27 Happy New Year

   As we arrived in San Antonio several local vendors tried to direct us into their Fireworks sales lots.  What's the deal?
     We arrived at our niece's home in a suburb of San Antonio.  After getting reacquainted ( they had been in the service for several years and the last time we had visited them was when we rode to the North Pole in Alaska.)  we joined them in visiting their neighbors for a New Year's evening celebration.   We met JW and Carla, and friends of theirs.  As it turned out they both rode motorcycle so the conversation was comfortable.  We had a very nice time and had snacks that prompted us to gather some new recipes.  Unfortunately it didn't look like we were going to see the new year in.  As the evening wore on the ride that day took it's toll and we excused ourselves to walk across the street and retire for the evening.  At midnight all hell broke loose.  We found out why the firework outlets were putting on their big push.  It seems that Texans celebrate everything with fire works and the biggest is the coming of the New Year.  Their were explosions in every direction, I got up and looked out the window and it is quite diffeent from being an observer you feel like you are immersed in the battle.  The concussion, the sights and even the smell of gunpowder.  You live the event here.  Took a while to slow my heart down and get some rest.
      It was a relaxing few days not thinking about travel plans or lodging.  We helped Tanya with the children and caught up with the family and their busy life.  One of the things they like to do in their new surroundings is spend the time to travel and learn the local culture and sites.  Bill mentioned that he had heard that a lot of  Texas towns were so spaced for a stage coach stop and represented the distance a horse drawn stage could travel in one day.   I believe he mentioned 26 miles.
     The night we visited the river walk area Bill and Tanya let us use their vehicle so we wouldn't have to ride the trike back in the dark.  We were very fortunate as the river walk was still adorned with their holiday lighting. With plans to take the canal cruise at dusk we decided to walk it first.  Construction and walk maintenance made it more difficult for Ruthie with her knee,  we would be exporing an area and then we would run into a section blocked off for upkeep..  Retracing our path to one of the bridges we would cross over to the other side.   This happened several times so Ruthie was getting her steps in.

Yes, we took you on the river walk cruise, don't you remember?

     We then stopped at the Texas Steak and cattle company for a great meal.  Loved the decorations in there.  Saddles and western gear everywhere.  By the time we finished it was dark enough to take the river boat cruise.  As always the tour guide can make or ruin the tour.  We had a great one full of fun and interesting tidbits.  A few notable facts he pointed out to us.  We went past the spot where in 1906  the Fairmont hotel was built.  In 1984 they were going to demolish it instead they decided to move it. It is listed in the Guinness book of records as the largest structure ever moved on wheels.

      The other is also hotel related.  It is the Hilton Palacio del Rio, the 21 story hotel, 500 rooms were built in modular sections off site, completely furnished down to the color television.  They were then transported to the construction site and lifted into place a helicopter tail section was attached and controlled the placement.  Completed in 202  days.  Amazing, I thought, for more information click "here"    Ruthie liked the spot where Sandra Bullock appeared in the film Miss Congeniality.
      The Christmas lights were draped over the trees and hung almost to the ground.  We were told that it took two months to complete the lighting and men actually climbed each tree to place the lights.
     On the trip here the road conditions had been wet and I had caught myself thinking about the condition of our front tire.  It spent the better part of a day trying to locate the tire I wanted.  Since we are on a trike the main concern is mileage and safety for the front tire.  We are not concerned with cornering characteristics, since the tire no longer leans on it's side. 

The Alamo

 Sorry, for some this must be terribly boring however Wes and Tom are probably happy to see I'm replacing the front tire.  (you can spend your time looking at the neat carriages above.) We had been using a Michelin, however I had unusual wear with the last two as well as some low speed noise and vibration.  One of the Gold Wing forums I read had been praising a Bridge-stone.  I forgot to mention that because of our different requirements a lot of us trikers take a tire designed for the rear and put it on the front.  They have a lot more rubber, hence more miles between replacement.  At one point I would have been happy to find anything that fit.