Day 60: Missions from God (or the place that Spaniards destroyed a people)

We started with the Missions National Parks. They were pretty amazing. It was especially cool to see how even though the Spaniards took most of their identity there were ways that the Coahuilltecans were able to preserve some of their ways. In the arts and even in the method of service.

The bastion room for the cannons and guns.

 

Some amazing carvings (the Rose Window and the front of the church)

 

Most of this mission is left in ruins a stark contrast to Mission San Jose

All the doors were super short (the people of the time didn’t get much taller than me)

Aquaduct that fed the Acequis (small watering canals)

another short door

some original plaster art on the walls

   

Inside the church

After these Missions we went to the most popular one, The Alamo. There was a lot more loss of life than I realized.

the gardens

A bit of living history

All of the exhibits inside of the buildings were closed to photography.

Day 59: Off towards San Antonio

Miles Travelled: 24

Total Miles: 7635

This was another day to put our feet up. We didn’t really do much in San Antonio the day we got there. Our feet were awfully weary after a full day at the water parks the day before. We went and got some delicious food though. And Jude tried Mexican apple soda. He is a huge fan!

James’ Street Tacos and Charro Beans

Day 58: Schlitterbahn

We went to Schlitterbahn for an epic waterpark experience and they did not disappoint. I will however be disappointing you with the lack of pictures. I tried to take pictures but for one I freaked myself out on the first slide (I have Aquaphobia and Generalized Anxiety Disorder). The boys had a blast playing with the camera’s underwater case though and here are the few that turned out.

This was Jimmy’s result of an underwater shot

All the boys had a really good time playing in the water and I enjoyed the multiple lazy rivers. Johnny actually didn’t want to leave them either, especially the one with the alligator floaties in it. They loved riding them and then capsizing them.

Day 57: A day of rest/driving

Not much happened today except driving past Austin. We looked at it as we went by but decided the stop would make less sense with the kids. And honestly we were beyond tired and hot.

We arrived in New Braunfels and asked the boys if they’d like to wade in the river behind the park. They decided that since they were going to Schlitterbahn the very next day there was no need, and also there was reports of water moccasins hanging out in a tree roots there. So we chilled out and then ate some Tex-Mex for dinner.

Also if you haven’t noticed already the style of photography has changed. This is because I discovered, after picking up my camera for picture taking at NASA, that my Nikon’s screen was damaged and would no longer take pictures.

Day 56: Houston’s Space

Today was designated as a NASA day through and through. When we got there we were welcomed by the 747 that carried the shuttles back to Cape Canaveral.

a moon lander

The first shuttle

Faith 7 Mercury Spacecraft

Apollo 17

The device that saved the Apollo 13 crew

Jimmy loving on a moon rock

an astronaut out in space in the Houston Space Center

The shuttle’s front seat

747 SCA’s accomplishments

Walking the path of astronauts

NASA cows

Mission Control’s Building

Mission Control (a floor over the current Mission Control)

The speaker that relayed the famous lines from NASA’s astronauts

Saturn V rocket

I love how nerdy my kids are

After the tours were done we asked around for some great Texas BBQ and the peoples did not disappoint! Try their Armidillos Eggs!