Travel Article [draft]

11/25/2009
Day at the Missions

As I sat at a red light lost on San José Drive, fanning myself because the air conditioner could not keep up with the 100+ degree heat, I looked to my left and saw a sign that read: San Antonio Mission National Historical Park 3 miles. Curious about something basically in the middle of no where, I turned left and proceeded down the road towards the Missions.
Coming up on Mission San Jose, which is not necessarily the first mission in the line of missions San Antonio has, my eyes were greeted with an astonishing piece of architecture. Once the shock of the panorama before you subsides, you realize it is not only an edifice, but a piece of history, and a huge part of the culture that makes San Antonio great.
Entering the park, you learn that this is one of four missions San Antonio has to offer. Each one located near the San Antonio River, and each providing a glimpse into the past and the rich Spanish influence that has had an unmistakable hold on this city for decades.
The main trail that links the missions, I realized does not begin on San Jose Drive, but on Mission Road, and is connected by a 12 mile trail which you can travel with your own two feet, vehicle, or bike, the choice is up to you. To make it easy For GPS Users plug in N 29° 23.283' W 098° 29.80' (WGS84/NAD83) (Courtesy of Jeeep.com) and you’ll be all set and ready to go!
Mission Concepción, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan Capistrano, and Mission Espada are 4 very different missions that inevitably serve the same purpose, to educate the public on San Antonio culture.
Sure, you have to resist the impulse to run up to the magical piece of work, but I highly recommend that you visit the visitor’s center before getting started at each Mission site.
Once in each one’s persona visitor’s center, you learn that San Antonio’s settlement goes back to the very early eighteenth century, and were settled by explorers with the intent to expand Spanish territory. These explorers also had the intent to spread Catholicism; now you can kind of take a guess that this is where the missions came into play.
The explorers would build a church inside of a massive wall, in fear of Indians, and the threat of a battle scene, which they were not prepared to conquer. In this wall, they had their crops, shelters, and animals. All mission sites were built close to water, and the San Antonio River was a hot commodity to the Spanish explores and their families because it was their main water source for food, bathing, and the washing of the garments. Eventually this tradition caught on and several more missions were built close by in the San Antonio area, and the missions turned in to communities that spread all over the city creating the society of San Antonio, Texas.
Mission San Jose was established in 1720, and had a more agriculture concentrated society within its walls. This was the first mission to develop an irrigation system inside its walls, with the water source being what folks? That’s right! The San Antonio River. This mission is definitely one of the more beautiful sights to see. When you step into this culture rigged heaven, you are invited to go inside the stone huts that the Spanish explorers shared with their families. Of course they have had to do some touching up since the 1720s, but the feel for how these people lived will leave a lasting impression. Mission San Jose’s church is still a very much active parish. When you push those huge wooden doors open in the building’s main tower, be careful not to be too loud, you may be disturbing those deep in prayer!
So backtracking through the mission trail, mission Espada is next on the plan. Mission Espada was established in 1690 near Augusta, Texas and was moved to San Antonio in 1731, and took Mission San Juan’s idea of an irrigation system to the next level. When you visit mission Espada, you must visit the aqueduct that was made by the Spanish explorers. The aqueduct was such a sight to see by tourists, the City of San Antonio made it into a National Landmark. While your there enjoying your historical venture, feel free to catch your breath on a comfortable shaded bench conveniently placed next to the San Antonio river.
Mission Concepción was first established in 1716 in East Texas, and did not get moved to San Antonio until 1731. Concepción is such a sight to see with its architecture relating to that of Mission San Jose. Mission Concepción has one of the most beautiful, unrestored stone churches of all the Missions. I’m not kidding, this thing is enormous, and if you are lucky enough to go on a day where an acoustic band is playing there, like a band was the day that I went, you will not be disappointed. The sounds that bounce off of the walls in that place are amazing. You can just imagine sitting in church back in the eighteenth century listening to your choir group sing, and play and rejoicing in the structure you are standing in.
Last but not least the end of our culture endeavor brings us to Mission San Juan Capistrano whose white stone walls look as if they want tell the tales of the spirits who inhabit its structure. Mission San Juan Capistrano has much in common with Mission Concepción. Mission San Juan Capistrano was also established in 1716 in East Texas and was moved to San Antonio in 1731. As you walk around this historic location, you will frequently greeted by the active parish members who are willing to share the history of the Mission site to anyone who will listen. Mission San Juan Capistrano has been restored due to the cracking in the white rock.
What makes these missions such a spectacular site to see, and why should we care about the lasting history each one has to offer? These missions are an institution to the San Antonio community; they represent how the city got started, and how much faith runs deep in this city’s veins. Oh yeah, and should I mention that the Alamo is string tying each mission together? That’s right, Mission San Antonio de Valero AKA the Alamo used to be a mission as well, how’s that for a history lesson?
If your looking for a fun, educational, culture immersion, come on down to San Antonio, Texas and visit the Mission National Historical Park. Open 7 days a week year-round (except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day) from 9 AM to 5 PM. Did I mention there is no entrance fee to the park? How about that! You get the fun, the excitement, the aesthetically pleasing appearance of centuries old architecture for FREE! So what are you waiting for, stop reading me and get down here, you have nothing to lose, and an experience of a lifetime to gain!