22 Feb 2019 - The San Antonio Mission Trail

22 Feb 2019
Cool and overcast again today but no rain.  This morning we drove to the north end of the historic San Antonio Missions Trail.  We had previously visited the Alamo, so we decided to focus on the trail along the San Antonio River that connects the other four missions.  We explored the driving trail but it can be explored by bicycle of by walking a distance.

The missions, built in the 1700's,  were much more than just churches.  They were actually fortified villages with farms, churches and a ranch.  Most included a wall and gate system, a water system for crops, living quarters, and a beautiful church for worship. 

- Mission Conception
Approximately 250 years ago Mission Conception church was built.  Except for weathering and paint fading, it remains fairly unchanged. 

A device attached to a wall that measures crack growth

Amazing how the original paint has been preserved

On the ceiling

Front of the church

- Mission San Jose

A massive mission

Outside the wall

Entrance to Indian living quarters

Indian quarters entrances all along the inside of the wall

Cooking ovens

Foundations from old buildings

One of many wells for water

The rose window

Part of the remaining colorful coating

Entrance to the church

Beautiful chapel

- Mission San Juan

The church from a distance

Remnants of the wall surrounding the mission

Entrance to the church

Inside the chapel

- Mission Espada

Most of the walls remain

Surrounded by Indian's quarters like other missions

Convento Priest's residence and church office

Inside the chapel

The church

Walls and Indian quarters

Espada fire department.  LOL Just kidding.  Although it does look like a fire house!

After finishing the mission trail we headed back to Ft Sam and visited the commissary, restocking supplies and returning to the campground.  We fired up the dutch oven and had pizza for supper and then watched our weekly show, 'Gold Rush' followed by White Water Gold and the Iowa basketball game.

Tomorrow we will visit Lackland Air Force Base where it all begins for our Airmen.  We will seek out my brick and post pictures.