Texas Hill Country Vibes: From Hill Country to San Antonio

After soaking in the charm of Fredericksburg, we set off for the next chapter of our Texas adventure—San Antonio and beyond. With National Bucket List Day today, it’s a great day to reflect. This post is all about celebrating the joy of helping Mom check off a few long-awaited experiences, including visiting the Alamo, strolling the Riverwalk, and honoring family memories along the way. Did you miss part 1? Catch up here.

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Roadside History & Riverwalk Hospitality

We kicked off the morning with a stop at the LBJ National Historical Park. Although the home and grounds were closed for renovations, we enjoyed a self-guided driving tour using the National Parks app, which shared fascinating stories about each part of the farm. One highlight was seeing the “Air Force One-Half” plane President Johnson used to commute between D.C. and his Texas ranch. We also visited the museum in Johnson City before making our way to San Antonio.

We checked into the Drury Inn & Suites, our second time staying there. With its friendly staff, comfortable rooms, and unbeatable location right on the Riverwalk, we’d highly recommend it. That afternoon, we took a Rio Boat Tour around the Riverwalk, which offered a relaxing, scenic way to see the Riverwalk and learn more about the history of the city.

Dinner was at Casa Rio, the first restaurant ever established along the Riverwalk. Getting there, however, proved a little tricky. The Riverwalk can be difficult to navigate for those with mobility concerns, and we ran into challenges finding accessible paths. Thankfully, a kind server from Landry’s restaurant noticed we were struggling when we asked where the closest elevator was to get us up to the street level. He led us through the kitchen elevator to reach street level, passing by the kind manager and assistant manager. Shortly after we got to street level, a Centro city ambassador walked us through the correct route to reach Casa Rio more easily. These small acts of kindness made a big difference—and gave a face to southern hospitality.

Remember the Alamo! A Walk Through History & Heart

This was one of the most meaningful days of the trip. We toured the Alamo, a long-awaited visit for Mom. As we watched the beautifully done history video, a gentleman sitting nearby leaned over and asked her if she was checking it off her bucket list. She smiled and nodded—and he replied, “Me too.” It was such a sweet moment.

Mom shared how she had wanted to see the Alamo, and see what Dad had seen in 1957 when he was stationed in San Antonio for Army basic training. Their wedding had been postponed that summer due to his military service and rescheduled for December of that year. Visiting the Alamo allowed her to walk through memories, even though it was not at all what she was expecting.

Afterward, we wandered through La Villita, San Antonio’s historic arts village, and explored a few shops along the Riverwalk, departing through our hotel’s lower level. It was especially comforting to know how to navigate back to our hotel after the previous day’s challenges. That evening’s walk felt much more relaxed and mom mentioned, as she stopped for photos by some flowers on the Riverwalk, how Grandma E loved to stop and have her photo taken by beautiful flowers, too.

Small Town Stops & Scenic Drops

We packed up and hit the road toward Austin, taking the scenic route through the Hill Country. Our first stop? Buc-ee’s in New Braunfels! None of us had ever been before, and we couldn’t leave without trying the famous Beaver Nuggets (spoiler: they lived up to the hype).

Later in the day, Steve and I stopped for a quick hike at Pedernales Falls while Mom stayed cool and comfortable in the car. The water was low, but the landscape was still beautiful—just the thing to stretch our legs before the final leg of the drive.

We wrapped up the day with burgers at Hopdoddy on South Congress in Austin. The food was delicious, the staff were friendly, and they were super helpful with gluten-free options for me.

Saturday, April 12 – Farewell for Now

With full hearts and a suitcase full of memories, we caught our flight from Austin to Phoenix to continue our journey.

This trip was more than just sightseeing. It was about honoring where we come from, sharing stories across generations, and helping Mom experience moments she’s dreamed of for years. On this National Bucket List Day, I’m especially thankful for the opportunity to be part of it all.

If you’ve ever considered a trip to the Texas Hill Country—or it’s been sitting on your travel wish list—let’s talk. I’d love to share more of what made this trip so memorable.