San Antonio TX

May 23, we traveled from Louisiana to San Antonio, an eight-hour drive. We had planned to stay 6 nights in San Antonio, because there’s so much to see and do there.  Plus, we planned to visit with motor home friends.  Hopefully, we would have time to rest and do laundry, as well.    

San Antonio did not disappoint. Full of history and Spanish colonial architecture, San Antonio offers many opportunities to learn the role the missions played in the development of the state of Texas. The chain of missions established along the San Antonio River in the 1700s is a reminder of one of Spain’s most successful attempts to extend its dominion northward from New Spain (present-day Mexico.)  Collectively they form the largest concentration of Catholic missions in North America.

Rumors of riches spurred the early Spanish explorers northward across the Rio Grande River.  By the 1600s Spaniards penetrated areas to the east, encountering the Tejas Indians.  (Texas is named for this tribe.)  While the dreams of wealth faded, the Spanish concentrated more fully on spreading the Catholic faith, the basis of Spanish colonial society, among the frontier Indians.  The missions served both Church and State.  As an arm of the church, the mission was the sanctuary for converting the Indians spiritually.  As an agent of the state, the mission helped push the empire northward.  Missions also offered Indians safety from their enemies. 

The Spanish missions helped form the foundation for the city of San Antonio.  Modern San Antonio early recognized the missions’ significance.  Since the 1920s the city has worked to preserve them.  Today these missions represent a nearly unbroken connection with the past.  Carrying the legacy of generations of American Indians and Hispanics, they live as active parishes.

Each of the 5 missions played an important role in the development of culture and religion throughout the region.  The names of the missions are:  Expada, San Juan, San Jose, Concepcion, and the best known, 

The Alamo. 

Congress created San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in 1978.  By cooperative agreement with the Archdiocese of San Antonio, mission churches remain active centers of worship.  This park is one of over 400 parks in the National Park System. 

Another highlight of our visit to San Antonio is the River Walk which runs beside the San Antonio River right in the middle of the city.  Umbrella tables and the slowly flowing river make for a relaxing lunch.

Treka Davis and myself

While in San Antonio we were delighted to meet up with a Dover Baptist Church member who is in school in the US Army.  We enjoyed a Mexican lunch together and caught up on her duties and achievements.  

Also, as referenced earlier, we were thrilled to visit with motor home friends who are now living in San Antonio in a senior living community.  Wife, Kathryn, is a polio survivor, so we always share our stories of survival. 

 

Buck and Janet Walker (left) Ron and Kathryn Rickard (right)

Feeling rested and with drawers full of clean clothes, it was time to bring in the slides and hit the road again.  We enjoyed our time in San Antonio, TX.