San Antonio Half Marathon Trip

I woke up at 6:00am, stretched my body, sensing that it is going to be a rainy day. Biked for one hour in the room then took a shower. Packed items, double checked the contents and left home around 9:30am under rain. Getting on I-10 west and began head to west toward San Antonio. On the way it was raining a lot. I had to use A/C, head lights, wipers and drive on the wet road, the fuel economy of Prius began to fall. Stopped for fuel at Shell at Seguin, TX around 12:15pm then continued. Finally reached San Antonio city limit around 12:40pm.

Driving to San Antonio under rain

The first stop I made was at San Juan Mission at 1:00pm. This place was established in 1731, I walked around the properly under light rain, saw the area is build with stone walls with residential area a church, and gate attached. Made me think of the life of the people in this place in that time. Took about 15 minutes to walk around.

I then drove to my next stop, which is the Mission Espada. This smaller place is also established in 1731. A tiny church in this place was stone build and several blocks of native American living place. Stayed between at 1:30pm and 1:45pm.

 

The next stop was at Mission San Jose. I arrived at 1:55pm. This location had a large visitor center and mission well established. The property is maintained so well, so it was hard to believe it was from 1720s. There was a big church, I wanted to take a look inside but a private event was going on. Left there at 2:15pm.

The last stop is the Mission Conception, I arrived at the parking at 2:30pm. This place looked a lot smaller but the decoration on the walls inside the church were breathtaking. It is more like native American theme. Leaving at 2:45pm.

I drove to the downtown San Antonio then parked my car so I can check out German Influence of this city. Stopped by at Guether house at 3:00pm, and Beethoven Maennerchor Halle at 3:15pm. I have about one hour to pick up my race packet so I headed to La Villita area. All participants needed to re-sign the waiver requested by the committee. They gave me a tech shirt, and a small bag. I walked around and found the Fairmount Hotel at 3:50pm, and I walked to the Alamo, checked out the Emily Morgan hotel, Menger Hotel before heading back to the parking lot. Stopped by at Hard Rock Cafe at 4:30pm. Walked to San Fernando Cathedral at 4:50pm by Main Plaza.

Main Plaza

San Fernando Cathedral Emily Morgan hotel Beethoven Maennerchor Halle

Guether house

Menger Hotel

Fairmont Hotel

Casino Building

It was already at 5:00pm, I thought about checking in at the hotel but decided to go to Brackenbridge Park to check out the Japanese Garden which has a history of ironic name changes. Parked my car and walked around Japanese garden from 5:20pm-to 5:45pm. Done for the day, so I left. Arrived at the hotel at 6:00pm, dropped off bags then relaxed. I walked downtown toward a market. I found Casa Navarro where Jose Antonio Navarro lived as I was walking by. Booked my name at a La Margarita restaurant which I needed to wait for 30 minute hanging around until I get paged. Had dinner in a big plate, which I could not finish because I fear it might be too much and slow me down tomorrow. Finished at 7:45pm, and walked back to hotel under dark. Back at the hotel, and I went to bed around midnight.

Market Square

Dinner

Back at the hotel at 10:30am, I took a shower again to get refreshed. Packed my bags, then checked out at 11:00am. Pulled out from the parking and took I-35 north to I-37 south then joining I-10 East. It was nice weather and no congestion or accident on the road, but people drive pretty fast. The fuel economy was coming back up to 46mpg. I arrived at a restaurant at 1:30pm for my friend's farewell party, which lasted until 7:00pm drinking beers and eating crawfishes. Drove to grocery store, came home and began doing laundries. Going to bed by midnight.

Driving back to Houston, such a nice weather