Thursday in San Antonio

 Another day of arising VERY early, as we had a 6:30 a.m. flight out of Denver to San Antonio. Katie drove the three of us to the airport. It's about 40 min away from their home, so she just dressed and prepped for work and would be there at her work 30 minutes early and planned to nap in her car for that long before her very busy day started. She also had Physical Therapy for her knee after work AND parent teacher conferences with twins after school. 

Our flight was okay. The Denver airport did have and event later that morning where an American Airlines plane caught fire near the terminal. Looked like it was at the gate. Kind of scary. But ours was uneventful. We like those. Didn't sit adjacent on the Southwest flight, but close. We all mostly snoozed thru the 1 hour 45 min flight. 

Got our rental car without too much trouble. We fit it it with all our bags. Got to Damian and Tandy's. Ella and Tandy were cleaning in the yard. They have a huge yard, the pool requires a lot of work and cleaning, the cover blew off and was ruined recently. But it looks lovely and inviting! Damian and Alexa are actually not here right now. They are scuba diving in Honduras! 

We were hungry upon arrival, so Tandy fed us a late breakfast/brunch of avocado toast with egg. A first for Hayden( and he liked it!)  And we were tired, so we rested a bit.  Ella had appointments in the afternoon, Tandy went for a long 5 mile walk, so the three amigos got brave a little bit later and tried for the near downtown area by "The Pearl" and tried to find 1) Parking, and 2) The Grotto.  We Succeeded, but only just. The actual carved and interesting area of "The Grotto" on the river walk  was blocked off for construction and repairs. The parking lot started charging at 3 p.m.  and I couldn't figure out how to pay. Then Tandy or Ella called and said we could eat at Lupe's tonight, so that's what we did. Early. And had a game of cards back at Tandy's . Ella had a late evening practice for her Arsenal Soccer team. 8:30 to 10:00 pm, and in a neighborhood not her own-- a 30 min+ drive away. Mike and I actually conked out at 9 pm. I guess Hayden did, too. 

I said Mike was tired:

Mike with Hayden and Ella at Lupe Tortilla. It's one of Ella's favorites. Both kids had enchilada. Tandy and I shared fajitas. Mike had tacos, but had a hiatal hernia episode that kind of interrupted his enjoyment of the meal. And his taco meat wasn't near the perfect yummy quality of the steak in our fajitas. So much food. Again. 

This is a bus stop near the Grotto. Lots of artsy stuff through here.

The main carvings and points of interest are across the river, but not accessible this time. They are taped off

But we DID see turtles (on the boat ramp wall by the waterline) big and small, ducks, fish. Water lilies, too!

It was kind of hot, and Mike was tired of walking. We'd been up a long time, so dinner sounded really good after this walk. 

After dinner at Lupe's, ( and it was SO noisy and busy there!) Tandy dropped everyone at home and I went with her to the grocery store. HEB

Ella went to soccer practice, hoping she wouldn't throw up after eating so much. Ha. ( She didn't).