VIP Visitors Via Vegas - Fri., May 9

On Thursday Bob picked up his mom, Louise, and sister, Laura, from San Antonio International Airport. Their flight from Las Vegas was relatively smooth. A tail-wind must have pushed them all the way to San Antonio because their flight arrived ten minutes early.

Meanwhile, FedEX came to the office. I saw a 1-800-Flowers box and looked to see who it was for. It was for me!! I opened the box and found two dozen long-stemmed roses in assorted colors: lavender, peach, pink, yellow, white. There was no note in the box. I called Bob and said, "Are you my secret pal?" I figured they must be for Mother's Day: one dozen for me and one dozen for Bob's mom. Bob confirmed my suspicions.

Tour guide Bob drove Louise and Laura around San Antonio and took them past Mission San Jose, the Acequia (aqueduct), and Mission Espada. Now Louise and Laura have an idea where they will go for a more in-depth visit.

I was working in the RV park office. Our VIPs are staying in the cottage on the RV park grounds. Bob brought them to check in. They were checked in and given keys. They were able to settle in and take a nap. A little later Laura ran out to buy supplies at Walmart. Bob and I went to dinner at Johnny Carino's.

This morning (Friday) Bob and I headed to our respective jobs. Laura and Louise borrowed my Escape pod to tour Mission San Jose and Mission Espada. They had a wonderful morning at Mission San Jose, part of the National Park Service. From the movie to their walk around the mission grounds, they learned a lot. Laura was especially impressed by the mill behind the mission. A park ranger on duty explained how the mill worked.

Mission Espada was their next destination. Mission Espada is the least restored of the three missions in San Antonio. Some restoration work is being done on the chapel. Bob mentioned to them to check out the small museum on the grounds, which they did.

As soon as Laura and Louise finished their morning explorations, they came back to the Rv park. took a few minutes to refresh themselves, then went across the street to catch the city bus into downtown. Next stop: The Alamo. Mother Nature reduced their plans to Jell-o. As soon as they crossed the street to the bus stop, big dark clouds moved in with thunder, lightening and wind. We checked the weather radar and a big storm was passing directly over us.

I went outside to wave them back into the building. Lightening was flashing, rain was starting to come down. They sat at the bus stop and waved back at me. So I insistently waved them back to the safety of the RV park office. As they were crossing the street, the raindrops got bigger. When they got back in the building, the storm let loose and dumped rain. We had waterfalls coming off the roof. It was way to wet for them to walk back to the cottage, so they stayed in the game room next to the office, played air hockey, and checked out the lending library.

About 45 minutes later, the clouds were gone and they headed downtown by bus. They spent the afternoon walking the Riverwalk and shopping at La Villita.

When Bob and I were off work, we drove downtown and met them for dinner. We walked a little and chose to eat dinner at Casa Rio, a historic Mexican restaurant on the Riverwalk. The food and service were very good.

Casa Rio (we ate inside)

Riverboat dinner cruise setting up.

Louise, Laura, Bob

One of many stairways on the Riverwalk

Casa Rio behind bridge.

After dinner we went to the IMAX theater to see a one-hour movie on The Alamo. Bob and Louise didn't like the movie. I thought it was too loud and too violent.

From the movie, we shopped a little then walked back to the car. Thankfully, we did not have any more rain.  A horse-drawn carriage drove by.

Horse-drawn carriage

Our evening in San Antonio came to a close. We headed back to the RV park so we can sleep before our long sightseeing day tomorrow.

Thank you, Bob, for my anniversary present. Our 24th wedding anniversary is Monday, but we have actually been together 31 years. He gave me a Hank Rearden steel bracelet. Ayn Rand's book "Atlas Shrugged" was instrumental in our meeting. 31 years ago Bob ran an ad in the newspaper personal section which said, "Hank Rearden type seeks Dagny Taggart type to help find Atlantis." In the book "Atlas Shrugged" Hank Rearden owns a steel company. He makes a steel bracelet which eventually ends up on Dagny's wrist. The bracelet has a lot of meaning to us. It is a very appropriate anniversary present.

Rearden Steel bracelet.

Travel Bug out.