May 31st. 2009 Packed and ready to go. 5 suit cases and plane tickets in hand, it was time to head back to Canada for the summer.
On our way to Calgary we made a week pit stop in San Antonio Texas because of all the great things we have heard about it. Normally we make an adventure pit stop on the way back from Canada but this year the kids had to get back to school which started early August.
San Antonio was fantastic! All of us loved it ... Texans were great, the city was beautiful, and traffic was light! I was amazed for a big city what a small town feel it had and how unbelievably clean it was. The riverwalk did not disappoint and it was a quaint atmosphere with aroma smells of Tex Mex food and the sweet sound of great jazz music. I even had the privilege of celebrating my birthday with my amazing family dancing like a gator (sorry the video was lost)
A recap of what to do around San Antonio with 3 kidlets to entertain :- )
Our hotel was right by the Alamo... A quick history lesson...
More than 2.5 million people a year visit the 4.2 acre complex known worldwide as "The Alamo." Most come to see the old mission where a small band of Texans held out for thirteen days against the Centralist army of General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Although the Alamo fell in the early morning hours of March 6, 1836, the death of the Alamo Defenders has come to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of Liberty. The memories of James Bowie, David Crockett, and William B. Travis are as powerful today as when the Texan Army under Sam Houston shouted "Remember the Alamo!" as it routed Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. Located on Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio, Texas, the Alamo represents nearly 300 years of history.
We rented a suburban, programed the GPS (we love those things since we don't have them where we are) and went exploring. On this day we ended up at the Natural Bridge Caverns... this was pretty darn cool. The Illumination tour was our choice because we had the opportunity to venture down 180feet into a cavern that was in complete DARKNESS when the lights were off. You could not even see your hand in front of your face. If you thought about it to long a person would loose their mind.
(the stalactites and stalagmites were amazing. These formations really kept the kids interest as well as us adults)
(Trent and I put on our thinking caps we learned in school a long time ago, the kids were impressed by our knowledge about these amazing formations...haha )
(this cavern has no natural source of light which made for a freaky few minutes when the lights were turned off. 180 feet below the earths surface here and amazed at the wonders of Mother Nature. If you are at all claustrophobic I do not recommend this tour)
(Everett is holding a piece of stalactite which was dense and heavy)
(my underground explorers...)
(now what would our day be without a little thrill for Trent and I? At the Caverns they had a rock wall 40feet high. That may not sound high but at one point I had to stop and breath as my heart was nearly jumping out of my chest as I reached for the bell at the top. I am so proud of Trent, he went to the top despite his dislike for heights. Emma climbed right up and rang the bell like nobodies business. The boys liked hanging in mid air, it always alot of fun venturing out. Now that Everett is old enough to join in on the family fun it is a blast)
The second part of our day was something we have never done before. We went to a drive -through zoo and fed the animals at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. In our travels we have meandered through a drive-by of animals but never have we fed them and had them stick their heads into our truck. It was gross and fun all at the same time!
(the boys are ready to see some creatures)
(here Emma is almost out the door feeding her new friends)
(now this lovely lady was NOT shy. She was feisty and had no qualms about sticking her head in my window trying to eat my camera case. Feisty scared me a bit, she would not leave us alone, but did she ever have nice eye lashes)
(she was not going to give up until all our food was gone and she had it all)
THIS WAS SOMETHING i NEVER IMAGINED WE WOULD DO IN TEXAS!
(Trent kissed a Zebra... how crazy is that? These zebras also had no qualms about getting their big chompers in the truck window for some treats. Along with the kiss came a handful of saliva)
(here you can see these four legged boys were getting some treats)
(here is a small peek at the famous San Antonio Riverwalk. It is beautiful, and quaint. We took a riverboat tour to learn and see the sites around the river which everyone loved. It was very romantic even with our three beautiful stinkers)
(who thought 12yrs ago this is where we would be honey?)
(it was late Panama time but the kids were ready to stay out and explore. However Daddy was a bit pooped out from the fun filled day)
A GERMAN TOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TEXAS
Schlitterbahn... New Braunfels, Texas
Schlitterbahn was a 40 min drive out of San Antonio and it is a town built around this enormoulsy large waterpark. It consisted of three parks which they shuttled patrons between on buses soaking wet and all. It was a very unique place to visit.
(this tube ride sent us down a nice long twisty slide into the natural Comal river, for a beautiful senic tree lined float.. HI guys!!)
(A fun shot of the kids before we got yelled at by the staff... I looked around for their real parents..haha..)
(the kids striking a pose at the second waterpark. It had a great kids area for them to run around and play hide & seek. It gave Trent and I some time to veg out)
(me and my cutie Ev... hanging out)
(What brave kids floating down the river on an alligator, East chose to chance laying in his mouth. Great picture, what a fun day)
Park 3 had a few big waterslides but the best part was the Han's Hideout five-story-tall water funhouse. There was dumping buckets, water cannons, net crawls, tunnels, & slides. The boys favorite part was the 500-gallons of water dumped on everyone every few minutes, while they challenged other Matties across the open water with water pistols.
(The Master Blaster Uphill Water Coaster ride... it has been voted best water ride in the States over and over. It is 6 stories tall and over 1000feet in length. Crazy rides now a days)
At this park they had the "Skycoaster" aka fly like Superman ride. Emma was the driving force behind going on this ride, she was the one who convinced Trent and Easton to join her. (that's my girl)
(it was a strange feeling being on the ground 200 feet below watching my family fly away. Trent, myself and my dad did this 13yrs. ago and this time I understood what my Mom was feeling to watch your family climb higher and higher)
(I love this picture, it looks like they are just hanging out in the clouds. Free as birds)
(Watch the video and ask yourself "would I do this?")
(Trent's recap of what went on way up there at 180feet)
SIX FLAGS!!! We have a small issue, our kids now LOVE roller coasters and want to go on not just once but mulitiple times..... It is definitely true... Kids keep you young or will age you fast. I prefer young.. :- )
(Everett was so happy he could drive his own car all by himself. He is liking his independence showing he is a big boy just like his brother)
(this was the only way to get them out of the amuzement park. The boys put up a good fight but still no chance against their big daddy)
(thanks for a fantastic day family... You guys are so fun to hang out with xoxoo)
SNAKE FARM!!!
(Since our kids love all different kind of creatures we ventured to a Snake Farm just outside of San Antonio... it still gives me goose bumps to think about all the snakes there. The kids and Trent LOVED it. I have drawn the line at having one as a pet though. I could not handle having something that has no legs so if it means a few trips to look at the slithering reptiles so be it)
(we could not leave without seeing a Texas Long Horn. This big guy had a serious rack on his head, thanks for the picture Emma)
Our last night in San Antonio!
(I love you guys... enjoy the ride)
(a quick video of the carriage ride)
San Antonio was a great adventure. I highly recommend a visit there if you can. There is so much history and beauty in one place. I hope at some point we have a chance to return.
Until next time.
All our love
Trent. Jody. Em. East & Ev.