San Antonio and The Alamo

In San Antonio, we stayed at one of the hotels situated along River Walk, with its lovely, little bridges (perfect spots to have pictures taken), restaurants, live music, greenery, waterfall (almost) on the sidewalk and lots of tourists of course.

We enjoyed walking there too, but the main reason why we visited the city was the Alamo. My husband wanted to show me the place where 189 defenders fought for thirteen days and died for Texas (March 06, 1836).
While still in Poland, I watched the latest movie about the defense of the Alamo - such a great and very tragic, heroic fight. I was really happy I could visit the mission - where it all took place. However, I found it surprising that the remains of the original fort are situated in the heart of San Antonio, almost in the city center.

Anyway, the mission (San Antonio de Valero) was established in 1718 and was the first one of all San Antonio's missions. In the museum, we saw many relics and mementos from the times of the Republic of Texas. We also watched a documentary on the history of the mission and its defense. It was so amazing to be there - in the mission church and the barracks, and feel the spirit of the place, where the Texian soldiers perished being outnumbered by Gen. Santa Anna's Army.

Yes, we remember the Alamo. Glory to the heroes!

Besides the Alamo grounds, we visited Mission San Jose (built in 1720, south of the Alamo) - part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. It covers quite a large area and has interesting architecture and stone structures. When I happen to be in such historical places, I always find it quite special - watching all the sights and imagining the people who used to live there.

The church built 1768-1782, restored 2011

Maybe next time when we visit the city again, we will be able to see all the missions of San Antonio.

Learn more: The Official Alamo Website

 

UPDATE

In 2021, we did visit more missions of San Antonio. You can find more info about our visits on our Facebook page (see the links on the "Travel" page). 

Hacienda Escondida - In The Heart of Texas

Hacienda Escondida is a great option to a traditional hotel/bed & breakfast accommodation. My husband chose it for us - we stayed in Escondida during our Texas trip. It was wonderful there! Also because at that time, there were no other guests - just the two of us. We had all the Hacienda area for ourselves - the dining room, game room, guests parlor, the pool and all the ground around it was ours! Even the cook, who lives nearby, was coming to make meals especially for us. Total heaven!

The entrance gate - quite fancy - when you look closer, you will notice what animals hid themselves among the metal work/decoration.

Hacienda Escondida is owned by Texas Country Reporter, a popular TV guy (at least in Texas). The property is situated at the base of Medina Mountain (in the Hill Country) and it is surrounded by greenery and some woods.

It was so quiet and peacefully there.We could relax and enjoy it, not being disturbed by anybody or anything. A few times we saw deer through the window of our room. We also spotted some other little animals and birds  - on the grass and in the trees.

The Hacienda very much looks like the ones in the movies - built and decorated in Hispanic style. I liked it a lot!

Part of the hacienda backyard

During the day we explored the outside area, enjoying nature and the tranquility of the place. In the evening we listened to music in the guests parlor, played old games and had fun in the pool.  We had such a wonderful time in Escondida!

Breakfast was served in a colorful and spacious kitchen

Our dinner.....

... with delicious dessert and two kinds of wine was served in the dining room - for nobody else but the two of us

Our 'private' (at that time) pool

In the evening, thanks to the outside lights, we could enjoy the scenery too.

Wall decor in the guests parlor

Our cute companions

Since there was no one else besides us, it was all like being in our own personal, luxurious hacienda.
Thank you my dear husband!

More info about Hacienda Escondida: http://www.escondidaresort.com/  

My Decorated Boards - Wall Decor Pattern #6

This time the board is decorated with a folk pattern (only) of Kashubia - region of northern Poland.
It is a wall decor item and cannot be used as as a kitchen cutting board of course. Actually it is displayed in our kitchen.

 

Pattern #6

Check our other patterns here.

Fredericksburg - National Museum of The Pacific War

Having lived in Europe, I was always more familiar with WW2 history facts which were connected with the old continent - especially Poland. During our first visit in Fredericksburg, we also spent quite a lot of time at the National Museum of The Pacific War  - the only museum in the continental U.S. which tells about the battles  and WW2 history connected with the Pacific area. That was a great educating experience to me.

We started our tour from the family home of Admiral Chester William Nimitz ('Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet (CinCPac), for U.S. naval forces and Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas (CinCPOA), for U.S. and Allied air, land, and sea forces during World War II'*) where I learned about his life and career.

Then we moved to the internal part of  the museum - with multimedia presentations, interactive exposition, and displays. A very interesting history lesson. The museum is so big that watching and studying all the exhibits takes actually much more time than one school class only. Luckily, the museum tickets are valid for forty-eight hours which allows coming back (and further exploring) on the next day.

The exposition area covers six acres and consists of several sections such as:

• the George H.W. Bush Gallery (Allied and Japanese planes, tanks, guns and other items made famous during the Pacific War),

• Plaza of Presidents, Veterans' Walk of Honor and Memorial Wall,

 

• Japanese Garden of Peace and
• Pacific Combat Zone

 

The field hospital seemed rather creepy to me - did not want to spend much time around it.

The museum is really worth visiting. You cannot miss it when you come to Fredericksburg!

 

Museum hours:

Interior exhibits: 9 AM to 5 PM (except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving)

more info: ww.pacificwarmuseum.org 

*citation from wikipedia.org

Little Texan - Wall Decor Pattern #5

Here is another board (pattern #5) with my Little Texan character.
The design contains 'a boy' - one of the characters which I created long time ago and a flowery folk motif of Kashubia region. Another board by myself - displayed in our kitchen of course. :)

You can read about the meaning of the flowery patterns and the story behind the character included on the board - here.

Little Texan & My Pattern #5

 

Check our other patterns here.

 

Fredericksburg - Side Streets & Roads

Fredericksburg is not only Main Street. There is much more to see and explore in the town. Walking along its side streets (another reason why I like Fredericksburg), we come across many beautiful buildings - private houses, churches and others.
St. Mary's catholic Church is one of them. Built in 1848 (a log cabin) was later transformed into a lime stone building. The construction which we can admire today (Gothic Revival style) was created between 1905 and 1908.

In the heat of the Texas summer, visiting the inside of the church was a kind of relief. The air in the building was much more pleasant than the toasty weather outside. We could rest there and, at the same time, admire the beautiful interior and decor of the place.

Not far from Fredericksburg there is an old tunnel (off the old San Antonio Road). It used to be part of the Frederickburg and Northern Railway Co. (1913 to 1941). These days it is famous for about three million Mexican free-tailed bats which emerge from the tunnel every night. We also tried to see that bat performance but, unfortunately, we missed it. Or the bats missed us. When we got to the tunnel, they had already been gone.
The place is open from May till October. If you are lucky to be at the spot at the right time (bat only know when exactly), you can see something quite spectacular there. Maybe next time we will manage to experience it too.
The Fredericksburg area is known for its numerous wineries. We chose Becker Vineyards to do some wine tasting. Good quality wine they have there and the place is nice too.

Driving south-east of Fredericksburg, we reached Sisterdale - a tiny community established by German pioneers in 1847. It 'is known for being one of the centers for German abolitionism and Unionism during the Civil War.'* The historic buildings of Sisterdale are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. We visited some of the local antique spots: the store and Cotton Gin (these days Sisterdale Creek Vineyards).

If somebody gave us a house in Fredericksburg/its area, we certainly would not mind living there.

*citation from: Sisterdale Texas website

Fredericksburg TX & Its Main Street

We love Texas Hill Country. With all its winding roads, greenery, wild vegetation, hills and beautiful landscape. In a way, it reminds me the scenery of a place in Northern Poland called Jastrzebia Gora (Falcon Mountain). The moraine hills in the Polish region are of a totally different geographical origin than the Hill Country topography though.
One of 'our' places in this part of TX is Fredericksburg - town which was settled by German immigrants in 1846.

The town was founded by John O. Meusebach (Baron Otfried Hans von Meusebach). Thanks to the Treaty made by the Comanche and the German Immigration Company in 1847, the Penateka Comanche Tribe and the German settlers coexisted peacefully - the Treaty was never broken.

The Treaty - monument in the local park

What I love about Fredericksburg is its European spirit, still present there, and its western-like, frontier architecture. Two in one.
One of the main tourists attractions of the town is its Main Street (Haupstrasse). Walking along the street you can admire many historical structures which make Fredericksburg Historical District - houses built in the 19th century, when the town was founded and some years later.

Fredericksburg Historic District  - Bank of Fredericksburg (on the left side) - designed in 1889 by Alfred Giles

 

Pioneer Memorial Library (the Old Courthouse) - designed by British architect Alfred Giles in 1882

The first public building in Fredericksburg (1847) - The Vereins Kirche - designed by Friedrich Schubbert. Nowadays, part of Pioneer Museum Complex.

 

The house built in 1897 for John and Bertha Klein Schandua

A popular tourists' pass time activity is visiting all the shops on both sides of Main Street. You can find everything there - from fudge, funny gadget and Texas souvenirs to fancy jewellery and art gallery exhibits.

Main Street

 

All year round Christmas store

There are many food places in Fredericksburg. Our favorite one is Fredericksburg Brewing Co.

The interior of the restaurant reminds me small brewery inns I visited in Southern Germany. Similar style and very good beer, made locally too. All kinds of beer made in the brewery are tasty but, in my opinion, Enchanted Rock Red Ale is the best.

Besides, the German style dishes (all the delicious schnitzels) taste almost like the food I had at home - in Poland. Fredericksburg Brewery is always crowded - no wonder - great meals are served there. They have quite a convenient 'waiting' area which is a beer place too.

Frederickburg is an interesting place to visit all year round. If you happen to be there at Christmas time, you will find the town decorated beautifully, with traditional German accents in the town park. But you need to be prepared that on Christmas Day, almost all the stores and restaurants are closed there.

More about Fredericksburg soon - in the following posts.