Retired Life in San Antonio: Cultivating Joy

San Antonio River Walk

Yee haw, y'all. Moving south to San Antonio, Texas, back in 2017 brought me a mix of anxiety and adventure. To my surprise, I discovered wonderful folks, plenty to see within the state and surrounding areas, and a bounty of great barbecue, Mexican, and Tex-Mex foods. Whoa, Nellie, what about the heat? Well, it comes with the territory. Having lived in various areas of the country like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York, the adjustment came slowly, much like folks moving from the North to Florida.

Fortunately for me, while not necessary, I can speak Spanish, which can be helpful at times. ¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? (Hello, how are you?) Other tidbits I've come to learn are words like puro (pure) and hijole (pronounced ee-hole-eh, kind of like holy smokes). Great if you're enjoying a burrito (Hijole!!), que bueno (soo good).

So here I am in San Antonio, learning the city's history, enjoying the River Walk, and exploring cultural aspects like the San Antonio Museum of Art and the McNay. I also enjoy attending Broadway plays and top entertainment at the Majestic Theater and the Tobin Center. While I am not the biggest sports fan, you can't help but love the city’s star basketball team, the Spurs. There's also the Houston Astros for baseball lovers, and who hasn't heard of the Dallas Cowboys? Never seen a rodeo? Or visited a wine country? What are you waiting for? C’mon down!

I enjoy gardening, and learning what to plant here was a challenge due to the heat. Finding the right heat-resistant plants is not easy when you're new to the area. I'm finding my way one plant at a time. The state flower, bluebonnets, proliferate in the spring and really brighten things up as you travel along the state's highways.

So, what else do you do during retirement, you might ask? Well, you can go around and watch TV all day, or in my case, travel and adventure along with dedicating time to charitable organizations. Travel-wise, my wife and I have visited all the large cities in Texas, including Austin, Dallas, Houston, Lubbock, Amarillo, and Abilene. Of course, we visit our grandchildren and great-grands up north, which keeps us fairly busy. My wife and I love the National Parks, and if you happen to come to Texas, I suggest you visit in the spring or fall.

Texas sure offers a lot to see. From creatures like the armadillo to birds such as the roadrunner, which, by the way, I have never seen—it's too fast for me, I guess. Climate-wise, there can be extreme heat, but in winter, it can get quite cold. While you might think it's hot all year round, winter can bring snow, hail, and twisters throughout the state.

Food-wise, tacos are king throughout most of Texas. There are all kinds of tacos and restaurants—some with eggs and potatoes, others with beans and rice, and barbecue. The taco and BBQ businesses thrive throughout the state. Some of my favorite taco places in San Antonio are Taquitos West Ave, El Pastor Es Mi Señor, and Carnitas Lonja.

Traveling between cities or points of interest can take hours. For example, from San Antonio to Big Bend National Park is over 365 miles and takes close to six hours. From Dallas to San Antonio is 273 miles and over four hours of non-stop driving. One of the furthest points is from Texarkana to El Paso, over 812 miles!

While I'm not a history buff, most everyone knows about the Alamo in San Antonio, and it's a must-see when you visit! Recent renovations downtown have made this historical site a wonderful experience!

So, where does charity play a role in my retirement? A good part of my time is working with my church on various community projects to help those in need, such as preparing meals and donating food for low-income families. This truly keeps us not only busy but balanced and grateful for all we have in life. Retirement not only provides opportunities to do things you've always wanted to do but is also a great time to reflect on your life and be grateful for all we have. God bless America!