Next we checked out some funky stores in a cool part of town. Bric a brac, local art and native crafts.
On the southern outskirts of Austin is an area called Buda. We stopped there and had a (very) late breakfast/lunch. We went to a place called the Cracker barrel. I’ve seen a few around and think it’s a chain but it’s definitely my new favourite. It was awesome. The décor is all log-cabiney, decorated with ‘40s and ‘50s Americana kitsch. But the real star was the food. We shared some bacon and eggs and pancakes, and it all tasted home made. It was top quality. I had a root beer with mine and Pia had an apple cider made from real stewed, pureed apples with cinnamon.
Just next door(ish) to the Cracker Barrel, is an outfitter (outdoors store) called Cabela’s. We must thank John and Brenda for this gem. They suggested that it would be worth visiting and boy were they right. Cabela’s is a destination in its own right.
You have to see this place to believe it. It must be a half-square kilometre in size, and mostly one huge room. If it has to do with the outdoors, they have it.
There’s a big aquarium (two tanks about the size of a caravan) with dozens of game fish swimming around in there, and probably more than a hundred stuffed animals around the place. Everything is displayed like it was a museum (but I noticed that the white rhino and the elephant were fibreglass). They sell everything to do with fishing, boating, camping, hunting and everything you could imagine. We had a great time looking around and bought a new mattress for the van. Seems comfortable. Time will tell.
After our Cabela’s adventure, we drove south on the I35 to San Antonio, only 80 miles away. We parked downtown ($10 all day) and struck out on foot.
Our first stop was the Alamo. Not the Alamo Steakhouse or the Alamo Theatre. The actual Alamo. The Catholic Mission turned Texan fort, where 200 brave volunteers, none of them soldiers, fought a desperate losing battle against 2000 soldiers of Santa Ana’s Mexican Army for two weeks. They were killed to the last man, including the famous James Bowie and David Crockett. Texas was still a part of Mexico in those days and Santa Ana was the dictatorial ruler. He was incensed at the American and European colonists that were moving into Texas and wanted to put them in their place. Although the Alamo was lost, it resulted in further battles and eventually Texas became independent. It was briefly an independent nation, later part of the Confederate States of America and now the United States of America. Hopefully it will be part of Australia next.
Once we left the Alamo, we strolled around downtown and noticed a festive atmosphere. We soon learned that they are in the middle of their annual Fiesta at the moment. This is a 10-day celebration, like the New Orleans Mardi Gras, only on water. You see, San Antonio has a man-made river flowing in a big square shape around the downtown. It is flanked on both sides by a paved walkway with restaurants, hotels, cafés and bars. There are also many parks with fountains and sculptures. It is a very pretty place and the vibe was great.
We spent all afternoon there and had dinner at a Tex-Mex place, sitting on the balcony, watching the world go by. We had Texas BBQ-style nachos.
We were a bit sad to leave San Antonio in the early evening. We drove out of town on the I10, headed east and about 50 miles down the road, pulled into a lovely little RV park on a green riverbank.
Funny Fact: When you walk into Cabella’s a sign confronts you that states:
“All customers, please check your firearms and bows at the front counter. Thank you”.
Only in America.
San Antonio Riverwalk - the Venice of America (in the middle of a desert)
Riverwalk Cafes
The Alamo
Capitol Building, Austin
Entrance to Cabela's, Buda, TX
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