San Antonio or bust

That is, I toured about 2,000 miles of it.

There were 28 of us, not counting the tour bus guide, Barbara, and bus driver, Wayne.

We left Piggott for San Antonio, Texas, on April 19 for a seven day adventure.

When we arrived two days later, we found we were caught up in a big fiesta celebration..The fiesta commemorates the establishment of the Texas republic in 1836.

The whole town was decked out and women wore bright beads and halo flowers on their heads.

So our group joined them.

Soon some of the Piggott tourists were wearing halo flowers and shiny necklace beads or a single flower in their hair.

But not Tex, a man of small stature.Tex wore his trademark TEXAS cap everywhere we went. He was dwarfed by the tall Texas men in cowboy hats, but he boldly wore his TEXAS cap, even to the famed Alamo.

Also on board was the mayor of Knobel, Ar. She's been the Knobel mayor for 34 years. Someone said, unapposed.

Also on the bus tour were a couple of professional line dance instructors from Gosnell.

And a few Missouri stragglers. Almost all are retirees.

While in San Antonio, we took a walking tour of several historical homes in the National Historic District. Some of the homes date back to 1876 and are expected to be open for public viewing this year. We also visited the magnificent San Fernando Cathedral with its beautiful paintings and statues.

We visited several missions and museums in and around San Antonio and in Fredricksberg. Fredricksberg reminded me of Hardy, Ar, with its many antique and quaint shops.

We visited the Enchanted Springs Ranch in Boerne, Texas, just 25 minutes northwest of San Antonio. There we loaded onto chuck wagons for a ride through a nature reserve. There were animals of all sorts, roaming freely on the 86-acre ranch. .There were zebras, deer, a peacock, longhorn cattle and exotic animals.

Then we were unloaded for a chuck wagon dinner show, including a country music band and a pistol packing mama..

Our barbecue meal was eaten on long tables inside a barnlike structure. There were other busloads of tourists enjoying the western barbecue, as well.

At one point, the sheriff of the ranch and a judge held a mock trial in front of all the tourists. About a half dozen tourists were arrested and appeared before the court. In our group that was Pete Liles of Corning. The trial was held in front of all the tourists who were eating their barbecue meal. They were the jury and would decide the fate of Pete. Pete was accused of excessive flatulence on the bus. That isn't exactly how the sheriff described the charge but that's what it means. If you don't know what flatulence is, then you don't own a dog.

Anyway, the only way Pete could get out of a jail sentence was to entertain the crowd. He said he couldn't sing or dance but he could tell a joke. That's what he did and the jury delivered a not guilty verdict.

Enchanted Springs Ranch is an old western town consisting of over 40 facades and buildings used in tv films and commercials. The town was originally designed for western movies. It's a western town right out of the 1800's.

While on the trip, we enjoyed a variety of foods, including German, Italian, Mexican and good old American steak.

At the Old San Francisco Steak House, we were entertained by a trapeze artist on a swing. While we ate, she swung from one side of the room to the other, ringing bells located near the ceiling.

Probably my favorite entertainment of the weeklong trip was cruising on the narrow San Antonio river along the river walk.The river winds through the downtown district of the city. On each side of the river there are dozens of cafes with umbrella covered tables lining the walk. People at tables waved and smiled as we cruised by. To the amusement of a group of river walk diners, we gave the sooooooiiiiiii Hog call.

Bands were also set up all along the walk and crowds gathered in clusters to listen to the music.

Barbara Harmon's favorite site was the1720 San Jose' mission with its high craftsmanship by artisans. The massive stone walls reflect its defensive role againt raids by the Apache and Comanche Indians.The mission was a major social center.

Of course, we visited the Alamo, a former mission where about 200 defenders gave their lives in the cause of Texas independence. They died in March 1836 during a 13-day siege against Mexican soldiers. Remember the Alamo became a battle cry for freedom.

I have to mention visiting the LBJ ranch and the Texas White House.

We were not permitted to tour the inside of the house but the outside was large but unassuming. That is, it was just what Lyndon Johnson wanted. He was not a fancy man and he wanted to live on the land where he was born and lived all his life.. His solution was to add on to the original structure. It was in this same house that he brought Lady Bird after their marriage. I don't remember the details of the interior but there are nine bathrooms and about that many bedrooms in the two-story house.

During our dozens of bus stops, it was the tour guide's charge to see that no passenger was left behind.

After she made a head count, Barbara would shout out, "All aboard."

That signaled the driver that all passengers were present and accounted for.and he could motor to the next destination.

On our return trip, we visited the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin.

I was told by a volunteer that thousands of school children visit the museum (in groups) each week. I believe that is true because I saw chaperoned school children everywhere.

Everything was going just fine until Lucille Liles got a backache. Well, more than a backache. She was in real pain. But never fear. On board our tour bus were four nurses; Elaine, Carol, Peggy and Judy, who gave assistance and advice. Someone came up with a pain patch; someone else had Tylenol. There was also a pastor's wife, Donna Morgan, who could lend spiritual support.

Thelma Beth Hopkins just happened to have a back massager,and another passenger had a heating pad. When Lucille got through treating herself with all these aids, she felt better on the ride back to Piggott

I don't want to bore you with too many details of the Texas vacation, so I'll stop right here.

I think I can say that all the passengers enjoyed the tour, despite being weary after the long bus ride home.

It was good to get back to the peace and quiet of a small town.

San Antonio is loud and crowded.

It's a nice place to visit but ..................................