San Antonio (1996)

[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]

10-16-96 Pensacola to Beaumont, Texas
We left home at 8:10.  Beautiful fall day.  Stayed on I-10 through Mobile + into Miss. passing Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport – along the Gulf Island National Seashore to the La. Welcome Center.  This is where we leave Rt. 10 + take Rt. 12 to Baton Rouge.  We stopped at Hammond for lunch at Wendy’s.
From Baton Rouge to Lafayette we had some construction but smooth sailing to Lake Charles where we stopped for gas.  Had some rain + more construction.  It was 7-1/2 hrs. to the Texas border.  It was 8 hrs. to Beaumont where we spent the night at the LaQuinta Inn.
The room we reserved was on the second floor + we decided we didn’t want to carry our bags upstairs, so we checked into a first floor room.  The TV didn’t work + since we wanted to watch the debates (Clinton/Dole) + the World Series play-offs (Braves/Cards) we transferred to another room.
Had dinner at Olive Garden - good.
Debate – O.K.  Braves 3 – Cards-1.  Yeah!

10-17-96 Beaumont/Texas - San Antonio
Left here around 8 am after good C.B.  It was I-10 all the way.  Stopped for lunch at a Dairy Queen at Flatonia.  Chili + a Blizzard.  Wow. 2 oz. Styrofoam cup of chili served with a fork. No spoons!  Nothing exciting on the road: traffic as usual heavy through Houston; otherwise smooth sailing all the way to S.A.  Checked into the Menger - a beautiful old hotel, completely renovated.  Had a security check on our MasterCard – from the Olive Garden where we were overcharged by $5.00.  Waitress or mgr – fired.  Met all the happy people in the party room, our 8th Combat Cargo Group [Squadron] friends, for a few libations after talking on the phone with brother Bob + a walk through Dillards + along the river.
Our buffet was good + we all hurried to our rooms to watch the Braves/Cards game.  To our disappointment the hotel didn’t carry the Fox Channel!  However the Braves won 15-0.  Yeah!

10-18-96 San Antonio
Our 3-1/2 hr. tour started at 9:00 am.  The first stop was at the San Jose Mission.  We had an excellent 25 min. film explaining the purpose of the establishment of these missions by the Spaniards during the 18th Century.  The next stop was at the Lone Star Brewery + the museum which included the Buckhorn Hall of Horns, Feathers + the Wax Museum with the state’s greatest heroes.  The last stop was at the Market Square.  We made a second trip there after lunch + I bought a beige cotton dress with Mexican lace trim at Los Pueblitas, which I still wear, for $69.00!
The dinner at Casa Rio on the river was fun.  Then a river tour, we had four boats reserved for our group + it was colorful to say the least.  Our guide gave a humorous commentary on all the history of Texas – San Antonio, etc.  Good, good, day! 

10/19/96 San Antonio
Bob + Gen picked us up at 10 a.m. + we headed to the “Hill Country” of Texas.  Millie + Tom were ready for us + we drove to the Alpine Inn in Kerrville for a wonderful buffet.  (It seems as though all we do is eat!)  Got back around 3:00.  Bert left for the business meetings + I watched the Air Force/Notre Dame game.  AF won 20-17 in overtime.
Our next reunion will be in Conn. and we’ll be able to see our kids + the changing colors that are so great in the fall in New England!
Dinner in the ballroom concluded the festivities.  Next Oct’s reunion will be held at Mystic, Conn.
I played a few rounds of cards with the gals, then bid our farewells by 11 pm.  Fun day.

10-20-96 San Antonio
Had coffee across the street at the Steak House, then a walk around the River Walk.  Checked the Marriott where we’ll have lunch today with Bob + Gen, Linda + Michael.  Came back to the room + packed for an 11 o’clock check-out.  Had a delicious buffet lunch at the Marriott River Center after shopping at Foley’s where I bought a black/white jacket.  We visited with Bob + Gen, then checked into our room for the night at the Sam Houston House, a lovely restored home which was built in 1886 as a 12 bed hospital.  In 1935 it was converted into a barracks for 70 soldiers.  After WWII it was converted into a BOQ + is now designated as part of the Ft. Sam Houston National Historic Landmark.  We have a double bed, mahogany desk, end tables, frig, chest of drawers, wing back chair, color TV + beautiful Oriental wall-wall carpet.  Watched the Braves/Yankees World Series game, score 12-1 Braves.  Had a Domino’s Pizza for dinner in our room.  Lovely!

10-21-96 San Antonio
Another fun day. Bob + Gen picked us up at 10 am.  Our first stop was at the Base Chapel where we were married 6-12-48.  It was built in 1909 during Wm Howard Taft's administration + is on the list of National Historic Landmarks.  The stained glass windows are impressive.  The quadrangle was our next stop.  It’s the Headquarters for the Fifth Army.  We saw the building where I worked in ’48 for the Post Engineer + had lunch at the 450 bed hospital at Brooke Army Medical.  It’s a first class mess hall!  Beautiful building with all the finest + most up to date medical technologies.  The Fitness Bldg. was also on our tour + we were amazed at all the equipment + the Olympic size pool.  Bob + Gen picked us up + we went to Tomatillos for a delicious Mexican dinner.  Came back + sat on the porch until the 6th inning of the game.  Score Braves 4 – Yankees 0!

10-22-96 San Antonio - Beaumont
We awoke to a cold northerly wind with temp. in the 50’s.  After a nice low cal breakfast, we left at 8 am + drove I-10 to Beaumont – 288 miles.  Had a Wendy lunch in Houston and arrived at LaQuinta about 1:00 pm.  I had time for a nap + we rested + read until 5:30.
Dinner that night was at the Olive Garden where we were last Tues night when our waitress padded the bill + was promptly fired.  The manager thanked us for returning + we thanked him for acting so quickly.
The World Series was our diversion for the evening.  The Braves are leading the Series 2-0.  Now we’ll see the outcome of tonight’s foray.
Braves 2 - Yankees 5 - B-o-o-o!

10-23-96 Beaumont – Pensacola
Had a good night’s sleep and after a hearty breakfast at the motel, we left at 7:45 for home.
Other than a routing of Rt. 12 through Baton Rouge, it was I-10 all the way.
We stopped for lunch at Covington, La.  There were a lot of construction workers there + we inquired as to the number in that area which is north of New Orleans on the other side of Lake Pontchartrain.  They told us that due to the heavy crime in the city, many people are moving to this bedroom community thus the increase in home building, etc.
Shortly before 4:00 we pulled into Delchamps to shop for our dinner.  After unpacking, watching the Braves lose again, we retired.  We added 735 miles to the van on the return trip from San Antonio.