CROSS COUNTRY

Atlanta
New Orleans
San Antonio
Truth or Consequences
Tombstone
Winslow
Grand Canyon
Las Vegas
Portland
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Red Lodge
Wall
Minneapolis
Boston
Washington, D.C.

San Antonio, Texas

(Cowboys, Clowns and Dusty Roads))

Excerpts from Kristy:
May 31-June 1, 1998

Everybody wants to know about the Alamo. I've talked to people who enjoyed the Alamo- they thought it was beautiful. And maybe I'm jaded from visiting the other missions on the mission trail first, but the Alamo disappointed me. The other missions teeter on the edge of disintegration. Dry and dusty looking much like they would have a hundred and fifty years before.

However, the Alamo isn't even remotely like this. Outside the doors stands a sign that asks visitors to please be respectful and quiet when entering the mission. We cautiously opened the door, expecting to see a silent chapel similar to the previous ones that we had visited. Instead, loud voices greeted us, along with running school children and rude tourists.

The exhibits constantly emphasized how many men died defending the Alamo. Texas is extremely proud of the Alamo and the men who fought for their freedom. The story chills the listener to the bone with a reporter writing that the walls remained stained with blood seven years after the battle. But the site doesn't evoke this feeling. The grounds are beautifully restored, but not preserved, enhanced to rolling green lawns that I'm positive did not exist when nearly 200 men gave their lives defending the mission 150 years ago.

I suppose my discontent stems from the idea that they gave me a very sterile, cleaned-up piece of history. History is bloody, ugly and certainly not black and white. The Alamo disappointed me because this tragic site could be a very powerful reminder not to repeat the past, but instead it's a nice place for a picnic.

On the up side, San Antonio is home to the Hertzberg Circus Museum. Although, I'm not fond of circuses, there are many exhibits that appeal to people of all ages. And of course, the Riverwalk is gorgeous and a wonderful example of urban revitalization.