On the road in Conroe, TX
New Years is over, and we’re back on the road. For the next 3 weeks we’ll be in Conroe, then we’ll move down to the warmth of south Texas for 5 weeks. We like Conroe, we’re only 5 minutes from Conroe and 20 minutes from Houston. A little bit country, with big city conveniences.
Parked in the sun at our Conroe, TX camp site
A view of the docks at Lake Conroe, just down from our camp site
New Year in Corsicana, TX
We attended the New Year rally of the Traveling Supremes, held in Corsicana, TX. Corsicana is about 25 miles south of Dallas, and has a strong and varied history. Collins Street bakery, the first old well west of the Mississippi, and a very interesting civil war museum at Navarro College, a western art museum…. So we had a fun time with friends, and learned new things about a town we knew little about.
The group meets at the Civil War museum at Navarro College
Western arts museum
One of the historical mansions in the Corsicana area
Of course, we had to visit (and sample) at the Collin Street Bakery...
Really great pickles at the Picolo Pickle Factory
A monument to Lefty Frizzell, a famous musician from Corsicana
Ladies Indoor Soccer League
Went to oldest daughter’s (Tanya) Ladies Indoor Soccer League last night. These ladies played fast and hard, and obviously had a great time. We did too, in the stands, rooting her team on. They lost, 4 – 3, but you know the saying: “its not who wins or loses, it’s how you play the game”. Yeah, right, try telling that to the ladies on the floor….
Geting the ball out of the back court
Going for the ball.....
Corner action, continued....
Lunar eclipse
Last night we had a total lunar eclipse. Although it was late (from 12:30 to 3:30AM), I decided to try my new camera and lens and take some pictures. We had some cloud cover here in Texas, and by the time coverage was total I pretty well had to stop. But here are a few pictures, showing the progression of earth’s shadow over the moon.
Only 94 more years to another full eclipse during the winter equinox…..
Back from our cruise
Our vacation is over, back to the grind (!!!!) in our motor home. We flew to Barcelona, visited some famous sites, then went on a 3 week cruise that ended in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Amazingly, we only gained a few pounds after 2 weeks of intensive eating. We had a great time, and the best way to share it is through pictures. I’ve put a few on this page, but this link will take you to the photo albums:
Here is a beginning, ending, and middle of the cruise picture:
Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona
On the way
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro
Toyota Tundra manufacturing plant
In 2006, Toyota opened a new plant to build Tundra pickup trucks just south of San Antonio, TX. In 2010 they added the Tacoma to the production line. They provide free tours, as well as a visitor center with additional displays about the history of the company, production techniques and statistics. However, no photos allowed so I only added a stock photo to this blog.
This plant has 2,200,00 sq. ft. of space, it is huge! It employs 6,000 people in 2 shifts, and trucks roll off the assembly line about 1 a minute – usually close to 1,000 trucks a day! That is one big number! Fortunately the whole tour was done on a tram otherwise it would have been too far to walk. If you have a chance, take the tour, it’s free and interesting.
San Antonio River
While the Riverwalk has made downtown San Antonio River, it is easy to overlook the importance of the San Antonio River itself. It really is the backbone of the city, and the city is responding with a major renovation of the river and its banks. Here you will find additional walkways, residential areas, and influential businesses.
We walked the river south from downtown. Immediately apparent is the various flood control projects, which lowers the rive some 12 feet after downtown. Then, you pass the HEB grocery store headquarters, with their own unique history. Originally a US Army Arsenal, HEB bought the closed facility in 1981 and moved their headquarters there. All renovation was done with an eye to maintaining buildings of historical significance.
A little further is what is now Pioneer Mills, a flour and baking goods provider with history to the mid 1800’s, when Carl Guenther opened a flour mill on the San Antonio River. Over the years it has grown to the current size, and the original Guenther house is a much visited museum, store, and restaurant.
Flood control gates just south of downtown
HEB HQ viewed from the river walk
River walk - pleasant, shady, and scenic
Pioneer Flour Mills, on the river
On the way back to downtown
San Jose Mission, Texas
The misions in Texas were actually villages that were enclosed by a wall for protection. The main feature was a church, hence the name “mission”. The most famous was the Alamo, of historical fame. But there were five others along the San Antonio river, all with a unique history. The largest of these is the San Jose mission, about 5 miles south of the Alamo.
As part of the Recovery Act of 1933, much of these sites were rebuilt and restored. They are now part of the rich history of Texas in particular, and the USA in general. The various sites are now part of the National Park Service, which provides historical tours. We enjoyed our visit to the San Jose mission.
A view of the wall and watch tower
Inside the wall, looking towards the church
A view of the church. Notice the Moorish influence in the dome...
One of the arched walkways and gathering areas
An elaborate door archway
Inside the hall used for grain and food storage
An archway showing definitive European influence
Decoration showing Mexican/Indian heritage
International Accordion Festival
Wow, International Accordion Festival — does that sound corny or what? In reality, it was a lot of fun. This was the tenth Festival, played on the Arneson stage in San Antonio. Every hour a new band, each with their own musical style (and origin), made for a large variety. Be it Zydeco, Latino or Polka, there was something for everyone.
Even people on the river cruises had something to enjoy
Dueling accordions
Riders in the Sky were fabulous
A driving beat from South America
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