Hats Off to San Antonio Texas and the River Walk
Remember the Alamo? Don't forget to walk the River and when you are at the square don't miss the monument to a rebel woman who I much respect a rebel of the Alamo who didn't wear a big hat but followed a big mission Adina De Zavala refused to give up her house and had her own stand off in February 1908 she was threatened with having her house razed in other words burned down, but despite having no electricity and no bed and being surrounded by rats she stood her ground and locked herself inside and waited at the door when the Sheriff arrived with a court order she still refused to leave the former Conveto and without food or drink available she laid herself on the floor and when word spread of the one woman stand off from San Antonio and beyond journalists reported and supporters gathered and jockeyed at the door for three days to speak to the rebel before she emerged and became an iconic image of female empowerment in Texas. Hell yes!
Lone Hat Hunting in the Lone Star State
The Key to finding the perfect cowboy hat in San Antonio? Authenticity!
Attending High School at "rural" Agricultural Tomales High when you were reading Vogue while all around you? Shit kickers and Stetson's were the norm, and for me? Can you say Fishy Fashionista out of water? But I figured I was only going to visit San Antonio once, and if they are famous for hats? I'm famous for making anything a fashion statement!
If I was comparing San Antonio Texas to Tomales High? I was making assumptions. Wrong assumptions! A City that puts Adina De Zavala at it's center? Here's a woman so passionate about her "hometown" that she was willing to barricade herself in her building for three days under threat of the sheriff and her life and ultimately? Her stubbornness ultimately led to the preservation of the building, and nobody, not even the law could make her budge. Hats off to Adina!
Downtown San Antonio? If you love hats, and great shopping? Any day is Christmas, but give yourself the gift of going deeper than Commerce Street and explore the riverwalk. It can be navigated on boat, on bike or even on a kayak if that's your thing. My thing was not to miss a single facet of this multi faceted city! Did you know that Fritos were invented in SA? Hey me either! It also holds the world record for number of tamales served in a single day. In one day? You can see a lot!
Forget Catwalks in San Antonio and go River Walk
When you think of Texas? What city pops to your mind first? Dallas? I have to admit being a child of the 80's? I'm guilty of associating that city as being the biggest draw. Guilt by association. Truthfully? San Antonio is the most visited city in the state and with a population of 1.5 Million? It's also bigger than Dallas. Add that it's the home of the Alamo? More storied and well worth one's time in my opinion as I have had occasion to pay a visit to both cities. I much prefer the authenticity of San Antonio.
On any day? My Bestie Gigi? She's the gift that gives to everyone. Inclusive of little children in the San Antonio Starbucks who will get on her level :)
In total the River Walk of San Antonia Texas runs 15 Miles with five of those miles being right through "down town" and you can pay $57 for a boat tour or opt to explore it on foot at your own pace, and that's free. There is no official spot to start or stop your tour, but I found the easiest access point was 849 E. Commerce Street. Easy as that I found that the beauty of a cloudy day was a brighter on the walkways along the river.
