HOME!!
Although I had a fabulous time in San Antonio, I am so very glad to be back home! My house is a chaotic mess, my having been gone for a few days before my children and husband joined me but nonetheless it is so nice to be back home. There was a heck of a two hour ground delay before our take off last night so we didn't roll back in until close to 11:30, almost 3 hours past our original arrival time, after all was said & done!

I have tons of photos to share with y'all. ;) "Y'all" being a term that carries over with me (probably permanently) every time I visit Texas. I haven't seen much of Texas that I don't love...San Antonio so far is my very favorite part of Texas! The textures, the feel of the city, it's a photographer's dream, well THIS photographer's dream anyhow.

I wish I could say that I took a ton of pictures but I didn't. For some reason I felt the need to soak it all in. If you've never been in San Antonio I urge that you go check it out. It's a romantic city, the San Antonio River and the Riverwalk only a small part of its' charm. It's a city that values its' history and that strives to maintain the old amongst the new. It's a sort of city that likens to the feel of New Orleans, there feels a bit of that New Orleans flavor there with a big twist of Old West and Spanish instead of all the French influence.

We stayed at the Marriot when I was there with Jess. That Marriot Plaza was an amazing hotel...Jess and I spent the first evening chilling out in the lounge admiring the tilework, the furniture and the general ambience. Jess was great, fun and lively and it was great being able to hang out with someone like minded on so many issues facing photographers today.

When the fam arrived I transferred over to the Hotel Contessa. Where the Marriot was ALL about the old with a touch of classic beauty, the Hotel Contessa took it up a notch to Spanish Modern, much like The W with a big twist of Spanish Modernism. LOVED that hotel. Again, I could've spent my entire vacation (well a day or two) just exploring the textures in and around the Hotel C.

I have some images of the city here, most taken around the Riverwalk the last day of our stay. It got EXTREMELY cold towards the end of our stay and I kick myself for not photographing several amazing things that I saw during my first few days there. The biggest of which was the twinkly light display along the ENTIRE span of the Riverwalk. That first night there, Jess and I marvelled at the beauty of the lights display as we sipped fantastic margaritas at Rio Rio Cantina outside on the deck alongside the River.

Again, I urge you to give San Antonio a chance. It's a terrific place for a couples get away and a pretty family friendly place (as my husband found in his daily solo excursions with the kids while I attended seminars and the tradeshow at PPA Imaging USA). More on the details of my fun later.

Thanks to all the clients who had contacted me while I was gone for their patience and understanding. I'm getting through my phone call to do list and if I don't call today I promise tomorrow you'll definitely hear back from me.

The rooftop pool @ the Hotel Contessa

The area beneath Lauren's feet here has a waterfall that runs amongst
the stones in the path during warmer weather. Since it was 30 degrees
yesterday when this shot was taken, there was obviously no agua running through
the path. :)

It was actually raining during the capture of this shot. I braved the elements
and took my camera in the mist/sleet and rain (downpour @ times) to get
some decent shots. I think I need to invest in a plastic bag company
during these sort of days...I use them often enough to protect my
equipment from the elements!

Shot during a lull in the downpour.

I think part of my love for the city is the mix of contrasts....not a big secret to anyone who knows me. I
love the juxtaposition of old/new, nature/urban, etc. San Antonio was rife
with the contrasts and the textures. Just amazing to photograph.

These two were out for a chilling walk Monday evening. Man, it really does get chilly down there
(altho nothing like the 8 degree weather here in Chicagoland right now).

There were tons of these little nooks & crannies along the length of the Riverwalk