There is so much to do in San Antonio, even when you decide to travel on a budget.  Explore the Alamo, scene of the bloodiest battle in the Texas War for Independence, and then drive to pastoral missions where time appears to have stopped.  You will be amazed.

First Stop : The Mission Trail

The Alamo

300 Alamo Plaza
San Antonio, Texas 78205
Open Monday through Saturday, 9 am-530 pm. On Sunday, the Alamo opens at 10 am.

The Alamo was first named Mission San Antonio de Valero. Construction started on the mission in 1724. In 1793, Spanish officials secularized the five missions in San Antonio. The lands were distributed to the Indian residents. The Alamo is the most famous of the Spanish missions in Texas. Although you will may be disappointed to find the Alamo in a crowded urban setting, there is something about the Alamo, especially at night, that will take your breath away. Admission to the Alamo is free.

Visit the Just for Kids page on TheAlamo.org before you visit to print out activities that you and your children may do together.  The Shrine and the Long Barrack are two original buildings, so ‘you will want to tour both. In the same area is the Clara Driscoll Theater, where you may watch a movie about the Alamo.

How much you want to talk about the death of  the defenders of the  is up to you.  The battle was nothing  like the movie and the survivors were tortured before finally being allowed to die.  There was a woman, a slave and some children that survived.  It is through these accounts that we know anything.

 Historical Map of the Alamo Grounds With an Overlay of Current Downtown San Antonio, Texas
For Accurate Positioning of all Historical Alamo Features

Source: the-alamo-san-antonio.com

Explore the grounds of the Alamo. Find the Alamo Acequia and the Well. The Alamo Cenotaph, across from the Long Barrack, is an empty tomb. The bodies of the defenders of the Alamo were burned by Santa Anna after he took the Alamo. When you are tired of exploring, enjoy history talks on the hour and the half hour except during lunch (12-1 pm) in the Cavalry Courtyard.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

The Alamo is just one of many Spanish missions founded in Texas. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was established to preserve and interpret the chain of Spanish Missions that were built along the San Antonio River in the 18th century. Here is the Map of the San Antonio Missions NHP. However, after Mission San Jose, it is best to ask park personnel for directions. Road construction is a never ending operation on the mission trail.

Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo

Beginning your trip at Mission San José will help orient you to the wonder of the missions and give you time to unwind from the Alamo. View a 23-minute film, take a ranger guided tour, and visit a restored Spanish Colonial flour mill, powered by gravity and water.  You are just a short drive south of downtown, but it is like another place and time.  Step into the church and light a candle.  Close your eyes and you can almost hear the 1000s of prayers echoing down through the years.

Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción de Acuña

This mission, built in East Texas in 1716 and transferred to the San Antonio River area in 1731, is.named in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and Juan de Acuña, Viceroy of New Spain. Built on bedrock, the structural integrity of the mission protected the interior, where today you may view frescoes  painted over 200 years ago.

Espada Aqueduct is the only functioning aqueduct from the Spanish Colonial Period in the United States. Explore this age old method of irrigation that has survived 300 years.

Mission San Juan Capistrano

In 1716, Mission San José de los Nazonis was established to serve the Nazonis Indians in the woods of East Texas. This mission, like all the missions in East Texas, was not successful. On March 5, 1731, the mission was reestablished on the east bank of the San Antonio River and renamed San Juan Capistrano.  The 1/3 mile Yanaguana Trail at Mission San Juan takes you to a small section of the San Antonio River in its natural state. The trail is is accessible.

Links to Brochures (PDF) For Each Mission

Mission Concepción | Mission San José | Mission San Juan | Mission Espada

Guided Tours

Tours last 45-60 minutes. Meet at the visitor center or information center of the mission you wish to tour.

• 10 am Mission San José or Mission Concepción
• 11 am Mission San José
• 130 pm Mission San Juan (staff permitting)
• 2 pm Mission San José, Mission Concepción or Mission Espada (staff permitting)
• 3 pm Mission San José or Mission San Juan (staff permitting)
• 330 pm Mission Espada (staff permitting)

Tour Rancho de las Cabras, the grazing lands of the missions, on the first Saturday of the month at 10 am, weather permitting. Call 210.932.1001 for more information.

Scheduled Events in December at the Missions

Hubbell Trading Post NHP Navajo Rug & Jewelry Show & Sale
Visitor Center at Mission San José
Saturday & Sunday, December 3 & 4, 2011
9 am-5 pm daily

Annual Los Pastores Play
Mission San José
Sunday, December 17, 2011
7 pm (Gates open at 6 pm)
Venue is outside so bring warm clothing and something to sit upon.

Transportation

The public transportation system in San Antonio is VIA. Bus 42 from downtown will bring you to Mission San José and within two blocks of Mission Concepción. There are no buses to Mission San Juan and Mission Espada.

By automobile, drive south on South St. Mary’s Street. Approximately one mile south of downtown, after passing beneath railroad tracks, South St. Mary’s becomes Roosevelt Ave. Continue on Roosevelt for 4 miles. You will see Mission San José on your left. At the first stop light past the mission turn left onto New Napier Ave. Follow signs to parking for Mission San José.

More Information

Visit the National Park Services website for more information and to help you plan your visit.

Remember . . .

It was the Veteran, not the reporter,
who has given us the freedom of the press.

It was the Veteran, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It was the Veteran, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to fair trial.

It was the Veteran, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Veteran, who salutes the flag,
who served under the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protestor to burn the flag.

Written by Father Denis Edward O’Brien, USMC

All Gave Some – Some Gave All

Thank You! We Remember!

Some Remain

For those of all wars that did make it back and whose mortal remains were never recovered. I pray that you rest easy and that your family know peace at last.

POW*MIA = A Reason I Blog for Peace – Dona Nobis Pacem

Preparing for Disaster –Part Five – Secure Your Home

Securing Your Home – Prepare in Advance

Make a few modifications to your home and yard may save your home.

• Identify outdoor items that should be brought inside and those that should be secured outdoors.
• Ensure that all dead, diseased or damaged branches are removed from trees. Cut all branches reaching over your house, whether healthy or diseased.
• Purchase 5/8″ plywood, have it cut to size to cover your windows and doors. Starting from your front door and counting clockwise, number your windows. Mark each piece of plywood with number. Have some pieces cut to brace your garage door and cover roof vent holes.
• Purchase nail gun and nails.

If Airborne Contaminants are a Possibility (chemical leak, radioactivity)

• Purchase nail gun, nails (for plywood) and enough duct tape to secure plastic (below).
• Purchase 2-4 mils. thick plastic sheeting. Cut plastic to cover windows and doors from the inside. Use waterproof marker to mark each piece of plastic with number or room name. See diagram below for proper placement. Save enough plastic to secure air conditioning unit and roof vents.

Cover all doors, windows and vents with 2-4 mil. thick plastic sheeting.  Cut the plastic sheeting several inches wider than the openings and label each sheet. Duct tape plastic at corners first, then tape down all edges.

Trouble Coming Soon

Last Minute Chores

• Secure outdoor items or move them inside.
• Remove window and door screens and store them inside.
• Secure windows and doors by closing and locking each one. Cover windows and doors from the outside with 5/8″ plywood. Leave back door uncovered. Cover this door when you leave.
• Strengthen/brace garage doors from the inside with 5/8″ plywood.
• Remove outside antennas.
• Remove roof turbines and install 5/8″ plywood over the hole. Alternatively, cover the turbine with plastic and tie down. Leave plumbing vents uncovered.
• Wrap air conditioning unit in plastic.
• If you think its necessary, you may want to seal your windows and doors from the inside with plastic (see picture above). This WILL NOT keep water out. It is to be used if you need to keep dust, ash or contamination out.

The Getaway

• Check the radio or TV one more time and ensure evacuation is still necessary.
• Move your cars into your garage unless you are driving out.
• Move furniture out from walls a foot or two.
• Stash non-perishable food you are leaving in suitcases in different areas of your home.
• Fill your bathtubs and sinks with water.
• Hide your waterproof, fireproof lock box in a place of your choosing.
• Empty your fridge, leaving door open. If you are driving, pack snacks, fruit, water and ice into an ice chest and take with you.
• Unplug all electrical appliances.
• Open all interior doors in your home and secure with tape, doorstop, brick, etc.
• Shut off water, gas and electricity at the source.
• Confer with your neighbors, friends and family. Let them know where you are going and offer them a ride or encouragement if needed.
• Place a small sign saying EVACUATED in a front window of your home so emergency workers will not waste time checking your home or apartment.
• If you decide to leave your animal behind, leave a week’s supply of food and several water sources. Put a sign in the window:  DOG/CAT INSIDE-RESCUE ME, where the animal normally stays.
• Take a moment and think about what you need to do and make sure you have everything you need: medicines, maps, money, emergency information, weather radio.
• Remember that you have already secured what is important to you and your family. Relax and remain calm.
• Grab your getaway bags, family, animals and go.
• Lock your back door. Cover back door with plywood as you leave.

If You Decide to Stay

It is your choice to stay when the evacuation order is issued. However, if you decide to stay, please write your social security number on your arm, using a waterproof marker. Doing so will make it easier to identify your body. Please remember that someone has to risk their life to check your home for bodies. There are bodies remaining from Katrina that have not been identified.

Also realize that you may be cut off from water, heat, electricity, gas and trapped in your home for up to 30 days. You may not be able to drive out to get food, potable water, lanterns, etc.  Your roof could be damaged or gone, the windows may be broken or missing.  What you have in your home is your lifeline until the emergency is over.

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail – Benjamin Franklin

Written by Eileen Trainor aka CyberCelt of Texas RV Travel and Texas RV Travel blog All rights reserved, but please feel free to distribute, as is, to others. Originally written in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. Updated Wednesday, September 17, 2011.