Texas Tropical Trail

[lr25plt]

Texas Tropical Trail---Change in topography at last, west of Rio Grande City---Hills, cactus, trees, some fully dressed, others whose leaves have yet to arrive. Oil wells and cattle sharing the rangeland. A pleasure to behold.
As Willie and Waylon once sang—“As I walked out on the streets of Laredo”
I discovered……
A Jamboozie festival, a Mardi Gras style street fair named for its’ interesting purple Tequila drink…
Narrow streets, lots of dented cars and the drivers who navigate with their fenders……
Spanish Mission architecture….
San Augustin Church, built and in constant use since 1755…
Population, 94% Mexican 6% other..
Good food, friendly people…
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico provides good food, good buys, especially in leather goods, interesting blend of shady characters and well intentioned folks.
Onward to San Antonio---
Secondary roads from Laredo to San Antonio….miniscule towns located 40 to 50 miles apart, with meager living conditions for their inhabitants. They are separated by thousands of acres of rangeland, sparse sections of timber, good only for firewood. As before, the land is shared between cattle and oil wells, but mostly appears devoid of life.----A hundred miles up the road the timber is healthier and more abundant, ranches look more prosperous, homes bigger, well maintained with strong looking horses grazing in their corrals. And so back to city life.
2/27/02—San Antonio
A lively city where people not only work but live and play. A well balanced blend of cultures and neighborhoods, both old and new standing comfortably together. Somewhat reminiscent of NYC but on a much smaller scale. Enjoyed walking the streets. The Riverwalk shouldn’t be missed with its’ brick walks, sidewalk cafes, interesting architecture and landscaping. A nice respite in the midst of a busy city. They missed the boat with the Alamo. The exhibits are out of context, with a lack of continuity. And the Shrine loses its’ solemnity being surrounded by a Gatlinburg type environment.
Next stop, Austin where I raided the state archives and was successful in adding several more branches to the Family Tree. Also learned the birthplaces, (at least the states) of Great, Great Grandparents on my fathers’ side.