Driving Across the South October 22-26

   We left Las Cruces and drove to Fort Stockton, Texas, on route 8. We are trying hard to keep our days to drives of under 6 hours, preferably no more than 5. 

    After Fort Stockton, we drove to San Antonio where we are staying two nights. Our room was not ready when we arrived (Tru by Hilton) so we drove down to the Riverwalk and strolled. We ate at a Tex-Mex restaurant right on the river.

The Alamo

The Riverwalk

     The next day we walked to the Alamo, a short walk from the hotel. We walked through it and read the exhibits. We were disappointed that the narrative, which we had understood had been updated, still totally avoids the issue of the expansion of cotton and enslavement as an underlying issue. We reflected on the glorification of battles in history, too.

    We walked back to the hotel and, after a short rest, we walked to the River Walk, also a manageable walk. We had mid-afternoon reservations at Boudro's. Barbara had a delicious fish dish and Mark had a steak sandwich. Later we sat in the pool area on possibly the most uncomfortable lounge chairs ever made. 

    The next day we drove to Lake Charles to a nondescript hotel by the side of the road and we went to the grocery store for salad and a whole chicken.

     The next day was similar - we drove to Pensacola to a Quality Inn. We had to wait an hour to check in. (Lots of places are understaffed.) We were on Scenic Drive and it really was scenic along the huge bay. We ate at Old Hill Fish Restaurant and it was delicious. We both had a bowl of delicious gumbo and bought a quart of frozen gumbo to take to Atlantic Beach for Mike and Nancy. 

One of our many peanut butter and jelly picnics

     And, the next day we drove to Atlantic Beach, glad to be done with the cross-country trek. Mark is very happy to be back on the Atlantic and we walked