Adventures in the Alamo City

Kelvin is attending the AAFP-sponsored FMX conference in San Antonio (trying to recruit some more family physicians to our underserved rural area during conference exhibition hours) and so Iver and I took a few days to come along (flying out of McKinleyville for our first time!) and visit Texas* for the first time. 

San Antonio (which, far from Houston, was not flooded), is known as the "Alamo City," named for the famous Alamo, which started as a religious Mission and then became the site of a major battle between Texans and the Mexican Army in 1836 (which Texas actually lost), prior to Texas' gaining its independence later in the year.

The plaza, church, and grounds are nice places to stroll.

Spanish Cannon

These acorns (as well as cat- and squirrel-watching) were the biggest hit of the whole place!

San Antonio also has a lovely Riverwalk, miles of river snaking through the downtown, alongside which you can jog, walk, dine, or on which you can cruise

Brackenridge Park had lovely Japanese Gardens.

 

 Koi pond fascination

Lick icecream near the Pearl Brewery was a hit on a hot (95-degree) day!

 Iver loved cooling off in parks like this, Yanaguana Gardens Splash Pad. 

Our hotel also had a rooftop pool that he enjoyed.

While Kelvin was conferencing, Iver and I saw some city sights, like the Buckhorn Museum (basically, a bunch of stuffed busts and animals-- not good for PETA advocates), which is housed in the oldest saloon in Texas (1881).

Bexar County Courthouse

Bull on the sidewalk

Tower of the Americas

 

The elevator was a hit!

Observation deck views

   Drinks at  the Skybar

SAN ANTONIO!

We enjoyed some good food!--

Two Bros' Barbeque

Yummy chips, salsa, and tacos at Margarita's in Market Square (the largest Mexican market outside of Mexico).

Pollos Asados Los Norteños (authentic Mexican roasted chicken)-- mmm!

(not meant to be sexist?)

We took a morning trip and toured Natural Bridge Caverns, discovered in 1960 by some college students.

 

 We went through various "halls," and saw some spectacular formations, as well as bat guano.

Drinking cavern water

It's been a nice (and summer-feeling!) break to have a few days away from the office! It's interesting being a tourist in your own country! Additionally, with hope, Kelvin has convinced some people to come join us practicing medicine in NorCal.

Gas station typo (we think)

*After this trip (with the exception of stopping for gas or a meal on a cross-country trip, which I'm not sure counts [think I hit Indiana and Nebraska (and possibly Kansas) this way], the only states I've not visited are:

- New Mexico
- Idaho
- Oklahoma
- Nebraska (?)
- Kansas (?)
- Arkansas
- Mississippi
- Alabama
- Kentucky
- Indiana (?)
- Michigan
- Vermont
- Maine

Fall Sports BBQ!

Even though neither of us played company softball this year, we were invited to Sara's "Slammers" end-of-season barbecue on Saturday (which also usually coincides with the start of NFL football season).

Iver had fun with Sara's ducky collection, as well as the trampoline (not something that risk-averse docs generally want their kids to play on!). Thanks to Lori and her daughter, Faith, for the great photos!

 

Peeping at the neighbors'.

Lori, Faith, and Sara 

 

 

Instagrammin'

 

Playing touch football

 

 

The touchdown dance! 

Thanks for the great food and hosting, Sara! Here's to "fall" (it's thankfully back to 65 degrees here!).

All-American U.S. Open

I am a huge tennis nerd! I spend many hours watching live (and DVR'd) tennis during the major international tennis tournaments (and others).

This year, for the first time since 1981, FOUR American women (none of them the dominant Serena Williams, who just had her first baby last week!) will be competing in the semifinals of New York's U.S. Open (our home slam!) and an American will take home the trophy.

Venus (Williams).



Sloane (Stephens).



CoCo (Vandeweghe).



Madison (Keys).
 

Who will the winner be? At least I'll be happy with the outcome.

My favorite male player, Roger Federer, the greatest of all time, is out of the tournament, losing last night. Other than hoping Nadal loses, I don't particularly mind who wins of the men.