Riverwalk...

San Antonio is a great city.  The 7th largest city in the US, 2nd largest in Texas (only Houston is bigger, based on population within city limits).  Lots of history and culture.  One of our favorite features of the city is the Riverwalk.  I grew up in Sioux City, Iowa, along the Missouri River... you could walk along the river back then, but you'd get mud between your toes.  The Riverwalk in San Antonio is an architectural wonder.  The San Antonio River runs though the middle of the city - the reason the first settlers chose this place.  It runs below the street level of the city... down a flight of stairs, winding walkways on either side; beautiful bridges spanning the river; shops, restaurants, and bars run for blocks; huge hotels, shopping malls... it is a unique drawing card that brings many visitors to the city.  Including us.

We spent yesterday doing some tech shopping, then out for a nice steak dinner.  Today, we started with a walk through the Alamo...

We had already decided a tour by barge on the river and a trolley by land was the plan.  First, the Riverwalk...

Around one bend, we came across a children's choir doing a program for an appreciative audience...

 It is a beautiful and informative tour.  We walked by the shops and restaurants after the tour, and had a late lunch at Casa Rio, the oldest Mexican restaurant along the river (run by a German family)... probably the finest Mexican food I've had; not to be taken lightly, considering where we live.  And, some live Mariachi music...

By late afternoon, we boarded a trolley for the land portion.  We learned about the Tower of the Americas (taller than the Seattle Space Needle), built during the World's Fair that was held here in the 60s.  We toured through some older neighborhoods, saw the largest and the oldest of the missions in this area...

Back through some beautiful old neighborhoods and into the city center again.  The driver was knowledgeable and enthusiastic.  Another way to tour by land that we took a pass on...

It reminded me of Central Park in New York City.  While waiting for it to get dark, we walked through the Menger Hotel, one of the oldest upscale hotels in the city center area.  They had a beautiful tree in their lobby area...

And gorgeous flowers and landscaping in their courtyard area...

My feet were wearing out when we descended from the street level back to the Riverwalk.  The crowds were getting much thicker - obvious we weren't the only ones who wanted to see the lights along the Riverwalk.  Since we were missing the Lighted Boat Parade in Port Isabel tonight, this was a highlight for me...

Back to the street level, and some lights around the Alamo Square area...

Santa and the closest thing we'll get to a snowman this season...

Back past the Alamo...

It had been a long, but interesting, day.  A view of the Rivercenter as we pulled away...

Plenty of traffic as we made our way on 3 different Interstates and a couple major highways to get back to the RV park.