Momma Linda: Wednesday 17th of October, 2018

Tandy was the hostess with the mostest again today. This day, Braeden chose to be off from school and he chose the spot for lunch, so we went to Kneaders. Yum. I only ate half my sandwich. After Ella was off of school, we all left Mike behind and Tandy, Pam, Ella, Braeden and me headed to downtown again. We walked around "The Pearl" area. It's a former brewery area, but now is another part of the "River Walk" and this area isn't so saturated with restaurants and such. There is more of walking and greenery and some fun sculptural things for entertainment. I thought "The Pearl" big can of beer up on the roof looked like a big can of olives. ha.

We stop to get some ice cream there at "Lick" and then walked along the river. Then we headed to the "Tower of the Americas" and rode to the top. It's big, the view was wonderful, but inside that observation deck it was HOT. Outside on the observation deck was cold. Then we came back for dinner. Tandy made us some lovely pasta. Damian was at work today, but home by 8 pm or so. And Lexi was home close to 9. Long days for those kids.

Mike and I headed to bed early since we had to head on a mini-road trip the following day. But here are a few photos of our adventures.

Walking along the river, and below is Braeden with his ice cream

There is part of the river walk that looked a bit like a fish hatchery. And there was an ampitheater area, too, with a stage.

Some of the bridges had some lovely steel sculptures, representing the movement of water.

This was a bus stop--Made from cypress tree and root.

Tandy is on the right, Ella on the left.

We had to walk down stairs through gaping jaws of this monster.

The waterfalls , the caves, the sculptures. It was entertaining.

See the face back in the cave, spewing out water?

The Alamo Dome is where Alexa will be doing her competition for band stuff later this year. It is right next to the Tower of the Americas.

Tandy was having a bit of a trial, getting us into the photo along with the tower (below)

Braeden and Tandy sitting at a table in the observation deck.

I am still working on those selfies. And the hair.

The oak trees had funny ROUND looking growths that were like spanish moss, but didn't hang down in strands. They were just balls.

Heading off to the tower to ride the elevator to the top. It's about 800 feet tall.

We were just admiring the fountains around the base of the tower. And the HUGE balls of foamy slime stuff of gunk. Pam grew up being told it was "Indian Soap."

Moss balls.

I think this is a cormorant sitting on a rock in the river close to a foot bridge.

They have sculpted arch (on top), caves below--complete with stalactites, and other decorations.

Oh. Well, I almost got the whole tower in the shot! It is tall.

Along the river walk, water cascades in the background.

Nice fall scene outside of the Tower of the Americas.

At the Pearl shopping (former brewery ) area, there is a street called "Emma Koehler". Otto Koehler was one of the founders of the brewery.

Along the river walk with the caves and sculptures, waterfalls, etc.

This is really a lamp. So now you can say you've seen me with a lampshade on my head. This was at our dinner at Lupe Tortilla's on Tuesday the 17th.

On Wednesday, when we went to the top of the Tower of the Americas, we found ZOLTAR!!! This was the fellow famous in the Tom Hanks movie, "Big." Loved that show.

Overlooking the city. Me, Braeden and Ella.

Me, trying to capture the tower in a photo. I think I did. It seemed to not have a wide enough foundation. It's not quite as tall as the Stratosphere, or maybe this one is slightly bigger than it, but the Stratosphere appears to have a wide and sturdy foundation due to the buildings built around the bottom of it and it kind of flares out at the bottom. This tower is just straight up and down, like a stick stuck into the ground with a big round building on top. It just seems top-heavy.