January 27 - In Menard are there was a Spanish Mission as well as a Presidio constructed to protect it. Over 1000 Commanchies attacked the mission and destroyed it. The troops from the Presidio tried to save the Mission but were driven back and came under attack as well. With the mission gone the Presidio had nothing to defend and was under constant attack and so was abandoned. Just west of downtown Menard is a nice park with the llano river flowing through it. Also in Mason is a still working aquaduct built by the mission and updated from time to time to still water crops. Davie Crockett visited the Presidio and carved his name in the stone portal. There is a major reconstruction of the Presidio going on now.... read more

Woke up and it was misting with snow flurries. Drank my tea and thought things over. Loaded truck up around 10 AM and headed out to Dinosaur Valley State Park and the nearby Dinosaur World. Visited the sites at DVSP and you need a good sense of balance to get down to the site of the tracks and accross the river on the rocks as well as to get down to the "Blue Hole" further upstream. The weather had cleared to partly cloudy and although cold was tolerable. I would like to go to the "Blue Hole" again in April or September when the kids are in school to swim as it looked like a great swimming hole. I checked out the nearby Dinosaur World but at $12.75 it was more than I was willing to ... read more

January 24, Monday Had to go to Ft Worth to take care of some final (I hope) business and while I was there I decided to check out the sites. Had done some homework and figured the best place to stay for me would be the Studio 6 in North Richland Hills. They have Suites with kitchenettes etc for $199 a week. And they are nice, clean and safe. From Downtown you go north a bit on I-35 and get off on 121 (Airport Frwy) to NE Loop820 going north and then West you get off at Holiday Lane Exit #21 and follow the feeder back East to the Studio 6. It seems a long way but only took me about 20 minutes in medium traffic. I drove out of downtown Ft Worth Sundance Square around ... read more

13 January When I arrived in Houston I went south of town on I-45 to the Intown Suites on 480 Bay Area Blvd. in Webster. I rented a room with kitchenette for a full 7 day week for $218 with taxes. The rooms are quiet , clean and the hotel is extremly well situated for touring. Kemah is down Nasa 1 a few miles East. NASA is East on NASA 1. Galveston is south , and most of the things worth visiting in Houston are on the south side of the city. Such as the museums, Parks, San Jacinto Battleground and Battleship Texas. The Medical Center is a 35 minute drive away as well. There are over 20 good Restaurants within a short walk. And SuperWalmart is North on 45 at the next exit of El ... read more

January 12 Washington on the Brazos Went to Washington on the Brazos as part of my checking out historical sites in central Texas. This was the location where the mostly American settlers declared independence from Mexico. This happened in winter so I considered it appropriate to visit the site in winter. I was not disappointed as it was seriously cold and windy. The convention was held in an unfinished meeting hall with blankets over where the windows would be on a ferry crossing of the Brazos River. The Texans were in something of a hurry as they had to get the job done and clear out as Santa Anna and the Mexican army was approaching after finishing off the Alamo defenders in San Antonio. Also they had heard how the Texans at Goliad had been massacred ... read more