Good morning and welcome to Saturday Morning Garden Blogging!
Shrimp Plant ▪ Justicia brandegeana
As life settles back into a more normal post-holiday routine but before the garden season kicks into full gear I thought this would be an opportune time to do the on-line equivalent of pulling out the old slide projector and inviting everyone to have a seat and be prepared to Oooh!! and Aaah!! over a select few of the hundreds of pictures I took when I made a day trip with my sister and BIL to San Antonio during the holidays. So pour yourselves another cup of coffee and grab the last cheese croissant and sit back and enjoy the show!
Is everyone comfy?
When most people think of San Antonio they usually focus on the Alamo and the River Walk, both fascinating and fun places to visit. But lesser known are the other four missions in San Antonio; Mission Espada, Mission San Juan, Mission San José, and Mission Concepción. Initially we had planned on touring the missions the day after Christmas but when we checked the weather forecast we realized it was going to be too cold. Who wants to spend the day sightseeing when it's only 50° outside? That would be insane! So we changed our plans and drove down to San Antonio on Christmas Eve. It was a gorgeous bright and sunny day with temperatures in the upper 60s; picture-perfect weather for a walk in the past.
There is so much amazing history behind the San Antonio missions that it was impossible to read all the pamphlets, placards, signs, and displays during our visit. And if I detailed everything that I learned this diary would be impossibly long for an early Saturday morning. So instead of turning this into a lengthy lesson I'll let the pictures do most of the talking. The tour begins beneath the mess of orange croissant crumbs below.
I saw you brush those crumbs onto the floor. Really, you couldn't use a napkin?
Mission Espada
Our first stop of the day was Mission Espada which was established in 1731. All the missions were built along the San Antonio river and Mission Espada was the most remote. The missionaries built an extensive system of dams, ditches, and aqueducts to divert the river for their fields and livestock as well as for bathing, washing, and to power their mills. The river was essential to the success of the missions.
Although the missions are part of the National Park Service the churches are still functioning and hold regular services for local parishioners.
Ooops! Damned slide is upside down. How does that always happen?
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Mission San Juan
Mission San Juan was the second stop on our mission tour. It was also established in 1731 when the missions were relocated along the San Antonio river from east Texas. It quickly became a regional supplier of produce from the bountiful orchards and gardens that grew in the fertile irrigated soils outside its walls. By 1762 the mission also had 3500 sheep and almost as many cattle. But in 1778 all unbranded cattle became the property of the Spanish Crown and subject to taxation so the size of the herds was greatly reduced; branding livestock was too difficult and often ineffective in the harsh and rugged brush country surrounding San Antonio.
Mission San Juan is currently under extensive restoration so we were unable to venture inside the sanctuary. The church was built on the site of a former granary.
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Mission Concepción
By the time we made our way up the mission trail to Mission Concepción we were as tired as you are now but that didn't stop us from exploring this beautiful church. Most of the walls and other mission structures are long gone as well as the colorful geometric designs that once covered the façade. What set this church apart was the spectacular painting behind the altar.
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The Alamo was closed so we weren't able to tour it or the grounds. It was just as well because the plaza was still bustling with tourists. After a full day marveling at the missions we headed down to the River Walk for a tasty TexMex dinner at a table right on the water. Later that evening we took a boat ride and enjoyed the spectacular Christmas lights along the River Walk before finally heading back to Austin. It was a wonderful Christmas Eve spent with my sister that I'll cherish forever.
If you're ever in San Antonio for business or pleasure it is well worth the time to take a day and visit the lesser known missions. They are a sight to behold and way less crowded and commercial than the Alamo. For more information about these amazing edifices of the past, their purpose and the lasting impact they had on the society and culture of the area, and the daily lives of the diverse and industrious inhabitants visit:
National Park Service : San Antonio Missions