March 18, 2019 Columbus to Fort Stockton, Texas

All along the interstate this morning – and yesterday – we kept seeing beautiful wildflowers. It was difficult to get a picture as we were driving, so Tobey pulled into a rest area and I walked back to take some pictures. That is definitely a disadvantage to interstate driving compared to the small roads we took on our journey eastward. The bluish-purple flowers are Texas bluebonnets. I am not sure what the red flowers are, but from the road they actually look more orange!

We stopped in San Antonio and visited the Mission San Jose. On the way, we passed the Mission Drive In. There aren’t many left in the United States and it was fun to see there is one here.

We took the free, ranger-guided tour of the mission. He explained that the Franciscan friars’ objective was to convert indigenous hunters and gatherers into Catholic, tax-paying subjects of the King of Spain.  The Indians’ struggle for survival against European disease and the raiding Lipan Apaches led them to the safety of the missions and thus forfeiting their culture.

The mission was established in 1720 but the construction of the limestone church didn’t begin until in 1768. The walls surrounding the mission contained 84 two-room apartments for the 350 Indians residing there.

Adjoining the church is the Convento, where the friars lived. There is an arched walkway in front of their living quarters.

By 1824, Mission San Jose ceased to be a mission. The property was secularized and the lands were redistributed among the inhabitants. The churches were transferred to the secular clergy. In the 104 years San Jose operated as a mission, over 2000 Indians were baptized.

Much of the mission fell into disrepair and during the 1930s, the WPA helped with restoration of the buildings.



We debated heading to downtown to see The Alamo and Riverwalk, but I decided there were too many things to see in San Antonio on this trip. We will need to come and spend a week in order to explore the area and enjoy everything San Antonio has to offer.

After a stop at the hardware store to get some parts for RV repairs, we blasted (as fast as you can in an RV) out of San Antonio. We drove and drove and drove! I-10 West scenery soon became flat and covered in scrub brush. I was happy to spot one small cone formation in the distance.  When we got closer, it didn’t look much like a cone!

Our day ended at the Road Runner RV  Park in Fort Stockton, Texas. Tomorrow, we again head further west toward Scottsdale.