So we had a great time in Albuquerque, lots of good food and good beer. We met some of Marie’s freinds and reacquainted with older ones. We had a room at Marie’s complex which worked out wonderfully. The room was a full apartment and had it’s own washer dryer to clean up our weeks worth of laundry. Being there made it easy to come and go with her. So it was time to leave ABQ and start heading East. I 40 out of Albuquerque through the mountain pass and on to Santa Rosa. Then start heading south southeast through New Mexico grass land and eventually into Texas. West Texas is more agricultural and huge dairy farms. Mostly 2 lane roads through small towns and large grazing fields. As we passed the Texas border was when there was more of the agricultural lands versus the grazing lands. We made our way that day to Lubbock after 5 hours on the road. Home to Texas Tech and Buddy Holly, as well as Mac Davis. We had a great hotel with a nice college pub across the parking lot. So a relaxing night before we hit the road again. We had a nice breakfast in the morning and then continued heading southeast in Texas. On to San Antonio from Lubbock. It is a drive on State highways that are mostly 4 lane with various slowdowns through Texas towns. A big variety of landscape, from flat grazing land to hill top views. Eventually getting south to I 10 Many of us in the midwest and north east are used to seeing mile markers in the interstate that denote where we are. But in Texas the I-10 mile markers go for 880 miles to the Louisiana border. We didn’t do all of that today, but made our way to San Antonio because it was on our list! We landed in San Antonio in late afternoon and checked into our Canopy by Hilton hotel on the riverwalk. They upgraded us to a beautiful room and we cleaned up and it was time for a cocktail! There was a good option next store at the Esquire, advertised as the longest bar in Texas. The meals were good and the drinks quenching. After getting relaxed we took a walk down the riverwalk, taking in the sights and stopping for some music and cocktails. A great start to a couple of nights in San Antonio. A good nights sleep and we took a walk into downtown, finding a restaurant that has been there for a century. Originally a German delicatessen, they now bridge the German and southwest. Our Nephew and family came down from Austin so after breakfast we walked the riverwalk towards the hemifair park to meet up with them. The riverwalk is full of restaurants and bars and also art and flora. We enjoyed it a lot. It happened to be Día de Muertos festival weekend, the hispanic day of the dead celebration. Unknown to all of us the park expected 130,000 for the weekend celebration. But the park is huge and was manageable; finding parking for them and finding each other not as easy. But we had a fun time together and Chris and I are thankful they made the 90 minute drive down from Austin. The costumes and alters in memorium at the festival were impressive. We had fun together and they headed home late afternoon. We made our way back to the hotel to take a break. A little rest and then back out on the riverwalk for a cocktail and bite to eat. A full day put in and a good nights rest. In the morning we opted to sleep in and then head right back to the road. Heading East on I-10 for awhile now. Of course we found road construction across the country, so some detours and slow downs along the way. Looking for about a 5 hour ride we planned our way through Houston and on to Lake Charles Louisiana. Louisiana seems to be cordial to Casino’s so we took a stop at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles. Lot’s of restaurant choices after parking the car and some gaming available. A good choice. So next a good nights rest and then continue heading East!

Sandia Mountains Albuquerque

Great first meal at the Esquire

European history in San Antonio

Flower scultpures river walk

River walk San Antonio

Craig Andria and Evelyn

Andria, Evelyn, and…….

dios de los muertos festival, lots of costumes many elaborate

climbing the bridge into Lake St Charles

Golden Nugget and the bridge into St Charles