Will Somebody Please Switch the Lights On?

Our final mission before leaving San Antonio was to visit the Tower of the Americas and then  enjoy the River Walk area and eat in one of the numerous restaurants situated there.  Oh! And photograph the area at night once all the lights that fill the trees were illuminated.

The Tower was built in 1968 to commemorate the World's Fair and at 750 feet high with a revolving restaurant, it is one of the tallest structures in Texas.  On a beautiful clear day, which is what we had, the views are stunning although it was a touch disappointing that the buildings of downtown San Antonio actually block out views of the Alamo and the River Walk. 

The latter is second in popularity to the Alamo but draws people like a magnet for river tours and food.  It is actually one storey beneath the streets of downtown and is a gem of a place to wander around and people watch whilst sitting enjoying a meal.

I actually had my first steak of the trip, a 10oz ribeye and it didn't disappoint.  For some reason, the steak that they serve on this side of the pond is always tender, moist and totally delicious, far beyond anything we ever get in the UK.  The menu did tempt me with a 23oz porterhouse but a look around the passing masses and the obesity crisis that currently blights America and I scaled my decision back to something more sensible!

Food, wine and beer on a warm Texan evening with people watching into the bargain is a great way to pass a few hours.

Actually, we took more time by the river than we needed because we decided to stay until after dark to photograph the lights.  We found a position and waited and waited and waited!  After 90 minutes anticipating switch on, I decided to ask a passing refuse disposal officer "what time are the lights switched on?"  "Thanksgiving Day" came the cheerful reply!  That could have proved some wait for us because this year, that actually falls on the 26th of November!!!
We enjoyed our stay enormously in the city but time to move on to Austin, the home of F1's American Grand Prix which takes place this coming weekend.