As a young girl growing up around the state, I remember learning about the Alamo (Mission San Antonio de Valero) and its importance to Texas independence. I read Texas history books that included information about legendary heroes Davy Crockett, James Bowie and William Travis and their heroic battle at this historic mission. Movies depicting the encounter between the Texians and the Mexican Army continue to be seen by families around the world. And the battle cry, Remember the Alamo is still a phrase near and dear to my heart. Stepping foot into the Alamo, I can’t help but imagine how life was for these heroes who fought for Texas independence almost two centuries ago. A majority of the people I know have heard of the Alamo, but many are not aware of the other four missions located just down the road – the Mission Road.
The four missions offer an inside look at how people lived in the late 1600’s and the 1700’s. They are absolutely breathtaking and a must see when in San Antonio. My husband and I recently visited them on a Sunday and were pleased to see all four – Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Francisco de la Espada, Nuestra Señora de la Purisma Concepcion, and San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo – used for their original purpose, as places of worship.
The incredible architecture, the magnificent gardens, the faint music coming from inside the church and the beautiful families attending mass made for a wonderful day. For information on the missions, visit http://www.nps.gov/saan/index.htm. Safe travels!
EAT IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
After touring the wonderful San Antonio Missions and seeing the ancient, wood-burning ovens located at Mission San Jose, it was appropriate that our lunch choice was Dough Pizzeria Napoletana. The lunch crowd had arrived by the time we got there and few places were available for seating. Fortunately for us, we were seated at the pizza bar and had the opportunity to watch the master chefs build their masterpieces. An authentic wood-burning oven cooks the pizzas at a temperature of more than 800 degrees in less than two minutes. The entire process was interesting to watch, providing us with wonderful entertainment while we waited for our food.
We selected an appetizer of burrata, a house-made Italian cheese made with mozzarella and cream and shaped in a ball. The cheese was firm on the outside but creamy on the inside and was served with fresh pesto, roasted tomatoes and garlic, fresh basil and grilled bread. I could probably eat this every day. The freshness of the crisp bread topped with the creamy cheese and tomatoes certainly helped us understand the wonderful on-line reviews we’d read prior to our arrival.
The Pork Love pizza didn’t disappoint. From the fire-roasted crust to the amazing toppings of tomato sauce, house-made, Fior di Latte, salami, sausage, pancetta & speck, this pizza ranks up with THE BEST PIZZA I’ve ever eaten.
The next time you’re in San Antonio, stop by Dough. For more information, go to http://www.doughpizzeria.com/.
Categories: Travel Texas
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