TEXAS

TEXAS

                We entered Texas at Dennison and stopped at the Welcome Center. The woman behind the counter was very helpful in giving us information on places to visit. She told us we were welcome to stay there overnight--which we did.  In the morning, after breakfast, we headed south, planning to stop in Temple to visit Joan's great nephew Logan, who is 16, and his mother, Kristy.

                We arrived while Logan was still at school and Kristy was at work, so we unloaded the scooter and went into Temple to check it out. When we got back, we had a great reunion with Kristie and Logan, and then we went out to eat at McAlister's which is a restaurant similar to Panera Bread. This restaurant had super service.  After catching up on Logan's participation in the Blue Knight Drum Corps, we went to bed.

                The next day, we went to the Belton Dam and Miller Springs Park for a walk around the trails in the park. The dam is so high, that tractor trailer trucks crossing it looked like toys from down below. We wanted to walk along the dam, and at first it looked like there was a fence across the path. We watched as another hiker with his dog went through the fence, so we went closer to investigate. The gate had a swing mechanism that neither of had never seen before. We went through the gate and continued along the trail.

                That night several of Kristy's friends came and we had a picnic. The next afternoon we went to the H.E.B. Festival of Sharing--which was somewhat of a disappointment. Two years ago we went to the Festival in San Antonio, and had a great time. Since then we have gone to one in Jasper and the one in Temple, and neither was of the caliber of the one in San Antonio.  It is assumed that size of city does matter. 

                Our schedule does not permit the San Antonio "Feast" this year.  For the country this is a model in community outreach by a large corporation.               H.E.B. is a grocery chain with 23 stores in southern Texas and Mexico, and during the holidays they give back to the communities. They give free meals to everyone who goes, and have entertainment during the meals. To our knowledge, this is the only grocery chain to do this.

                That night, Kristy and her friends went to a 'girls only' Christmas party. They go for fun, and make the weirdest hairdos they can think of. Kristy had a Christmas tree topper, a crown, woven into her hair. Actually, it was quite an attractive do! So with sparkles in their hair and in high spirits, they left for their party. We stayed at the house and visited with Logan.

                In the morning, after good-byes, we loaded the scooter onto the VIEW (in a misty drizzle) and continued south for our next stop which was to be in Universal City to meet and visit with Joan's cousin, Carisma, whom she had never met--but had corresponded with via the internet.

                We were welcomed into Carisma's family like old friends. With children: Stevie, 18 months, Isis, 7, Gabby, 8, and Zach, 13, it is a busy, boisterous, and warm family. Steve and Carisma couldn't have been more welcoming to us. We shared meals, and family history. Carisma resembles her second cousin, Tammie June. They even have some of the same mannerisms. On Sunday, the Vagabonds rode the scooter into San Antonio, which is a  45 minute ride (using the side roads.) We enjoyed several hours in the city--which is one of our favorite places to visit.              

                James speaks often of his concern for the future of America.  With the promising  young people we meet like Carisma's and Kristy's children throughout this great country, these concerns always seem to mitigate with the encounters  the American Vagabonds experience. 

                SAN ANTONIO

                San Antonio is one of our favorite cities to visit. There is so much to do and see, particularly the River Walk, which has beem expanded to eight miles. During the daytime, it is a pleasant stroll, with ducks swimming in the river, and beautiful plantings along the walkways.

                There are restaurants, bistros, hotels, and little shops for souvenirs. At each street crossing, there are steps to go up to the street, or down to the river making it accessible from all along the route of the river. There are also bridges for crossing to the other side if you want to stop or go back the other way.  Under the bridges, the walls are decorated with mosiac murals, cement 'couches' for resting or just hanging out with friends.

                At night the walk takes on a more festive atmosphere. There are colored lights in the trees and people everywhere. The sidewalk restaurants are full of customers, you can hear music coming from inside. To take away the chill, heaters are placed along the way, along with luminaris to add to the ambience.

                There are also boat taxis along the river. You can take the entire ride, or hop on or off at the many stops along the route. The taxis are open, and the pilot narrates as you travel.

                Along with the River Walk, San Antonio has museums of art and history, the Alamo, cultural exhibits, children's museums, and entertainment. There are parks, self-guided walking tours and so much more. No wonder it is one of the Vagabonds, and thousands of others,  favorite places to visit!

                We got back to Carisma's in time for dinner! The next evening, we decided to treat the family to pizza for dinner, and the only way to get it home was by scooter. If you have ever seen a TV commercial with a pizza delivery boy on a scooter, that is what we looked like. Three large pizzas held by Joan on the back of the scooter, while James carefully navigated the street corners!  The American Vagabonds are resourceful indeed.

                The next morning it was time to say good-bye and head further south. Big Bend National Park was our next destination. We love to visit the national parks, and to support our government's efforts to preserve special areas for generations to come!