Del Rio Texas

Del Rio, Texas
Amistad Recreational Area - Amistad Reservoir was formed when the Amistad Dam was formed in 1963. The dam was built for flood control, the worst of which occurred in 1954 killing over 300 residents. This was a joint venture with Mexico in accordance to the Water Treaty Act of 1944. Mexico and the U.S. share the water and maintenance of the dam. Each country installed and operates a hydro-electric generating plant. This project ended up with a reservoir and up river water that could be used for recreation. The management of the recreation area was turned over to the National Parks Service in 1965.
The wind was blowing with such force that Bob was unable to go kayaking but we could see the beauty of the recreation area.

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is becoming a city with many outdoor attractions to draw tourists. The Alamo is the one of main attractions where the famous Battle of 1836, for Texas Independence, took place. The ownership of the Alamo went into private hands and the structures were almost totally destroyed. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, DRT, have been entrusted by the Texas legislature since 1905 of the care and maintenance of this historical site. They are maintaining it as a memorial to the heroes who immolated themselves upon that hallowed ground. The Alamo is definitely a place to reflect on the history of Texas.
In order to supply water to the Missions, along the San Antonio River, canals were built by hand by the Indians. Someone had the vision to turn the canals into a River Walk in the downtown San Antonio area. There are now over 3 miles of the River Walk with many stores and restaurants along this attraction.
The River Walk is below street level. A part of it is boarded by lush gardens and trees. They are extending the River Walk so that there is more area for biking, walking and jogging. In the future they are planning to extend it to include some of the parks in the area.
There are barges which run on the canals to take sightseers. It was a nice trip, lasting about 40 minutes, and the captain gave a good summary on the area.
It was the Girls’ Basketball Final Four in San Antonio. Bob had not seen as many blue and white UCONN hats and shirts in one area since he graduated from college. It was nice to see so many fans supporting girls basketball. If we get the chance we would definitely come back to visit San Antonio again to see what changes have been made.

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park
There are 2 distinct location for the park. In Johnson City, there is an exhibit center, his boyhood home and a walking trail with a number of historic buildings. Fourteen miles west of Johnson City is the place referred to as the “Texas White House.” This is on the Pedernales River. The Texas White House is an 8,500 sq.ft. house that Lyndon purchased from his aunt and restored. When he became President they extended the air strip and that is when it got its name of the “Texas White House.”
Many of us, when we think of LBJ, can only remember the Vietnam War. Until we visited this park the thoughts of the war stuck in our minds and we forgot about the Civil Rights, Head Start Program, Space Program and all of the legislation that was passed during his term as President.
LBJ came from a very poor background. That, in part, gave him the drive to develop programs to educate all Americans. LBJ’s wealth came from his wife, Lady Bird and as she inherited some money she purchased a radio station and became a very successful business woman. Lady Bird’s efforts to beautify America by planting trees and flowers are what we think of her but she was also very active in the National Park Services as well. When the Johnson family donated the Texas White House complex to make a National Park they also donated a commercial cattle operation that is still run by the National Park who has 2 full time cowboys on staff. LBJ passed away in 1973 but Lady Bird stayed on living at the Texas White House for another 30 years so it has just recently been turned over to the National Parks.

San Antonio Missions Nat’l Historical Park

San Antonio Missions Nat’l Historical Park
The Franciscans built 21 missions in Texas. In the San Antonio area the Nat’l Park service has taken over 4 of the missions. They are: Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. These Missions date back to 1690.
The Missions’ goals of self-sufficiency depended on their success of its farms and ranches.
Free roaming livestock on its ranches proved very profitable. Franciscan friars aspired to teach community harmony through the Catholic religion to the Indians. The Missions, for a time, were very successful. They would have over 200 Indians living at a Mission where they would be educated on how to farm and ranch. The Spanish military would also teach them how to protect themselves from hostile Indians. The 4 Missions are active parishes, part of the Diocese of San Antonio.
After 70 years there was less need for the Missions because of the effects of European diseases, acculturation, and intermarriages. By 1824 the San Antonio Missions were secularized, the lands were redistributed among the inhabitants and the churches were transferred to the secular clergy.
On Easter Sunday we went to a Mariachi Mass at Mission San Jose. This was a treat. The Spanish Mariachi band had over 12 guitar players and 2 horn players. A choir accompanied them as well. Mass was in English but all of the music was in Spanish. They played for the Mass as well as for the baptisms that took place. They even sang and played for those celebrating a birthday or an anniversary. After the mass they played for a while in the courtyard. It was most enjoyable.

Aransas Pass, TX Kayaking

Kayaking was better in the Bay and we would take the trip by ferry to Aransas Pass County Park where there was easy access to the Bay. Sue had a comfortable place to sit and watch the boats and the fisherman returning from recreational fishing. There was also a fleet of commercial shrimp boats in the area. Kayaking in the Bay was excellent and it was definitely worth the 7 mile trip and we did it several times during our stay. Sue got friendly with a local gentleman who cleaned fish at the boat ramp. We were able to get some local fresh fish called drum which was excellent eating.
This area of southern Texas, as much of Texas is, very windy. There were many days when the wind was strong enough that kayaking wasn’t good and you couldn’t even walk on the beach. This is one reason that the area is less expensive to camp in the winter than Florida would be.

Mustang Island Spring Break

Padre Island

Padre Island National Seashore, TX, Mustang Island
We decided to spend the month of March in Southern Texas. Mustang Island which is in Port Aransas is where we are camping. This is next to Padre Island and the National Seashore which are both outside of Corpus Christi. They say that there are 160 miles of beach along the area from Port Aransas to South Padre Island. They allow vehicles to drive on the beach here. The National Seashore has over 60 miles that you can drive on. On part of the beach area camping is allowed. We were able to drive on part of the beach and it was nice to see people with their campers along the dunes. Camping is only allowed from the water’s edge to the dunes. When the tide is right this area may all be underwater so you have to know what you are doing.
This stretch of the Gulf of Mexico has a current that brings trash to the shoreline. There is a continuous effort by the National Park and volunteers to keep the shoreline clean of debris. It has been an extremely cold winter, in this area, as well as in many parts of the country, so the water is cold with temperatures in the high 50’s where normally it would be in the 70’s. Bob has kayaked in the bay and has enjoyed it. The campground that we are in has many activities for the ‘snowbirds.’ The site that we are on has a 3 sided shelter which helps with the wind factor. As one camper who says, as he’s been coming for 11 years that “the wind always blows in Southern Texas.” It’s either off of the Gulf or off of the mainland. This area draws many spring breakers and it is nice to see the young people enjoying themselves on the beach.