According to Gus, the River Walk is the best place in the entire city to spend a weekend morning.
We agree! As we’ve mentioned in several previous posts, we head down to the River Walk every weekend to walk Gus and go for a run. As a family, the River Walk is our absolute favorite spot in all of San Antonio. The City does an amazing job keeping the area clean and beautiful and the scenery is stunning. It’ll be tough, if not impossible, to beat this picturesque view wherever we move next!
You can expect to see several River Walk posts over the next month. We walk/run on several different areas and one post just wouldn’t do this gem justice!
On this particular morning, we ventured up to street level to stroll around Main Plaza. The City of San Antonio restored the area in 2008 and it has grown into a fabulous public gathering spot. Besides being a wonderful place to rest under the shade, the space is also used for a farmer’s market, live music and free (!) Zumba classes.
This is as close as Gus got to the water. To say he didn’t like to get wet would be a severe understatement.
Clearly, we’re obsessed with snapping photos of Gus mid-yawn. It’s one of the (many) cues he displays when he’s anxious, so it’s not uncommon for him to yawn through one of our “photo shoots”. Basically, it’s his way of saying, hurry the hell up!
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Once the three of us made our way back down to river level, I couldn’t resist snapping a photo of my two main squeezes. 
The next photo was our favorite of the day and we used our spiffy new editing program, Totally Rad Actions, to play around. We also posted the original, unedited, straight-out-of-the-camera photo. We love seeing before and after shots. Take a look, we’d love to hear which is your favorite!
Unedited photo (straight-out-of-the-camera) (L) and Oh, Snap! (R):
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Grandma’s Tap Shoes (L) and Grunge Rock (R):
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Milk & Cookies (L) and Rusty Cage (R):
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Sparta (L) and Super Fun Happy No Glow (R):
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Technicolor Dream World No Glow (L) & Troy (R):
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We find ourselves using the Oh, Snap! action on many of our photos, but we’re also pretty smitten with Super Fun Happy No glow.
What do you think? What’s your favorite edited version?
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It’s Wednesday and time to head over to BlogPaws for their Wordless Wednesday Linky. We will update our post with the code when it’s available. Happy Hopping!
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Judy
May 18, 2011
My favorite is the last picture on the right (Troy). It has an ancient sort of feel to the colors. Fabulous photos of Gus and the River Walk.
Jasmine
May 18, 2011
beautiful park
2browndawgs
May 18, 2011
I really like Troy too. There is something about the faded look that seems to go with the stone wall Gus is sitting on and the building in the background. But all of the pictures are nice. I have always heard about San Antonio’s River Walk so I look forward to seeing more of your pictures. It looks like a beautiful area. I can see why you like it.
Pip
May 18, 2011
The river walk looks really nice! I really need to need to check out Rad Action. I think my favorites are Rusty Cage and Troy.
Your pal, Pip
Minnie and Mack
May 18, 2011
Mack and my favorite is Technicolor Dream World No Glow. It brings out the beautiful colors in Gus’ fur!
Drools and licks,
Minnie and Mack
Happy.Bark.Days
May 18, 2011
The River Walk looks like a really relaxing place to just chill and people-watch. The trees along the banks of the river are so lush and the shade they provide so inviting for a mid-morning nap. I can see why Gus loves this part of the city so much. My favourite photo effect would be Oh, Snap for its vibrancy of colours.
Wendy @ iwuvwes.wuvtags.com
May 18, 2011
They’re all awesome; I can’t possibly choose. And something I just noticed: Gus’s beard. (Or is that a soul patch?) AAA-dorable!
According to Gus
May 18, 2011
We call him Mr. White Beard! It slowly started turning white a couple of years ago. We think it makes him look distinguished.
Wendy @ iwuvwes.wuvtags.com
May 20, 2011
There should be a facial hair contest for dogs! Hmm. Wait a second…
raisingdaisy
May 18, 2011
What a beautiful place! I’m not sure which one it is, but the photo of Gus that’s right under the pic of your “two main squeezes” (LOL!) is my favorite. I tend to like rich colors and good contrast in photos, but sometimes unnatural colors can appear, and I don’t care for that (unless you’re doing an Andy Warhol type of thing!). What a fun project, though!
Bailey
May 18, 2011
This sounds like such a nice place! I wanna go!
Nala and I happen to agree with you on the edited photo — we think the colors in the Super Fun Happy No Glow picture are the best.
Woofs & hugs,
~Bailey
Sugar
May 18, 2011
Woof! Woof! LOVE LOVE LOVE all the photos. Happy W W. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
royalcoonhounds
May 18, 2011
That are is very nice!
My favorite arty pic is Troy but Oh Rad works well for everyday blogging.
Carly @GreenDogLove
May 18, 2011
I love the Oh, Snap! version! I need to learn how to play with editing photos. I’m pretty terrible with forgetting my camera, so most pictures come off my iPhone. Sometimes I’ll fancy it up with Hipstamatic.
Gus looks so cute when he yawns!
According to Gus
May 18, 2011
I love messing around with Hipstamatic – it’s such a fun app!
Snoopy@snoopysdogblog
May 18, 2011
It’s so cool what you can do with those pics!!
I don’t blame Gus for not wanting to get in the water, he has a photo shoot to do, he doesn’t want to get his hair all messed up, now does he?! Tee hee
Your pal Snoopy
3 pups
May 18, 2011
LOVE the Super fun happy! looks like a very dog-friendly place! arf!
Kari
May 18, 2011
It is a beautiful place to walk!
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com
AdventureJess
May 18, 2011
I like the Oh, Snap version of Gus the best. This is clearly a very beautiful park and I would be sure to visit if I was ever in San Antonio but I promise that there are some places in Seattle that would give that park a run for its money
HoundDogMom (Sherri)
May 18, 2011
Oh Snap is my favorite. We have never been to the RiverWalk but Mom has told us that you are correct on it being the most beautiful place to walk. She was there about 4 years ago and said it was her favorite place in Texas and if she had to move to Texas San Antonio would be the place. Sniffs, The HoundDogs
Kristine
May 18, 2011
Gus is so cute mid-yawn! My dog is often scratching herself in my photos. It’s her signal that she is done with hanging around in one spot.
I have a feeling you are going to miss this place.
Mary
May 18, 2011
Wow they are all cool. I like the subdued colors in Grandmas tap shoes. What camera do you have?
According to Gus
May 18, 2011
Nikon D5000 – we bought it around a year ago. It’s been a great camera, but has taken us soooo long to figure out!
catfromhell
May 18, 2011
Me is here from the blog hop!
Wow, Mes loved all the pictures yous took, especailly all the ones of yous at the end!
Kisses
Nellie
Create With Joy
May 18, 2011
Thanks for stopping by! Gus is such a cutie. I LOVE your photos!
Ramona
http://create-with-joy.com
lexy3587
May 18, 2011
great pics. clearly now is not the time, wiht your iminent road-tripping… but you should do an Andy Warhol-esque print for your next home’s wall – two rows (or three.. or whatever) of the same picture (probably of Gus) all modified to different styles of light like that.
I really want to visit there now! looks so nice
According to Gus
May 18, 2011
Fabulous idea!! Seriously, thanks for the comment – I’m making a note of this for our next house. I keep a binder of home decor ideas and I think this would look great!
Elizabeth
May 18, 2011
Definitely Oh, Snap! when Gus’s involved. His coat color is too beautiful to cover up. I agree, however, that Super Fun… is fun. Grandma’ Tap Shoes is cool, too.
There’s a river running through downtown Richmond, but since it started out industrial and Richmond is so high up on a hill, it (river) is hard to enjoy. San Antonio did it right (as did Jacksonville, FL – in case you plan on visiting there on your travels – my sis lives there – it’s gorgeous).
TOto's mommy
May 18, 2011
Riverwalk is SO EMPTY!? I was there once for a short stop, the place is CROWDED!!! Hahaha … Oh btw do you realised, our doggies seems to take better pictures with their daddies!? Because their attention is always on mommy!? When I want to take picture with Toto, he will always be looking left and right!!
According to Gus
May 18, 2011
It normally is really packed – but we were down there before 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning. All the tourists were still snoozing, I guess!
Tammy
May 18, 2011
Great photos – as always! Beautiful place, I can see why you go there a lot. I like the “Grunge Rock” treatment
didiwright
May 18, 2011
I agree with Gus, that looks like a nice place for a walk. And I LOVE those photos of Gus shouting at you
Sarah
May 18, 2011
San Antonio sounds like a pretty alright place. I feel for your “yawn picture” obsession; I am obsessed with pictures of dogs with their tongues out.
Zee and Zoey
May 18, 2011
Hi Gus! Thanks for stopping by our site today to say “hello!” We love these pictures and you sure do look like one happy doggie!
Errign
May 18, 2011
I like oh! snap and rusty cage.
If I walked McKinley close to the water like that, he’d probably hang himself trying to jump in!
Opie and Opie's Mom
May 18, 2011
I cant’ decide which one I like better. Gus is such an ATTRACTIVE subject. He looks good in everything. The classicist in me likes the black and white one very much — mostly because we hardly every see anything in black and white anymore. Make me think of Asta in the Thin Man Series! I think I also like Super Fun Happy No Glow.
Opie’s mom
sagechronicles
May 18, 2011
I’m a bit partial to Super Fun Happy No Glow! I’ve been on the River Walk many times over the years and I agree. It is a gorgeous spot!
Anna
May 18, 2011
Downtown frederick is supposed to be pretty nice. I really need to go there and check it out soon. Glad you seem to be having fun with the actions. I am not a huge action person so I like the oh snap one best but I would have decreased the opacity a bit. Have you played with that at all? Look up at the layer box after you apply and action and there should be an area that says “opacity” and you can play with how strong the action is. Not to say you have to do that, I am just old school in that I enjoy the more classic images.
Great captures though, really shows his outgoing “game” nature. I get the yawns from Luna too.
Happy Wednesday
Anna
http://www.akginspiration.com
itsmebuddy
May 18, 2011
Hi! Gus! It’s me Buddy and the Bear,
We’ve been away! Missed your blog! Glad we came by today! Lovely pictures!
Sophie
May 18, 2011
The San Antonio River Walk looks absolutely gorgeous! Great photos of Gus too; I love the Oh Snap feature on the program.
Krazy4Pets
May 18, 2011
I can see myself sipping a cup of coffee there! By the way why did Gus yawn a lot!
Vicky
May 18, 2011
My brian is far too deep in cutie-patootie Gus overload to pick a favorite. Being a lover of rich, warm color means those tend to be my favorites
Donna and the Dogs
May 18, 2011
What a nice place to go walking! Love all the photos, but the edited ones really do pop. Nice job!
Kristin G.
May 18, 2011
Hi Gus and Lori! It’s hard to choose, but I think Oh Snap looks really nice.
Jen
May 18, 2011
What a beautiful place to take a stroll!
My favorite pic is the cookies n cream! I love black and white pictures!
cate
May 18, 2011
Years ago we sat in a riverside restaurant along this walk, do they still have them? I remember it so well as half way through lunch we got severely pooped on by a flock of pigeons (or it could have been gulls). It was so beautiful though- Gus goes to the best places
I like the top two of Gus.
simplyshaka
May 18, 2011
Mid yawn pics are the best! But then again, Gus is always looking like a stud
I like the Milk & Cookies the best. I’ve never seen the Riverwalk that empty before!
Oscar & Pauline
May 18, 2011
I’m really digging Grandma’s Tap Shoes—kinda has that ’20s vibe.
Kas
May 18, 2011
Gus is adorable, and our guys yawn alot as well when they get anxious. We yawn back as a calming signal (although that normally makes Kylie go nutso). I love the “Grunge Rock” photo, although they’re all very cool. You can’t go wrong with a Gus photo
veryvizsla
May 19, 2011
My fave photo is the “Oh Snap”
Kristen
May 19, 2011
Great photos and I love the TRA set. I never used the Oh Snap but it looks great! I have been using a combination of Clarify (at only like 30-40% depending on the photo) and then Boutwell Magic Glasses (my favorite action) a lot lately. I’ve also started using big blue on the sky in some photos.
According to Gus
May 19, 2011
Oooh – I’m a fan of Boutwell Magic Glasses, too. There are so many possibilities!
Lori R.
May 19, 2011
You’re totally messing with my head; every time I read one of these “weekend walk” posts I want to get on the next plane to San Antonio! I suppose I only have three weeks if I want the guided tour! And I’m seriously confused why you want to leave such a gorgeous place!
The Hook
May 24, 2011
I love the B & W shot! The last one looks like Zombie-Gus!