Trip Report, Part One

The trip from P-Town to San Antonio was uneventful, but long. We got a later start than Buck wanted, but we made good time, arriving at the Menger around 2300 hours Central Time. Buck checked us in, we tipped the porter and gave him the key to the room and went straight to the bar for “a” beer.

Yeah, right.

One beer turned into three at the Menger Bar, which we closed down, being as how it was Sunday and they only stayed open until midnte. Out into the street and around the corner to Pat O’Brien’s, San Antonio division. Three more beers and we closed that place, too. It was a good thing we ran out of time, given the way I felt when I woke up this morning. I don’t think I’d have lived if we had had more time…

Poor Buck had to get up and go flog LOA shirts at the golf tournament, which, typical of military functions, began at oh-dark-thirty this morning. He got a grand total of four hours sleep. I, on the other hand, was finishing up my shower routine when he returned just after 1000. I probably would still have been asleep had not the maid barged in around 0930 and woke me up…

So…the rest of the day was spent exploring parts of the River Walk area and doing some serious people watching. (No alcohol was consumed, for obvious reasons.) To say I’m impressed with the River Walk is an understatement. What surprises me is the fact that there aren’t more venues similar to the River Walk in America. People watching is great sport, and the Europeans, especially the French and the Italians, understand this. Sidewalk cafés are everywhere in Europe, with the possible exception of the northern latitudes. The sidewalk café is virtually non-existent in America, on the other hand. I’ve never understood this…

Buck’s at his official “ice breaker” at the moment, but there’s more partying on tap after the ice breaker is done. Ya gotta love conventions, eh?

No news, no politics. While we were in the bar last evening I happened to see the Norks supposedly conducted their nuclear test. I haven’t followed up on that lil bit of news today, perhaps I will tomorrow. Or, perhaps not.

Today’s Pics: At Pat O’Brien’s last evening (note the “Last Call” message scrawled on the mirror) and a piece of the River Walk, today.