The Agnew Family aboard the "Dog House"

It is hot here!!! The high yesterday was 92F (matching a previous record high for this day set in 1996), and it was hotter today. We spent the day driving to, and exploring the 4 Spanish missions (other than the Alamo) that are very close to San Antonio. Missions fell into disuse in the early 1800's as the requirements for fortified settlements diminished. However, the churches of these four are still in active use today. The US National Parks Service maintains the ruins, and provides visitor services.


Mission Concepcion


Looking down one of the corridors at Mission Concepcion


The ceiling in the church at Mission Concepcion


At the Mission San Jose, the natives lived in the rooms that ran along the wall. They used the cement and stone object at the left for cooking.


Ruins of Convento --- the missionaries lived on the 2nd floor while the lower floor was various storage rooms. Mission San Jose


Looking through the Ruins of Convento at Mission San Jose


Some of the carving above the main door of the church at Mission San Jose


Mission San Jose had a grist mill. Water was diverted from the San Antonio River to power the mill.


Zaph checking out an old well at Mission San Jose


The bells at Mission San Juan


A lot of restoration work is currently under way at Mission San Juan


The Espada Aqueduct --- Acequias (gravity flow ditches) were dug to irrigate the fields. The aqueduct was built to cross Six Mile Creek.


The church at Mission Espada


The ornate doors on the church at Mission Espada


The bell tower on the church at Mission Espada


Look whose coming out of one of the buildings at Mission Espada