Day Eight - San Antonio to Austin

George pulled off the interstate for gas and ice. The cheapest ice I have seen $0.69 for 8 lbs. We also notice that many people have coolers in the back of their trucks and are buying a lot of ice. Maybe they are out working on oil rigs. I don't know. Just observations.

Circled to the outskirts of the gas station behind another traveler.  Set up to sleep for a few hours.  It was too early to start the day and too late to find a hotel.  Girls were all out and George and I settled in for the little bit of time.  Someone woke up and needed to go to the bathroom.  I think it was Bubble.  George debated on best course of action.  Drove to the Whataburger to take each child in for the facilities and brought back breakfast for them.  Kept in in the bag for later as it was only 4:30 or so.  Headed into town to scope out the Alamo.  Easy to follow directions when no one in the on the road with you.  Got the lay of the land and decided to find a car wash.  Suburban was showing the miles we had asked of it.  Do not know if one was closer but we had the time to spare. ​

Girls and I watched Shrek while George washed the mighty carriage.  Doled out the pancakes, bacon, hash browns, and OJ. Searched online for a good activity that opened at 7:00 for the ladies.  None.  All opened at 9:00, same as the Alamo.  Plan was to see the Alamo, San Antonio Zoo, and bug out for Austin.  Settled on a trip to Walmart for deep conditioner.  Our locks were dry, dry, dry with the traveling.  Several Walmarts were around but not too convenient to us at the moment.  

Routed to the store without using the interstate per George's request.  It was crazy with Upper and Lower Interstates and car zooming all around.  Afforded us to see more of the town.  I noticed stray dogs everywhere.

Completed walking around the store and finding conditioner.  It was quiet in the store.  Not the normal hustle of the Walmarts back home, even at this hour.  Remember the story about people found dead in the back of an eighteen-wheeler? Yea, it was this Walmart.  George asked me why there was live news set up at the end of the lot.  Then it dawned on us.  Of all the Walmarts in San Antonio, this is the one we chose.  Sobering to think what took place just a few days before. ​

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Passed a playground that caught some eyes from the back on the way to the store.  We headed back that way and the girls enjoyed running, stretching, and being free.  Returned to the car in good spirits and hungry.  The split breakfast plate was a snack so many hours ago.  Adults needed coffee.  ​

Parked at the Alamo, the only place within walking distance was a McDonalds.  Hotcakes and coffee deposited in bellies, we headed back to the Alamo.  ​

No pictures in the church.  Girls a little young for the guided tour.  Mommy and Daddy a little tired to take in all that took place on that site.  Did run into one of my students in the gift shop.  That was a hoot to be in Texas and talking to one of my FFA kids and family. ​

Onto the zoo!  Bubble was looking forward to this zoo visit the most after watching YouTube videos with George in preparation.  Found a parking spot super close (employee lot, I think) and set up a picnic lunch.

After filling that need we headed up to the zoo.  Girls loved spying the large bugs all over the grounds.  The carousel ride with choices of all their favorite animals required us to sit and watch it go around thirty more times. Feeding the lorries was a trip.  Tiny would not get anywhere near the birds.

Riding the train was more of an experience than I expected.  It was a train like Pullen Park's train but the track was long and informative.  Multiple stops were available for exploring but we were on the second to last train for the night so we stayed on until back at the main station.

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 It was waiting for the train that we realized Biscuit's fan was gone.  She diligently carried it to cool the baby.  It was at the lorries that she went to the bathroom by herself.  Those rooms were not cooled so I stayed out of them as much as possible with the baby.  We ran back to the zoos entrance and the office called down to where I thought she left it.  Nothing.  I felt terrible for her.  She was so proud of searching and finding that fan in the first place.  It broke my heart.

Holding Brogden consoled Biscuit after losing her fan

Drove all around Austin evaluating hotels for the night.  Settled on one near downtown.  It had to have a pool since we did not let them swim back in Mobile.

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I bathed all the offspring while George went out to source dinner.  He found a great place really close called Trudy's. It was delicious. ​

Tiny fell asleep with the cheese quesadilla in her hand.  

Steps taken: 12,924
​Miles driven: 137.9