{"id":8723,"date":"2023-07-31T22:59:17","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T14:59:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=8723"},"modified":"2024-04-17T05:46:19","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T21:46:19","slug":"20230731texas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2023\/07\/31\/20230731texas\/","title":{"rendered":"Detour to Texas on Way Home"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The final days of my July 2023 trip to western United States. After spending the weekend in Seattle, I flew to San Antonio to finish some other errands, before flying back to Washington DC. This post would be about the flights, and the few missions in the San Antonio area that I checked out in my spare time.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7177.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7177.jpg\" alt=\"Mission San Jose\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mission San Jose<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide.min.2.4.21.js\"><\/script>\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide-skyblue.min.css\">\n<script>\ndocument.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function () {\n\tvar secondarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-1', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-major-1', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider1.sync( secondarySlider1 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider2 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-2', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider2 = new Splide( '#splide-major-2', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider2.sync( secondarySlider2 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider3 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-3', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider3 = new Splide( '#splide-major-3', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider3.sync( secondarySlider3 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider4 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-4', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider4 = new Splide( '#splide-major-4', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider4.sync( secondarySlider4 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider5 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-5', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider5 = new Splide( '#splide-major-5', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider5.sync( secondarySlider5 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider6 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-6', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:69,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider6 = new Splide( '#splide-major-6', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider6.sync( secondarySlider6 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider7 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-7', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:75,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:42,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider7 = new Splide( '#splide-major-7', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider7.sync( secondarySlider7 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider8 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-8', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:75,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:42,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider8 = new Splide( '#splide-major-8', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider8.sync( secondarySlider8 ).mount();\n} );\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Alaska_Airlines_Flight_314_from_Seattle_to_San_Antonio\">Alaska Airlines Flight 314 from Seattle to San Antonio<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>I wanted to maximize my time in the San Antonio area, thus decided to take this redeye flight.<br \/>\nAfter my dismal experience with Seattle Airport\u2019s security checkpoint back in May, I unwillingly made a &#8220;spotsaver&#8221; reservation this time. <span style=\"font-size: small;\">I maintain my position that such program is merely a blame-shifter and the real solution is adding more screening lines.<\/span> It worked wondrously as I cleared the security screening in a mere 12 minutes.<br \/>\nUnfortunately, things only took a downward turn from here on. First, the airport WiFi had a security certificate issue that prevented me from connecting. Next, I waited for my flight in the north satellite terminal, and somehow jet exhaust made its way into the terminal through air-conditioning.<br \/>\nOn Alaska Airlines&#8217; side, things weren&#8217;t better. The flight was late because of late arrival of inbound aircraft, and traffic for pushback. Behind us, N597AS from Santa Ana had a 49-minute taxi in the airport while waiting for a ground handler. Frankly, I would expect Alaska Airlines to be doing better handling ground operations in its hub.<\/p>\n<p>Alaska Airlines 314<br \/>\nSeattle, WA (SEA) &#8211; San Antonio, TX (SAT)<br \/>\nBoeing 737-900 (N457AS)<br \/>\nSeat 19A<br \/>\nScheduled Departure &#8211; 11:40pm<br \/>\nActual Departure    &#8211; 12:33am + 1<br \/>\nScheduled Arrival   &#8211; 5:42am + 1<br \/>\nActual Arrival \t    &#8211; 6:17am + 1<br \/>\n3 hours and 44 minutes<br \/>\nHere&#8217;s GPS tracking:<\/p>\n<div style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/2;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=167606593&#038;measures=off&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230731_040219.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230731_040219.jpg\" alt=\"Twilight\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Twilight<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The flight itself wasn&#8217;t eventful (except for a harsh landing at the end), and I slept most of the way.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"San_Antonio_Missions\">San Antonio Missions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The history of San Antonio was deeply intertwined with the Spanish Missions. During the 1700s, the Spanish was actively colonizing North America. To counter French territory to the east (Louisiana), they established a few Missions in between that and their Mexican territories to the south, in nowadays San Antonio.<\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Alamo\">Alamo<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Alamo was the first of the Spanish Missions in the region (full name: Misi\u00f3n San Antonio de Valero), established in 1718. The Mission was abandoned in the late 18th century, and was turned into a military fort in early 19th century. &#8220;Battle of the Alamo&#8221; was a pivotal point in Texas&#8217; independence war with Mexico: following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops stormed Alamo and regained its control. With most captured soldiers from Alamo subsequently executed at Goliad, many Texians were inspired to join the Texian Army, which subsequently defeated the Mexican Army in the Battle of San Jacinto, giving birth to the Republic of Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Given the important role that Alamo played in the founding of Republic of Texas, the exhibits at Alamo focused more on the &#8220;Battle of the Alamo&#8221;, instead of the Mission days that preceded it. (Today, Alamo was owned and managed by the state of Texas, while the other Missions by the federal government. Among the former Missions, it also saw the most visitors, as a result of which a free timed ticket was required to enter its church building.)<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_100238.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230801_100238.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"The Alamo Facade\" \/><\/a><\/br>The Alamo Facade<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7210.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7210.jpg\" alt=\"Flags inside Alamo\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flags inside Alamo<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7211.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7211.jpg\" alt=\"Alamo Interior\" \/><\/a><\/br>Alamo Interior<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/20230801_100238.jpg\" alt=\"The Alamo Facade\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7210.jpg\" alt=\"Flags inside Alamo\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7211.jpg\" alt=\"Alamo Interior\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-6, #splide-thumb-6 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the Alamo.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_100238.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230801_100238.jpg\" alt=\"The Alamo Facade\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>The Alamo Facade<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7210.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7210.jpg\" alt=\"Flags inside Alamo\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flags inside Alamo<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7211.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7211.jpg\" alt=\"Alamo Interior\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Alamo Interior<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>In addition to Alamo, I checked out the four Missions that constituted San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. They were Mission San Jose \/ San Juan \/ Espada \/ Concepcion. All four Missions still contain active catholic parishes.<\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Mission_San_Jose\">Mission San Jose<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Mission San Jose was the second Spanish Mission in the region. It&#8217;s founded in 1720 partly because the nearby Mission San Antonio de Valero (Alamo) was getting crowded. It&#8217;s also one of the best-preserved, with its current church building constructed in 1768. It&#8217;s also where NPS set up a visitor center, and I happened to bump into a guided ranger program during my visit.<\/p>\n<p>In short, I would say the ranger program is very helpful to understand how Mission San Jose (and the other Missions in the region) worked. Essentially, Spain wanted to expand its empire and counter the France to the east (Louisiana), and they did so by converting Indians in the region to Christianity (and hence subjects and tax-payers of the Spanish Kingdom). Back then most Indians in the region were hunter-gatherers, and the Spanish colonizer introduced agriculture to them. It happened during a period when the Indians were suffering from Apache tribes, European disease and food scarcity, so they were quickly onboard, given the promise of stable food supply. The Spanish constructed aqueducts and irrigation channels to support agriculture, and the Indians attended the church on site and worked in the fields off site, hence a Mission was started. <\/p>\n<p>A key takeaway message from the ranger, that we all experience periods of hardship, and there&#8217;s always a way out of it. This happened to the Indians back in the 1700s, and they adapted a new lifestyle in the Missions and continued to thrive.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7158.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7158.jpg\" alt=\"Mission San Jose\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mission San Jose<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7174.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7174.jpg\" alt=\"Church Building\" \/><\/a><\/br>Church Building<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7161.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7161.jpg\" alt=\"Church Building\" \/><\/a><\/br>Church Building<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7163.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7163.jpg\" width=\"83%\" alt=\"Paint on Church Exterior\" \/><\/a><\/br>Paint on Church Exterior<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">The ranger on the guided tour mentioned these paints were once vivid in color, which was quite a novelty back then and a perfect demonstration of the church\u2019s wealth that also served as an advertisement for the Mission lifestyle.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7176.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7176.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Arched Exterior\" \/><\/a><\/br>Arched Exterior<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Remains of the convento which provided housing for church personal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7175.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7175.jpg\" width=\"50%\" alt=\"Exterior of Rose Window\" \/><\/a><\/br>Exterior of Rose Window<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7179.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7179.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Bastion\" \/><\/a><\/br>Bastion<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The three openings felt like a funny terrorist mask.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7162.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7162.jpg\" alt=\"Courtyard\" \/><\/a><\/br>Courtyard<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7158.jpg\" alt=\"Mission San Jose\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7174.jpg\" alt=\"Church Building\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7161.jpg\" alt=\"Church Building\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7163.jpg\" alt=\"Paint on Church Exterior\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7176.jpg\" alt=\"Arched Exterior\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7175.jpg\" alt=\"Exterior of Rose Window\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7179.jpg\" alt=\"Bastion\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7162.jpg\" alt=\"Courtyard\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-1, #splide-thumb-1 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of Mission San Jose.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7158.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7158.jpg\" alt=\"Mission San Jose\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mission San Jose<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7174.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7174.jpg\" alt=\"Church Building\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Church Building<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7161.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7161.jpg\" alt=\"Church Building\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Church Building<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7163.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7163.jpg\" alt=\"Paint on Church Exterior\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Paint on Church Exterior<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">The ranger on the guided tour mentioned these paints were once vivid in color, which was quite a novelty back then and a perfect demonstration of the church\u2019s wealth that also served as an advertisement for the Mission lifestyle.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7176.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7176.jpg\" alt=\"Arched Exterior\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Arched Exterior<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Remains of the convento which provided housing for church personal.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7175.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7175.jpg\" alt=\"Exterior of Rose Window\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Exterior of Rose Window<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7179.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7179.jpg\" alt=\"Bastion\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Bastion<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The three openings felt like a funny terrorist mask.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7162.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7162.jpg\" alt=\"Courtyard\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Courtyard<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230731_112035.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230731_112035.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Housing Unit\" \/><\/a><\/br>Housing Unit<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7160.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7160.jpg\" alt=\"Furnace\" \/><\/a><\/br>Furnace<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7166.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7166.jpg\" alt=\"Grist Mill Building\" \/><\/a><\/br>Grist Mill Building<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7165.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7165.jpg\" alt=\"Grist Mill\" \/><\/a><\/br>Grist Mill<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7164.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7164.jpg\" alt=\"Grist Mill\" \/><\/a><\/br>Grist Mill<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7168.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7168.jpg\" alt=\"Granary\" \/><\/a><\/br>Granary<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7173.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7173.jpg\" alt=\"Chapel with Rose Decorations\" \/><\/a><\/br>Chapel with Rose Decorations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/20230731_112035.jpg\" alt=\"Housing Unit\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7160.jpg\" alt=\"Furnace\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7166.jpg\" alt=\"Grist Mill Building\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7165.jpg\" alt=\"Grist Mill\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7164.jpg\" alt=\"Grist Mill\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7168.jpg\" alt=\"Granary\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7173.jpg\" alt=\"Chapel with Rose Decorations\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-2, #splide-thumb-2 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of Mission San Jose.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230731_112035.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230731_112035.jpg\" alt=\"Housing Unit\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Housing Unit<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7160.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7160.jpg\" alt=\"Furnace\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Furnace<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7166.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7166.jpg\" alt=\"Grist Mill Building\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Grist Mill Building<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7165.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7165.jpg\" alt=\"Grist Mill\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Grist Mill<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7164.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7164.jpg\" alt=\"Grist Mill\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Grist Mill<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7168.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7168.jpg\" alt=\"Granary\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Granary<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7173.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7173.jpg\" alt=\"Chapel with Rose Decorations\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Chapel with Rose Decorations<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>To support agriculture, the Missions were built along San Antonio River, where a series of water channels were constructed to irrigate farmland near the Missions. Part of the water was used to drive a grist mill in Mission San Jose (p3-5 above, restored in 2001), further increasing productivity.<br \/>\nBefore reaching my next stop of Mission San Juan, I checked out Piedras Creek Aqueduct, which was built so that water from San Antonio River can made its way across Sixmile Creek to irrigate farmland.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7188.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_7188.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Bridge of Piedras Creek Aqueduct\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7189.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_7189.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Piedras Creek Aqueduct\" \/><\/a><\/br>Piedras Creek Aqueduct<\/p><\/div>\n<h4><span id=\"Mission_San_Juan\">Mission San Juan<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>This was a Mission founded in 1731. Only a fraction of its building was still seen above ground today.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7180.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7180.jpg\" alt=\"Mission San Juan\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mission San Juan<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7182.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7182.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Main Gate to Mission San Juan\" \/><\/a><\/br>Main Gate to Mission San Juan<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Where travelers and traders were carefully scrutinized before being admitted to the mission.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7183.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7183.jpg\" alt=\"Church Interior\" \/><\/a><\/br>Church Interior<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7186.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7186.jpg\" alt=\"Courtyard\" \/><\/a><\/br>Courtyard<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7180.jpg\" alt=\"Mission San Juan\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7182.jpg\" alt=\"Main Gate to Mission San Juan\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7183.jpg\" alt=\"Church Interior\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7186.jpg\" alt=\"Courtyard\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-3, #splide-thumb-3 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of Mission San Juan.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7180.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7180.jpg\" alt=\"Mission San Juan\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mission San Juan<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7182.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7182.jpg\" alt=\"Main Gate to Mission San Juan\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Main Gate to Mission San Juan<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Where travelers and traders were carefully scrutinized before being admitted to the mission.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7183.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7183.jpg\" alt=\"Church Interior\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Church Interior<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7186.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7186.jpg\" alt=\"Courtyard\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Courtyard<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Mission_Espada\">Mission Espada<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>This one was the southern-most of the four missions under NPS management. The current site was founded in 1731. Between the late 1800s and 1960s, some rooms along its perimeter were used as a parochial school, now they housed museum exhibits.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7191.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7191.jpg\" alt=\"Gate\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gate<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7194C10.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7194C10.jpg\" width=\"50%\" alt=\"Church\" \/><\/a><\/br>Church<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7195.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7195.jpg\" alt=\"Church Interior\" \/><\/a><\/br>Church Interior<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7198.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7198.jpg\" alt=\"Ruins of Granary \/ Church\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ruins of Granary \/ Church<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7192.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7192.jpg\" alt=\"Remains of Indian Quarters\" \/><\/a><\/br>Remains of Indian Quarters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7191.jpg\" alt=\"Gate\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7194C10.jpg\" alt=\"Church\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7195.jpg\" alt=\"Church Interior\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7198.jpg\" alt=\"Ruins of Granary \/ Church\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7192.jpg\" alt=\"Remains of Indian Quarters\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-4, #splide-thumb-4 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of Mission Espada.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7191.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7191.jpg\" alt=\"Gate\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gate<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7194C10.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7194C10.jpg\" alt=\"Church\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Church<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7195.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7195.jpg\" alt=\"Church Interior\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Church Interior<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7198.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7198.jpg\" alt=\"Ruins of Granary \/ Church\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ruins of Granary \/ Church<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7192.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7192.jpg\" alt=\"Remains of Indian Quarters\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Remains of Indian Quarters<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"Mission_Concepcion\">Mission Concepcion<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>This one was also founded on the current site in 1731, located further north and closer to downtown San Antonio. Unlike the other three, it only had a church building left standing, with most of the support structures of a Mission gone (due to urban development). <\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7200.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7200.jpg\" alt=\"Mission Concepcion\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mission Concepcion<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7201.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7201.jpg\" alt=\"Mission Concepcion\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mission Concepcion<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7203.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7203.jpg\" alt=\"Paintings on Church Walls\" \/><\/a><\/br>Paintings on Church Walls<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7205.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7205.jpg\" alt=\"Church Interior\" \/><\/a><\/br>Church Interior<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7207.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7207.jpg\" alt=\"Chapel\" \/><\/a><\/br>Chapel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7200.jpg\" alt=\"Mission Concepcion\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7201.jpg\" alt=\"Mission Concepcion\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7203.jpg\" alt=\"Paintings on Church Walls\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7205.jpg\" alt=\"Church Interior\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_7207.jpg\" alt=\"Chapel\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-5, #splide-thumb-5 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the Mission Concepcion<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7200.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7200.jpg\" alt=\"Mission Concepcion\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mission Concepcion<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7201.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7201.jpg\" alt=\"Mission Concepcion\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mission Concepcion<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7203.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7203.jpg\" alt=\"Paintings on Church Walls\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Paintings on Church Walls<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7205.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7205.jpg\" alt=\"Church Interior\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Church Interior<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/DSC_7207.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/DSC_7207.jpg\" alt=\"Chapel\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Chapel<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h4><span id=\"San_Antonio_Riverwalk\">San Antonio Riverwalk<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>This was arguably the most popular tourist attraction of San Antonio (Alamo was just next door), where the river and shade from trees (and <del>skyscrapers<\/del> tall buildings) provided the prefect escape from the scorching Texas summer heat. <\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_094141.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230801_094141.jpg\" alt=\"Stage along San Antonio River Walk\" \/><\/a><\/br>Stage along San Antonio River Walk<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_114855.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230801_114855.jpg\" width=\"89.5%\" alt=\"Building of former St Mary\u2019s Institute\" \/><\/a><\/br>Building of former St Mary\u2019s Institute<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">An education institution established in the 1850s. The building was sold in 1967 and converted into a hotel.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_120140.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230801_120140.jpg\" alt=\"San Antonio River\" \/><\/a><\/br>San Antonio River<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_122805.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230801_122805.jpg\" width=\"93.1%\" alt=\"Kallison Walk Bridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Kallison Walk Bridge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">One that&#8217;s filled with love locks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_123004.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230801_123004.jpg\" width=\"53%\" alt=\"Bexar County District Courts\" \/><\/a><\/br>Bexar County District Courts<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">One that also housed a small museum.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_123135.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230801_123135.jpg\" width=\"93.1%\" alt=\"Statue of Early Settlers from Canary Islanders\" \/><\/a><\/br>Statue of Early Settlers from Canary Islanders<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The establishment of the first chartered civil settlement in present-day Texas.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/20230801_094141.jpg\" alt=\"Stage along San Antonio River Walk\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/20230801_114855.jpg\" alt=\"Building of former St Mary\u2019s Institute\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/20230801_120140.jpg\" alt=\"San Antonio River\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/20230801_122805.jpg\" alt=\"Kallison Walk Bridge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/20230801_123004.jpg\" alt=\"Bexar County District Courts\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/20230801_123135.jpg\" alt=\"Statue of Early Settlers from Canary Islanders\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-7, #splide-thumb-7 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_094141.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230801_094141.jpg\" alt=\"Stage along San Antonio River Walk\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Stage along San Antonio River Walk<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_114855.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230801_114855.jpg\" alt=\"Building of former St Mary\u2019s Institute\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Building of former St Mary\u2019s Institute<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">An education institution established in the 1850s. The building was sold in 1967 and converted into a hotel.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_120140.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230801_120140.jpg\" alt=\"San Antonio River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>San Antonio River<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_122805.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230801_122805.jpg\" alt=\"Kallison Walk Bridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Kallison Walk Bridge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">One that&#8217;s filled with love locks.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_123004.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230801_123004.jpg\" alt=\"Bexar County District Courts\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Bexar County District Courts<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">One that also housed a small museum.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_123135.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230801_123135.jpg\" alt=\"Statue of Early Settlers from Canary Islanders\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Statue of Early Settlers from Canary Islanders<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The establishment of the first chartered civil settlement in present-day Texas.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_130704.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-m\/20230801_130704.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Historic Market Square\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230801_133821.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-m\/20230801_133821.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Historic Market Square\" \/><\/a><\/br>Historic Market Square<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Where I subsequently went to find some food, and found the shops to be inundated with Mexican-made souvenirs.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span id=\"United_Airlines_Flight_2250_from_San_Antonio_to_Washington_Dulles\">United Airlines Flight 2250 from San Antonio to Washington Dulles<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Fast forward to Wednesday August 2, after finishing up my errands in San Antonio, I flew with United Airlines back home to Washington DC.<\/p>\n<p>Just like the previous two segments of this trip, this flight was booked on United&#8217;s award inventory. It&#8217;s interesting that for this particular flight, United had no award space in economy, but awards in (domestic) first class were wide open. Given United&#8217;s I-class awards were almost extinct in the wild, it&#8217;s a no-brainer that I grabbed it with only 12.5k miles from Turkish Airlines. <\/p>\n<p>As for the flight, United operated out of San Antonio&#8217;s more modern Terminal B, which was a delight compared to the more cramped Terminal A that I arrived with Alaska. <\/p>\n<p>United Airlines 2250<br \/>\nSan Antonio, TX (SAT) &#8211; Washington Dulles, VA (IAD)<br \/>\nBoeing 737-Max8 (N27269)<br \/>\nSeat 3A<br \/>\nScheduled Departure &#8211; 11:58am<br \/>\nActual Departure    &#8211; 12:08pm<br \/>\nScheduled Arrival   &#8211; 4:19pm<br \/>\nActual Arrival \t    &#8211; 4:04pm<br \/>\n2 hours and 56 minutes<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a video of the takeoff:<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/E5s5l66ifgA\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s GPS tracking:<\/p>\n<div style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/2;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=167606760&#038;measures=off&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>While most flight paths in the United States largely followed a straight line, we flew east to Houston first before making a slight left turn towards Washington DC.<br \/>\nIn addition, we experienced headwind for most of the flight (not common for eastbound flight), which was actually pretty strong (120 km\/h) over the southern Appalachian mountains.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-8\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230802_110425.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230802_110425.jpg\" width=\"93.1%\" alt=\"United Airlines B737-Max8 (N27269)\" \/><\/a><\/br>United Airlines B737-Max8 (N27269)<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">My plane to Washington Dulles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230802_122436.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230802_122436.jpg\" alt=\"Colorado River of Texas\" \/><\/a><\/br>Colorado River of Texas<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230802_123238.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230802_123238.jpg\" alt=\"Northern Suburb of Houston\" \/><\/a><\/br>Northern Suburb of Houston<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230802_124841.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230802_124841.jpg\" width=\"90.2%\" alt=\"Lunch\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lunch<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">I have heard many negative comments of catering on United Airlines\u2019 premium class. But contrary to them, I felt pretty satisfied with this offering.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-8\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/20230802_110425.jpg\" alt=\"United Airlines B737-Max8 (N27269)\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/20230802_122436.jpg\" alt=\"Colorado River of Texas\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/20230802_123238.jpg\" alt=\"Northern Suburb of Houston\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails-s\/20230802_124841.jpg\" alt=\"Lunch\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-8, #splide-thumb-8 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230802_110425.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230802_110425.jpg\" alt=\"United Airlines B737-Max8 (N27269)\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>United Airlines B737-Max8 (N27269)<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">My plane to Washington Dulles.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230802_122436.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230802_122436.jpg\" alt=\"Colorado River of Texas\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Colorado River of Texas<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230802_123238.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230802_123238.jpg\" alt=\"Northern Suburb of Houston\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Northern Suburb of Houston<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/20230802_124841.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2023\/07\/31\/thumbnails\/20230802_124841.jpg\" alt=\"Lunch\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lunch<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">I have heard many negative comments of catering on United Airlines\u2019 premium class. But contrary to them, I felt pretty satisfied with this offering.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a video of the landing:<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2q4u1S-4CkA\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>In the end, I landed safely just 4pm, wrapping up this week-long trip to western US.<br \/>\nEND<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The final days of my July 2023 trip to western United States. After spending the weekend in Seattle, I flew to San Antonio to finish some other errands, before flying back to Washington DC. This post would be&#8230; <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2023\/07\/31\/20230731texas\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,640,2],"tags":[537,592],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8723"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8723"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8723\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8745,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8723\/revisions\/8745"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8723"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8723"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8723"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}