A Shootout at the Alamo...Bowl

Chris and I are both alumni of the University of Washington (actually, I am still a student since I am working on Masters from UW right now), and we love to cheer for the Dawgs. We have season tickets for football and we try to go to a few basketball games every year. Last year we watched them take down the Huskers in the Holiday Bowl. This year we decided to make the trip to San Antonio to watch the Huskies play in the Alamo Bowl. San Antonio is a wonderful place to visit, and there really is such thing as Texas Hospitality. The people were even better than the food. Well, maybe a tie...I loved the food...like a lot. 

We flew down early on the 28th of December. We stayed at the Sheraton Gunter. Aside from it being home base for Baylor (literally, they had set-up a temporary team shop in the lobby) we had a great experience. Since we flew down so early we had the whole day to explore...

The River Walk

The Lone Star Bar. They changed these American flags with Baylor flags shortly after I took this photo. 

One of my favorite parts of traveling food. I take pictures of my food often. Judge away...I really don't mind. These were some excellent Texas nachos at the Lone Star Bar on the River Walk.

We snagged a great table. 

We walked around the River Walk to try to come out of our food coma. 

Apparently, the Christmas lights on the River Walk are something to see in Texas. They were pretty great, but I think the PNW has them beat. 

For dinner we went to County Line BBQ on the River Walk. It was kind of gimmicky and over priced (because it is in tourist central) but we had to have some Texas BBQ and Texas beer on the River Walk. The food and beer did not disappoint. 

The next day was the 29th GAME DAY!!! We slept in, worked out (needed to happen in order to continue to indulge on the the Texas fare), and then headed out to prep for the game. 

San Antonio is a great city for many reasons. One of those reasons, is the friendly Visitor Guides downtown. These people were so kind and helpful. We asked one gentlemen for a recommendation for TexMex off the River Walk...the good stuff. He directed us to Blanco Cafe on Houston. 

As we approached the place we were a little unsure, it didn't look like much from the outside, but when we opened the door it was packed! 

IT WAS AMAZING!!! Not only was the food to die for, they hand-make their tortillas in house, the service was fast and friendly, it is family owned and operated, and this whole plate was $7.99! Blanco Cafe is an absolute must if you are in San Antonio. 

Again, another photo of my food. Again, one of the best parts of traveling. Spicy Carne Asada. My mouth  is watering. Yet another food coma. So we walked across town to see the Alamo. 

See some familiar names?

After exploring the Alamo we needed to get serious about prepping for the game. So back to the Lone Star Bar on the River Walk we went. The bartender and manager both recognized us from the day before, and went out of their way to welcome us back. Texas hospitality :)

Game time. 

This was an incredible moment I will not soon forget. The flag is being held up by members of the Air Force while Lee Greenwood sings, "Proud Be an American" all while the monitors are playing a slideshow of 30 plus service men and women from Texas who have lost their lives defending our country. The photos were of these men and women with their friends, families, and kids. The final chorus Lee Greenwood asked everyone to sing along. It was incredibly moving to be in stadium full of almost 70,000 people who were singing "I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free and I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me." Tears and heart-holding was surely happening. 

Kickoff. I was trying to get a picture of the hats and arms during kickoff, and this is how it turned out...kinda cool. 

Chris Polk running down the middle for a TD.

Keith Price looking for Devin Aguilar who FLIPPED into the end zone.

Final Score.

Despite the fact we lost, this was a game for the record books. We got to watch the Heisman Trophy winner (Robert Griffin III) and a real Texas shoot out (the highest scoring Bowl game in history).  If you left your seat to go to the bathroom you missed something incredible. Baylor fans are very polite and fun to compete in a game with. All I would change is the outcome. 

We had most of the 30th to explore the city a little bit more. El marcado is an area of town that has beautiful Mexican merchandise and more great Mexican food. 

Goodbye San Antonio. We had a great time!