A tasty little brewery on South Padre Island

As we proved two years back in Kona and four years ago in Estes Park, we four definitely like to test the local brewery during my dear wife Karen’s family reunion. In fact, we walked down the block to the South Padre Island Brewing Company our first night in. The place was way smaller than…

Now that is a big surprise

In the last weeks leading up to my dear wife Karen’s every-other-year family reunion, niece Stormy kept teasing us all on the group Facebook page about a big surprise. When we all pulled into the tri-plex on a Monday, her mom Lynne said Stormy and Brad would arrive by car a few hours later for…

Everybody needs to pick a good place for lunch

With at least four hours of flat and open road in front of the adventurous four between our first stop of San Antonio and the Family Reunion proper on South Padre Island, my dear wife Karen and terrific daughter Elisabeth took a deep dive into their devices. A diversion to Corpus Christi would add just…

San Antonio sparkles by day

San Antonio shares many tastes. You never know what you’ll see when you round a corner. Hover over a gallery photo for a description. Click on an image for an enlarged slide show. There were many people using the scooters or segues prevalent curbside. The police officers were seen telling takers to keep them in…

The River Walk by water really rocks

There are more than one spot to catch a boat to loop around the San Antonio River, we discovered as we rode in the craft we’d chosen on an already steamy Sunday morning. Destination, edification. Our trip leader Dave was ready to fill us in about the many sights we’d pass. Please do enjoy as…

We didn’t forget to visit the Alamo

History stands out in the middle of San Antonio. My dear wife Karen, terrific daughter Elisabeth, her sensational significant George Three and I were walking on the square that carries its name, and there it was. You can find many pieces of history outside and in. On a hot Sunday afternoon, we took it in.…

The River Walk boats catch the eye

Our San Antonio nightfall walk took us over a bridge that crossed the River Walk. I’m glad I looked down. Here came a boat full of people enjoying their Saturday evening. I was mesmerized. A guide was filling them in on what they were seeing, I figured. We thought we’d like to take that ride…

San Antonio shines in the Golden Hour

We may have pulled into San Antonio late thanks to airline delays in Chicago, but our fearless foursome was ready to roam the area outside our centrally located Home 2 Suites by Hilton. The blocks leading to a main River Walk entrance were filled with interesting angles. The others wandered ahead while I snapped our…

It’s a Texas feel to this downtown hotel

The outside of our Home 2 Suites by Hilton surely had an urban feel. Step inside the lobby, however, and you’ll know you’re in San Antonio. There were more of her friends on a gigantic mural leading to the elevators. Our rooms both had a street view. However, a trip to the free breakfast dining…

We start our vacation off with some forced airport meandering

This edition of my dear wife Karen’s family reunion took our fearless foursome the rest of the tribe calls “Syracuse” from our Hancock Airport International Airport through Chicago O’Hare to San Antonio. Our quartet planned the first two days in that Texas city before meeting up with the contingents from Alaska, California, Oregon and Arkansas…