The city is not known for having as much flair as either Austin or Dallas, but it's still noteworthy, foremost for its history. In the heart of San Antonio's southwestern gothic downtown stands the Alamo, the symbol of Texas independence.
I had wanted to visit the Alamo for some time. Seeing it is a quintessentially Texan thing to do. Right up there with eating barbeque and wearing boots.
The story behind the Alamo is as incredible as the structure is unremarkable. A simple mission, now a shrine. Lush gardens grow behind it. But I don't think the rosebushes were there to witness the fighting...vicious, hand-to-hand combat in the early hours of the morning following a thirteen day siege.
The command of the battle was held by Lieutenant Colonel William Barret Travis, who like me today, was 26. Those fighting for Texas at the Alamo all died, but their sacrifice galvanized the Mexican territory's push for independence.
After touring the Alamo when we arrived in San Antonio Sunday morning, my parents and I spent the rest of our time on the river walk. We had seafood brunch at Landry's (no relation to Cowboy's couch Tom Landry) and took a riverboat cruise through the channel.
The boat ride passed various San Antonio landmarks. Many structures and installations throughout the city had been built for the 1968 HemisFair and bore the quasi-futuristic time stamp of the era in their designs.
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