The Wandering Disciple

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: Dreaming of an African safari but dreading the long flights and required vaccinations? Look no further, Central Florida has a safari experience that the whole family can enjoy.  The Kilimanjaro Safaris ride, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, is an adventurous attraction that simulates an African safari experience. Guests board open-sided safari vehicles and embark on a journey through a vast savanna, encountering a diverse array of animals along the way. The ride is designed to be both educational and entertaining, providing guests with the opportunity to observe animals in a naturalistic setting while learning about their behavior and habitats.  During the safari, knowledgeable guides narrate the experience, sharing interesting facts and stories about the animals and their environment. The vehicles traverse a variety of landscapes, including grasslands, forests, and rivers, allowing guests to witness animals in their natural habitats. T...

In 1836 the Mexican Army ambushed the Misión San Antonio de Valero resulting in a13-day siege and was a turning point in the Texas Revolution. What would become the Battle of the Alamo sparked the rally cry Remember the Alamo.  Today you can tour the Alamo site as well as a museum which houses artifacts from the Alamo. Much of the artifacts in the collection are from the private collection of musician Phil Collins. He was inspired by the heroics of the Texans and wants to make sure we all Remember the Alamo.  Taken: March 17, 204 at The Alamo (San Antonio, TX)

San Antonio, Texas: Bexar County, located in the heart of Texas, boasts a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. From the early days of Spanish missions and the pivotal fight for Texas Independence to the vibrant cultural diversity of today, Bexar County has consistently played a significant role in shaping the Lone Star State.  The county's historical significance is deeply intertwined with the establishment of Spanish missions, which served as centers of religious and cultural influence. These missions, with their distinctive architecture and enduring legacy, stand as testaments to the early Spanish presence in the region.  Bexar County also played a crucial role in the Texas Revolution, a pivotal conflict that ultimately led to Texas' independence from Mexico. The Battle of the Alamo, a defining moment in Texas history, took place within the county's borders and remains an enduring symbol of courage and sacrifice.  Beyond these historical milestones, Bexar Coun...

The largest of the missions near San Antonio, Mission San Jose is known as the Queen of the Missions.  Founded in 1720, the mission served to provide both a physical home and a spiritual home for Coahuiltecan Natives as well as refugees from the closed east Texan missions.   The mission served hundreds until it was closed in 1824.   It would be restored a hundred years later as part of a Works Progress Administration project and today serves not only a reminder to the past but also an active Catholic parish. Mission San Jose is one of five missions that comprise the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.  The missions stretched along the San Antonio River were like little towns in the Texas plains.  Today you can tour each of the missions and four of the five are still active church parishes.  The only mission that does not function as a church is Mission San Antonio de Valero, commonly known as The Alamo. Taken: March 16, 2024 at Mission ...

San Antonio, Texas:   For day three of our Texas trip we headed a little further from the downtown area to explore some of the some of popular city attractions, the zoo and the Witte Museum.  These were attractions that were highly recommended by our tour guide yesterday and always try to visit new zoos when we travel.   We began our day with breakfast at Max and Louie's Diner.  Located in the Embassy Oaks Shopping Center, the New York style diner had a full menu of Big Apple favorites.  I had the Challah French Toast and it was probably the best French Toast that I ever had!  My wife had an omelet that she really enjoyed.  As I looked over the rest of the menu, there are plenty of other things I would have liked to try if we had the time. Our first stop of the day was the San Antonio Zoo.  The fifty plus acre zoo is home to over 750 species of animals.  The zoo had a few animals we have not seen before and the animal exhibits made you f...

Come and Take It!  That was the battle cry of the Texas Independence and the Texans fought for independence from Mexico.  For six months starting in October 1935, brave soldiers from the Republic of Texas battled the Mexican Republic.  Two key battles of the conflict were the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.  Following a loss in the Battle of San Jacinto, the Mexicans surrendered and Texas became its own state. The journey for independence is just one of the Texan stories told at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin.  The three story museum just blocks from the state capitol tells the history of Texas from prehistoric time through modern day. Taken: March 16, 2024 at Bullock Texas State History Museum (Austin, TX)

San Antonio, Texas:   Our second day of the trip started with a walk over to the historic Alamo.  The riverwalk was quiet this morning following the St Patrick's celebrations the night before.  We strolled along the banks of the river until we reached the Alamo. At the Alamo, we took a self-guided tour to of the Alamo and its historic buildings.  This old mission was the site of the Battle of the Alamo, a historic battle during the Texas Revolution.  Here Davey Crockett, William Travis and band of Texans were ambushed by the Mexican Army.  The original Mission San Antonio de Valero has been preserved along with other historic features of this mission.  The self-guided tour narrated by Ray Benson told the history of the Alamo.   When we completed the tour of the Alamo, we took a short walk to the other side of the plaza to board the Old Town Trolley Tour for a tour of the city.  Our trolley tour guide was BC and he took us on a informativ...