Rebekah's soccer team is playing in a tournament in San Antonio giving us the opportunity to combine a family even with a fun weekend. Love these moments. Once we arrive at Jen's hotel, we are soon off to the games. Bekah is certainly becoming a great soccer player and it is so fun to watch her. 
Mister is getting as many action shots as he can and learning about soccer all at the same time. When we first met, he had only watched soccer on television and once you attend a live game it makes everything different. The things that look oh so easy with the pros actually require a ton of cooperation, timing, and skill in addition to one heck of a lot of running. I love soccer and this takes me back to when my own children were playing. Oh my -- days where I watched 3 games at once standing on corners of fields so that I could see all directions. 
One of the fun parts of visiting new places is obviously trying new restaurants. San Antonio is no exception to this and we locate Papoulis Greek Grill. Yes, this absolutely tasted as good as it looks.
It is time to find the hotel and crash --- tomorrow is a history day. See ya then.
Everyone knows that if you are going to San Antonio, you have to check out the Alamo and we are no exception to that rule. Every time I visit here, I am moved by the story and feel the reverence that lives in this building. We wander the grounds for awhile and listen in on a few of the tour guides as they make their way around the property.
Our history lesson continues at the San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest, continuously operating church in Texas. It is 280 years old and is also the oldest original building church in the state as well. It is a magnificent building and I am astounded by the number of patrons it has. Each weekend, over 5,000 people participate in the masses held here. Truly Amazing.We decide to drive the San Antonio Mission Trail and explore the old missions in the area. After the Alamo, there are four more very close by.
First up: Mission Concepcion. Even though it was dedicated in 1755. it is still a beautiful church and looks very close to how it did back then. It is the oldest unrestored stone church in America. The chapel is beautiful in its simplicity and in various places we can still see the al fresco artwork.
Continuing along the route, we come to Mission San Jose. Founded in 1720 and almost fully restored, it has the nickname "Queen of the Missions" and rightfully so. What an amazing place. It is the largest of the missions and very ornately decorated. While I prefer simplicity, I understand that many love the ornate designs on the older churches. Just look at the work around this window. Oh my. Think of what it must have taken just to accomplish that. It boggles the mind. One of the walls still shows the original painting that was done on the building. When the restoration is complete, it will be back to what it was then. Imagine traveling through this vast area and coming across something this colorful --- some might have thought it was a mirage.
Our fourth mission to explore is Mission San Juan Capistrano, not to be confused with the one in California that the swallows love. This mission has an interesting history in that it was originally founded in 1716 in east Texas and then in 1731 it was moved here. Read that again. It was moved here in 1731. Wow. How on earth did they do that? I am in awe.
Our final stop is at Mission Espada, founded in 1690 and making it the oldest mission in Texas. Now this one exudes simplicty. I love it. It has a very small chapel and the bells still ring to announce meetings. What a delight. I try and try to picture what it must have been like back then -- not just the work, but the sociality and genuine working together for the better of all within the walls.
There are still people living here today and so many of the areas are off limits to view. What a great history to be a part of.
There are a few local microbreweries here and Mister wants to check them out. First up is Blue Star Brewing located in a group of warehouse buildings. Their selection is good and Mister is pleased with the taste as well. Next door is Blue Star Bike Shop, a small cycling shop that we peek into and find amazing old bikes, rentals, and some very expensive racing/road cycles. I think Mister is drooling. After dinner, we call it a day. My mind is reeling from the information poured into it today --- time to let it rest.
This morning we are at the Riverwalk. We ride the tour boats and then walk along the banks until we reach the old Pearl Brewing Co. Oh my -- these building are incredible. Just look at the stable!!! And you thought the Budweiser Clydesdales had it good. This was in 1894. We stop in at The New Pearl for a taste and some lunch before we have to start our drive back to Dallas. What a fun trip this has been.
One last stop on the way home at Freetail Brewing for a quick sampler and we are on the road. I can't wait to return to San Antonio. I love it here -- although it is a very large city -- I know, I know this is coming from a lady who lives in the DFW Metroplex, but that seems small compared to here. See ya later.
