Day 2, Bilbrey Tour to San Antonio

Activity Date: Saturday, November 24, 2018

Our second day of the tour began at 7:00 with breakfast at the Drury. Those folks put out a good spread, complete with biscuits, gravy, waffles, eggs, sausage, and other items. Our escorts then herded us onto the bus at 8:30. Our first stop of a long day was the SAS General Store and Shoe Factory. Now, when we first saw this on our itinerary, we were a bit taken aback. But there were quite a few old geezers on our tour, and they really snatched up the shoes at this place. And I have to admit, I enjoyed our stop there. Going into the general store is like taking a step back in time. You can get a fountain Coke for a dime and a bag of popcorn for a nickel. I got 2 scoops of Blue Bell for $1.50. Donna got a bucket of candy for $3.00. We didn't buy any shoes, but I enjoyed browsing through all the things, and we spent quite a bit of time visiting with folks traveling with us. It's nice to slow down and smell the roses, so to speak. We never seem to do that on our solo trips.

SAS General Store in San Antonio

You can browse these and other old cars just outside the store.

Ice cream parlor

There are more than just shoes here. Note the old gas pumps on right.

But there are plenty of shoes everywhere

When was the last time you saw one of these?

Our next stop was the Institute of Texan Cultures. This is a really interesting place. As you wander through the exhibits, you see just how rich and varied Texas is, with cultures from all over the world contributing to this great mix. We started by viewing a short video in the Dome Theater. As the film plays, panels above show photos of all the people making up the culture of Texas. It's a great start to a tour through the exhibits that illustrate how we have gotten to where we are.

Dome Theater. Those seated are seeing the same pictures above them on opposite panels.

I don't know how many panels there are. Each protrusion you see above is a panel. Sometimes only one is lit, while at other times perhaps a dozen are alive.

There are sections and exhibits representing all the peoples that make up Texas. This is Donna posing in front of a display in the Chinese section. 

This is a good picture to show how exhibits are organized by group.

Sharecropper cabin

Lipan Apache exhibit

After our visit to the Institute of Texan Cultures, we made the short walk over to the Tower of the Americas. The Tower is celebrating its 50th anniversary, having been constructed for the 1968 World's Fair (HemisFair '68). The Tower is 750 feet tall, and provides outstanding views of the San Antonio area. We went to the top of the Tower, where we enjoyed lunch while making 2 full rotations. I'm not sure, but I believe there are 2 elevators to the top, and they are on the outside of the Tower, so you get a great view of the area as you go up and down.

One of the benefits of traveling with a tour company is that they take care of all arrangements. For example, to visit HemisFair Plaza, including the Tower and Institute of Texan Culture, we would have had to pay for parking as well as entrance fees. But with Bilbrey, all of this was done for us, and lunch was part of the package as well.

Tower of the Americas, as viewed from the entrance to Institute of Texan Cultures.

I don't really like this picture, but it shows the view we enjoyed from our table near the top of Tower of Americas. Those are some of our fellow travelers, by the way.

View of downtown San Antonio from the Tower.

The Alamodome from the Tower

After lunch, we boarded our bus once again. Part of the group went to the River Mall, but Donna and I elected to return to the hotel. This allowed us to spend the afternoon roaming the area around the Drury. I really wanted to visit the nearby San Fernando Cathedral. The cathedral is an active church, and it is adorned with beautiful statues and other items of interest. But what drew me to the location is its connection to the Alamo.

People from the world over who visit San Antonio usually make it a point to visit the Alamo. I can't tell you how many times I've visited that sacred Texas shrine over the years, but I had never visited San Fernando Cathedral, and that is a real shame. Not many people -- including Texans -- are aware that the ashes of the Alamo heroes rest in a tomb just inside the entrance of this church. I must admit that I was a bit overcome as I stood before the tomb, and I think Donna was likewise affected. I don't think you can be a true Texan without feeling something as you stand in the presence of that tomb.

I snapped this picture of San Fernando Cathedral from a terrace at the Drury Plaza Hotel.

Tomb containing ashes of Alamo heroes.

R.I.P.

Interior of cathedral

Organ loft

The story of how the remains came to be entombed at San Fernando Cathedral is an interesting one, and there are questions as to whether the remains are actually those of the Alamo defenders. It would take quite a bit of space to present the details, so if you are interested, I'll leave you to research the question on your own. But the cathedral is tied to the Alamo, and its role in the battle and the recovery of the ashes by Juan Seguin and his men is a wonderful story.

After our tour of San Fernando, we returned to the hotel and explored it. The hotel has both an indoor pool as well as a rooftop pool. We visited the terrace and enjoyed views looking west. It's a very interesting hotel, as hotels go.

Donna and I were still full from lunch, so we skipped supper. We then joined our group for a night-time boat tour of the river. The boat picked us up at the back of the hotel and we made the loop of the river. Since we had some extra time, the boat captain took us up the river as well.

It was a Saturday night, and the river was alive. Along the popular stretches of the river, the walkways were congested. Lines for boat tours stretched endlessly along the river. I was glad Bilbrey had arranged our private tour. I took numerous photos, but few turned out well.

This picture is a bit blurred and not too good, but it does show the crowds lining the bank of the river.

Another poor picture, but I wanted to show how the trees are decorated with hanging lights.

The Tower of the Americas jutting above the downtown skyline. That is our boat "captain" on left. He was very good, and provided a wealth of information about the area.

What a beautiful building!

Typical restaurant along the river, with lights dangling in the cypress trees lining the river

This was a long day for us. I was glad to get back to the room and relax. We really saw a lot on this day.

Day 1, Bilbrey Tour to San Antonio

Our recent Bilbrey tour began last Friday, November 23. At 9:40, the bus pulled into the Baptist Retirement Center on the north side of San Angelo, where it picked up the 11 members of the San Angelo contingent of the tour. 23 folks had started earlier in the day from Abilene. So, our group consisted of 34 members from all over this part of West Texas.

As the bus moved down US 87, the tour escort, Nancy, with assistance from her husband Danny, did a little team building. She took pictures of each of us. She then uploaded the pictures to the onboard system, and passed around a microphone. As each of us gave a little information about ourselves, our pictures appeared on the onboard monitors. Although I'm not big on this sort of stuff, I realize it did help us to get to know one another, and since we would be spending 4 days together, this would be helpful. Over the course of the trip, I did come to appreciate meeting and visiting with members of our group. In fact, in looking back at the trip a week later, that may be my favorite part of the experience.

Our first stop was at the YO Ranch and Conference Center in Kerrville, Texas. We arrived there sometime past noon and enjoyed their seafood buffet. I enjoyed the stop, as I have seen the hotel for years and have wanted to visit. By the way, this meal was included in the trip.

Lobby of the YO is filled with western art and other items of interest.

Bear in front of entrance to restaurant.

YO Ranch Hotel lobby

After a nice lunch break, we resumed our trip along I-10 to San Antonio. It was a bit early to check in to the hotel, so we stopped for an hour or so at the historic Market Square. Donna and I were here years ago, and we loved the place. You can find just about anything you want here. On this particular day, the first day after Thanksgiving and the official beginning of the Christmas season, there were numerous events. In one area, there was traditional Hispanic music being performed onstage, while a country/western band performed on a stage set up on San Saba Street. In the Market Plaza Center, various groups were dancing onstage. Donna and I strolled through the mercardo, watched some of the acts, then roamed through the park just to the north until time to head to the hotel.

One of the dancing companies on Market Plaza Center

Another troupe of dancers on same stage as above.

It was then time to check in at the Drury Plaza Hotel. This is not only a great place to stay on the river, but it is an interesting old building as well. Originally built as the Alamo National Bank in 1929, the 24-story building is located on the river and provides a beautiful view of the old San Fernando Church as well as much of downtown San Antonio. For a history and description of the building, click here. Each day, we enjoyed a full breakfast -- waffles, eggs, sausage, bisquits, gravy, cereal, yogurt, etc. -- and evening meal -- hot dogs, nachos, tortillas, etc.

After checking in, we settled in our rooms and then went downstairs for supper. Afterwards, we went out the back of the hotel where we had seating available for the River Parade. Decorated boats passed before us along the river, all lighted for the holiday season. Thanks to Bilbrey, all we had to do was walk out the back of the hotel and sit down.

Although this picture does not show the float well as it emerges from beneath a bridge, it does show the crowds along the river as well as on the bridge above. Also note approaching float at far right.

Good close up of a float.

Notice cypress tree in background as well as crowds lining bridge above right.

And with that, the first day of our trip came to a close.

Bilbrey Tour to San Antonio

Donna and I have just returned from a guided tour to San Antonio with Bilbrey Tours. You might think it odd that we used a tour service to visit San Antonio, but there is a wee bit of method to our madness.

Traveling is becoming a bit more difficult for me. I once was able to jump in a car and drive for hours and hours. Donna and I moved from our home territory -- East Texas -- to West Texas in the late 1970s. Every year we made the long trek home. From our first West Texas home in Olton, it was over 550 miles to Donna's hometown of Conroe. My hometown of Fairfield was a tad bit closer. Sometimes we would make that drive several times a year.

Ever since, we've found ourselves criss-crossing the state again and again. Even in our final years of work in Kilgore when we were back home in East Texas, we would travel to West Texas to visit our daughter, who was born and raised in West Texas. In those days, it was nothing to hit the road at 5:00 AM and travel all day, then return home a few days later.

Today, it isn't as easy. I find my limit in a car today is about 8 hours, and I would prefer to spend even less time than that. Yeah, I could do more if I had to, but I'm pretty beat after 8 hours behind the wheel. So, if we want to go to far away places, we probably are going to have to use a tour company or get another RV. Decisions, decisions . . . . .

So, that brings me back to Bilbrey Tours. In the past, Bilbrey has taken some nice tours to distant locales in the U.S., and some in other countries as well. This past October, for example, they hosted a 10 night trip to New England. And at some point in the recent past, they went to the Pacific Coast, with stops in the Reno area and some of the national parks in Northern California. All of these places are pretty distant, and I don't know if I'm up to scheduling everything on my own. You might suggest we fly, and we could. However, I hate flying -- I hate everything about it -- and I don't like driving in big cities. Donna claims she loves flying, but every time we fly, I end up with bloody arms from her fingernails digging in to me during takeoffs and landings. I can fly; in fact, we lived abroad for several years in the 1980s, so I've flown quite a bit, including some very long flights. I just don't like it.

Anyway . . .

We decided to book a short trip -- both in time and distance -- to test Bilbrey. We needed to find out if we could travel with other people aboard a bus. We also needed to learn if we could give up our freedom in exchange for someone else making all the arrangements.

So, after this 3 night trip with Bilbrey, we will have a better idea of how we might be traveling in the future.

Over the next few entries, I'll give details about our trip, then conclude with a review of Bilbrey in general.

Another Short Hike at the Park

It was another beautiful day, and once again I had the urge to take a short hike. I asked Miss Donna to join me, but she declined saying she had things to do. The reality is that she is unable to keep up with a young whippersnapper like me.

I headed back out to San Angelo State Park. This time, I parked at Burkett Trailhead (Point of Interest #2 on the South Unit Trails Map). Two other cars were parked there, so I thought I might run into others on the trail, but today I met no one. I decided to put together a short hike consisting of the Roller Coaster Trail, the Pott's Creek Trail System, and the Burkett Trail. For today's hike, I decided to wear my hiking boots. Normally, Donna and I prefer to wear just regular walking shoes, but the trails at the park are so rocky that I felt I needed more ankle support for this hike. Also, since I knew I would be going up and down numerous slopes, I felt I needed better traction than my walking shoes provide. In hindsight, I'm glad I wore the hiking boots.

I started on Roller Coaster, which goes up and down as its name implies. At its highest points, it offers some good -- albeit distant -- views of Lake O. C. Fisher and its dam. It also weaves below many of the houses in the neighboring Highland Range subdivision. Near the end of this trail are some interesting rock outcroppings as the trail works down towards the base of Pulliam Ridge.

Burkett Trailhead, with primitive toilet in background. This view looks west, the direction from which I will end my hike.

Near the start of the hike, I enjoyed this view of Lake O. C. Fisher extending left from an unknown ridge.

View of Highland Range homes from Roller Coaster trail, which is slowly descending towards a draw at this point. Notice how rocky the trail is. Most trails at the park are like this along the ridges and slopes, while trails down in draws are packed dirt.

I noticed lots of tracks in the damp portions of the trail. In this photo, you can see horse tracks, deer tracks, mountain bike tracks, and no telling what else.

Steep and rocky, although short, climb up a slope. This is typical of Roller Coaster and some other trails at the park.

Rocky trails like this are why I decided to wear my hiking boots. If you don't land your foot squarely, you can easily twist your ankle on loose rocks such as these. The boots give me better ankle support.

Another view of O. C. Fisher, the dam, and Burkett Trailhead.

Where the road disappears is the north end of Pulliam Ridge. At the end of my hike, I will come back along it's base, moving off to the right in this picture. For now, my rocky trail is about to curve left and head down.

Lots of juniper along this section of the trail.

View west from atop ridge near end of Roller Coaster. If you look carefully, you can see a clean trail near the very center of the picture as it heads up a slope. I'll be on that trail in an hour or so.

Here's a zoom-in of the trail mentioned above.

Rock outcroppings near end of Roller Coaster.

This is the end of Roller Coaster. Note old stock pens across road. Near right-center of ridge, you can see a trail working up the slope.

The Pott's Trail System begins at a lower elevation and winds through some dense, brushy areas. It then crosses Pott's Creek near Highway 2288 before climbing up Armadillo Ridge. The trail then works along the edge of Armadillo Ridge, affording various views of Pott's Creek as well as Pulliam Ridge and a bit of the lake in the distance. Near the north end of the ridge are the remains of old picnic tables, restroom facilities, and even a boat ramp from the days when the lake extended this far. Some of these are along the trail, while others are a bit off the trail.

Dense brush along start of Pott's Creek Trail System.

Then the trail opens some. During summer months, these mesquites will provide some welcome shade to hikers.

I'll be walking on a ledge along that ridge in another half mile or so. Pott's Creek runs along the base of that ridge.

As I remember, there used to be a foot bridge across Pott's Creek at this location. You can see the support for it just to the left of the trail. I've not hiked this trail in 2 or 3 years, though. Perhaps our recent heavy rains washed it away. Luckily for me, the creek was dry here, though there were pools of water both up and down stream from this location.

The trail got a little messy near Pott's Creek. That is Highway 2288 in upper background. There is quite a bit of traffic along the highway, providing some vehicle noise.

I'm atop Armadillo Ridge now, looking across Pott's Creek to Pulliam Ridge. At the end of my hike, I will follow a trail along the base of Pulliam Ridge to the left.

Can you see my friend to the left of the trail near top center? I walked right beside him without seeing him until he gave me a greeting.

Once I stopped running, screaming, and crying and my breathing returned to something approaching normal, I worked my way back for a shot of my friend. He's quite large. The green arrow shows the general location of his head, while the red arrow shows his tail. You can even see the rattles if you blow up the picture. The size of his girth is quite impressive. In my mind, I saw rattlesnakes everywhere from that point on of my hike.

Ghostly remains of picnic tables from the days when the lake was full and extended this far. That was a long, long time ago, several decades.

Trail winds along rocky Armadillo Ridge. In my mind, there were rattlers behind every rock, just waiting to give me a warm kiss.

Once off the ridge and along Pott's Creek, the trail is along packed earth and through mesquites. This would be a good walk in the summer except for the 31,296 rattlers out here.

The trail then dips back down into Pott's Creek, where it winds through the brush and mesquite trees, then works back towards Pulliam Ridge, where it picks up the Burkett Trail. From there, the trail crosses a foot bridge, then works along a ledge between Pulliam Ridge and a creek before turning back to the trailhead.

Trail crossing Pott's Creek. I'm glad there was no water in there.

Approaching Pulliam Ridge

Water once covered where I'm walking, as evidenced by this old boat ramp.

Nice foot bridge over this little draw.

Burkett Trail, with creek on left and Pulliam Ridge on right.

Curving around northern point of Pulliam Ridge.

Almost done. That's Burkett Trailhead.