The Best Walk

After graduating from college our daughter lived in Austin, Texas for about a year and during that time my wife and I went for a visit. Prior to that I was reading a novel which began with a scene from San Antonio’s River Walk. Learning that San Antonio is an easy drive from Austin, we made it a point see it. We arrived in San Antonio fairly early in the morning but late enough to see the first attraction - The Alamo. Surprisingly, it didn’t take that long to see the Alamo. Before the morning was over we drove to a parking area with access to the River Walk. (We learned later that we could have easily walked from the Alamo.)

From the street you descend to the walkway using a wide set of stairs.As you arrive at the lower level you are greeted with a pleasant variety of natural and man made features. The side walks along the San Antonio River are well shaded and lined by shops and restaurants. The River Walk winds and loops under bridges. On both side of the river are sidewalks.

We spent what was left of the morning walking along the sidewalks. For lunch we chose a sidewalk cafe and took our time. All during the walk and while we ate we noticed the river was somewhat populated with sight-seeing boats they called River barges. The rides cost about $5.00 for adults and it takes just under an hour. We took a ride and enjoyed it. After the ride we started walking again.
Along the way we stopped at one of the shops. While there one of the owners told us that the River Walk was the second most popular tourist attraction in Texas just behind The Alamo. So without even trying we had seen the top two Texas attractions and it was only two in the afternoon. The more we walked, the more we liked the River Walk. All areas were well decorated and it was easy to walk around. We were glad we were able to spend the day there.

History of The River Walk from Wikipedia:

The River Walk was the idea of architect Robert Hugman in the late 1920s. As an alternative to paving over the troublesome San Antonio River, Hugman drew out a plan he called “The Shops of Aragon and Romula” which allowed for both flood prevention and commercial development. Hugman maintained his office along the shallow river, despite warnings that he would be “drowned like a rat” and its early reputation as a dangerous hole. (The River Walk was declared off-limits to military personnel at one point.) Hugman persisted, and his office can still be found next door to another early presence on the River Walk, the landmark Casa Rio restaurant.

Crucial funding came in 1939 under the WPA and resulted in the initial construction of a network of some 17,000 linear feet of walkways, about 20 bridges, and extensive plantings including the live oaks whose branches are visible from street level.

Through the following decades the network has been improved and extended, without losing its original character.

Filed under: San Antonio on April 18th, 2007 | No Comments »