San Antonio Getaway

    A couple of weekends ago Dalton and I were able to steal away for a couple of days of 'alone time,' aka, a weekend without the kiddos. We'd been planning to do this for a long time (pretty much since we knew that a 3rd was coming). Originally we were going to go to Ft Worth, but after realizing that several big events were going on the weekend we'd picked, we decided to head south.
    That Friday afternoon we loaded up and dropped the kids off in Graham, then took 16 South towards our destination, the Riverwalk and San Antonio. We stayed on 16 for a while then cut over to 281 so we could stop at Marble Falls for some grub. We ate at the Chilis on the water and enjoyed the peaceful setting, even though we kept noticing all of the tables with kids, and thinking what ours would be doing if they were there.
    After eating we got back on the road and kept driving and driving. It's a long ways down south, especially when you don't leave until late afternoon. Garrett texted me to see how we were doing and when I told him where we were he responded "Are you driving a moped?" which immediately sent me into instant giggles. Not only because we were having the same feeling, but because of the picture in my mind of us on a moped. We've had one moped experience, Dalton and I, on our honeymoon. The renter almost didn't let us rent it because he didn't think we could handle it…in our defense the 'practice area' was on a slope in a parking lot. The guy told us that he figured between the two of us we could make one decent driver. For the record, Dalton never had one bit of trouble managing the moped, once we got on the open road. So that perked us up a bit for the remainder of the drive.
   We arrived at our destination, not exactly on the riverwalk, but on the river, and checked in. We thought about calling it a night since it was already 11, but decided to drive the few blocks to see the Riverwalk area and Alamo at night. When we got close I got a little nervous. It was hopping with people…all kinds, and the party scene seemed to be in full swing. I opted to leave my window rolled up to keep the thudding of rap music from invading the car as we drove around the crowded streets attempting to get our bearings. Dalton offered to park so we could get out and walk but I told him we could wait until the morning. We did get the lay of the land and a feel for San Antonio night life.

On the trolley 

    The next morning we headed downstairs, bought a couple of trolley tickets for the day and waited on our ride. Monte had told Dalton we must eat at Mi Tierra for breakfast (that was the restaurant mentioned to us by all who we told we were going to San Antonio). We bumped along on the 'trolley' until we arrived at our destination, the very big and brightly decorated Mi Tierra. We ordered and thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast, then bought a couple of pastries on our way out at their bakery.

The bakery had quite a selection

    After a stroll through the market area there we headed back to the main Riverwalk and did our tour of the Alamo, with a crowd. By the time we finished there it was pretty hot so we tootled on over to the mall and watched an Alamo documentary at the Imax theater, while enjoying a much needed Dr. Pepper. It was amazing to watch the story of the Alamo, even though I've heard it many times. Sad to think that those men went into the battle knowing they would die, what a sacrifice.

     By this time it was early afternoon and we decided to tackle the Riverwalk. We opted to take a sightseeing river taxi with a tour guide to save us from walking the entire way around. Once we boarded our boat we quickly realized we'd gotten the corniest and maybe least educational guide available. I couldn't help but giggle the whole time because of the corny jokes, partly out of pity and partly because this is so typical of our kinds of experiences. While touring around listening to Alfred make jokes about fruit trees and Macarena dancing we spotted a gift shop that looked like it might have something to offer. So after we disembarked we headed that way….then kept heading and turning and sweating (it was hot) and walking and finally after walking just about the entire Riverwalk (ironic), found our little shop. We didn't buy anything there but did find some popping cork rifles for the boys and some much needed ice cream for us a few doors down.
    After the ice cream I knew it was time to recuperate because my foot was looking a little big and I was having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, so we managed to make it up one flight of stairs and catch a trolley back to the room. We spent the next hour or so resting and enjoying the TV (we don't have satellite at home anymore).

 

Dalt had to have his picture taken in front of this picture from one of his favorite movies..

Rio Bravo

     Then it was back to Mi Tierra for supper, and we were ready to eat by the time we got there, since we'd skipped lunch. I ordered Chalupas and Dalton got fajitas. Both were very very good. Well I thought mine was good until I tasted his; the beef and chicken were the most tender I've ever tasted…yum. We let the mariachi band sing us a tune, paid them and then regretted it because for the next 30 minutes two bands played for the two tables closest to us, over and over, so we could have enjoyed the music for free. Oh well, part of the experience.

Our mariachi band (the one in the background was a little more in tune) 

Chalupas

     Once we'd had our fill we headed to the racetrack to meet Garrett and enjoy some thoroughbred racing action. It was so much fun! Unlike Lonestar Park, which is huge, fancy and very crowded, this track is more laid back, smaller, and didn't have a crowd at all. We placed bets, watched our horses win and lose and worked off our supper by walking back and forth from the paddock to the rail. Somehow I still can't bet without looking at the horses. Finally the races started to get delayed so we headed back for a good night's sleep.

    The next morning, after eating at Mi Tierra (just kidding!!), we headed back up 35 in the rain. We stopped in New Braunfels to see Garrett's work in progress, and were very impressed. His house is coming along great and he's done a great job with everything.
     Our final treat was a stop at Hard 8 BBQ in Stephenville for a late lunch (delicious) and then a visit to HEB for a few necessities.
    We got home just a minute before Mere Mere arrived to drop the boys off. They were tired and a bit grumpy but we were glad to see them. When we gave them their pop guns they took off around the house pumping and popping; it was a pretty funny sight.
     We're going on two weeks since that getaway and I must say I think it did a world of good for Dalton and I. We were able to recharge, miss the boys and come home with a renewed patience and joy. God is so generous to give us what we need and I'm thankful that we are able to take time like this, even if it is a rare occurrence. The verse below has been on my heart a lot lately. When I'm tempted to get overwhelmed or lose my patience over circumstances, present or future, God reminds me that He has always been good to me and will always be. To rest in Him is the greatest rest of all.

"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." Psalm 116:7