SEVENTEEN

On June 27th, Dean and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. We went to San Antonio to celebrate. When we got to our hotel we realized the temperature was ...102 degrees. I'm sorry, it should never be allowed to get that hot. It is not right. It is just not right.
We checked out our room, turned the AC way down, and grabbed some water bottles so that we could head out to the balmy San Antonio weather. But, first some pictures from the balcony ...
this was the view looking straight out. Not sure what the buildings were ... looks like a hotel and a parking garage. Nothing but the best for us!
And this is the view straight down ... the San Antonio river walk! There was a little stage and the audience sat across the "river" to watch. We saw a group of dancing, sweaty girls, there was a "fiesta" at night, and in the morning, the color guard was out to sing "The Star Spangled Banner" and salute the flag. Quite moving because the audience was young (YOUNG!) airmen/airwomen.
A picture for Linda and Paul. The week before they were in California and were able to see the giant sequoia trees. They sent us amazing pictures of the trees. We were jealous. So, we made our own picture of the trees in San Antonio. Not the same.
The is one of the little bridges that goes over the river walk. Did I mention it was hot that day? Well, it was a little warm. That night for dinner we ate on the river walk at Paesano's. It was delicious. So delicious I forgot to take a picture. We have eaten there before when we went with Torrey ... we took a risk going back. Sometimes the second time isn't what you remembered the first time to be. Not so this time. It was fantastic!
The next morning we ate breakfast at Schilo's. Which is a German delicatessen. Which should be obvious by my beer stein of orange juice.
And, here I am waiting for my breakfast. I am willing to take a risk at times. And today was one of those days. I ordered "potato pancakes" because the waitress said they would be just like regular pancakes. For the record, Lydia is a liar. A big, fat liar. Because those potato pancakes were not like regular pancakes served with syrup ... they were more like very flat hash browns. Served with apple sauce. Big mistake on my part ... to order the potato pancakes and to listen to Lydia.
And, what trip to San Antonio is complete without a trip to Texas' most honored shrine, The Alamo. 189 brave men died for the state of Texas as they tried to hold onto the mission during the war with Mexico to win Independence. Although all were lost, they held out long enough to allow Sam Houston to gather troops and supplies for the battle at San Jacinto, which was won by Texas and caused them to win the war. Sam Houston went on to become the first President of the Republic of Texas, although he believed it was his sole responsibility to keep the republic safe until he could see it become a true state in the Union. Also, did you know that Texas is not a state. We are a republic. Which means not only are we special, but we can also fly our state flag at the same height as the United Sates flag. Only Texas. We are very proud of that fact. Very proud. And, that my friends is your Texas history lesson for today.
On the way home we stopped at the outlets in San Marco. We went through small town after small town to get back to I-10 ... one of which was Luling, Texas. (As I was telling my dad he reminded me he once lived in Luling ... he was excited to hear it was actually "Watermelon Thump Day" as we drove through Luling. Got to love a small town. Got to love Texas.)

It was a fun trip. Spent with my favorite person. Who happened to tell me he wants to celebrate our 20th in Italy. Um, I think we will be celebrating our 20th next year!