texan defenders who gave their lives for Texas liberty. Following a 13 day siege, Mexican troops under President Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission, killing all of the men. Women and children were saved and relocated. We had an excellent tour, a great history lesson on a very complicated situation. Clearly nobody had a chance.

Crockett became famous during his lifetime for larger than life exploits popularized by stage plays and almanacs. His “tall” stories attracted journalists whose takes of the “ring-tailed roarer” from Tennessee sold well. The ring tail description reflected on his ever present raccoon hat.

After the Alamo battle location we enjoyed a stroll down the Riverwalk, a city park and network of walkways that meander along the banks of the San Antonio River. It is clean, peaceful and a gem in the middle of the city. Hotels and restaurants line the paths, outside patios with large umbrellas for shade are non obtrusive and welcoming. We sat and had a refreshment before returning to the hotel to freshen up for dinner.

Dinner was at Bella on the River (Riverwalk) featured Southern European, mostly Mediterranean food. It is small, intimate and reminded me of an Italian Grotto with its natural limestone walls. Filled with candlelight, you immediately feel cozy and comfortable.

Our dinner was special, everyone of us enjoyed every bite of our chosen meals. Appetizers included Carpaccio, and Eggplant Josephine. Unlike Eggplant Parmesan , down here it was composed of fried eggplant, Texas gulf shrimp, sauce diablo, mozzarella cheese, hollandaise sauce and sautéed lump crab. Our entrees were Texas Redfish, on a bed of eggplant purée with shellfish cream and enoki mushrooms for Tony and Cathy, Mike enjoyed his Pasta Bella which was fresh fettuccine, Texas gulf shrimp, fresh clams, PEI mussels, artichoke quarters, asparagus, mushrooms, peas with a pancetta cream sauce.....whew! I enjoyed Pork Chop Milanese, sage butter, capers, arugula and pecorino romano flakes. A special dinner indeed.

After dinner we did take a boat tour of the river. A lovely way to end the night before saying goodnight to Cathy and Mike. Tomorrow they head back to Roanoke, Texas where we will join them in a couple of days. San Antonio is beautiful.

Texas has been, well the “South” has been so friendly, everyone from every walk of life has been helpful, cheerful, positive and happy. It is also obvious from their history that they continue to pick up, move forward and as a group work together to survive. I have learned so much.

The photos....Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier. The church on the Alamo grounds, Pecan Tree, Baby Shadfly???, the Riverwalk daytime, Eggplant Josephine, Riverwalk at night.

San Antonio was founded as a Spanish Mission and colonial outpost in 1718, became the first chartered civil settlement in Texas in 1731 making it the state's oldest municipality. It is also known as the River City, and the Alamo City for obvious reasons we discovered during our visit here. Named for Saint Anthony of Padua, the population 1,592,510 which swells with about 32 million visitors a year...most coming to see the Alamo designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. If you are in the area do not drive by.

P.S. Happy Birthday to my cousin Peter, all the best, always.