A Turn in the Road...

A turn in the road NW for Goliad State Park located in the South Texas Plains on the San Antonio River in the middle of cattle ranching land.


Site #35 on the back forty of the Jacales Camping area with water & electric.  Small bath house with one shower each with a great shower head with plenty of hot water.  There currently are 4 other campers in this area.  Weather is warming from our morning 42 degrees to sunny skies of 60-82 degrees.  Going to have some nice weather for a change.

Here the Vaqueros were the original cowboys---branding and driving herds of cattle to market.  Each brand is different from all others and often conveys the character of the owner.  Branding dates from 2700BC.  Cortez introduced branding from Spain to the new World in 1541.  He brought cattle stamped with his brand of 3 crosses.  Today's rule of the thumb is..."trust your neighbor; but, brand your stock. 

As you look across the miles of pastures you see quite a number of cactus.  An interesting note---during drought, ranchers will burn the thorns off the cactus for the cattle to eat.

 

One of the State Park attendants lives on a nearby cattle ranch.  The type of cattle they have are the Beefmaster cattle.  A new name to me.  Beefmaster is a breed of beef cattle that was developed in the early 1930's by crossing Hereford cows and Shorthorn cows with Brahman bulls.  It was the first new breed of cattle registered in the United States.  The original intention was to produce cattle that could produce economically in the difficult environment of South Texas.  Though there are no standards for color, most are red to light red, with white mottled spots.  These cattle are a dual purpose breed, meaning that they can be used for milk as well as beef.

 At the entrance to Goliad SP is Mission Espiritu Santo.  This Mission was first established by Spanish missionaries at Matagorda Bay in 1722 adjacent to Presidio La Bahia (the fort).  In 1749, after two other moves, both the mission & presidio were relocated to opposite banks of the San Antonio River protecting Camio La Bahia (now Goliad), a major Spanish trade route to the north and east.

This mission is a story of faith, sacrifice, ranching, and the destruction of several Indian tribes as mission life was not their traditional way of life.  Some of these Indians delt with cannibalism making it difficult for Spanish, French, or Anglo settlements to last.  A decline in the Indian population, lack of money, and turmoil in Mexico forced the mission to close.  A hurricane in the late 1800's nearly destroyed the mission.  Reconstruction began in the 1930's by the CCC.  Re-construction continues today.

There are 3 entrances to the sanitary.  The main entrance is for those who have been baptized.  There is a side door with a cross over top for entrance of those who have not been baptized.  Then there is an opposite door with a skull and bones over top...the door of death.  This door is used for funeral processions.

Goliad is full of over 300 years of Texan history.  Six flags have flown over Texas; but, nine flags have flown over Goliad---
Spain,
France,
First Republic of Texas,
Second Republic of Texas,
Mexico,
The Goliad Flag,
Flag of the Republic of Texas,
First National Flag of the Confederate States of America,
and Flag of the United States of America.

Historical Goliad is an old town with its brick and stone buildings of yesteryear.  We visited the library with a surprise.  They do not deal with a "library card".  Instead you make a $15 refundable deposit to check out a book or two that will be refunded when all books are returned.  Different.  Parking on Main is still at an angle instead of paralell parking or a parking lot.

 

Fannin Battleground at Coleto Creek

The road to Texas Independence began here.  During the 1820-1830's, Anglo's from North America flowed into Mexico's northern frontier with the thought of taming an unruly land & creating order & prosperity.  Fearing Mexico would be absorbed into the US, Mexico closed its borders to American immigration in 1830.  This set the stage for confrontation.  Texas settlers rebelled against Mexican rule causing Mexico to send General de Cos with troops into Texas to regain control of the territory.  By October 1835, the Mexican military was expelled from Texas.  Mexico's dictator, Santa Anna,  was furious and declared all foreigners who attacked the Mexican forces to be executed.  Attacks were made on San Antonio and Goliad.  After the fall of the Alamo in 1836, Colonel Fannin with about 400 soldiers (mostly volunteers) was ordered by Texas General Sam Houston to retreat from Goliad to Victoria.  Colonel Fannin waited too long to retreat and was surrounded by the Mexican militia at Coleto Creek.  After bitter fighting, Colonel Fannin surrendered with the belief they would be treated as Prisoner's of War of a civalized nation.  Instead, on Palm Sunday, they were divided into 3 groups who could walk...marched out from the La Bahia Prisidio at Goliad....and shot.  The wounded men were killed inside the Prisidio along with Colonel Fannin.  This has become known as the Goliad Massacre.  The Mexican dictator gave us the battle cry, "Remember the Alamo, Remember Goliad."  This massacre angered the Texans to defeat the Mexican militia at San Jacinto on April 21, 1836 making Texas an independent republic.

The Angel of Goliad

During the cruelties of war, one noble woman committed acts of bravery and commpassion.  Francisca Alavez accompanied Mexican Army Captain Alavez (her husband) to Texas in 1836.  In seven incidents she intervened with Mexican troops under General Urea's  command to help captured Texan pioneers.  Binding cords that cut off circulation were removed with food and water provided.  Even through the Goliad Massacre, Francisca Alavez pleaded for and was able to save the lives of many men.  She tended the wounded and sent messages and provisions to those still imprisoned.  She is best known as "The Angel of Goliad."

Victoria was on the agenda for a good Mexican lunch and a few groceries at the H-E-B PLUS.  Lunch was yummy at Los Reyes where J had Carne Guisada Enchilades with beans and rice while I had spinach/chicken enchilades with beans and rice.  Worth going back.
 
 


J took a bicycle ride to town along the San Antonio bridge bike path bringing back some awesome pics. 


Along the way were the ruins of Mission Nuestra Senora Del Rosario.



Near the mission ruins was this tree limb with cactus living on its branches.

Cactus on branches

Then in the distance is the top of the Historic Courthouse we will visit another day.

Here it is almost dark again with 3 deer grazing in the field across from our fifth wheel.

Two campers left today and one has just arrived here at 7:15 p.m. central time with a grand total of 3 campers in this loop.  Nice, peaceful, and quiet. 

 
Tomorrow will be another day full of adventure.  Take care until another blog appears.