Aloha to San Antonio - Morning Stroll to King William

Last Sunday was the mass exodus from San Antonio.  My roommate left at 530 am, prompting me to get up for one last stroll.

This time, I headed south to explore the extended Riverwalk into King William.  Still, all paths lead through the commercial section of the Riverwalk, including the Durty Nelly's Irish Pub.  

King William gave way to historic homes.  From the City of San Antonio (link),

The King William Historic District is located south of downtown and bounded by Durango, South St. Mary’s, Eagleland and the San Antonio River. The district encompasses land that was once irrigated farm land belonging to the Mission San Antonio de Valero, commonly known as the Alamo. When the mission was secularized in 1793, the lands were divided among the resident Indian families from the mission or sold at public auction. In the 1860s the area was subdivided into lots and laid out with the present streets.

It was about this time in the mid-nineteenth century that a great many Germans, who had immigrated to Texas in the 1840s, began to settle in this area, and it became known as "Sauerkraut Bend" to the rest of San Antonio. The area developed into an idyllic neighborhood of large, impressive houses designed in the Greek Revival, Victorian, and Italianate styles. The main street into the neighborhood was given the name King William in honor of King Wilhelm I, King of Prussia in the 1870s. During World War I, when America was at war with Germany, the name was changed to Pershing Avenue. A few years after the war ended the King William name was restored.

Walking back to the hotel district, San Antonio's landmark buildings peak over the greenery.

Even at dawn, the Riverwalk is beautiful, including the Arneson Theater - one of the film locations for MISS CONGENIALITY.

The bridge is named for Rosita Fernandez.  She starred with John Wayne in THE ALAMO.   Have you enjoyed my tour of San Antonio?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.   Comments are open through Saturday, August 16, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 17.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Iron bridge over the San Antonio River

Aloha to San Antonio - Morning stroll to the Murals

Last Saturday, I enjoyed an early morning stroll along the Riverwalk. 

It was surreal to see these pubs without the crowds spilling out onto the Riverwalk.

These tropical flowers remind me of Hawaii.

San Antonio expanded the Riverwalk beyond the hotels, giving way to wide open spaces.

On the northern extension, I discovered this mural ...

... which offers cultural and historical hallmarks.

FromTexas Co-Op Power Magazine (link),

The mural of a Mexican village scene—one of the highlights along the impressive new northward extension of the San Antonio River Walk—features the maguey cactus in bloom that was the logo of Ethel Wilson Harris at the Mexican Arts and Crafts Workshop she owned on the banks of the San Antonio River. The mural was made in the 1930s at the workshop just steps from its new location. And the route it took to get back to its prime new spot on the River Walk’s wall beneath the El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel is part detective story, part history lesson.

From the Texas State Historical Association (link),

NAVARRO, JOSÉ ANTONIO (1795–1871). José Antonio Navarro, a leading Mexican participant in the Texas Revolution, son of María Josefa (Ruiz) and Ángel Navarro, was born at San Antonio de Béxar on February 27, 1795 ... A developing friendship with Stephen F. Austin served to deepen his interest in Texas colonization ... Along with his uncle, José Francisco Ruiz, and Lorenzo de Zavala,qqv he became one of the three Mexican signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

I discovered this waterfall by the Embassy Suites. 

Isn't this an appropriate sign for the weekly long events in San Antonio?

Back on street level, I found the bike rental that enables tourists to explore the extended route of the Riverwalk, including the two+ mile trek to the four other Spanish missions in San Antonio.   Would you walk, ride the bike, or take a cab to the other missions?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 16, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 17.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

A tempting waffle from the breakfast buffet

Aloha to San Antonio - More authors, panels, and cocktails

 

The Avon publicity staff pulled out all the stops with these word bubbles at the Avon book signing event.

I moderated the panel HOW MUCH "REAL LIFE" SHOULD ROMANCE CONTAIN with Claudia Dain, Sabrina Jeffries, and Tammy Falkner.

I also moderated HAPPILY EVER AFTER:  THE HUSBAND'S POV with Sarah Maclean, Lily Everet, Sophie Jordan, Kerrelyn Sparks, and their respective spouses.

Elizabeth Michels and Tammy Falkner get ready for the Sourcebooks party ...

... along with Susanna Kearsley, Sara Humphreys, Cat Clyne, and Theresa Romain.

Toni Blake and Julie Anne Long wait for the River Taxi to whisk us away to the Avon cocktail party ...

... with Miranda Neville, Sophia Nash, and an Avon Addict.

Avon Editor Erika Tsang chats with YA author Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Sophia Nash chats with Jasmin, a children's librarian in San Antonio ...

... and then Jasmin hams it up with Cathy Maxwell.

What word bubble best describes you?  Feel free to make your own!  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 16, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 17.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Elizabeth Susan Phillips (second from right) 

chats with Avon editors.

Aloha to San Antonio - Authors Galore, Menger Hotel, and Librarian's Day

 

The stars were bright in San Antonio for RWA's Annual Conference, including Avery Flynn, Kimberly Kincaid, Cathy Maxwell, Carly Phillips, and Robin Covington.

Cathy and I enjoyed an evening stroll.  Above is the La Antorcha de la Amistad - the Torch of Friendship.  Sculpted by Mexican artist Sebastian, it was a gift from the Mexican government to the City of San Antonio in 2002.

Another view of the Tower of the Americas ...

... and the Alamo at twilight.

 The corner of Alamo Plaza and Crockett Street leads to the historic Menger Hotel.

From Wikipedia,

By the 1870s, the Menger was the best known hotel in the southwest. The hotel is mentioned several times in the works of O Henry, and hosted Ulysses S. Grant in 1880. It hosted Theodore Roosevelt at least three times, most notably in 1898 when he used the bar to recruit Rough Riders, who fought in Cuba in the Spanish-American War.

The Victorian interior offered a step back into a luxurious past ...

... including a stained glass ceiling.

The next day, I attended the Librarian's Day, including a networking event with ...

... Shana Galen holding a chocolate kiss martini, shaken but not stirred, in honor of her new historical romance, LOVE AND LET SPY.

Navy Veteran-turned-Harlequin author Geri Krotow (right) greets the chief librarian from Fort Sam Houston.   What's better than a day spent with librarians?!?!

One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about a historic hotel that you have visited.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 16, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 17.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Jennifer McQuiston (left) and Candis Terry (right) 

Aloha to San Antonio - An Evening Stroll

Last Monday, I flew to San Antonio for the RWA Annual Conference.   I arrived late afternoon, giving me time to walk around the downtown area.  Above is the flag atop the San Antonio Fire Museum (link).

The Marriott Rivercenter hosted the conference, conveniently located near The Alamo.

From its website (link),

Although the Alamo fell in the early morning hours of March 6, 1836, the death of the Alamo defenders has come to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of Liberty. The memories of James Bowie, David Crockett, and William B. Travis are as powerful today as when the Texan Army under Sam Houston shouted "Remember the Alamo!" as it routed Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.

The Alamo Cenotaph is also known as the Spirit of Sacrifice.

Erected in Memory of the Heroes who sacrificed their lives at the Alamo, March 6, 1836 in the defense of Texas, 'They chose never to surrender nor retreat, these brave hearts with flag still proudly waving perished in the flames of immortality that their high sacrifice might lead to the founding of this Texas.

The Alamo leads to San Antonio's famous Riverwalk (link).

 Even the wildlife enjoy the river!

The Towers of the Americas offers a city wide view, including the San Antonio River (link). 

St. Joseph's Catholic Church demonstrates San Antonio's diversity.  From its website (link):

The cornerstone for Saint Joseph Church was laid in 1868 by a group of San Antonio's German Catholic Immigrants who wanted to worship and hear God's Word proclaimed and celebrated in their own language. Over the course of years the German Community constantly improved their Parish of St. Joseph and its buildings. 

The Riverwalk leads to La Villita.  From its website (link),

A Historic Arts Village since 1939, galleries and shops in one square block offer unique art by local & regional artists featuring oil paintings, sculptures, water-colors, metal art, rock art, textiles, copper wares, pottery, jewelry, stained glass and regional folk art.

The Riverwalk also offers its own entertainment center.   The Arneson River Theater was erected by the Works Progress Administration from 1939 - 1941. 

The theater was featured in MISS CONGENIALITY with Sandra Bullock.   

Have you visited San Antonio?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's comments wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, August 16, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 17.   During this two week period, I will be away in Florida with my oldest son on a college hunting trip.  This also gives time for USPS to deliver my books from San Antonio!  

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

The Arneson Theater features five bells, representing 

the five historic missions in San Antonio.