This spring join the St. Louis Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society for a trip to Texas for Fiesta San Antonio 2012. We will be traveling aboard the private Pullman sleeping car Cimarron River from St. Louis to San Antonio and return -- over 2,000 miles.
Fiesta San Antonio is one of America's truly great festivals. It began as a way to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, a commemoration that still takes place. But over the past century and more, Fiesta has grown into a celebration of San Antonio's rich and diverse cultures. 2012 marks Fiesta's 121st anniversary. More than 100 official events are held including parades, festivals, concerts, coronations, athletic events, and art exhibits. Each official event is produced by a local nonprofit organization or military unit.
Our trip will begin Wednesday night, April 18 when we board our private car at the St. Louis Amtrak station. Meet your fellow passengers at the welcome aboard party as we leave the Gateway City, then settle into your comfortable private accommodation on Cimarron River for the night.
Departure for San Antonio is at 8:00 p.m. behind Amtrak #21, the Texas Eagle. Our train will travel south from St. Louis through the Missouri Ozarks and across Arkansas. We enter Texas at Texarkana, stopping briefly at the station that straddles the Arkansas-Texas border. Afternoon stops at Dallas and Fort Worth allow a few minutes to stretch your legs. From there it's a scenic ride through the Texas hill country via Temple and Austin to San Antonio, arriving Thursday night at 9:55.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday are yours to explore the sights of San Antonio and Fiesta, including the River Walk, the Mission San Antonio de Valero, better known as the Alamo, or any of the four other missions on the Mission Trail. The outdoor Market Square, situated around the indoor El Mercado, offers an amazing assortment of merchandise. HemisFair Park features the Tower of the Americas as well as the Institute of Texan Cultures. The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum or Ripley's Believe-It-or-Not Museum may interest you. Visit La Villita, a unique arts and crafts community with shops, artists and restaurants. There is plenty to do in San Antonio! Return to your accommodation on Cimarron River each night at the Amtrak Station, conveniently located a few blocks from the River Walk and right next to the Sunset Station in St. Paul Square, a stop on the San Antonio Trolley route.
Monday morning we depart San Antonio at 7:00 behind Amtrak #22, the Texas Eagle, enjoying the scenery we missed passing through in the dark on the way down. Arrival in St. Louis is at 7:20 Tuesday morning.
This is a "Picnic Class" trip, meaning you provide your own food and beverages. Morning coffee and orange juice will be provided each day.
Fare is $975 for a roomette (one person occupancy) or $1,800 for a bedroom (accommodates one or two persons) and includes five days/five nights private car accommodations on Cimarron River and all rail transpor-tation. A down payment of $400 per person is required to reserve your space with the remaining balance due March 18, 2012. Make checks payable to St. Louis Chapter NRHS.
This has been an immensely popular trip over the years. We have a limited amount of space available on this trip so make your reservation soon. Don't miss this chance to ride to the heart of Texas in the style of days gone by!
Rick Sprung
Trip Director -- St. Louis Chapter NRHS
10101 Carolynne Drive, St. Louis, MO 63128
(314) 842-5980 -- sprung@att.net