River Walk

One of the things here in San Antonio that I found amazing is how they have developed what was less than a mile long "River Walk" in the down town area to a length of about five miles in length. They even have a dam and locks for the River Tour boats so they can navigate the upper reaches of the river. The last addition opened up for traffic less than a year ago.

I took the usual Tour but it only covered the older section of the River Walk. I went back a couple of weeks later an caught one of the Rio Taxis at the northern most location and rode all the way to the southern end of town and got off at the Tower Of The Americas. You can't miss the tower, because it is over 750 feet tall with a rotating restaurant and observation deck.

A person really has to take the tour in person in order to fully appreciate the beauty of the River Walk, but here are a few of over 300 pictures I have taken of the River Walk and tower. I have two slide shows with music on just the River Walk area.

Fort Sam Houston

Well, I have arrived in San Antonio, Texas. I will be spending the month of April in this town. There are two objectives for my visit. One is to visit Fort Sam Houston for the first time since I was serving in the Army at that post 1959-1961. I was assigned to the 323rd Army Band, which was attached to the Army Medical School that was part of the Brooks Army Medical Center. The other objective is to take in several of the events that will be taking place this month during the annual Fiesta Flambeau week. More on those events when they happen.

I did visit Fort Sam Houston and found where the barracks were that housed the band that I was with. The location is now a parking lot for a library. I found the current 323rd Army Band here on post and visited with them for an hour or so. Below is a pictures of their rehearsal room and equipment along with some of the members.

Part of the band was doing a dress rehearsal for a program they were going to put on so I sat in and listened.

I enjoyed my visit with the band and can now scratch one more thing off on my Bucket List.

One of the other places on the Post that visited was the Post Theatre No. 1. It has been out of use for a while, but just recently has been declared a National Historic Site. The Army is in the process of enlarging it and making it their National Headquarters for Theatrical Productions. They will be keeping the front as it was back in its prime when I attended events there.

Infamous Stringdusters Performance

One evening while at the Rally in Albuquerque, I went into town to this old theater.



My favorite bluegrass band just happened to be in town for a one night performance. (They were in Los Angeles the night before.) There was a good turnout to hear them.







The next and last evening of the rally brought the festivities to a close by us having a Balloon Glow demonstration after the Flying J Wranglers performed to a packed tent that was at the Balloon Festival grounds.

Sandia Peak

While in Albuquerque, NM, I took the tram ride to the top of Sandia Peak.

The tram is the longest passenger tram in the world, 2.7 miles. It takes about 15 breath taking minutes to reach the top station and the views are spectacular. Here are just a few:

Above is a view of downtown Albuquerque some 17 miles from the peak. The views from the top were spectacular no matter which direction you looked!