More San Antonio Sights

Since our nice weather was continuing, Ron & I decided to go out to the San Antonio Zoo.  We had heard that it was quite the zoo, and, boy, it did not disappoint! The zoo is on 56 acres and was originally established in 1914. 

As we passed the koi pond, I snapped a photo of this enterprising black bird.  There were two little boys feeding the koi, so he was quickly snatching up anything that didn't get to the pond.

There was a huge group of flamingos.  The San Antonio Zoo has a very successful flamingo breeding program.  I didn't realize that flamingos are endangered.  They sure are pretty!

The zoo participates in over 230 endangered species programs and has received awards for captive propagation.  These Komodo Dragons (there are 2 here) are breeding here successfully - we saw several babies.

We were heading for the "Africa Live" exhibits - first stop took us through this hippo enclosure.

They are HUGE!  It was amazing to be able to see them as they were swimming-they are quite graceful.  

A park ranger was talking about their health care and how they train them to let vets file their tusks, and check their vitals.  This hippo was waiting for an apple to be dropped down to him.

Beautiful snow leopard!

These three giraffes were the newest exhibit.  The exhibit area is well designed - there are multiple viewing areas - high & low - and the trees are around the viewing platforms so you can look the giraffes right in the eye while they eat!

A couple of African zebras

This is an Opaki.  It looks like a cross between a zebra (stripes on its legs) and a giraffe (they are related to giraffes).  I read that these were thought to be extinct - they are so shy and hid so well no one  had seen one for a long time. Really a different looking creature.

Two large porcupines

and a wart hog.

 

The zoo has a huge bird collection - one of the largest in the nation - from all over the world.

                                                           Scarlet ibis and an egret

                                 Not sure what this guy is!  He sure was accustomed to people.

An emu - never saw one sit like this.

There were also monkeys in every size and color, kangaroos & wallabies, big cats, medium cats, small cats, deer, antelope - and an awesome reptile house!

I read that there are over 9,000 animals of 750 species!  Wow, no wonder it seemed like we saw so many - and so many I had never seen before.

 

I have been surprised by how much I didn't know about Texas history.  When we visited The Alamo, we learned that it was one of five Spanish missions in San Antonio.  The Alamo is owned by the state of Texas because of its importance in their fight for independence from Mexico.  The other four missions are managed by the U.S. National Park Service.  They are relatively close together, so we decided to go see them.

Spanish explorers originally came and claimed "New Spain" (Mexico), hoping to find riches.  When that didn't happen, they concentrated on spreading the Catholic faith to the Coahuiltecan people.  The missions were tightly run communities teaching agriculture, building, religion and defense of the mission.

Mission Conception is quite well preserved in the condition it was in in the 1700's.  The church (domed structure behind the towers) is beautiful, with many of the colorful frescos still visible.

Mission San Jose - "Queen of the Missions" is an extensive

complex that gives you an idea of what life was life on the missions

in the 1700's.

The domed structure is, again, the church, with the arches on the right showing where the "convento" was located.  The convento housed the Friars.

The church entry was beautifully carved and there was a small cemetery

out front.

Arched ceilings in one of the wings.

Originally the buildings were covered with these brightly colored frescos.

An outdoor oven, with the "apartments" lining the outer walls that the Native American converts lived in.

Mission San Juan is smaller, but sits on beautiful grounds that were originally orchards and gardens.  There were also huge herds of cattle and sheep owned by the mission.

The church

None of the other buildings are restored, but it is nice to see how well built they were that even parts of them exist today.

Mission Espada is the oldest mission.

One of the things the missions provided was they taught the native people vocations like weaving, blacksmithing, carpentry and stone cutting and masonry.

This little mission was all decorated for Christmas.

Love the doorway and bells.

Again, it was so interesting to learn more about the history of Texas, before it was part of the United States.  When the Spaniards left, the missions were turned over to the native people who lived and worked on them.  They are all still active congregations, and the interiors of the churches are simple, but quite beautiful. 

 

Our visit to San Antonio is coming to an end, but I would recommend it to anyone.  We will certainly come back!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surprised by The Alamo!

We were so excited to get to San Antonio!  It is such a historic city, we couldn't wait to do some sightseeing.

  First stop, of course, the Alamo.

The building always pictured as "the Alamo" is the mission originally called Mission San Antonio de Valero.  Construction began in 1724. After seeing thousands of pictures, I expected it to be huge, not the small, sacred space it is.  The mission is now a shrine to the Alamo Defenders and contains artifacts and stories of the time.  There is a room with the original plaster ceiling where you can still see the shadow of the fresco designs.  The guide also pointed out "graffiti"- the soldiers defending the Alamo in the 1800's had carved their names in the walls. Because it is a sacred space, you can't take photos or use cell phones in the space. 

There are several other buildings on the plaza, including the beautiful gift shop

 

 The old well in the photo below is in front of another of the original buildings -the Long Barrack.  It was under one of the hugest Live Oak trees I've ever seen.

The grounds are beautiful!

                                     The koi are in part of the original acqueduct system.

                                        I got a kick out of the birds enjoying this fountain!

It was interesting to learn a little about Texas history.  I didn't realize how the Alamo we've seen in the movies was so important in U.S. history.

 

We decided to take another trip downtown to explore the famous San Antonio Riverwalk.  On the way, we saw this beautiful church.

                      St. Joseph's Church built by the German Catholic community in 1868.

The San Antonio River Walk is a pretty extensive trail along the San Antonio River.  We wanted to see the downtown section of the trail with its cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, etc.

This lock controls the water levels.  Behind it is a marina for the many tourist boats and river taxis on the river.

                                          There are gorgeous views everywhere you look. 

This is part of a stage with seating across the river.

One of the tourist barges.

They were decorating for Christmas.  There is a big river parade & official lighting of the lights on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Beautiful flowering tree!

There is a beautiful park, HemisFair Park, on the southeast end of the downtown loop of the River Walk.

It includes the Tower of the Americas.  There is an observation deck at the top.

Really a beautiful park!

One more bad selfie, but the waterfall was so pretty!

 

We have more to explore here in San Antonio and will be celebrating our Thanksgiving here.  We give thanks for this amazing opportunity we are having, and thanks to our families for their patience.  It is hard to be away during the holidays - we miss y'all! (a little Texan for you)

Have a very blessed Thanksgiving.