buffalo journeys

  Enchanted Rock State Natural Area We’ve been wanting to visit Kerrville and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area for quite some time now, so earlier this year, we decided to make time and visit. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is known for its hiking, hiking to the rock and on the rock. It is located not too far north of Fredericksburg or a day trip from Austin. It is not a state park, but you still have to pay to get in. It gets extremely busy during peak season so we haven’t been able to see it until now. If you have little ones, it’s best to visit during off-peak season. The hiking trails are narrow in some places and gets very uncomfortable when it is packed, especially with thorns from cactus and thorny bushes along the way. Some parts of the hike are very steep, but overall it was an easy pace. Be sure to pack some water because by the time you get to the top of the rock, every one was tired and thirsty. My little buffalos really enjoyed this hike and can’t wait to do it ag...

Immaculate Conception Church, San Antonio, Texas Many years ago, we visited the Alamo in San Antonio but wasn't able to visit the San Antonio Missions on that trip. We always said that we're going to come back, and we finally did. It was worth a special trip just to see the Missions. We were able to see several churches and even managed to catch a docent talk on the history of the Missions and the Immaculate Conception Church. He was so passionate about the Missions and specifically the Immaculate Conception that I was ready to come attend mass every Sunday if I lived close by. Many of the churches are still active today and offer masses.  One of the most interesting bits during the talk was about the design of the church, as shown below. The church was designed by the Franciscan missionaries. It is situated ad orientem, meaning facing east like most Catholic Churches back in the days. As the name suggests, Immaculate Conception, this church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin M...

The Supper at Emmaus by Velazquez (image from the MET open source project)   13 And behold, two of them went, the same day, to a town which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, named Emmaus. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that while they talked and reasoned with themselves, Jesus himself also drawing near, went with them. (Luke 24:13-15) (Douay-Rheims Version) 30 And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? 33 And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, 34 Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things...

 Happy Easter to you! It is because He lives that we have a path to salvation. Jesus lives; let us rejoice. Wishing you a blessed Easter.  Thank you for stopping by.

The Crucifixion by Bartolome Esteban Murillo  (from the MET open source project) 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 47 And some that stood there and heard, said: This man calleth Elias. 48 And immediately one of them running took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar; and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49 And the others said: Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to deliver him. 50 And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And behold the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top even to the bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks were rent. 52 And the graves were opened: and many bodies of the saints that had slept arose, 53 And coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, came into the holy city, and appeared to many. 54 Now the centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake, and the th...

  The Last Supper by Ugolino da Siena (from the MET open source project)  19 And the disciples did as Jesus appointed to them, and they prepared the pasch. 20 But when it was evening, he sat down with his twelve disciples. 21 And whilst they were eating, he said: Amen I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me. 22 And they being very much troubled, began every one to say: Is it I, Lord? 23 But he answering, said: He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me. 24 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed: it were better for him, if that man had not been born. 25 And Judas that betrayed him, answering, said: Is it I, Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou hast said it. 26 And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body. 27 And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ...

The Entry into Jerusalem by Marcantonio Raimondi (MET open source)  Today is Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of Holy Week. This is when Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, and the people are welcoming him with palm branches. This event is recorded in the Gospels. The scripture verses shown below is from Matthew 21: 1-11 (Douay Rheims Version): "1 And when they drew nigh to Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto mount Olivet, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 Saying to them: Go ye into the village that is over against you, and immediately you shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them and bring them to me. 3 And if any man shall say anything to you, say ye, that the Lord hath need of them: and forthwith he will let them go. 4 Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion: Behold thy king cometh to thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of her that is used to the yoke. 6...