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downtown Houston around 9:45pm. We found a hotel near the cultural and nightlife area downtown, the
Magnolia.
Saturday, April 17: We went out for lunch to a Benihana’s. The food was very good – typical Benihana food.
We ran an errand then returned to the hotel to relax the rest of the day. We watched Kill Bill I, a Quentin
Tarentino film staring Uma Thurman.
Sunday, April 18: We had a buffet lunch at a Spanish restaurant, near Rice U. After lunch, Roxana and I went
to the Menil Collection, a privately funded museum, which is free to the public. There was an exhibit of Arshile
Gorky’s works, which was fairly extensive. Most of the pieces were working drawings. There were only a few
finished pieces that I felt were of high quality. Never-the-less, he is obviously a gifted artist. There was also a
surrealist exhibit of tribal arts. A little odd, but provocative and interesting do to its juxtaposition of sculpture from
all over the world from many different countries and time periods.
From the Menil Collection, we drove to the decommissioned Battleship Texas at the San Jacinto State Historic
Park. This is the “Last surviving battleship patterned after HMS Dreadnought. This ship fought extensively in
WWI and WWII. Roxana and I boarded the ship and looked around. We looked below deck at the crews’
quarters, kitchens, medical offices, engine room, etc. Afterwards, we drove by the memorial, an obelisk,
dedicated to the Texas War of Independence from Mexico at the San Jacinto State Historic Park and
battleground.
From the park, we drove back through the city to our hotel. We changed for dinner and headed out to Ruggles
Grill. The atmosphere and food were both very good.
Monday, April 19: I drove Roxana to the airport. We had lunch together then said our good byes.
On my way into San Antonio, I heard on news radio that a river boat parade was going on this evening on the
riverfront in downtown as part of “Fiesta San Antonio.” Once in town, I got a room at the Red Roof Inn. Once I
cleaned up, I walked over to the River walk. The boat parade was very nice. I got some good photos. But,
while checking how much memory I had left, I inadvertently deleted my photos on my memory card. Everything
from Miami to San Antonio was lost – bummer (will try to retrieve). From the parade, I went to the Hard Rock
Café for dinner. I sat at the bar and was watching the Lakers playing the Rockets in a play-off game, when in
walked Robert Horry and sat down right next to me. Robert is with the San Antonio Spurs, another team in the
play-offs and used to play with the Lakers when they were winning championships. We spoke a little. I
mentioned how I thought that Yao Ming was the only person in the NBA who could somewhat effectively guard
Shack. He said that Vlady Divack did a pretty good job. A young woman joined him and his attention shifted to
her, obviously.
Tuesday, April 20: R&R
Wednesday, April 21: Lunch at Denny’s. Dropped my car for some minor repairs. Drove rental car to Market
Square for San Antonio’s “Fiesta Days.” Normally, Market Square is an area where you can shop for primarily
Mexican made goods from small shop owners in large warehouse type buildings. During “Fiesta Days,” Market
Square is open. But, in addition, you can enjoy carnival games and rides, outdoor food vendors and outdoor live
music from three different stages. It was a festive atmosphere. I ate some traditional Mexican food, which I
bought from a women who spoke no English … funny, seeing that she was in the U.S. From there, I drove back
to my hotel. I stayed in and watched NBA play-off games this evening.
Thursday, April 22: Packed, checked-out, then walked to Denny’s for lunch. From there, I walked into
downtown along Commerce Street, the main road in the city center. I went down to the River Walk, were I
walked along the scenic river to La Villita – a small Mexican style village with many small boutique and handy-
craft shops. I walked a little further along the river until I had to surface to walk over to the Spanish Governor’s
Palace. “Originally built in 1722 to protect the mission (Alamo) and its surrounding colony, … became the seat of
Texas government and capital building of Tejas in 1722 for the Spanish Province of Tejas.” The building is done
in a white stucco and has a lovely courtyard in the back. My next stop was the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum.
This place has a feel of the Wild West with its oversized wood bar and many stuffed animals and antlers attached
to the walls. The highlight for me of San Antonio was The Alamo. What was once the Church is now the Shrine
dedicated to those who perished in this battle for Texas independence in 1836. What was the Long Barrack is
now the Long Barrack Museum, which has a video about this famous battle and many artifacts of the period from
both the Mexican and Texas armies. My overall impression was one of awe and the admiration for these men
who were willing to die for their beliefs. On my way out of The Alamo, I noticed a Marine Corps Band getting
ready to play at the Alamo Plaza, immediately in front of the Shrine. I stayed for a couple of songs, then checked
out the military gear on display: Humvies, guns, packs, sky diving equipment, and communications gear. It was
time for me to pick up my car and drive to Austin to see my friend Tom Finnegan, his wife, Ashley, and their two
infant sons.
Finnegan, his wife, Ashley, and their two infant sons. Upon my arrival I met Tom’s two sons and caught up a little
with Tom. The five of us went to dinner at a very nice restaurant on a large, pretty lake. It was nice chatting with
Tom and Ashley and getting to know their kids. After dinner, we went back to their home, talked and watched
some TV together.
Friday, April 23: Ashley recommended some places for me to see in Austin. I drove a loop around the west
side of town, through the hill country and over a landmark bridge which crosses the Colorado River on the Mopae
Expressway in Austin. From there, drove through the largest University’s, U. of Texas's, (over 50,000
undergraduates) campus and along Guadalupe Road to check out the local shops – very health conscious, eclectic
and funky. I drove along Riverside Drive, through Zilner Park, where I got out and walked along a dirt path next
to the river. It was very nice here, even on this overcast day. I did a little shopping, then went for a late lunch at
Guero’s Taco Bar, a Mexican Restaurant which Ashley recommended. The food and atmosphere were both very
good. Then I went to the State Capital, were I took a free half hour tour. The building is very impressive. The
dome is taller than the Capital Dome in DC. The exterior is made of reddish granite, which was given as a
donation. The original structure didn’t cost Texas a dime, because the Chicago bank that financed the construction
was paid with three million acres of Texas land in the Texas panhandle. Today, this huge piece of land makes up
four Texas counties. The Senate and the House Assembly Hall were renovated to look exactly as they did when
the building was first built over 100 years ago – really incredible. The interior walls are all limestone with plaster
and paint on top. The rotunda looking up to the inside of the dome is pretty awesome as well. Outside there is a
memorial to all the Texas men who died in the Civil War. On it is written something to the effect of we fought this
war because our Constitutional Rights as a State were infringed upon. Texas as is most of the rest of the South is
still fighting the Civil War … really kind of sad. They just can’t let it go. I headed back to the Finnegan’s. Hung
out with Tom and the boys, while Ashley made dinner. We had home made salad, lasagna, and biscuits – there
goes my carb quota (ha). Everything was very good. Later, Tom and I headed out to catch some live music.
Austin is known for its live music scene. Supposedly, Austin has more live music venues then anyplace in the
country and I believe it after walking around a bit. Tom and I ended up at an outdoor spot listening to 70’s
covers. The band was just ok, but the atmosphere and the conversation made up for it.
Saturday, April 24: I hung out with the Finnegan clan in the morning. Then Tom and I went to Travis(?) Lake
for lunch at the Oasis Restaurant. The view is very beautiful even on this overcast day. This restaurant is huge. It
looked like it could seat over two hundred. Once back at Tom’s place, I said my good byes to Ashley, Tom and
their two sweet boys. Back on the road – heading to Dallas. I had to pull over after an hour or so and take a
nap. The rest of the way it rained intermittently. I got a room at the Westin, a very nice hotel in downtown
Dallas. I got a great deal with my government discount and a free upgrade to a Jr. Suite, because it was my first
time staying. I think the girl at the desk was flirting with me. The room was huge and the shower had two shower
heads – awesome. I headed out to the Deep Ellum District, where the nightlife is concentrated in Dallas. I had
dinner at Monica Aca Y Alla, where they had a jazz/R&B and Latin band playing. The food and entertainment
were both pretty good.
Sunday, April 25: Day of R&R
Monday, April 26: I drove to the West End Historic District for lunch and sightseeing. I had lunch on Market
Street at a restaurant specializing in barbecue. The food was good … just what I needed being in Texas and all.
After lunch, I walked by some of the historic sites, like: the book depository – where Lee Harvey Oswald
allegedly shot JFK, the grassy knoll – where some believe other gunmen shot at Kennedy from behind a fence, the
exact spot where JFK was shot in Dealy Plaza along Commerce Street, the JFK Memorial – pre-cast concrete
panels floating on columns forming an open square for contemplation, the John Neely Bryan cabin – replica of the
first home in Dallas, etc. I stopped by a couple Museums, but they are closed on Mondays.
Tuesday, April 27: I had lunch in the small mall abutting my hotel. Then I walked to the Nasher Sculpture
Center. Inside they had a Picasso exhibit of his cubist paintings and some of his sculptures. The outdoor sculpture
garden is an artistic oasis in the middle of the city. There are works by such notable sculptures as: Joan Miro,
Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, Auguste Rodin, Jean Dubuffet, Roy Lichtenstein, and Henry Moore, amongst
others. I walked back to my hotel, sent a couple of e-mails, then headed to the hotel’s gym for a little, much
needed work-out. This evening I went back to Monica Aca Y Alla in Deep Ellum for dinner. The pumpkin ravioli
appetizer was excellent. It was a little quiet there this evening, but relaxing and calm.
Wednesday, April 28: This morning I drove out to Dallas’s best Mall, Parkland (?). I had lunch there and
walked around. It was nice, but I wasn’t overly impressed (talent level below expectations). The mall did have
small nature pens, one with turtles and ducks and another with a baby goat and rabbits – cute, but depressing. My
“Check Engine” light came on again. I had been in Dallas long enough, so I decided to take a little risk and head
west as I had originally planned this morning. Along the way, I saw fields of oil pumps, fields of cattle, and fields
of crops, as well as endless miles of rolling hills. A scenic, relaxing drive. I arrived into Amarillo just before
sunset. I drove around town before settling in. The downtown area looked pretty run down with historic Rt. 66
running through this section of the city. It has a distinct west Texas feel here. I stayed at a La Quinta, which for
the price is a very good deal – clean, well kept rooms.
Thursday, April 29: I drove from Amarillo, Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico today.