Cooling off from the heat

Sarah's photo of the bench at the Alamo made me think of this spot as another place we can go to cool off from the SA heat. This is located right outside a wonderful ice cream shop that has recently moved to a newly renovated space up the street from my sister's apartment. The shop is called Justin's and they were recently kicked out of their leased space on the Riverwalk so that some chain restaurant can move in. Well, the Riverwalk's lose is our gain because now my sister and I can go to Justin's anytime (just a few blocks walk) and it's only 6 minutes from where we work.

See more photos of Justin's here.

Craft Center

Across the street from the library is the Southwest School of Art and Craft in an old Ursuline Academy building complex right on the river. We lovingly call it just The Craft Center, and it is often a nice escape just north of downtown. And behind the sign, the crape myrtles are blooming.

Have a Seat

The bench in the shade looks very inviting on a hot Texas day. This gate is connected to our most famous landmark, The Alamo.

White Rabbit

Taken in the early morning hours outside of a club called White Rabbit. This rabbit looks a little devilish, which is probably why I like him.

Going Postal

Dillards

On a jaunt over to the Rivercenter Mall, I looked at one of the Dillards display windows with new Daily Photo eyes. I have always liked the elaborate frames (not sure what you call them) around each little window. Very ornate, no? I don't even recall what was in the window, perfumes I believe.

Another shot from the SA Museum of Art. This was on the wall of a building in the parking lot. Sometimes it is fun to take pictures of other people taking pictures. ;)

Chihuly

Yesterday Sarah and I went to a meditation class at the San Antonio Museum of Art, which is about a mile or so from the Central Library. We were treated to another Chihuly work, this time installed in a low ceiling area where we had to walk through to get to our class. It was lovely! There were so many beautiful, colorful pieces to photograph. Sarah and I decided on this photo for all its color.

See more photos of the installation here.

Quiet Riverwalk

Every morning, I drive past this spot on the San Antonio Riverwalk on the way to work. This morning I decided to stop b/c I saw a crane and some ducks swimming around. People usually think of the Riverwalk as the bustling restaurant scene you see on brochures but there are many beautiful areas like this where a stroll can be peaceful and quiet. There were several walkers and runners this morning.

Photo taken at the BBQ place right next to the building in the previous post. Texans take their BBQ pretty seriously, and it smelled delicious as I walked up. I think they do most of their smoking at the back where it says 'Hot Spot'. Never eaten there, but love their motto.

Sacred Heart

Taken on my drive into work in the morning on N. St. Mary's St. This is the side of a store that used to sell day old bread from bakeries at discounted prices, but it seemed abandoned to me. This is in a very transitional neighborhood and hope this doesn't get covered up with graffiti.

Red Enchilada

View of the Central Library, nicknamed the Red Enchilada due to its color taken from Soledad Street.
I posted a photo of the pillars taken from the balcony at the library back in early May. You can see the same purple pillars at the top left of this photo. It was also 100 degrees outside, can you tell?

Walk it

This is one side of a bridge that is located along the San Antonio River, behind the Central Library and next to the Southwest Craft Center. There's a pedestrian walkway next to the vehicle lanes and since this area has been recently landscaped along the river down below, it makes a great getaway during lunchtime or break.

Fiesta Tower

The Fiesta Tower, a glass sculpture by artist Dale Chihuly installed a few years ago at the library. It looks so different in different lights, we will try others at different times. This one is in the bright morning sun.

Buzzzzzzz

My husband keeps bees as a hobby now (professionally earlier in life) so everytime I see bee activity, I'm checking it out! It was very sunny and bright yesterday so I couldn't see how my picture looked until I loaded it on my computer. I was thrilled to see I managed to capture three of the bees in action. If you look closely, you will see the pollen they are carrying on their legs!

Torch of Friendship

In this pic you can see the Torch of Friendship made for the City of San Antonio by the sculptor Sebastian. It's very red is it not? Also you can see one of our trolleys—you can get about in the downtown area on four routes.

Tong's Thai

We took Thien out today for her birthday lunch at Tong's Thai. I love their little courtyard in the front, but unfortunately it is on a busy/ugly street. Despite our dry weather, it is still warm enough to grow many of the tropical plants.

City Limits

Not very far from the city limits, San Antonio is like most big American cities. There is a mix of rural land, and encroaching suburban developments...big houses and strip malls. I love seeing the the timeless landscapes still surviving amid all the construction.

Looking out the window

This is at the Ruta Maya coffee house, enjoying the sights, sounds and views.

What a darling

She didn't speak any English. She was adorable. And she loved looking at her picture on the camera. Something about her really caught my eye.

Bejeweled

We went to a Bead Show and these caught my eyes b/c they were so pretty to look at. I don't know what you would do with them (they are about the size of my hand) but they do make me feel good just to see the color and sparkle.

Corporate Art

I heard a story on the news that the artist was intrigued by the logos of companies that were no longer in business. So he decided to paint some of his favorites on this vacant building. This is on San Pedro Ave. near downtown SA. It's two blocks away from our library.

Suicide to the Right

I saw this truck with it's signs this morning. I've never seen it put quite like this.

Pete's

Pete's Tako House on Main St just north of downtown is a great place for breakfast or lunch. They have the best refried beans, and if you ask them nicely, they will still make the (breakfast) Migas plate for your lunch. Delicious!

Wooden Roller Coaster

Roller coaster at Six Flags, an amusement park on the north side of the city. I am standing in the parking lot of a near by mall, right outside the valet parking at Neiman Marcus.

Garden Gnome

My garden gnome keeps watch over cucumbers and cantelope. Due to the unusual heat, south Texas has a very long growing season. I have tomatoes coming in already and last year we were still picking tomatoes in late November. A frost is rare, and happens about once or twice a year. We've had some good rains, been spared hail and the garden is thriving.

Cinco de Mayo

Taken while waiting for our food at Sonic on San Pedro. Side of the building that is a carwash/bar. I love the colors in the sun...very festive!

Pigeon Feast

Pigeons feasting after the storm—the one on the right looks like he just swallowed more than he could handle. What a way to begin the work day and Cinco de Mayo. :D

Van on a Stick

This photo will have to do until I can get a better one.

On the Way to May Knit Nite

Bond's 007 Rock Bar. We look into the windows of this bar everytime we pass by it. Unfortunately it is closed most of the times we pass it by—but I love the name. :D

Beautiful skies

Technically, this is from yesterday but I didn't have a chance to post it since I didn't get home before midnight. At the end of the workday, the SA area got hit unexpectedly by a crazy storm bringing tons of rain, lightening, hail and wind. All very exciting, but only if you weren't driving around at the time. This was taken when my husband and I got to the AT&T Center for a game. It was beautiful.

Under 35

Life in San Antonio often means lots of highway driving. This is taken on my on ramp home, under I-35 at Broadway. The Dallas Daily Photo Blog also posted a highway photo today! *Sigh* I guess that is life in Texas cities in general.

Central Library: Series 1

The first in probably many in a series of photos of the Central Library downtown. The architecture is striking from many different angles outside. And? Can you spot the TED staff members?

Car on a Stick

Check it out, on the right side. I have to laugh every time I see a vehicle on a stick. I also see a van on a stick most days—I'll have to get a pic of that one too. :D