Last spring I posted that I was going to San Antonio for a week and you gentlemen responded with some great suggestions.

Another Vacation Question (Texas)

We had a great time there and was tired at the end of every day.Arrived on Friday the 20th after driving in some heavy rain on I 10. Had to pull off the road and stop for 20 minutes. We had a condo at a place called the Sumit on the river by Canyon Dam.

Saturday went to Bandera and the Harley folks were in town for the weekend, lots of biker guys and gals driving around town. Ate at the dinner with the room dedicated to John Wayne. Lots of pictures on the walls and that famous Winchester hung up on the archway. After the women folk looked around in few of the shops we went to the "Silver Dollar Saloon". Suppose to be the second oldest bar in Texas. What a great old place. You walk down a long flight of stairs with well worn steps and end up on the dance floor that is covered with sawdust and small wood chips. Going to the bar which only had four stools we ordered drinks. The bar was so rough from people carving their names in it. I had to hold my beer so it wouldn't fall over.

There were five men sitting in chairs with guitars having a great jam session. These guys come everyday Saturday and just play for a few tips or some beer. We asked them If our wives could have there pictures taken with them and they said sure. Two of the men gave the women their Guitars to hold. My wife asked the man whose Guitar she was holding if he was a real cowboy? He said no that he was a lawyer in town. He said that there was a real cowboy sitting at the table next to ours and his name was James "Hoot Gibson". We had a great chat and some friendly handshakes.

James E. "Hoot" Gibson

James recited one of his pieces about a little girl and here mule. Very touching. After a couple of beers we went on our way with memories that will last me till the end time.

On the way back to the condo we stopped at a town called Gruen, had dinner at the Gristmill, good food. There was a show at the dance hall and it was sold out for that nights performance. Oldest dance hall in Texas, looked inside at the floor looked liked the oldest floor in Texas. A lot of the big name stars play there.

Sunday went to the Alamo and River walk, enjoyed that.

Monday went back to San Antonio and went to the market place with all of the shops. Had lunch at a Mexican Restaurant. Monday special, beef tips and gravy, rice and re fried beans. Spent a couple of hours at the Buck Horn Saloon. Lots to see there with the Texas Ranger museum. No problem sleeping that night.

Tuesday didn't travel to much. Walked out to the center of Canyon Dam and met a gentlemen in the park who landed in the Philippines when he was 18. Great talking to those Veterans. What experiences that these men can tell you. We thanked him for his service to the country and went back to Gruen. Seems we missed some shops. Had lunch at the Green River Restaurant.

Wednesday went to Fredricksburg more shopping, site seeing and a hour or so at the Becker Winery.

Thursday went to Wimberly another great little town.

Again I want to thank all of you who took time to post suggestions for my trip. The Hill Country in Texas is a great place to visit.


The traffic in San Antonio is really something.

Went to Cibolo and had the Barbecue at Harmonds, Delicious

Glad you liked Bandera, I go there for a week once a year as we have a time shared condo at a place called: Pinnacle--which used to be the Bandera River Ranch. We stay in "Antler" top floor. Antler, Buckskin and "C" sit on the edge of a cliff overlooking the river area. Great morning views all around and--every time-you can see loads of Deer all over the place.

Glad you liked eating at the Old Spanish Trail Rest (im wearing my cap with their logo on it) and we always eat in the John Wayne room.

Hope to hear you wanting another vacation here soon?

Damn Yankee, Thanks for the post, it sure brought back some good memories. I was stationed at Lackland AFB in San Antonio from 1968-1971. A great time in my life. I shot on the base pistol team and met some fine Texas shooters. I used to frequent all the gun and pawn shops I could find. One was Ad Topperwain's (not sure of the spelling) shop in down town San Antonio, I don't think it is there anymore. Bought my M-19 at the American Pawn and Gun on East Commerce, still have the gun but I don't think AP&G is there anymore either.......they used to advertise over 1000 guns in stock. Good people, good food, I need to plan a trip down there. THX again.

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