Day 1:
The day started out extra early as Pam, and I have learned it is much better to give Gus and Maddox a nice long run prior to ditching them so the Fambam could take off for a few days to enjoy some Spring Break leisure in San Antonio. This Spring Break was going to be extra exciting as Grandma from Colorado was going to be accompanying us for a trip across the great state of Texas!
It's been a while since my Mom has been able to come down for a visit and we were going to make sure she had a great time. After a long cold Texas winter with the temperature occasionally touching the freezing mark, we were ready for some warm weather and adventure! We loaded up the Tahoe and headed that bad boy southwest!
Pam declared earlier that AK would be leading most of the voyage as she has her permit and time is ticking down toward the final key dropoff date when we will no longer have to accompany her as a passenger is a motorized vehicle. I was the first co-captain of the trip but was soon replaced by Pam, per AK's request for my nagging on how to negotiate the road.
Not only was I not allowed to ride up front, but I was also sentenced to the very back of the Tahoe in the dreaded third-row seat that provides for my knees to touch my chin since there is very little-to-no leg room. With D's suitcase sitting next to me as my only companion, I decided to put my headphones in and enjoy the sights as AK took us to the land of missions!
Our first stop in San Antone was to put some nourishment in our bodies and prepare Grandma for a Desparrois Fambam vacation Texas style! Resting and relaxation is not our thing. It's no mystery that we vacation hard! We like to take in as much as we can as fast as we can. It's a little strategy I borrowed from the old USFL called the "Run-and-Gun Offense."
We hit up Cheddars where Little D feasted on her usual choice of pasta, AK decided to go the protein route with a steak, Grandma went for a salad and potato while Pam got all crazy on us and ordered the Monte Cristo sandwich. All were pleased with their meal, and we were soon off to the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto.
Grandma had wanted to see the grotto for some time as her an Papa sent prayers requests to them in the past. It holds a special place for them. The grotto really is a pretty place to visit and see. We spent some time walking around and seeing the fantastic grotto and artwork around all the grounds. Grandma also picked up some information to have a brick made in Papa's memory!
The grotto got us in the mood to visit some of the Missions. Many people do not realize that San Antonio has some incredible missions still intact from years long ago. In fact, the Alamo belongs to this group of missions. Being a history buff, I have no problem setting out on the Mision Trail to take in some of the history and the beautiful architecture they have to offer.
Our first stop was at Mission Concepcion. I recently had visited when AK was playing volleyball close by a few weeks earlier. I sent Grandma some pictures, and she wanted to see it for herself! The girls eagerly agreed and we were off to the south side of San Antonio. The neighborhood the missions are in, leave something to be desired but I told Little D that it was all part of the cultural experience and education she was receiving.
,
Mission Concepcion did not disappoint as Grandma walked the grounds with Little D and AK. Pam and I were a tad behind them as she was looking at the magnificent architecture that was still intact after several hundred years. What makes Mission Concepcion so incredible is that they hold Mass in the sanctuary to this day.
Since school had been out, Pam was concerned the girls would lack in retaining their knowledge and declared we would continue on the Mission Trail for more education and cultural understanding. The next stop was the Mission San Jose. It's only a few miles drive down a winding road where you want to make sure you have enough gas so not to have to stop.
The mission was packed, and we headed in only to find out that it had just closed. We were able to look around a little, but didn't get the whole "mission experience" Pam was hoping to provide the girls on their break!
It was starting to get later in the afternoon and Pam headed us to downtown. The girls love going to the River Walk and wanted Grandma to experience the culture and beauty it delivers. Grandma was an absolute trooper putting in many steps and happily agreed to walk some more.
Pam's suggestion of the River Walk was vital and the number one reason why she retains the title Supreme Ruler of the Fambam. Pam is always reading and taking notes of the girls and myself while on vacation to see what each person needs before we get too grumpy. My Fitbit was causing me fits, and the band would not stay on. Little D was growing quiet, which means hunger is starting to set in. Grandma was slowing down a touch from the walking and stairs, and AK saw Joe's Crab Shack in her sights and had flashbacks of eating crab on the beach in Clearwater, Florida a few months before.
Pam knew she had few precious minutes to spare before complete and total chaos and possibly anarchy broke out with her crew she was charged with. With Grandma wanting to see San Fernando Cathedral, the mother of my children quickly mapped out the quickest route to get us there before it closed and to Joe's to take care of Little D's need for sustenance, and AK's craving for the spider of the sea!
Grandma was pleased with the quick stop to San Fernando before it closed. It is the oldest cathedral in the US and claims to have the remains of Crockett, Travis, and Bowie and is also the oldest church in Texas.
Pam pushed the Fambam onward knowing we still had to eat and the lines would soon be forming on the River Walk. We reached Joe's Crab Shack and luckily only had to wait a few minutes for a table as Little D was starting to fade from the need of nourishment!
The dinner was excellent as AK went with the kid's pasta with a side of king crabs legs. Pam and I split the grilled shrimp so I could embark on my favorite of a beautiful big bowl of clam chowda with hot sauce and crackers. Grandma followed suit with the grilled shrimp, and Little D went with her go-to kid's mac-n-cheese meal. The food came out quick enough to keep Little D going, and she went to work on her dish and was through it before AK could figure out the puzzle of cracking into her first crab leg. Grandma knew Little D was still hungry and made her order another meal to fulfill her bodies requirements as it gets prepared for the teenage years a few short months away.
We had a great time hanging out, laughing and enjoying the meal as we talked about how busy the day was. Grandma was happy to be given membership into the Texas Fambam and was looking for a great night sleep as AK polished off the last of her king crab legs and I gave up on my Fitbit band!
We loaded up the Tahoe and checked into the Embassy Suites for a long night of slumber and relaxation. Grandma knew the "Run-and-Gun Offense" would be put into full effect the next day as Pam would lead her team to Seaworld for more walking, memories, and more fun than the rest of the Colorado Desparrois' could handle!
No comments:
Post a Comment