Life on Paws and Wheels

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🎨🐾 The Picasso Benches in San Antonio, Texas – Public Art That Brings Color to the City

January 14, 2026

Simba and I visited The Picasso Benches in San Antonio, Texas — a vibrant collection of artistically painted benches scattered throughout public spaces across the city. Inspired by the creative legacy of Pablo Picasso, each bench is a one-of-a-kind work of art designed to celebrate community, imagination, and local spirit. What makes these benches special isn’t just their bold colors or playful designs — it’s how they transform everyday city spaces into moments of surprise and joy. They invite people to pause, sit, and engage with art in a way that feels natural and accessible. If you enjoy discovering quirky public art, strolling through interesting neighborhoods, or collecting unique photo ops while traveling, the Picasso Benches are a great stop in San Antonio. 🌵 Art Meant to Be Part of Everyday Life Unlike gallery art, the Picasso Benches are meant to be used. They exist in parks, sidewalks, and public gathering spaces, blending creativity directly into daily routines. Each bench...

🐖🐾 Giant Hog Stand in San Antonio, Texas – A Classic Roadside Icon

January 13, 2026

Simba and I stopped at the Giant Hog Stand, also known as Frank's Hog Stand , in San Antonio, Texas — home to one of the city’s most unmistakable roadside icons. This massive pig statue has greeted hungry travelers for decades and remains a beloved local landmark tied to the history of the original Hog Stand restaurant. Larger than life and impossible to miss, the hog has long outlasted its original purpose, evolving into a symbol of roadside culture, nostalgia, and San Antonio personality. It’s the kind of landmark that doesn’t need an explanation — it just makes people smile. If you enjoy unusual roadside icons, big photo ops, or fun landmarks off the beaten path, the Giant Hog Stand is a perfect stop while exploring San Antonio. 🌵 A Pig That Became a Landmark The giant hog was originally created to draw attention to the historic Hog Stand restaurant, once a popular stop for barbecue and comfort food. Over time, the statue became more famous than the restaurant itself, cementing...

🚗⚰️ Sandra West’s Grave in San Antonio, Texas – One of the Most Unusual Burials in History

January 13, 2026

Simba and I visited one of San Antonio’s most unusual and infamous burial sites — the grave of Sandra West , the socialite who was famously buried in her Ferrari. In a final request that stunned the public, she was laid to rest seated in the driver’s seat of her car, wearing her favorite white lace nightgown, and sealed inside a burial vault beneath the cemetery. While the grave itself is quiet and understated, the story behind it has turned this spot into one of the most talked-about burials in Texas history. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most extraordinary stories are hidden beneath the most ordinary-looking places. If you enjoy unusual history, cemetery explorations, and true stories that sound almost unbelievable, this is a memorable stop in San Antonio. 🌵 A Final Wish That Became Legend Sandra West’s burial wishes sparked headlines and controversy when they were revealed. Her desire to be buried in her beloved Ferrari challenged norms, raised legal questions, and captivated ...

⛪🐾 Mission San José in San Antonio, Texas – A Masterpiece of Spanish Colonial History

January 12, 2026

Simba and I visited Mission San José in San Antonio, Texas — one of the city’s most iconic and historically significant Spanish colonial missions. Founded in the 18th century, Mission San José is renowned for its impressive stone architecture, peaceful courtyards, and beautifully preserved details that reflect the cultural, religious, and community life of early Texas settlements. Often referred to as the “Queen of the Missions,” this site feels both grand and welcoming. Every wall, archway, and courtyard tells a story of craftsmanship, faith, and endurance. If you enjoy historic sites, architectural beauty, and exploring deep history while traveling, Mission San José is an unforgettable stop in San Antonio. 🌵 Architecture That Tells a Story Mission San José stands out for its scale and detail. The thick limestone walls, ornate carvings, and symmetrical layout reflect both Spanish colonial design and the skilled labor of Indigenous artisans who helped build it. Walking through the gr...

🌉🐾 Espada Aqueduct in San Antonio, Texas – A Living Piece of Early Engineering History

January 12, 2026

Simba and I visited Espada Aqueduct in San Antonio, Texas — one of the oldest surviving sections of the historic irrigation system that helped shape the city’s early settlement and agriculture. Built centuries ago, this remarkable stone aqueduct still carries water across the San Antonio River, standing as a powerful reminder of early engineering, cooperation, and survival in South Texas. Quiet, sturdy, and still functional, the Espada Aqueduct doesn’t just tell history — it continues to live it. The flowing water beneath the arches connects the past directly to the present. If you enjoy historic landmarks, engineering feats, and meaningful roadside travel finds, this is a beautiful and educational stop in San Antonio. 🌵 An Engineering Feat That Still Works The Espada Aqueduct was constructed as part of the Spanish colonial acequia system, designed to bring water to missions and farmland. Its stone arches and elevated channel allowed water to cross the river efficiently — an impressi...

🍻🐾 The Cartoon Saloon in Comfort, Texas – A Quirky Classic with Small-Town Character

January 11, 2026

Simba and I visited The Cartoon Saloon in Comfort, Texas — a classic and quirky local bar packed with character and a colorful history. Known for its vintage vibe, old-school signage, and welcoming atmosphere, this spot feels like a time capsule of small-town Texas nightlife. From the moment you see the exterior, you know this place has stories. Inside, the personality continues, blending local flavor, familiar faces, and a lived-in charm you can’t manufacture. Whether you’re into historic bars, quirky local stops, or places with personality on a road trip, The Cartoon Saloon is a fun and memorable slice of Texas life. 🌵 A Bar with Personality and History The Cartoon Saloon stands out because it doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is. The signage, décor, and layout all reflect years of use, laughter, and community. It’s the kind of place where the atmosphere matters as much as the drinks — familiar, unpretentious, and unmistakably local. 🐾 Stopping In with Simba Checking o...