GOLIAD, TEXAS….PRESIDIO LA BAHIA

Saturday, October 26 - Presidio La Bahia, The Fort on the Bay, a National Historic Landmark, is considered the world's finest example of a Spanish frontier fort. This is the most fought over fort in Texas history. This fort was at the center of every attempt to forcibly change the governmental order of Texas.

The history of Presidio La Bahia and Goliad can be traced through the flags of the various nations that have controlled this region of South Texas. Click on the photo to enlarge it and read about all the different nations.

The first Declaration of Texas Independence was formally declared at the Presidio on December 20, 1835. The first Texas flag flew here, and it was the location of the darkest day in Texas history, the Goliad Massacre.

There was a list of all those slain at the Goliad Massacre, and it appears that we both have relatives that died for Texas  (Paul's last name is Weaver and Marsha's maiden name is Wadsworth.)

Barracks

Our Lady of Loreto Chapel was erected in the quadrangle of the Presidio for the sole use of the soldiers and Spanish settlers. It is the oldest building in the compound, in continuous use since the 1700's.  As a matter of fact, as we we leaving people were arriving for a wedding.

One of the oldest churches in America, it also is one of the only buildings in existence that has its original “groin vaulted ceilings” in place. This centuries-old chapel was where Fannin's men were held during their captivity before being massacred. It was also here that the First Declaration of Texas Independence was signed.

There is so much history in this area. We will tell you more in our next post.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

HEADIN' BACK TO HOUSTON

Friday, October 25 – .We pulled out of Leisure Valley Ranch this morning heading North. We are on our way to Houston to sit for awhile. We'll be there through the Christmas Holidays.

We stopped about half way to Houston in Goliad, TX. An historic town filled with many Texas sites that we will be visiting and reporting on in future posts.

We are staying at Goliad State Park.

The park is located within three ecological zones and located on the San Antonio River. It serves as the hub for visiting the Mission, Espiritu Santo (located in the park), the Presidio La Bahia, the Ignacio Zaragoza Birthplace, Fannin Battleground, the Goliad Historic District and Mission Rosario.

We are in site #26, a water and electric site. Each site on the outside of our loop has a covered picnic table, fire ring and grill. It is pretty much a large gravel parking lot with sites around the outer perimeter and another group of sites in the very center. It's pretty quiet with only a half dozen campers in our area. The cost is $20 per night but unfortunately, we have to also pay admission to the park for each day. That's crazy, in our opinion. Paul has a Texas Senior Pass providing half price on admission, but Marsha has to pay the full $3 admission per day. Maybe we should hide her in the trunk and sneak her in.....LOL.

Please notice the big, empty field next to our site.

There is another camping area in the park with pull-through sites. Those sites are $25 per night.

We were joined after dark by about 30 scouts camping in the area next to us. There goes our solitude. No problems....they were well behaved and even quieted down by bed-time.

We have company….9 tents.

The park has camping, picnicking, historic sights, swimming, canoeing, fishing, hiking trails and a park store. There is also a walking/biking paved trail into the nearby town of Goliad.

After getting set up, we drove into historic Goliad to see the town and stop at the Chamber of Commerce/Visitor's Center. Goliad is a phonetic anagram of Hidalgo, the priest who became a hero during the Mexican Revolution. (The "H" is not pronounced in Spanish.) Goliad is one of the oldest municipalities in Texas.

Historic Goliad is made up of the Court House surrounded by a block of historic buildings. An excellent walking tour is available describing many of the historic buildings.

The yellow building below is the Von Dohen Building built in 1896. It housed and continues to house the Goliad Pharmacy.

You can't have a historic town in Texas without a “hanging tree.” Located on the North lawn of the courthouse, the tree was often used in the “good ole' days” of Texas to enforce law and order in a pretty wild area.

Why is Goliad called the "Birthplace of Texas Ranching?" The first great cattle ranch in Texas is said to have its beginnings at Mission Espiritu Santo which is located in Goliad State Park.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day.

FUN DAY IN MEXICO!

Wednesday, October 22 – We made another trip to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico, last Friday with Angie and Rick.

Paul and Rick wanted to get haircuts ($4) at what they call "The best barbershop anywhere," (They really do like the haircuts they get at Gloria's Barbershop.), Angie had an appointment at her dentist for a cleaning, and Marsha had some shopping to do.

Marsha was shopping for our daughter, Carrie. She recently moved to a new apartment and wanted some pottery to display on her shelves. Marsha had scouted out various selections on our last trip to Mexico and taken some pictures for Carrie to look at and see if it was what she was looking for. Carrie picked several vases. Marsha was picking them up today to take to Houston.

An outdoor bar located in a dentist mall.

After haircuts and shopping, we headed over to Arturo's for lunch.

We had a delicious Mexican dinner and a couple Margaritas.

Then it was upstairs in the Galleria to the Cantina to listen to the band and do some dancing. What fun!

Our welcoming committee at the Cantina.

Angie and Marsha are always out dancing and meeting new people.

Rick showing us his moves.

Attention all the ladies out there….A little unknown fact about some el baño de señoras (ladies' restrooms) in Mexico. Be sure to check the wall when you enter a restroom in Mexico. You may have to pick up the paper before you enter the stall. What a hoot!

Marsha got her two permanent crowns, filling and teeth cleaned Tuesday, yesterday, morning. We are all set to head for Houston, and we plan to do that Friday morning. Before we arrive in Houston, we are stopping in Goliad, Texas, for a few days.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!