San Antonia

 

Today we went into San Antonio.  The terrible traffic along with a lot of road construction made for an interesting trip.  Again, I am so thankful for GPS.  It is such a big help but it can lead you astray.  We did make it to our first stop...Lackland AFB.

We had to stop at the Visitor's Center for the base to get approval and the necessary paperwork to enter the base.  Covid protocol means wearing masks and only one person/couple in building at a time.  Once you are inside, you fill out your request on a computer and then go back outside for a text message telling when you can come inside.  Once inside and picture taken, approval was given.

This is the Military Working Dog National Memorial and the reason we could get on the base.  This is a national memorial so civilians have to be allowed to visit it.  It is on the parade grounds of Lackland AFB and erected to honor both the dogs and their handlers.  There are four breeds of dogs used by the military:  German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Belgium Malinois, and Doberman Pinscher.  Only the German Shepherd has served in every war/conflict. 

This is on the back of the stone behind the sculptures.  It pictures the different skills and jobs the dogs have used during their service.

This represents one way the handlers care for their dog by using their helmets as a water bowl.  It is also a water bowl for a dog that might visit the memorial.

In October 1965 Carol was a 20-year airman basic at Lackland AFB.  He spent six weeks here doing all the things an airman basic does to assimilate into the Air Force.  Lackland has changed so much and Carol could not see anything familiar

Different types of aircraft was on display around the parade ground.  Carol liked this and took a picture.

Next stop was the famous Alamo.  Carol came here with other airmen  basics on a weekend day pass in 1965.  He says the area around the Alamo has changed as well.  There is so much additional commercial businesses like a Ripley's Believe It or Not.  The Alamo itself hasn't changed but in this day of closely examining history, some people have questioned the importance of the Battle of the Alamo.

No photography or video camera images are allowed inside so these two outside pictures are all we have.

An unusually shaped building near the Alamo.

This was erected to honor the 189 men who died at the Alamo.

The most famous men who died at the Alamo were Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie; however, there were men from all walks of life, 22 US states, 6 foreign countries, and ranged in age from 15 to 56.

We walked to the San Antonio Riverwalk.  We enjoyed walking along the river.

We rode a 35-minute boat ride.  Our guide/captain told us many things about San Antonio and its history.  One thing that I learned was that the Texas state flag is the only state flag that can be flown along with the American flag at the same height.  He said it is because Texas was a country for nine years before it became a state.

All kinds of birds are around the river and these flew up as we passed under one of the many bridges that cross the river.

Our guide also told us that this is the oldest tree in San Antonio.  He also said that San Antonia is the second oldest city in the United States.  When we visited St. Augustine we learned that it was first so now we know what is the second oldest city.

This is where we ate a late lunch/early supper.  It was very good.  Carol had steak and I had chicken.  

Tonight the sunset was not picture worthy but the moon was full and beautiful.  I should have taken the time to get my tripod for this picture.  I am not able to hold my phone still enough for a clear picture.  Believe me and not the picture...it was beautiful.

It is nearly 11:30 and I am just finishing up this blog.  The internet here in the country at Cranes Mill CG on Canyon Lake is very weak.  I had been trying to download my pictures for a hour or two and finally quit.  I tried again about 10:00 and very slowly they downloaded.  I guess this will the story of blogging while we are camped here.   I have my own hotspot but it only had one bar most of the time and that doesn't seem to be enough strength to download a bunch of pictures. 

Not sure where we will go tomorrow but think that after San Antonio traffic/road construction, we will try to do something more rural.