First weekend in San Antonio – we survived!

Our first weekend in San Antonio is behind us now, it was a good weekend and we survived!  The office is located at the entrance and the staff is very friendly and accommodating. The building includes a community room, a den area, a gift shop and, out back, a swimming pool and hot tub.

Friday – January 6, 2023

Mag prepared green smoothies for each of us, we ate breakfast and headed off to the Ford dealer to have them check the left front tire, perform The Works (Rotate the tires, Break Inspection, Vehicle Checkup, Fluid Top-Off, Battery Test, Filter Check, Check Belts and Hoses).  When I called the Ford Dealership, I used a link for Service from their website.  Everyone was helpful and pleasant and I set up the appointment with Jackie.

We drove toward downtown to an inner beltway and drove north a bit to reach the dealership.  I wasn’t sure exactly where I should go so, since we were a little early, I parked the truck and went to track down Jackie (Jacquelyn).  As I walked toward the main building, a group of management folks were heading in the opposite direction and one of them approached me and asked, “Can I help you?”  I mentioned that I was looking for Jackie in Service and he turned to an underling and asked, “Do you know a Jackie?”  With a shrug, he offers to walk me over to the service department and help me.  Oops, no Jackie here.  They have another building with a sign that says, “Quick Works,” so we head over in that direction but no Jackie there either, humm?

I pulled a note out of my pocket that had all the details written on it and show Greg/Craig; not sure which.  He then says “Oh, maybe you called one of our other locations, we have eight locations.”  I asked where the other eight were located in Texas at he responded with, “We have eight locations in San Antonio.”  In any event, Jackie is at the next location up the road about 10 miles.  I jump back in the truck and we’re there 3 minutes before our appointment at 10.   We thought we might venture out while the truck is being serviced but instead, we just hung around in the lobby.  During our wait, I received a text with a link to a video of a technician reviewing the condition of the tire and truck.  As he shows the bolt in the tire, he mentions it is too close to the sidewall to repair so the tire will need to be replaced.  That’s fine with us considering we’re hauling around the trailer, the last thing we need is a flat or blowout on the interstate.  Our experience at Red McCombs Ford was very good, as well as at, McCombs Ford West, our original stop.  The truck had gotten very dusty and was badly in need of a car wash.  I inquired with Jackie about a Car Wash nearby and she offered to take care of that.  A few minutes later Jackie reappears with truck all sparkling clean.

It’s about lunchtime so Mag found a little Vegan/Vegetarian spot called Miss Chickpea Cafetal.  We had a delightful lunch and agreed we’d have to hit this one again.  We also headed over to Sprouts, in the adjacent plaza for groceries.  Kale is always in demand with our diet, a two pound bag gets us about two days.  Cabbage is also in demand so we grab that and a few other items to resupply.

Back at the campground, we had spaghetti and tossed salad out on our newly adorned patio; we finally got around to setting it up.

Saturday – January 7, 2023

Made a few minor repairs to the RV.  Two wastebaskets are mounted in a pull-out drawer/cabinet and yesterday I pushed down the trash to make more room in the wastebasket.  I didn’t think I pushed very hard but the wooden brace inside came loose which made opening and closing the drawer difficult.  I ran a screw into the bracket.  I also worked on hanging to toilet paper holder but my plan didn’t work out.  It’s a simple thing to do but the wood where we’ve decided to mount it is only 1/4″ thick so I’m working on a plan to mount it on a piece of wood and affix the wood to a cabinet door with “Command” strips.  The piece of wood I planned to used isn’t going to work, I am still searching.

We decide to attend 5:00 o’clock Mass today at St. Anthony Mary Claret and dine on some frozen eggplant parmesan we packed before our departure with a tossed salad when we return from church.  St. Anthony’s is a large church and appears somewhat modern.  The backdrop of the altar includes many windows that run nearly from the ceiling to floor with the view facing east.  I imagine the view during morning mass is spectacular as the church sits atop a hill over looking the valley.  I didn’t let the congregation know where we were from this time but they all seem quite friendly.  It also appears to be a very active parish.  After Mass the priest made it a point to greet many of the young children with a handshake, a pat, and a smile.

Sunday – January 8, 2023

We’re heading downtown today to check out The River Walk.  Parking looks like it could be a challenge for the pickup, many of the garages have height restrictions of 6-7′, so we decide to take an Uber.  Before we head out, we eat Chickpea Salad sandwiches we prepared then meet the Uber about 1:00.  The drivers name is Marshall and we let him know where we’re from, what we’re planning and our concerns about parking the pickup downtown.  He lives downtown and offers to show us some spots to park the truck, if we plan another trip.  A couple of miles down Military Rd. Marshall stops for a stop sign.  While he is waiting for our turn to pull away at the 4-way stop, BAM!, a car rear ends us.  Can you believe it?  No kidding.  The impact was a good jolt but not enough that anyone was injured.  Marshall is incredulous and murmurs, “it’s not even my car.”  We felt so bad for Marshall, he was so nice and helpful.  The occupants in the car behind us include the driver, young male in his mid to early twenties, his girlfriend and a baby; no one injured there, best we know.  Marshall shared that when he initially approached the driver, he was very apologetic and mentioned he was looking at his phone.  He and his girlfriend a little later came up to the passenger side and inquired on our condition, again they were very apologetic and mentioned he had dropped his food; oops!

Anyway, Uber was very good about it all and a new driver was requested and zoomed us to downtown.  We easily locate the River Walk and after a short stroll, Mag mentions, “I’m starving,” a common refrain.  We decide on an upscale TexMex Restaurant and dine on Fried Avacado and Portbello French Fries, Mag ordered a vegtable Fajita and I decide on Mexican Meatloaf.  In hindsight, I wish I hadn’t ordered that item.  Not that it was bad, it’s just been awhile since I’ve eaten meat of an substantial portion and probably could have eased into it in better fashion.

We walk about a bit and made our way over to the Alamo.  It was an interesting place and appreciated all the history.  I made a to note to study up on the Alamo.  Mag checks out a few shops and it’s getting near closing time.  We catch an Uber about 6 and head back then, after a little TV, we settle in for the night.  If nothing else, this journey has been very interesting.

River Walk and Alamo Gallery

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