A few days ago I had the privilege of doing a little "touristy" thing.  I say that it was a privilege because my son Tieg joined me.  At first, I didn't know how it was going to turn out.  I didn't know if he was just appeasing me or that he wanted to go.  I found out rather quick that he wanted to go and learn abut some of the history of San Antonio.  So for that, I thank you very much Tieg for being there.  I really enjoyed the afternoon.

Now to give a little tour and a little history of San Antonio.  There are five missions.  All are located near the San Antonio River (yes, the same river that has the river walk.)  These missions are:

1.  Mission San Antonio de Valero
2.  The mission of Nuestra Senora de la Purisima Concepcion
3.  San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo
4,  Mission San Juan Capisrano
5.  San Francisco de la Espada

San Francisco de la Espada

Founded in 1690 as San Francisco de los Tejas, is the oldest of East Texas missions and was moved to the San Antonio River in 1731 and was remaned San Francisco de la Espada.  Mission Espada is actually the newest of the 5 missions.

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mission San Juan Capistrano was originally San Jose de los Navonis in East Texas.  It was moved in 1730 to its permanent home on the San Antonio River's east bank.

The missions of San Antonio were not only self-sufficient, but they supported settlements and the nearby presidio (fort).  Four of the five missions still perform 2 masses each and every Sunday for the nearby residents.  These 2 missions also still have a Franciscan Monk residing on the premises.