Brief Visits: Houston, San Antonio and Stockton

 

This was a wild west themed car. On the walls was a show dedicated to a local artist and founder Ann Harithas. 

The paint job on this car was really beautiful. These cars both still look basically like cars, but many featured in the movie were turned into other things, like cats!

It was a long drive from Lafayette to Houston and we were pretty tired when we arrived at the Lakeview RV Resort. That may be why we parked in the wrong site! About 5:30 we got the knock on our door. At first they wanted us to move (a big job with the truck detached, feet down, plugged all in). But happily the fellow was able to find a similar site for the incoming RV and they agreed. Many of the people here are long term due to the proximity to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital. We had a long talk with our neighbor who moved here two years ago due to her now 21 year old son's battle with cancer. We were glad to hear that right now he is in remission. 

The Orange Show, closed unfortunately

The view from our lunch on the way to San Antonio

We mostly did errands and chores the next day. It was a very nice park with a small lake that made for nice walking, a big lounge area with coffee and a book swap, and a good laundry. Scott had made reservations for the Art Car Museum and that was fun, although small. We especially loved the cars and the movie on people, really artists, that turn their cars/trucks into art works and the big parade they have here once a year to show off their creations. We'd hoped to visit Orange Show nearby but it was closed.  Jeff McKissack, a mail carrrier, transformed his small suburban lot into the Orange Show in honor of his favorite fruit!

Our first walk on the River was on a Sunday
afternoon and it was packed with visitors

The beautiful central alter at the Cathedral
of San Fernando in the main square.

Next day we were off again to San Antonio, early as we had lots of plans to see this lovely city. On the way we lucked out when we spied a State Park near the gas station where we were filling up, and enjoyed a scenic lunch spot. The KOA San Antonio was close to the center city and we ended up going in and out a bunch of times. That afternoon we went in and enjoyed the famous River Walk. On the way we were accosted by a very charming gentleman who convinced us to go to yet another time share presentation. He had to be charming and to up the money value before we agreed. But the "deal" was too good for Scott to miss. We got $100 in vouchers for a variety of restaurants, two tickets to the boat tour and a carriage ride. So we were on for the next morning at 10 AM. 

Early in the day the River Walk was peaceful

Sculptures, gardens, waterfalls adorn it.

A selfie on our boat cruise

And a view back to our guide

This big sculpture was in front of the Briscoe
Western Museum which we'll have to see
another time.

Looking down towards the locks that protect
the River Walk from flooding.

Despite promises, the presentation (no tour as we weren't at one of their hotels) took the full 3 hours. It followed the usual course, although we'd always been to an actual location before, so that made for a more interesting time, as you got to walk around. But the perks worked out very well. We enjoyed the boat ride and had a very entertaining guide. And we used the full $100 for an excellent lunch at Iron Cactus Restaurant, sitting right by the edge of the river. We returned that night for the carriage ride and another walk.  San Antonio is a beautiful city and we'd enjoy another visit there!

Scott and I enjoyed the carriage ride, although it was very short.

The River Walk is beautifully lit up and night and bustling. 

We had one more night before arriving at Big Bend National Park as it's a long way. We stopped in Stockton at a small, rather charming Hilltop RV Park. Metal sculptures were scattered all around the place, all really fun and a local amateur astronomer donated quite an impressive telescope for anyone to use. Scott really enjoyed it that night. He took some amazing photos of the moon through the lens.  We were able to do a big shopping trip to the Walmart Superstore to prepare for our 6 days at the park. There would only be very limited food available there so we came fully prepared. And we emptied our septic, filled up with fresh water and charged up our batteries.  More on that in my next post. 

This Mariachi players welcomed us to the Hilltop RV Park. 

Giant versions of the metal sculptures at the park are installed up on a ridge overlooking the town - very cool!

A photo of the moon Scott took through the 
telescope at the RV Park!