sadave, welcome!
Your story of transition is similar to many of us here, although I gave up sleeping 'under the stars' when I transitioned from 'camping' in our backyard, at about age 8. (when I could no longer run inside at the first sign of rain)
I'm not much for cities, but I did enjoy what little time off I had when in San Antonio for about a month, on business, back in the mid 90's. It's a beautiful area. I'd explore one of the many missions on my lunch breaks, while working in the 'blue collar' areas in the south of the city. A buddy and I would spend our evenings downtown either on, or within a few blocks of, the riverwalk. For those that have never been, they should plan a stop in San Antonio.