This is the last post in the Deep in the Heart of Texas series, and today we're focusing on the sightseeing we did in San Antonio. Come and travel along with us!
We knew we really wanted to see The Alamo--accomplished the first morning before the conference started that afternoon. The tour guide asked gentlemen to remove their hats and requested silence as we entered to honor the men who gave their lives here. 
Being a retired homeschooling mom, I should have prepared and researched the story behind The Alamo before we arrived. To be honest, I really didn't know the significance of what we were seeing. Thankfully, a very informative IMAX production called Alamo--The Price of Freedom helped us learn more about the men who fought for Texas on this very spot:
Here we are on the well-landscaped grounds of The Alamo after the tour:
And here we are in one of many photos we took before leaving the grounds: 
Whenever I've seen pictures in books or photos of the Vision Forum staff in front of The Alamo, it seems that the actual site is all alone with nothing else around--just like above. Actually, I found out quite differently.
Below is a photo Sarah took when we were high up inside The Tower of the Americas where we were able to see a 360-degree view of the city. The red arrow shows where The Alamo is located along a busy city street amongst all the high rise buildings in San Antonio. I never would have pictured it this way!
Moving on...another of my favorite places we visited was the San Antonio River Walk. There are five miles of walking beside shops, restaurants, hotels, and boats that carry tourists along the river--everything was so very colorful and interesting! 
And here we are riding one of the tourist boats. It was a good way to see the majority of the River Walk in the evening when the heat wasn't as bad:
We also enjoyed Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch--African Safari Texas style--where lots of the animals came right up to our car windows. We had never been to a park like this: 
Later we drove out to Mission San Jose. I stayed in the air-conditioned gift shop and waited while the others took the tour:
And, yes, we took time out to geo-cache at a couple of different places in Texas: 
Well, it's time to head home! Good-bye Texas ~ Hello Virginia!
It's always fun to see other parts of the country, but oh, how good it is to arrive back in our home state! We hope you've enjoyed reading as we documented Deep in the Heart of Texas. Thanks for sticking with us!
Did you enjoy this series?
(And for those who have asked about Mexican Haystacks, I've updated that particular post to include a photo and instructions. Check Deep in the Heart of Texas ~ Friendly Hospitality.)
~Deb
What a great series Deb! Thanks for all that you shared --- it was interesting and fun.
BTW, in the last photo, the cars are driving on the wrong side of the road! ;)
Posted by: Rose | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 04:11 AM
Hello Girotti Family,
I was so happy to see your post come across my blog reader. I have actually only been blogging since yesterday. I was able to post a brief summary of my sickness. We are so thankful it has finally passed and able to enjoy the rest of the pregnancy. Your trip looks delightful, Texas is always full of great things to see and eat :)
Blessings
Angelina
Posted by: RubyJeans | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Thanks for sharing all these wonderful posts on your trip to Texas. I would not have imagined the Alamo sitting in the midst of a big city either. The boat ride looked like great fun.
Victoria
Posted by: victoria | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 01:45 PM
So much to see! I was surprised to see that the Alamo is downtown! All the trees around it make it look like it's out in the sticks.
Posted by: Carrie | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 04:58 PM
We got to see the Alamo last Nov. while making our way to NM. Very neat! We also LOVED the riverwalk there in San Antonio.
Posted by: courtney | Friday, August 10, 2012 at 10:25 PM