San Antonio Day 3: Easter

Easter Mass at the San Fernando Cathedral. I tried to take the first picture furtively as mass was starting. . .





Walking around the Riverwalk all afternoon, Kay and I stumbled upon La Villita, the artists market. . .


. . .a group of Andean musicians. . .


. . .and even some shamrocks - did you know they're purplish?


Dinner at Landry's Seafood - the dessert was to die for: ice cream rolled up in a crepe and topped with bananas, chocolate and caramel.


Then, back to the hotel to pack. And blog. Hope you had a great week too!

San Antonio Day 2: Saturday surprise. . .

Saturday, April 7 in San Antonio, Texas: 39 degrees and rainy? You bet! Actually, we did see it hit 40 at one point during our day. . .record temps while we were here. . .yippee?

We started out the morning with - get this - waffles shaped like the state of texas. Our hotel (and it's continental breakfast) is AWESOME!

Then out into the drizzle and to the market. I LOVED the colors in the first store - you may see my house looking like this soon! Hopefully this lady won't be visiting, though!




For lunch we trekked up to the north side of town at the "Twin Sisters" Cafe. Had to do it!



Mission Concepcion - another beautiful mission, but, given the rain, we didn't stay long!








The line for the Tower of the America's was cold. Being at the top of the tower didn't thrill me either. I like the picture anyway.




After a couple hour nap/reading session back at the hotel, we went out to Mi Tierra for dinner. The mariachi's were good, but the cute waiter was even better!

San Antonio - Day 1

The day began with a drive to San Antonio to meet Kay at the airport. She got in just after 11 a.m., so we left Mission at 6:37. . .

After picking Kay up, we checked into our hotel and then walked to the Alamo. The gardens around were absolutely beautiful. They really didn't want us walking on the grass. . .and even on the sidewalks we got wet a few times!




Afterwards, we bought day bus passes, and road up to the Mission San Jose. The bus trip was quite a learning experience for all of us.

Mission San Jose - Gorgeous!





Mom and dad were pretty tired after all the walking, so the bus stop was a quick nap for dad!


The return trip was much easier. We walked up to the Riverwalk, and had to stop along the way for a picture at the Coyote Ugly bar.

Our dinner was PHENOMENAL at the Zuni Grill (on the water). The drink was pretty potent though. . .I've never been that tipsy in my life. I've always wanted to have a blue drink, but I may never have to have one again! The sea bass with artichokes was incredible, as was the mango sorbet.







After that. . .we were all pretty tired. We walked part of the Riverwalk loop, then back to our hotel to relax and - watch the Sound of Music, which is a family favorite!

Texas Day 3: the end of the good weather?

More fun in Texas. . .I've had to get lots of pool time in because it's supposed to go down to 41 and even 39 (!) overnight in San Antonio over the next few nights...

You know how people talk about "multiplying like rabbits?" Hmmm. I wonder what's in those mini-palm trees. . .


Mom and I started the morning out with breakfast at my favorite mexican restaurant just down the road.


After volunteering at the school again, we hit a new french restaurant around the corner - I doubt that mom will ever get dad there!


This afternoon we stopped at Mission's Hike and Bike trail - it's 5 miles long, but mom and dad didn't want to walk very far. Here's what I was able to shoot. . .no salamanders, those little guys were way too quick for me (and they also blend in to the scenery so I figured a picture was a waste of time!). . .



This is a a side trail off the main paved path. Doesn't it make you want to go check it out?? Covered natural paths like that are so intriguing!

Tonight we went to Holy Thursday mass. The church my parents attend is so beautiful!


One thing my dad likes a lot about the church is the dog. Yep. The dog. The priest's dog comes in for mass as well, he trots right up the center aisle and sits up with the priest during the service. Here, he waits patiently after mass as "apostles" give out pan (bread)on the steps.

Day 2: Everything is bigger in Texas.

Another jam-packed day in Texas. . .and although they called for storms and rain, so far (at 9 p.m.) it has held off, and we had another 90 degree day!

I started my day with a walk and a swim. Here's the pool at 7:00 a.m. It shocks me how late the sun comes up here!



After my swim and a quick breakfast, I went to school to volunteer with dad. We helped in the music classroom and also in the reading room. It's unbelievable to see the new schools going up around here. Texas somehow has great funding for education right now.


Afterwards, we came back so I could swim, have lunch, swim again and then shower - before heading to a nursing home to play music. This bird is a crackle - I LOVE them. They make this awesome "ziiippp" sound (hear the pitch go up in your head) and have a neat plume on their tail that makes them look like mini roosters or peacocks!





Well, the nursing home was fine, but dad and I both set off the alarm on our way out, which was rather embarrassing! Guess they wanted to try to keep us!


We went to Mr. Gatti's for dinner - it's an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet that's awesome! I did take a picture but dad's eyes were closed so I'll skip it here. . . :)

When we returned, I asked if I could just hang out and read for a while. After about an hour, I noticed this little friend sitting under a palm tree about 6 feet from me!


Finally, what you've all been waiting for. . .my mom got some marshmallows so that we could christen their (my/our) big chiminea. You see, I bought it two years ago but couldn't get it home, so I left it at their trailer thinking they'd bring it. Last year I bought a smaller one so that my aunt and uncle could bring it home, and we all know how much I love it!

ANYWAY, check out these HUGE marshmallows. Truly a delightful s'more making time with the folks.




Even the sky was in a marshmallow-cotton candy mood.


Changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes. . .yep, I'm reading Jimmy Buffet's bio, but, really, the quote fits either way!

Spring Break - Day 1

My day began at 4:50. I definitely like 5:30 better.

I think I set a new world record at MBS - I drove in at 5:50, and was ready to board (through security and everything) at 6:01. I love flying out of MBS!

Although it was raining to start, the flight from MBS to Detroit was uneventful and beautiful!




I had a 3 1/2 hour layover in Houston, during which time I missed a great shot of a guy with a PENCIL stuck through his nose. . .I was just to chicken to pick up my camera for that one. I did document my last plane coming in, however:



And finally. . .McAllen, where the terminal is a beautiful mexican-style building and the palm trees wave a friendly greeting. . .


It was 95 degrees when I arrived, so the first activity was the pool, followed by some barbecued chicken.


Off to bed in my parents' welcoming little trailer. . .


Buenas Noches!

Amazing people. Unforgettable places...and Random pics.

Friday night I went to Alma College to talk with graduating seniors about staying connected as alumni. I love Alma.

After dinner, I attended a benefit concert that took place on the chapel steps. It was cold. Still, about 50 people came out to donate to the cause: sending Emily to Africa.

Emily is graduating and had plans to go to Africa to volunteer before she heads to grad school in the fall. However, she just found out that she didn't get a grant she had planned on.

So her friends are going to send her to Africa. How cool is that? I was happy to support the cause.

The music was pretty darn good too.



Here's Emily dancing.



Emily, Heather and Cory - three really amazing women!


And. . . a random picture from a walk on the rail trail yesterday. . .this poor squirrel didn't make it through the recent flooding. . .