Mission Road

Our last full day in San Antonio, we drove the old mission road.

We started at the southernmost Mission Espada 

Each mission had these great little diagrams so you could picture the full site 

Gia pacing herself 

Elle pointing out the "ladybugs" (all insects, ants, spiders, bees, flys, etc. are ladybugs) 

 

You could still see all the old foundations and a few walls here and there.

Family picture

The current church at the Espada mission (the original is down to the foundation) 

 

 

We actually got the girls to stand still for a second

 

Kim getting her holy water 

This was one of the smaller missions 

After passing by the Mission San Juan (under construction) we stopped at Mission San José.  This mission has the visitor center for the entire San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

 

This mission was much bigger than all the others. 

The Church 

The Convento

to be continued... 

Mission Road (Part 2)

We headed into the church via the back door

 

The front was being refurbished, you might be able to see the mallet and chisel being used

 

 

There was also the original mill, still operational!  They had some grain in there with the wheel turning and flour coming out into that bucket.

A view out the mill window showing the gate and water diverted through the mill

The Granary

Mission Concepcion also got a drive-by because of construction but it was also beautiful.  The fifth and final mission is, of course, the Alamo which we had already seen.  All together , they were a great piece of history and some beautiful locations.

Our last day didn't get any pictures since we had to get up at 3am to catch the flight home.  It was a great trip and we were already talking about coming back when the kids get older.  There were so many things that we didn't get to experience and yet we were still thoroughly exhausted.

Austin

Since New Braunfels is halfway between San Antonio and Austin, we decided to drive to the Texas capital on Tuesday.

The stadium for the University of Texas was only a few blocks from our parking garage 

Their capitol building looks amazing

 

They have a museum on site that had some fascinating displays including how the building and property were acquired, a copy of the state seal, and this outfit and saddle to sit on and experience being a cowboy. 

Baylor adding to the fun

Ceci got her turn 

Elle posing as the monument that tops the capitol 

Mommy got a turn too

 

 

 

Inside the main building, there are 4 floors with a great circular atrium visible from all four floors 

This is the view up to the top of the dome

We just missed the House in session.  They were doing promotional pictures for whomever had just spoke 

The view across from the second floor

The floor of the atrium showing all of the countries that Texas has been a part of; France, Spain, Mexico, the Confederate States, and the ol' U. S. of A.  

Amazing touches all around the building.  These were the elevator doors 

Grami and Ceci from the viewin balcony of the Senate

Even the door hinges were spectacular

Elle looking over the House of Representatives.  It was a great day with beautiful sights and it made us want to visit Olympia soon.