College Station, TX to Fort Stockton, TX

Big push to drive most of the way across Texas today.  The main highlight was San Antonio Missions National Park.  Really presented an interesting clash between history and present day.  In the early 1700s, the main road south out of San Antonio gradually saw an expansion of missions.  Well, those missions are still there and are still actively used!  Much of the community that surrounded the missions is gone now, but the larger present day city of San Antonio surrounds the area.  Also impressive to think of a thriving religious and cultural community in Texas at a time when colonial America was just getting underway and before the United States had even formed!

We first stopped at Mission San Jose, established in 1720, which was beautiful.  Being the middle of the furlough and middle of the week, we had the place pretty much to ourselves.  Architecturally, very aesthetic.

Then, on up the road to Mission Concepcion, established 1731.  Fun fact: the national park is also a World Heritage Site!  The highlight at this particular mission are the original frescos painted on the walls and ceilings.  Impressive to think of them lasting that long in a mission where candles have been burnt for centuries.

original frescos

After our dose of culture for the day, we went to Black Laboratory Brewing for lunch and then headed out of the big city wide, open west Texas.  We did stop briefly at South Llano State Park to stretch our legs, but it wasn't that exciting, although we did see our first cactus in our westward drive.  On to Fort Lancaster which I was excited to see, but they were closed by the time we got there and we couldn't wander around.  No matter, because we got a nice sunset picture and pressed on to Fort Stockton where we were stopped for the day.  Fort Stockton is a very boring town.  Not much to eat or drink or even do, but there's not much else on that side of Texas as it turns out!

cactus at South Llano State Park (above) and Spanish dagger at Fort Lancaster (below)