Family on a mission

That's right, following the week of Easter, we have been touring the Missions of San Antonio, which are pretty amazing. First off, if I had it to do again, from the very beginning, we would have brought our bikes straight away and started at one end, and then rode to the other or something, but as it was, we went first to Mission San Jose, which is actually the one in the middle.  The reason I say this, is that there is an amazing system of bike rentals here in San Antonio, called B-cycle. Basically, you can rent a bike from their stand, and return it within 30 minutes and it costs you only $10 for a 24 hour period. If you fail to return it within the 30 minutes, they charge $2/per 30 minutes. In any case, a great way to see the Missions of San Antonio.

Riding the trails

Mission San Jose

Fresco at the Mission San Jose

A pretty cool looking gate, pretty sure not original

Restored entrance to the chapel at Mission San Jose

Inside of the chapel was beautiful

One of the side corridors at Mission San Jose

The Missions are located within 15-20 minutes of one another, even at our speed (letting 4 year old B set the pace). So we rented a bike for me at 2:00 p.m. and rode through the afternoon, starting at Mission Espada and riding to Mission San Juan de Capistrano and back on Monday afternoon. Tuesday morning, we headed back to Mission San Jose and rented another bike on the same 24 hour $10 fee, and rode to Mission Concepcion and back, which was the longest ride. We had already been to the Alamo, so we did not ride in, largely because I was a little afraid of the kids riding in the city, more so than the distance, although they are very astute riders, following the rules of the road and using bike lanes responsibly.

Mission Espada

Mission Espada

Mission San Juan

Mission San Juan's church

Rustic beauty of Mission San Juan

The kids stumped the docent asking about the origin of this cross and the surrounding cacti

Mission Concepcion

Mission Concepcion had an amazing Easter display on the altar

Each surrounding alcove was more amazing than the last

This fresco on the ceiling led to a discussion of the history of ladders

Token cute turtles we saw while riding along the River Walk

The missions here are amazing and they make me wish we had more time to spend here, and regret that we "wasted" so much of last week, but honestly, I think we needed the relief of a day relaxing at Sea World, SA. Yeah, I said it - Sea World with my kids was relaxing. Mostly. For some reason, Good Friday was a long day of being open, but there was no one in the park. I mean, no longer than a 15 minute wait for a ride and no crowding at the shows, no one. It was truly amazing to be able to just relax and enjoy all of the rides with the kids and see the shows that I normally eschew because I hate sitting crowded in with strangers. It was an overcast day, but warm enough to enjoy the water rides, and we had a wonderful time. We did come home for supper because we had a hard time finding a meal that was meat-free for the final Friday of Lent, but we were gone from the park for less than 90 minutes and were there right after opening until the park closed and it was about a perfect day.

Token Shamu show shots

In all of his Sea World glory

And the other Shamu - in bad lighting

Riding the Carousel late in the evening

Glad they still love Abby Cadaby

Posers

This type of ride used to be C's fave for the longest time

Leaving after having gotten our money's worth

I couldn't find a good place to add this, but if you are a Catholic and visit San Antonio, I have two suggestions - Saint Mary's Church downtown is truly lovely, and I would also love to go to a noon Mass at the Mission Concepcion, because they have a Mariachi performing the music and I can think of nothing I'd like to see more... Next trip, perhaps!