On the Road: San Antonio, Texas Hill Country and Austin

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 3:00-4:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us in our hotel meeting room to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Remember to bring your name-tag (sent previously). Orientation: 4:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Our knowledgeable Group Leader will serve as our primary educational resource. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. The Group Leader will give us presentation on San Antonio, explaining how the River Walk was developed and explaining how various cultures converged on the area to make it the unique place that it is today. We’ll also hear about a variety of free time activities. Each evening, the hotel hosts a complimentary “kickback” reception with a rotating variety of food and drink daily from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on the second floor. Everyone is invited.

Dinner: In the hotel, we’ll have a buffet meal with beverage choices of tea and water included; coffee and other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: The Group Leader will accompany those who would like to walk across the plaza adjacent to the hotel to San Fernando Cathedral for an outdoor light show by French artist Xavier De Richemont. This 24 minute show tells the story of San Antonio from its beginnings to present day, projected onto the front of the cathedral. It is free to the public.

Activity note: Getting on/off a public bus. Walking up to 2 miles, climbing up/down stairs to access River Walk area, standing in museum up to 2 hours.

Breakfast: Each day at the hotel, the breakfast buffet offers choices such as make-your-own Belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage, fresh fruit, oatmeal, biscuits and gravy, and more.

Morning: Since Spanish Conquistadors first landed on this soil more than 500 years ago, there have been fascinating stories of conflicts and compromises, love affairs and bitter hatreds among our many peoples. A noted professor will lead us on an enthralling, fast-paced, two-hour journey through Texas history from its earliest beginnings to the modern day. We will be drawn into the lives of those early citizens and find ourselves torn by the challenging choices people of the day had to make in order to survive. Those never-to-be-forgotten stories of the past will help us understand the Texas we will see over the next few days. Next, we’ll set out on a walking field trip with our Group Leader to San Fernando Cathedral and step back in time to the 18th century Spanish colonial era. The cathedral was built from 1738-50 by settlers from the Canary Islands who had been granted land by Spain’s King Philip V. The oldest church sanctuary in the United States, it is still an active parish of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Santa Anna raised the red flag of “no quarter” from the church tower during the siege of the Alamo. One of the most interesting of the cathedral’s holdings is what purports to be the final resting place of Davy Crockett, William Travis, and Jim Bowie. We will gain an appreciation for the efforts of the historical conservation society in preserving the city’s past while encouraging new development.

Lunch: At a local restaurant, we’ll have a buffet meal with salads, soups, a made-to order pasta bar, terrific desserts, and beverage choices of coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Led by a local expert, we’ll embark on a walking field trip to explore some of San Antonio’s most iconic sites. The Spanish colonial mission we know as the Alamo was established in 1718 and moved to its current location in 1724. Its history is fascinating and complex. After the fallen defense by 182 Texans against General Santa Anna’s army in 1836, “Remember the Alamo!” became a rallying cry for Texan independence. We’ll hear the story of the Alamo and have some time to go inside to visit the shrine, view artifacts, and watch a short movie. The Menger, the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi, was established in 1859 and set the standard of luxury for its day. Among the historic events that took place here, Teddy Roosevelt recruited his “Rough Riders” cavalry brigade. Our local expert will bring us inside for a peek at the elaborately appointed lobbies and the Menger bar, to see memorabilia from T.R.’s time. We’ll return to the hotel at the end of our field trip for time to relax or enjoy the hotel’s “kickback” reception.

Dinner: We’ll walk to restaurant near the hotel for a plated meal with choice of entrée and beverage choices of coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Stepping outside to the River Walk— the heart of the city — we’ll board a public barge for a narrated ride on the San Antonio River. Situated 20 feet below street level and just steps from the famed Alamo, we’ll see how stone pathways connect shops, restaurants, hotels, and museums with a blend of architecture that reflects the development of this centuries-old metropolis. The barge pilot will tell us about the history of the area and the structures we pass as we float along the river. The Group Leader will accompany those who would like to walk across the plaza adjacent to the hotel to San Fernando Cathedral for an outdoor light show by French artist Xavier De Richemont. This 24 minute show tells the story of San Antonio from its beginnings to present day. Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 120 miles, approximately 3 hours over the course of the day. Walking up to 1 mile; standing up to 1 hour.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: After checking out of the hotel, we will board a motorcoach and ride to San Antonio Mission National Historic Park for an exploration of the missions that make up the complex. With experts, we will learn about the early settlement and efforts of the Spanish to convert people to the church and an agricultural form of life. We will see the beauty of Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, the Queen of the Missions, restored by the WPA in the 1930s. We will also see how Spaniards used irrigation (acequia) systems to develop self-sustaining agricultural communities along the San Antonio River and find out about the city’s progress in its effort to make this area a United Nations World Heritage site. We will then visit the city’s historically rich West Side to learn more about Hispanic culture and find out why so many San Antonio residents and politicians are proud of their West Side roots. We’ll have opportunities to admire colorful murals while our Group Leader shares information about governmental efforts to help some of the area’s poorest residents.

Lunch: We will ride to the largest Mexican marketplace in the U.S., and walk approximately 40 yards to one of San Antonio’s most popular restaurants where we’ll have an authentic Tex-Mex meal.

Afternoon: We will drive through the city’s historically rich west side to learn more about Hispanic culture. Enjoy colorful murals while our group leader shares information about governmental efforts to help some of the area’s poorest residents. Find out why so many San Antonio residents and politicians are proud of their west side roots. We’ll reboard our motorcoach and ride into Texas Hill Country. As we’re arriving in Fredericksburg, the Group Leader will provide a brief orientation to the town. We’ll then check in to our hotel. There will be some time for independent exploration before dinner.

Dinner: At a Bavarian restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with choice of entrée — from traditional German to a lighter vegetarian dish — and beverage choices of coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: In the hotel meeting room, we’ll gather with our Group Leader for a presentation about Austin in anticipation of our visit there. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.

Activity note: Getting on/off coach; traveling 120 miles for 2 1/2-3 hours over the course of the day. Standing in museums for up to 2 hours and walking about 2-3 miles per day.

Breakfast: In the hotel breakfast area on the first floor, the buffet offers choices such as scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, fresh waffles, kolaches, cereal, yogurt, breads, milk, juices, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: We will check out of the hotel, board our motorcoach, and ride to the National Museum of the Pacific War, the only museum in the continental United States dedicated solely to the battles of the Pacific theater during World War II. During our self-directed exploration, we will immerse ourselves in Pacific history and gain an increased appreciation for the contributions of those who served as we also learn about American and Japanese cultures of the time.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Fredericksburg. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: We will ride to LBJ National Historic Park along the banks of the Pedernales River where Hereford cattle, white-tailed deer, and turkey abound. We’ll visit park exhibits and enjoy a Ranger-led exploration of the grounds surrounding the family residence. the LBJ National Historic Park that contains a visitor center, reconstructed boyhood home, cemetery, and the Johnson residence. National Park Rangers will be on hand and tell us more about President Lyndon B. Johnson, Lady Bird, and their Texas home.

Dinner: We will stop at one of Texas’ top barbecue joints for a meal of smoked barbecue and fixin’s at their best. Choose from several meats and side dishes with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: We will check in to our hotel upon arrival in Austin. The remainder of the evening is at leisure. There are many downtown night spots in the vicinity.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles throughout the day with several stops. Walking up to 200 yards, to scenic overlook then 100+ stairs or walking up sloping terrain on uneven nature trail.

Breakfast: In the hotel restaurant, the breakfast buffet offers choices such as eggs, bacon, oatmeal, cereal, fruit, yogurt, pastries, toast, juices, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: Our day will focus on Austin. We’ll begin with a field trip to the Bullock Texas History Museum. During our self-directed exploration, we’ll be able to learn about all parts of this vast and varied state’s land and culture. Riding, on, we’ll see Austin from its highest point with a stop at Mount Bonnell. From this vantage point, we can see the city skyline to the east with Hill Country and the Colorado River to the west. We’ll then drive on to the University of Texas at Austin.

Lunch: In a café on the campus of UT/Austin, we’ll choose what we like from the cafeteria buffet with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water.

Afternoon: For our next field trip, we’ll visit the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. An archivist will give us a presentation on the history of presidential museums and libraries in the United States, as well as the origins of the LBJ Museum, the first to be located on a university campus. After the presentation, we’ll have an introduction to the library followed by time for independent exploration. We’ll be able to listen to recordings made during Johnson’s years in the White House that reveal much about his personality and style, and illustrate why he was able to rise to power and accomplish what he did during his career. We’ll be able to learn more about Lyndon Johnson, the man, and the impact his programs still have on society today, after the passage of Great Society legislation in the 1960s.

Dinner: On your own to choose from among the choices near the new Warehouse District with many award-winning new restaurants. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions as well as how to get to the trendy South Congress area if you want to venture there.

Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles; city streets and sidewalks, moderate elevation change.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll be joined by a university professor for a lecture on Texas political traditions. We’ll examine the colorful history of Texas’ political past, present, and the evolution of political parties. We’ll find out how a state once full of “yellow dog Democrats” became one of the most conservative states in national politics and now may be trending “purple.” We’ll then head out with a local expert on a walking field trip to explore the downtown Austin area and learn about the city’s history. We’ll walk down a bit of Sixth Street and stop in the historic Driskill Hotel that opened in 1887.

Lunch: In the beautiful lobby of the Driskill Hotel, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase. Enjoy dining under the stained glass and opulent surroundings.

Afternoon: We’ll continue our walking exploration of downtown then have a few hours of independent time. You might like to explore the Texas State Capitol, or head down to South Congress Avenue with its quirky boutiques and clubs. Back in the hotel at 4:00 p.m., we’ll gather for a special treat as a Grammy-award winning musician gives us a private performance in our meeting room. As we enjoy the music, we’ll learn what life is like for musicians here in what’s been called the “Live Music Capital of the World.”

Dinner: At the hotel, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Activity note: Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!