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Separated at Birth?
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Texas Roadtrip - Part 2
Visiting Family

Mark D Larsen

June 12-15, 2025

This part of the Texas saga will likely be more enjoyable because it highlights the days in San Antonio while visiting my family. We did so many fun things together that I can hardly remember what order to put them in. What a wonderful time I had!

NOTE: You can click on the following photos to enlarge them, and the movies to play them.

Upon arrival at my first daughter Amanda's home, I immediately took Moxie out to the back yard to enjoy getting her feet on some grass instead of asphalt or gravel.

She was joined by Amanda's sweet Bichon Frise, "Beignet."

I spotted a red cardinal in the back yard, something we never see in our area of the country.

Amanda started to set up the patio for me.

She then set about making dinner for everybody.

Moxie and Beignet then looked to me to give them some appetizer treats.

Beignet is a delightful doggy, 13 years old, and going deaf and blind with age.

She nonetheless loves to get tummy rubs.

She has a comfy bed in the kitchen to stay close to her Mommy while she fixes meals.

Moxie likes to find covered spots at home, and quickly determined that the kitchen stools were just right to provide security in Amanda’s home.

Amanda's darling daughter Emelyse then arrived to greet her Grandpa.

Later, Amanda's eldest son Caleb also showed up. After dinner I convinced them to watch “The Thomas Crown Affair” with Pierce Brosnan, because they had never seen it. Such a clever plot, even better than the original with Steve McQueen.

It rained pretty hard that night, but was only drizzling when Amanda suggested we go take a walk on one of the trails in the city.

We could see on the sides of the trail that the area was flooded on both sides from the storm.

These trails are very nice, well planned, and eventually they’ll all be connected throughout San Antonio and beyond.

I had to chuckle that, after the workers laid the cement, leaves would fall and leave their imprints in the concrete.

While we were passing one electrical tower we spotted two turkey ravens perched on it, perhaps hoping we would be their breakfast…?

We didn't hike far, only to where the tree growth opened up to this farmer's field. In all, we probably walked no more than a mile, which was plenty for Moxie's short legs.

On the way back to the house, we happened to pass a new Electrify America site in a Target parking lot. The dispensers were brand new models, but didn't have power yet, as their cables were still covered in plastic. Later, we went to Amanda’s second son Jeremiah's apartment to pick up his daughter Lyla —my first great-grandchild.

Later that day, my third daughter Jennifer arrived after driving two days from Alabama, just to see me during my visit. Yay! I only wished my second daughter, Marisa, could have also joined us, but she is even farther away in North Carolina.

With Caleb, Emelyse, and Lyla there, we were able to get caught up on all everybody’s news.

We had dinner and Jen' told me what was happening with all three of her kids. She recently had hip surgery, and I was impressed that she is recovering so well.

Amanda’s husband Robert then stopped work for the day, and we all got ready to go swim in the pool.

Beignet came outside with us, but apparently is no fan of swimming in the pool.

Jen' had no qualms about taking the plunge, even though the water seemed a bit cool to her.

The hot tub "balcony" was where everybody wanted to hang out.

I thought the pool temperature was just right for me. Moxie tried to follow me when I got in and walked off the pool edge into the water, which took her by surprise. I was delighted to see that she did know how to swim (doggy paddle), but I then put her on my lap in the inner tube so that she'd feel more secure.

That night she was sure tired, and glad to finally go to bed.

The next day Amanda had to work. Jen' and I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood with Moxie. The suburb has numerous deer wandering over residents' property, and we spotted two fairly newborn babies with their spotted coats.

I had to pause and take a photo of this gargoyle protecting the entrance to one driveway.

Oddly enough, one home had Halloween decorations on the front porch. Holiday leftovers? Or early birds?

When we got back, we found out that Amanda had forgotten her phone, so Jen' and I agreed to take it to her in Rocinante. Over the last two days the trickle charge had put 90% into the battery.

I had apparently forgotten that I had set Rocinante’s AC charger to 100% when we started to drive here, so I set it back down to the usual 80% limit. It now had 206 miles of range. In the photo at the top of the page you can see Rocinante parked at Amanda's workplace. Her own “twin” Ioniq 5 is on the opposite side of the lot.

Jen' made dinner for us during the afternoon. We then watched "How to Train Your Dragon," one of my daughters’ favorites, before going to bed. The next morning we were ready for a fun Saturday. Here is cherub Lyla having breakfast.

We piled into both Ioniq 5s, with Amanda behind the wheel of mine. I had already seen Jeremiah's apartment when we'd picked up Lyla, but Amanda wanted to also show me where Emelyse and Caleb lived.

Truth be told, I've only very rarely sat in the passenger seat, and I took this photo as we approached downtown San Antonio.

This is the kitchen in the home that Emelyse and her companion Shu Han have purchased.

This is Emelyse, Amanda, and Shu Han in the entryway to the home.

We then went to see Caleb's new townhouse, and you can see how he is decorating it to have the appearance of a "grotto."

We then headed downtown to visit the open air market near the Pearl brewery next to the famous River Walk.

Typical for a Saturday, it was crowded, but we managed to find some parking spots fairly close to each other.

Ready to start strolling… with Lyla in her stoller.

Shu Han took this photo of the family: Caleb with Lyla, me and Moxie, Emelyse, Amanda, Robert, and Jennifer.

From the plaza in the marketplace, a view of the Pearl.

We went into the specialty shop at the entrance.

It boasted all kinds of fun products.

There was no playground there, and Lyla was pretty sedate —and hot.

A selfie with Jen'!

This shop had the same name as Amanda's doggy. Made me wish we'd brought her.

It was likely too hot for her, though, and indeed Moxie was panting. I was glad to have brought my squirt bottle to be able keep her wet and cool her down.

Amanda bought a bunch of pastries for us… only one left in the box!

Thankfully there were some shady spots. Here are Caleb, Jen', Amanda, Lyla, and her third son James.

Most of the Pearl had been remodeled as a popular hotel.

It's library was impressive, looking like the one in "My Fair Lady."

They had turned this immense brewery pipe into a fountain.

In the hotel lobby there were numerous other pipes.

We went out to the river walk, and I was intrigued to see what was an ice house.

Looking back at another building for the ice house.

The turtles in the river were playing leapfrog to bask in the sunshine.

Looking ahead along the river walk, trying to catch up with Robert.

Moxie and I, of course, were lagging behind.

Amanda and Jen' stopped to take a selfie.

Here is what they captured.

As you saw in their selfie, there were fun fish decorations hanging under the overpass.

We ended up at a large outdoor café with colorful decorations.

Emelyse and James, with Lyla in tow, occupied a swinging bench overlooking the river.

Amanda bought a variety of hors d'oeuvres to enjoy around a table: me (with Moxie’s squirt bottle!), Lyla, Amanda, Robert, Caleb, Shu Han, Emelyse, James.

To add temptation to calories, for dinner at home Amanda made us some delicious reuben sandwiches.

Robert, Amanda, Jen' and I then piled into Amanda's Ioniq 5, with Robert at the wheel, to drive to the San Antonio rodeo that evening.

I had never ridden in the back of our EVs before and was pleased to find that it was very spacious and comfortable. I then took these videos on the ride to the rodeo ranch.

Here we have arrived at the entrance to the rodeo.

There was a bucking bull ride for kids to try by the arena.

The place was packed, but we found some seats at the far end.

A selfie of our crew: Robert, Amanda, some ol' duffer, and Jen'.

I took some clips of the bull riding, calf roping, and what they called "mutton bustin’," when young kids try to hang on to running sheep.

The next day, for Father's Day, Amanda wanted to take us to some natural history and science museums, and here we are: Robert, Jeremiah with daughter Lyla in her stroller, Amanda, Jen’, James, and Emelyse. I wish I'd taken the photo from in front of them, for I now realize I never took any of Jeremiah face on. Tsk.

It was another hot day, but cooler in the forest around the museum.

As you could tell from the tracks on the building, there were lots of statues, fossil skeletons, and displays of dinosaurs.

They were overhead.

Greeting us at the entrance.

An encased velociraptor.

A huge prehistoric crocodile.

I was intrigued by this map showing the different geography and climes in Texas that I had driven to arrive here.

This was an amusing display of living creatures in Texas. I seriously doubt opposums carry their babies on their tails.

I was intrigued to see this 4,000 year old Paleoindian knife.

Jen', Lyla, and Amanda in an outdoor treehouse.

I think Emelyse gave up trying to keep Lyla in her stroller.

The greenery outside the museum.

In the science museum there was an interactive display that recorded and measured how people walked. Amanda tried hopping along.

Emelyse went strolling with arms wide.

This old duffer hopped.

The display then projected moving silhouettes with the results. You can see the differences in speed, stride, and energy.

Another interactive device in which you could lift your own weight with a variety of pulleys.

When we returned home, I was honored with some gifts for Father's Day, and one of them was an eye massager! I'll have to use this the next time I have a headache.

As the sun started to set, we embarked on the final event of the day —and of my visit to San Antonio. Six of us went to see a swarm of bats emerge from an abandoned train tunnel in Old Tunnel State Park. This is a plaque at the observational site.

The most noticeable bats in this area are the Mexican Free Tail variety.

We wandered down the trail to look into the tunnel, and could barely see a few bats flitting around at the far end.

We took some seats with the other audience members. Here are James, Caleb, and Robert. Amanda, Jen', and I were on the other side.

And here is a full 10-minute video of the bats as they emerged from the tunnel, formed a "batnado" to circle around and eventually rise to fly off over the trees. I've got to say that this was one of the most impressive natural phenomenon I've ever witnessed. My jaw dropped as more and more and more bats joined into the nightly feeding spree —approximately one million of them! Truly incredible!

I now only wish I’d taken more photos during this visit, but there are times when you’re having so much fun that you simply forget to record photos and videos for memory’s sake in the future. Indeed, many of the photos above were taken by Amanda and Jen’ and then shared with me. At least they pay more attention to the scenes worth saving! Alas… all good things must end, and the next day Moxie and I started the journey home.

Upon arrival at my first daughter Amanda's home, I immediately took Moxie out to the back yard to enjoy getting her feet on some grass instead of asphalt or gravel.	She was joined by Amanda's sweet Bichon Frise, "Beignet."
I spotted a red cardinal in the back yard, something we never see in our area of the country.	Amanda started to set up the patio for me.
She then set about making dinner for everybody.	Moxie and Beignet then looked to me to give them some appetizer treats.
Beignet is a delightful doggy, 13 years old, and going deaf and blind with age.	She nonetheless loves to get tummy rubs.
She has a comfy bed in the kitchen to stay close to her Mommy while she fixes meals.	Moxie likes to find covered spots at home, and quickly determined that the kitchen stools were just right to provide security in Amanda’s home.
Amanda's darling daughter Emelyse then arrived to greet her Grandpa.	Later, Amanda's eldest son Caleb also showed up. After dinner I convinced them to watch “The Thomas Crown Affair” with Pierce Brosnan, because they had never seen it. Such a clever plot, even better than the original with Steve McQueen.
It rained pretty hard that night, but was only drizzling when Amanda suggested we go take a walk on one of the trails in the city.	We could see on the sides of the trail that the area was flooded on both sides from the storm.
These trails are very nice, well planned, and eventually they’ll all be connected throughout San Antonio and beyond.	I had to chuckle that, after the workers laid the cement, leaves would fall and leave their imprints in the concrete.
While we were passing one electrical tower we spotted two turkey ravens perched on it, perhaps hoping we would be their breakfast…?	We didn't hike far, only to where the tree growth opened up to this farmer's field. In all, we probably walked no more than a mile, which was plenty for Moxie's short legs.
On the way back to the house, we happened to pass a new Electrify America site in a Target parking lot. The dispensers were brand new models, but didn't have power yet, as their cables were still covered in plastic. Later, we went to Amanda’s second son Jeremiah's apartment to pick up his daughter Lyla —my first great-grandchild.	Later that day, my third daughter Jennifer arrived after driving two days from Alabama, just to see me during my visit. Yay! I only wished my second daughter, Marisa, could have also joined us, but she is even farther away in North Carolina.
With Caleb, Emelyse, and Lyla there, we were able to get caught up on all everybody’s news.	We had dinner and Jen' told me what was happening with all three of her kids. She recently had hip surgery, and I was impressed that she is recovering so well.
Amanda’s husband Robert then stopped work for the day, and we all got ready to go swim in the pool.	Beignet came outside with us, but apparently is no fan of swimming in the pool.
Jen' had no qualms about taking the plunge, even though the water seemed a bit cool to her.	The hot tub "balcony" was where everybody wanted to hang out.
I thought the pool temperature was just right for me. Moxie tried to follow me when I got in and walked off the pool edge into the water, which took her by surprise. I was delighted to see that she did know how to swim (doggy paddle), but I then put her on my lap in the inner tube so that she'd feel more secure.	That night she was sure tired, and glad to finally go to bed.
The next day Amanda had to work. Jen' and I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood with Moxie. The suburb has numerous deer wandering over residents' property, and we spotted two fairly newborn babies with their spotted coats.	I had to pause and take a photo of this gargoyle protecting the entrance to one driveway.
Oddly enough, one home had Halloween decorations on the front porch. Holiday leftovers? Or early birds?	When we got back, we found out that Amanda had forgotten her phone, so Jen' and I agreed to take it to her in Rocinante. Over the last two days the trickle charge had put 90% into the battery.
I had apparently forgotten that I had set Rocinante’s AC charger to 100% when we started to drive here, so I set it back down to the usual 80% limit. It now had 206 miles of range. In the photo at the top of the page you can see Rocinante parked at Amanda's workplace. Her own “twin” Ioniq 5 is on the opposite side of the lot.	Jen' made dinner for us during the afternoon. We then watched "How to Train Your Dragon," one of my daughters’ favorites, before going to bed. The next morning we were ready for a fun Saturday. Here is cherub Lyla having breakfast.
We piled into both Ioniq 5s, with Amanda behind the wheel of mine. I had already seen Jeremiah's apartment when we'd picked up Lyla, but Amanda wanted to also show me where Emelyse and Caleb lived.	Truth be told, I've only very rarely sat in the passenger seat, and I took this photo as we approached downtown San Antonio.
This is the kitchen in the home that Emelyse and her companion Shu Han have purchased.	This is Emelyse, Amanda, and Shu Han in the entryway to the home.
We then went to see Caleb's new townhouse, and you can see how he is decorating it to have the appearance of a "grotto."	We then headed downtown to visit the open air market near the Pearl brewery next to the famous River Walk.
Typical for a Saturday, it was crowded, but we managed to find some parking spots fairly close to each other.	Ready to start strolling… with Lyla in her stoller.
Shu Han took this photo of the family: Caleb with Lyla, me and Moxie, Emelyse, Amanda, Robert, and Jennifer.	From the plaza in the marketplace, a view of the Pearl.
We went into the specialty shop at the entrance.	It boasted all kinds of fun products.
There was no playground there, and Lyla was pretty sedate —and hot.	A selfie with Jen'!
This shop had the same name as Amanda's doggy. Made me wish we'd brought her.	It was likely too hot for her, though, and indeed Moxie was panting. I was glad to have brought my squirt bottle to be able keep her wet and cool her down.
Amanda bought a bunch of pastries for us… only one left in the box!	Thankfully there were some shady spots. Here are Caleb, Jen', Amanda, Lyla, and her third son James.
Most of the Pearl had been remodeled as a popular hotel.	It's library was impressive, looking like the one in "My Fair Lady."
They had turned this immense brewery pipe into a fountain.
In the hotel lobby there were numerous other pipes.	We went out to the river walk, and I was intrigued to see what was an ice house.
Looking back at another building for the ice house.	The turtles in the river were playing leapfrog to bask in the sunshine.
Looking ahead along the river walk, trying to catch up with Robert.	Moxie and I, of course, were lagging behind.
Amanda and Jen' stopped to take a selfie.	Here is what they captured.
As you saw in their selfie, there were fun fish decorations hanging under the overpass.	We ended up at a large outdoor café with colorful decorations.
Emelyse and James, with Lyla in tow, occupied a swinging bench overlooking the river.	Amanda bought a variety of hors d'oeuvres to enjoy around a table: me (with Moxie’s squirt bottle!), Lyla, Amanda, Robert, Caleb, Shu Han, Emelyse, James.
To add temptation to calories, for dinner at home Amanda made us some delicious reuben sandwiches.	Robert, Amanda, Jen' and I then piled into Amanda's Ioniq 5, with Robert at the wheel, to drive to the San Antonio rodeo that evening.
I had never ridden in the back of our EVs before and was pleased to find that it was very spacious and comfortable. I then took these videos on the ride to the rodeo ranch.
Here we have arrived at the entrance to the rodeo.	There was a bucking bull ride for kids to try by the arena.
The place was packed, but we found some seats at the far end.	A selfie of our crew: Robert, Amanda, some ol' duffer, and Jen'.
I took some clips of the bull riding, calf roping, and what they called "mutton bustin’," when young kids try to hang on to running sheep.
The next day, for Father's Day, Amanda wanted to take us to some natural history and science museums, and here we are: Robert, Jeremiah with daughter Lyla in her stroller, Amanda, Jen’, James, and Emelyse. I wish I'd taken the photo from in front of them, for I now realize I never took any of Jeremiah face on. Tsk.	It was another hot day, but cooler in the forest around the museum.
As you could tell from the tracks on the building, there were lots of statues, fossil skeletons, and displays of dinosaurs.	They were overhead.
Greeting us at the entrance.	An encased velociraptor.
A huge prehistoric crocodile.	I was intrigued by this map showing the different geography and climes in Texas that I had driven to arrive here.
This was an amusing display of living creatures in Texas. I seriously doubt opposums carry their babies on their tails.	I was intrigued to see this 4,000 year old Paleoindian knife.
Jen', Lyla, and Amanda in an outdoor treehouse.	I think Emelyse gave up trying to keep Lyla in her stroller.
The greenery outside the museum.	In the science museum there was an interactive display that recorded and measured how people walked. Amanda tried hopping along.
Emelyse went strolling with arms wide.	This old duffer hopped.
The display then projected moving silhouettes with the results. You can see the differences in speed, stride, and energy.
Another interactive device in which you could lift your own weight with a variety of pulleys.	When we returned home, I was honored with some gifts for Father's Day, and one of them was an eye massager! I'll have to use this the next time I have a headache.
As the sun started to set, we embarked on the final event of the day —and of my visit to San Antonio. Six of us went to see a swarm of bats emerge from an abandoned train tunnel in Old Tunnel State Park. This is a plaque at the observational site.	The most noticeable bats in this area are the Mexican Free Tail variety.
We wandered down the trail to look into the tunnel, and could barely see a few bats flitting around at the far end.	We took some seats with the other audience members. Here are James, Caleb, and Robert. Amanda, Jen', and I were on the other side.
And here is a full 10-minute video of the bats as they emerged from the tunnel, formed a "batnado" to circle around and eventually rise to fly off over the trees. I've got to say that this was one of the most impressive natural phenomenon I've ever witnessed. My jaw dropped as more and more and more bats joined into the nightly feeding spree —approximately one million of them! Truly incredible!