Category: Trips

Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph

This is Building 100, known as the “Taj Mahal” which houses administrative offices. The tower is of Art Deco style, and the wo story office building is an example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.
Missing man monument, inscription reads “We who came home must never forget those who could not.”
Historic chapel.

Tower of the Americas

San Antonio TX

The Tower of the Americas was built in 1968 for the Hemisfair World’s Fair, which celebrated San Antonio’s 250th anniversary. This is the tallest observation tower in Texas, and was the tallest in the U.S. from 1968 until it was surpassed by the Stratosphere Tower, Las Vegas in 1996.

At 750 feet, it is the tallest structure in Texas (excluding radio antennas) south of Houston.

The Tower features a revolving restaurant, an indoor and outdoor observation deck, a cafe, a gift shop and a 4D theatre show titled “Skies Over Texas.”
The obligatory wings photo op.
Beautiful sky, even though it was much colder than normal here.
Downtown San Antonio from the tower, looking north-northwest. I have this same picture from when I was here in the 1980s. There are a few new buildings – it is interesting to compare!
Looking northeast from the tower, with the tower’s shadow!

The Alamo

San Antonio TX

The Alamo today. This was the site of the famous battle in the Texas war for independence from Mexico February 23-March 6, 1836. The defenders of the Alamo were greatly outnumbered – less than 300 against as many as 2000. The outcome of the battle was a decisive victory for the Mexicans, with every single combatant inside the Alamo being killed by General Santa Anna’s army. The rest of the Texas Revolution, and even into the Mexican-American war a decade later, used the battle cry “Remember the Alamo!” For Texans today, the Alamo is a revered shrine.
Plaque on the front door.
Inside the Alamo.
Six national flags that have flown over Texas. L-R: Spain, France, United States, Republic of Texas, Mexico, Confederacy.
The separation in the walls by a thin line of stone was the top of the open walls in the Alamo in 1836.
This is a model of what the Alamo looked like at the time of the battle in 1836. The cannons for the Texans were rolled up the dirt ramp that is at the top of this picture.
This well dates back to the 1700s, and was still used in 1836 at the time of the battle.
Cenotaph honoring the heroes of the Alamo.
Tow of the more famous heroes stand out: William Barrett Travis and David Crockett.
Two other of the most famous heroes: James Butler Bonham and James Bowie.
Arched wall of the Long Barrack.
This 16-pound cannon dates back to 1817, and was used by the Alamo defenders in the 1836 battle.
Emily West Morgan sculpture. The Texas legend of Emily West is that she kept General Santa Anna distracted by her dalliance with him in his tent, enabling Sam Houston’s Texian army to surprise his camp at San Jacinto in the battle that won independence for Texas about a month after the Alamo.
Plants in the Alamo courtyard.
Side view of the Alamo from the 9th floor of the Emily Morgan Hotel.
The Alamo at night, with Christmas luminarias set out.

San Antonio Museum of Art

San Antonio TX

The San Antonio Museum Art is a fantastic museum. We went through the museum in about 3 hours, but you can easily spend all day looking at everything.

Egyptian

Lioness-headed Goddess, 664-332 BC, bronze. Probably Wadjet, the patron goddess of Lower Egypt.
Horus Falcom, 332-30 BC, Red granite. The sky god Horus was often portrayed as a falcon whose two eyes were thought to be the sun and the moon.
Sekhmet, 1390-1352 BC, Granodiorite. The goddess Sekhmet (literally “The Powerful One”) was often portrayed with the head of a lioness and the body of a woman. Sekhmet was believed to embody the potentially devastating power of the sun, able to destroy the enemies of the gods and the king.
Relief fragment, 285-246 BC, limestone. This fragment records the two principal names of Greek Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphos.
Coffin Panel showing the goddess Isis, 332-30 BC, painted plaster on wood. Isis was a goddess who was gifted with magic, and a devoted wife and mother, which had a special place in ancient Egyptian religion.
Funerary bed, 664-525 BC, wood and bronze. Bed such as this were used to prepare the mummy. Laying on the bed is a beaded mummy covering, 1069-664 BC, glazed faience. The decorative cover would be placed on top of the mummified body after it had been wrapped in a shroud.
Coffin, 2160-2025 BC, painted wood.
Coffin of Na-menkh-amen, 747-656 BC, painted wood. Na-menkh-amen was a priest of Montu, a god associated with warfare in the region around Thebes. This coffin records his name and title, and also it lists four generations of his ancestors. The coffin was apparently not used for Na-menkh-amen’s burial – when it was discovered in the 1890s it only contained embalming materials.
“Reserve” Head, 2589-2475 BC, limestone. This head is one of a very few items to survive antiquity. This was created when the three pyramids at Giza were built.
Model boat, 2055-1773 BC, painted wood. Ancient Egyptian tombs often contained representations of activities that comprised the daily life of a country estate. It was meant to ensure the repetition of these activities in the afterlife for the benefit of the deceased owner.
Old Kingdom Stone Vessels, 2686-2181 BC, alabaster, diorite and limestone. These were produced as luxury containers and ultimately buried in tombs where the vessels and their contents served as offerings to the deceased. Pretty cool to see things that are almost 4,700 years old!
Vessel with floral motif decoration, 1390-1295 BC, terracotta.
Shabti figures of Psusennes I and Queen Mutnodjmet, 1040-992 BC, bronze.
Mummy case of Nes-khonsu-pa-khered, 1069-664 BC, painted plaster over linen (cartonnage). This mummy case shows how mummies were placed inside the elaborate cases made of cartonnage (layers of linen and plaster) which was carefully shaped around a core of mud and straw with an opening at the feet and narrow slit up the back.
Canopic jar for Tja-hor-imu, 664-332, limestone. Canopic jars held the internal organs that were removed during mummification.

Greek

Greek pottery.
Black-figure nack-amphora (jar), 525-515 BC, terracotta.
Larnax (coffin), 1300 BC, terracotta. These chests called larnakes were used for inhumation burials on Crete.
(L) Phrygian helmet, 540 BC, bronze.
(R) Corinthian type helmet, late 7th century BC, bronze.
More Greek pottery.
Red-figure calyx-krater, 340 BC, terracotta, signed by Asteas. One side depicts Telephos holding Orestes between his parents, and the other side depicts Dionysos between a satyr and a maenad.
(L) Seven boat-shaped earrings, 6th-5th century BC, gold.
(top right) Pair of earrings with lion’s-head terminals, late 4th-3rd century, gold.
(bottom right) Pair of earrings in the form of Erotes, 3rd-1st century BC, gold and garnet.

Roman

The Lansdowne Marcus Aureliu, 145-150 AD, marble.
Statue of Cupid and Psyche, 117-138 AD, marble.
Floor mosaic: Battle of the Lapiths and Centaurs, 3rd-4th century AD, colored stone and glass set in mortar.
Statue of the sleeping Ariadne, 2nd century AD, marble.
Portrait of a man wearing a himation, late 2nd-5th century AD, travertine.
(L) Statue of Athena, 1st century AD, marble.
(R) The Lansdowne Trajan, head 98-117 AD, torso 1st-2nd century AD, marble.
This display is really the reason we came to this museum at all. I had seen in a news article that a woman bought a bust at a Goodwill store in Austin. When she had it appraised, it was determined to be Roman portrait (bust) from the 1st century AD! Apparently it was taken from a German museum during World War II. After the museum display here, it will be sent back to a museum in Germany where it is supposed to be.
Can you believe this was a Goodwill find?
Portrait of a woman, early 2nd century AD, marble.
Portrait of Septimus Severus, 200-211 AD, marble.
Mosaic fragment depicting a duck, 2nd-4th century AD, colored stones set in mortar.
Quite a few Roman coins from several eras.
Funerary relief from late 1st century BC-early 1st century AD, marble.
Garland sarcophagus (coffin), 130-150 AD, marble.
South Italian Cup with Dionysis and a hound, 350 BC, fired clay.
Etruscan pottery.
Etruscan black figure amphora (jar), 620-600 BC, terracotta.

India & Near East

Ganesha, Bengal, 11th century, chlorite.
Three Jewels, or Triratna, Pakistan or eastern Gandhara, 2nd-3rd century, schist.
Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, Ancient Gandhara, 3rd century, schist.
Buddha in meditation, India, Bactro-Gandharan region, 3rd century, schist.
Shiva, Rajasthan, 11th-12th century, red sandstone.
Rasa lila, or “Dance of Divine Love”, India, Rajasthan, Nathdwara, 19th century, pigments on cotton.
Yogini, India, Uttar Pradesh, first half of the 11th century, sandstone.
Vishnu stele, India, West Bengal or Bihar, 11th-12th century, chlorite.
Window facade, Northern India, Chamba, 17th-18th century, wood, pigment.
Medicine Buddha Sand Mandala, Tibet, 2001, marble sand with mineral pigments.
Crowned Buddha, Sino-Tibetan, 15th-16th century, partially gilt bronze.
Plaque decorated with Mother Goddess, India West Bengal, Chandraketugarth, 1st century BC, earthenware.
Amitayus Buddha Thangka, Tibet, late 18th century, pigments on cotton.
Jars from Pakistan, 2500 BC, earthenware, pigment.

Korea

Buddha, 17th-18th century, bronze.
Dragon Jar, 1392-1910, porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue design.
Bowl with Stamped Decoration, mid-15th century, porcelain with glaze.
Jar, late 19th century, stoneware with glaze.
Bowl with Brushed White Swirl, 15th century, stoneware with glaze.
Illustrations of the Eight Confucian Virtues, 19th century, ink and colors on paper.

China & Far East

Buddhist Guardian, Weituo, China Ming dynasty (1368-1644), gilt bronze and wood.
Guanyin Bodhisattva (Avalokitesvara), China Song-Yuan dynasty, mid-13th century, wood with traces of pigment and gilt.
Shakyamuni Buddha, Myanmar (Burma), late 18th-19th century, wood, lacquer, gilt, colored glass inlay.
Reclining Buddha, Thailand, 19th century, bronze.
Bodhisattva Guanyin, China Ming dynasty, 1476, cast iron.
Camel with Foreign Rider, China Tang dynasty, 618-907, earthenware with sancai glaze.
Horse, China Tang dynasty, 618-907, earthenware with sancai glaze.
Cool figures.
Stoneware and earthenware from the China Tang dynasty, 618-907.
Cool design.
Watchtower, China Eastern Han dynasty, 25-220, earthenware with lead glaze.
(L) Recumbent Ox, China Northern Qi dynasty, 550-577, earthenware with slip.
(R) Kneeling Camel, China Northern Wei dynasty, 386-535, earthenware.
Bull with Trappings, China Northern Qi dynasty, 550-577, gray earthenware with white slip and pigments.
Soldiers and Civil Officials, China Sui dynasty, 581-618, earthenware with slip and lead glaze.
Flowering Plants and Rock, China Qianlong period, 18th century, silk embroidery and pearls on satin.
Scholar’s Rock, quarried 19th-20th century, off-white limestone with caramel markings and ivory inclusions.
Chinese Scholar’s Studio.
Nobleman’s Formal Court Robe, China Qing dynasty, 19th century, brown twill silk with couched gold-wrapped thread.
Woman’s Semiformal Robe, China Qing dynasty, red silk satin embroidered with floss silk and gold wrapped thread, fur.
Woman’s bedroom.
Stoneware, Song-Yuan dynasty, 13th century, stoneware with slip, iron oxide and clear glaze, Cizhou ware.
Vessel in the Shape of an Archiastic zun, China late Ming-early Qing dyansty, 17th century, Cloisonne.
Vessel in the Shape of an Archiastic Arrow Vase, China late Qing dyansty, 18th century, Cloisonne.
Twin phoenix cummerbund, China Liao dynasty, 907-1125, Gilt bronze.
Massive Jar, China Liao dynasty, 907-1125, stoneware with slip and glaze, Gangwa ware.
Massive Jar, China Ming dynasty, 16th century, stoneware with slip and glaze, Cizhou ware.
Vase with Dragon Handles, China Ming dynasty, 16th-17th century, porcelain with slip and polychrome glaze, Fahua ware.
Double-Gourd Vase, China Ming dynasty Jiajing period, 1522-1566, porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze and overglaze red and green enamels.
Yen Yen Vase with Landscape Decoration, Qing dynasty Kangxi period, 1661-1722, porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze.
Vases, charger, and bowl from Qing dynasty, 1661-1722.
Pair of Dishes, China Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, 1661-1722, porcelain with overglaze enamels, cut gold and gilding.
Dish Depicting the Baptism of Christ, China Qing dynasty, 18th century, porcelain with cobalt blue overglaze
Pair of Sleeve Vases, China Qing dynasty Shunzhi period, 1644-1661, porcelain with overglaze enamels.
Large Censer, China Ming dynasty, late 14th-early 15th century, earthenware with sancai glaze.
Five Piece Garniture, China Qing dynasty, 1750, porcelain with overglaze enamels and gilding.
Pieces from China Qing dynasty, 1700s-1900s.
More China Qing dynasty pieces.
Tengwang Ge Jarm China Qing dynasty, 1720, porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze.
This half of the jar depicts a pavilion and local landscape.
The other have bears a literary work of over 800 characters written by Wang Bo (650-676).
Palace vase, China Qing dynasty, mid to late 19th century, porcelain with overglaze enamels, Jingdezhen ware famille rose type.
Pair of Insignia Badges for a Third Rank Military Official, China Qing dynasty, 19th century, silk satin with embroidery.

Japan

Suit of parade armor, 18th century, iron, leather, lacquer, silk and gilt brass.
Amitabha Buddha with Attending Bodhisattvas, late 18th century, wood with gold, pigment, metal and hardstones.
Domestic Buddhist shrine, late 19th century, wood with lacquer and gold, gilt copper fittings.
Tiger in Snow, 1888, ink on silk.
Story of the Great Woven Cap, early 18th century, pair of 6-fold screens, ink, colors and gold leaf on paper.
Satsuma Vase with Figures, Pinkozan Pottery Company, ca. 1900, porcelain with overglaze enamels and gold.
Palanquin, early 19th century, wood with lacquer and gold leaf, gilt copper mounts, interior painting, ink, color and gold on paper.

American

Sportsman’s Trophy, 1898-1899, Alexander Pope, oil on canvas.
Philip Wager, Gilbert Stuart, 1802, oil on panel.
Eleanor May Stuart, Mrs. Rembrandt Peale, by Rembrandt Peale, 1820, oil on canvas.
Noah Sacrificing After the Deluge, Benjamin West, 1800, oil on canvas.
The Appian Way, John Linton Chapman, 1875, oil on canvas.
Passing Storm over the Sierra Nevadas, Albert Bierstadt, 1870, oil on canvas.
Moose, Henry M. Shrady, 1900, bronze.
Margaret Louisa Vanderbilt, Mrs. Fitch Shepard, John Singer Sargent, 1888, oil on canvas.

Native American

Mayan pottery from Mexico, 400-900 AD.
Warrior with Weapon, Remojadas culture, Mexico, 300-500 AD, earthenware with tar pigment.
Female Holding Child and Female Figures, Aztec culture, Mexico, 1300-1500, earthenware.
Corn Goddess, Aztec culture, Mexico, 1300-1500, stone.
Stone Sphere, Diquis culture, Costa Rica, 800-1500, andesite.
Inca pottery from the Andes, Peru.
Urpu vessel, Inca culture, Peru, 1300-1532, polychrome slipped earthenware.
Diadem, Chimu culture, northern Peru, 1000-1200, gold camelid fiber textile.
Portrait of a Nobleman, Mayan Culture in Guatemala, 700 AD, painted stucco.

Latin America

Christ Crucified, 18th century, Guatemala, polychromed wood, glass.
Crane, Mexico, ca. 1930, gourd, wood, paint and lacquer.
Venustiano Carranza and Emiliano Zapata, Mexico, Eulogio Alonso, 1938, ceramic and paint.
Seated Monkey, Mexico, ca. 1900, ceramic.
Tree of Life, Mexico, mid-20th century, ceramic, paint, varnish.
Retablo Ayacuchiano: Yawar Fiesta, Peru, Nicario Jimenez Quispe, 1982, stuccoed wood, potato paste, paint, varnish.
Christ in Agony, Spain, 17th century, polychromed wood, paint, iron, glass.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico, 18th century, oil on canvas.
Desk, Mexico, 1838, mixed woods, silver, iron.
Our Lady of the Rosary of Pomata, Bolivia, 1669.
Saint Christopher and the Christ Child, Mexico, early 17th century, wood, formerly polychromed.
Saint Joseph and the Christ Child, Mexico, 18th century, oil on canvas.
Crucifix, Mexico, 17th century, polychromed wood, glass.
Virgin of the Immaculate Concepcion, Mexico, 18th century, oil on canvas.
Flight Into Egypt, Mexico, Juan Correa, late 17th century, oil on canvas.
Saint Francis of Assisi, Mexico, early 18th century, oil on canvas.
Saint Teresa of Avila, Guatemala, late 17th century, polychromed wood with glass and silver.
Christ Crucified, Guatemala, 18th century, polychromed wood, glass.