Two weekends in a row in San Antonio has me thinking that it’s a beautiful place, but I never want to drive down two weekends in a row ever again. Both times the drive down was stress overload, with the first round having us thinking that we were going to miss the rehearsal dinner, and the second round filled with rain falling viciously (both on the road and in my car because my drivers side window stopped rolling up completely a few weeks ag0).

Somehow That Husband and I survived our first road trip as a married couple together, despite racing against the clock while continuously slowing to a stop on the freeway on both sides of Austin. A few harsh words were exchanged, but only because of the deep seated desire we felt to get there on time so we wouldn’t miss the barge. The Boudro’s dinner barge!

We made it in the nick of time (literally, we arrived at 7:29 on the dot and the barges were supposed to push off at 7:30), and I felt much more relaxed as soon as this yummy salad was placed in my sight.

We looped around the river twice, and on the second round we were treated to a touristy running commentary provided by our ships “captain”. When she insisted that the dirty water would come up clear when a glass was submerged, we had to test things out.

Yep, definitely clear. Although not definitely delicious.

Recognize this spot? It was featured in the movie “Miss Congeniality”. Actually I think it was the stage on the other side that was featured, but I didn’t realize it at the time.

The happy couple! (That is, the bride and groom).

That happy couple. I’ve got to start turning my camera on automatic when I hand it over for someone else to take my picture. That should help with focusing issues like this, right?

That Husband. I love him more than I love this blog. And my photos. And weddings. Really, I do.

Can you see why everyone who visits San Antonio is so enamored with the riverwalk?

The Alamo! The words on the plaque in front of the structure are so inspiring.

Fellow citizens and compatriots;

I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual Bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country. Victory or Death.

William Barret Travis

Lt. Col. Comdt.

The bride and groom in front of the Alamo.

That Wife in front of the Alamo. That Husband took this photo. Look how I’m not exactly centered AND in focus. I’m so proud of him.

As darkness descended we decided to keep the good times going by visiting the Plaza Wax Museum and Ripley’s Believe it or Not!. For some reason they decided to call the wax museum Louis Tussaud’s, which was an instant tip-off that this was not going to be the same experience as visiting the Madame’s museum.

Do you have any idea who this celebrity is? I’m not sure the artisan in charge of creating this piece could have done any worse.

This one is a little more obvious.

And it would be tough to mess up that chin and that hair.

Oprah has got to be pretty unhappy about this one. We had a good chat while I was there.

The bride stopped in for some relationship advice from our pal Phil.

I think you know who this is.

Children should not be made into wax statues. It’s just creepy. On another note, I loved her as a kid, and I still do. Own several of her movies in fact.

Judging from the quality of what you have previously seen, do you think Obama would be excited to know his likeness would be portrayed in this museum.

Every one in awhile I stumble on a classic American pop culture reference which That Husband has never heard of. The Beverly Hillbillies is one of them. I’m tempted to get cable just so he can experience the wonders of TV Land.

I love dwarves. Polish ones the best, Disney ones second best.

Is that not hte prettiest Peter Pan you have ever seen?

They had a section of horrors with signs that said “Enter if you dare”. We dared.

On the Friday before Easter it seemed appropriate to take a picture of a portrayal of the Last Supper.

Then it was on to Ripley’s, which was one of the most overwhelming things I have ever experienced. That museum is full of entirely too much information.

And also makes you think that tall husbands are not that tall after all.

I took entirely too many pictures of these butterfly paintings. Aren’t they gorgeous?

These are REAL butterflies people. Believe it or not.

Do you think I can commission an Etsy seller to create some for me?

It was shortly after spotting the butterflies that I realized I should be inducted into Ripley’s museum. Can you make a flower with your tongue?

And I’ll go ahead and end this post with John Wayne. Painted on cow dung. Because I can.

Also:

• 2010 in Review
• Florence: Where We Stayed
• School Kinks