Easter

We took a long bike ride all the way from our RV park to the Pearl Brewery yesterday morning - some along the Riverwalk trail and some on the city streets. Riding along the Riverwalk is beautiful with all the lush landscaping - the jasmine smelled heavenly! We had breakfast downtown and then came home and collapsed in our lawn chairs!
We went to see "Water for Elephants" in the afternoon. I liked the book better but that's is usually the case.
Megan & Carlos were in town for the week-end. We met them at the Pearl Brewery Farmer's Market on Saturday morning and then had lunch.
Good news - Roger got the air conditioner fixed.
Bad news - Roger got the air conditioner fixed! It is like a meat locker in here! I'm working on a new knitting project - a sweater that I need to finish so I can wear it when I'm inside!
We talked to the girls on Skype - Samantha says the "Easter Bunny must be very tired from all that hopping around!"

Golf

We played 18 holes of golf at Olmos Basin municipal golf course today. OMG, was it hot - in the 90's before we finished! I played "better" golf but why didn't my scorecard show it!! Gotta' get better so I can play with the "big dogs" in Florida next winter!!!

Charreada

The San Antonio Charro Association's rodeo grounds is located about a mile from the park and they had a Mexican Rodeo today on the last day of Fiesta . It is the first and oldest Charro Association in the United States - 64 years!  We decided we didn't have anything else to do so .....off we went on our bikes. It was such a fun experience! We ate the best soft, corn tortilla tacos we've ever had!
The girls riding teams ride side saddle and do precision routines on their horses. The costumes are wonderful. The men lasso horses by the hind legs; catch calf's by the tail and bring them down and bull ride. Wonderful history here in SA!
We're pooped - Fiesta week has been busy - back to normal tomorrow!

King William Fair

The King William area is the oldest residential section of the city. It is located south of downtown and is a beautiful historic neighborhood with many gorgeous, big, old homes and shade trees. The homeowners association has very strict rules about renovations and preservation of the properties to keep it true to its heritage. It is fun to just ride our bikes around there and look at all the residences.
The King William Fair is another popular Fiesta event. They close the streets and have food booths, arts and crafts and music. We planned to ride the bike trail there this morning but Roger's bike had a flat tire. He went and got a new tube, put it in and it popped. Lauren had a spare tube so they put that one in and just as we were getting ready to leave it popped too! So everyone left without us and Roger went to the bike shop to get a whole new tire. He finally got his bike fixed and we made it to the fair. We ate lunch at El Mirador and then explored the booths. Many families that live in the area had garden parties or were on their big porches and verandas watching the festivities. They certainly couldn't get out and drive anywhere!
We ended the day with dinner at LaTuna - a fun outside place with beer bottle tops as landscaping!

Battle of Flowers

I had to look up why the daytime parade is called the "Battle of Flowers Parade." A city officials wife, in 1891, had the idea for a flower parade to commemorate the Battle of the Alamo after she saw a similar parade in Spain. The very first parade went both ways and people in the carriages and on the floats threw flowers at each other - hence "Battle of Flowers!"
We went to the "Battle of the Bands" on Thursday night at Alamo Stadium with Ray and Cindy and Lauren and Betty Ann. Pretty amazing to see all the high school bands perform. Some of them were neat because they did fun dance moves to the music - what they lacked in musical talent they made up for in choreography! The Madison High School band, where the kids graduated, is huge and led the parade. Three award winning bands from the area performed at "intermission" - amazed at the talent! We left after intermission and went to eat - getting "bleacher butts" and we were starving!
We had a tee time to play golf Friday afternoon but when we got to the course the parking lot was packed and there was a long line waiting to tee off at the first hole. A lot businesses close for Battle of Flowers on Friday afternoon but I guess many went golfing instead of to the parade! We decided we can play next week with no waiting!

Fiesta - River Parade

Fiesta celebrates the battles at the Alamo and San Jacinto where the Texans beat Santa Anna's Mexican army and won our independence. It unofficially started last Friday night with "Oyster Bake" at St. Mary's University but the first parade was last night. It is my favorite because it is so unique - 46 decorated barges floated down the river and the Riverwalk was alive with celebration. We have not been since Heather was in kindergarten and her teacher was on a float! The Chamber of Commerce could not have ordered better weather and it was a fun time to be downtown!
The first picture is the Texas Cavaliers and King Antonio LXXXIX - a local organization that plays a big role in Fiesta and contributes to many local charities - primarily those helping children.

We rode the city bus to downtown and back - $1.10 per person - picked us up and dropped us off right in front of the park. We got on to come home and recognized several friends from the park - by the time we all got off the bus was almost empty!
We are going to the high school "Battle of the Bands" on Thursday night at Alamo Stadium - always fun to see all the bands march in and then play together. The "Battle of Flowers" parade is Friday afternoon and the "Fiesta Flambeau" is the night parade on Saturday which ends the weeks celebrations. There are tons of other activities throughout the week - can't imagine the revenue it produces for San Antonio.
Life isn't all fun - we went over to the townhome and did "spring" cleaning today - ceiling fans, baseboards etc. We were reminded of why we love our new lifestyle! Couldn't bear to listen to Roger whine so I hired a service to come wash the windows!!

Farmers Market

We went to the Farmers Market in the new Pearl Brewery area this morning. Fresh vegetables, meat, and flowers from local farms plus bakery items and food from nearby businesses. Music and outdoor tables made it a fun experience.
This area is near our townhome and is rapidly growing since they extended the Riverwalk up to the old brewery. There is a really nice Italian restaurant and a new Mexican place right along the river. Don't know about the food but the atmosphere is great - you can dine outside along the river. Anxious to try it!

The picture is one of the new bike rental stations that are located all around downtown and along the Riverwalk. You swipe your charge card, select the length of your rental and ride away! Pretty ingenious!

Fiesta 2011 officially "kicked off" on Thursday. I told Roger we need to participate more this year. We can ride the bus to downtown and get dropped off right in the middle of all the festivities. As you can imagine, he's overwhelmed with excitement! A chance to spend time with thousands of drunken "friends!"

NCAA Women's Basketball Champions

Two awesome games against Stanford and Notre Dame! Go Aggie girls!!!

San Antonio Bike Trail

 Roger returned from Oklahoma on Thursday night, we moved to our preferred RV park in south San Antonio on Friday and are all settled. Several couples that were here previously with us are back again this winter - but many have left for home by now. In the high 80's here this week but many going back to snow!
We were disappointed to see the bike trail along the river is all torn up and being "remodeled" but Lauren and Betty Ann, from Thunder Bay, Canada, showed us how to maneuver around the construction and get on the section that is completed. We had a great ride with them this morning and are anxious to go back and explore more. It will be beautiful when all completed!
Dr. Vela celebrated his practice's 10th year anniversary on Friday - hard to believe it has been that long that he moved his office to Boerne. The staff surprised him with lunch at the Yardhouse and I was so glad they invited me - great to see everyone and catch up on their personal lives. I told Victor we need to "do lunch" again so I can catch up on all the medical gossip!
Our thoughts and prayers are with Carlos' family - his great-aunt Rosalinda died on Friday. She is the last of Yolanda's mother's sisters to survive. Some of you may remember her and Rudy at the wedding - they won the bouquet for being married the longest!
PS - We had Mexican food for dinner Friday night and breakfast tacos on Saturday morning - beginning to cure our cravings!