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Amistad National Recreation Area is the US portion of the Amistad Reservoir and some land along its shores. On the south side of the reservoir is Mexico with a border crossing at the dam. While driving across Texas to Big Bend National Park, I stopped at its Diablo area. It was about halfway through a seven hour drive, so it was good to take a break and do some short hikes.

The Nature Trail takes you through the Chihuahuan Desert with signs describing local plants. The Green and Blue Loops can be done together. I hiked the Natural Trail followed by the Green & Blue Loop combo. The route I took was 3.19 km without much elevation gain and took about 50 minutes. Cacti, yucca and agave plants are common along the trails. Some of the dead looking plants in these photos are Leatherstem, which comes alive after heavy rain.

While hiking on the nature trail, you get views of the Amistad Reservoir. It is on the Rio Grande with a couple of tributaries flowing into the reservoir. There is a boat ramp ...

Mission Concepcion is the furthest north mission in San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. Unlike the others that have the courtyards and walls, this one currently has only the church building. Mission Concepcion was originally founded in 1716 as Mission Nuestra Seora de la Pursima Concepcin de Acua in eastern Texas. It was to serve as a buffer against the French in Louisiana. In 1731, like other missions it moved to the San Antonio River area. The stone church took 15 years to build and was dedicated in 1755. This church is the only one in the park that has two bell towers.

This is the fourth part of our series on San Antonio Missions NHP which also includes: Mission San Juan, Mission Espada and Mission San Jose.

Before going into the main church, you pass through some side rooms showing frescos which covered most of front of the church and the convento rooms.

https://mountainadventures.us/post/san-antonio-missions-nhp-mission-concepcion

#texas #sanantonio #nps #history ...