Day Trip - East Texas history trail along The King's Highway, El Camino Real

From time to time, I go visit historical sites. Not that I am a history buff, but someone who appreciates the past to understand the present. Residents of Montgomery County have a very real and close connection to the origins of the nation of Texas. The daughters of the American Revolution have preserved history in a way where we can step back into the past on location and imagine what happened there. El Camino Real, The King's Highway, or otherwise known as the Old San Antonio Road existed from the 1600's, winding through the great east Texas forests of tall pines and hardwoods, providing a means to travel through East Texas to San Antonio. Part of it is less than two hours away, on state highway 21. This segment was just part of a highway from Saltillo, Mexico to Louisiana. It was a key road for travel and goods transport throughout early Texas history. 

The Daughters of the American Revolution placed granite markers every five miles along the highway in 1918. What I like to do is to travel down the road and stop at every marker. You get a one mile notice in advance, look at your odometer and be ready to stop in one mile. I like to get out of the car, but some people just read the markers from inside the car. A marker like this is difficult to read even when outside your automobile.

You can start at Crockett, Texas.  I will show you some of the places you will likely want  to stop at along the trail, but remember there are many more than I will show. It will take you through part of Davy Crockett National Park.

One of the places you likely will want to stop is at the Caddo state park to see the burial mound of thee Caddo Indians. This highway was originally part of the old American Indian trails of East Texas.

And here is one of the mounds inside the park.

A number of the markers are not so old and much easier to read.

Imagine the Indians coming to visit this mission. The word was out that there were gifts and the white man was trying to teach them their religion.  They would come through the thick forest and suddenly appear without notice, without warning and sometimes while nearby, hunting game and not exactly the best smelling of the animals in the forest after running along the trails.

And then in another era, you could hear the sound of running horses as the stagecoach approached. Then the red dusty travelers would get out of the coach, tired and ready to freshen up and sleep the night, all the while threatened by the presence of local Indians and the wildness of bears and wolves nearby.

There is beauty and interesting images to see all along the way. This is one very old barn that caught my eye.

Some old springs are located in this forest where the Indians and the settlers stopped for water.

Peaceful farms dot the landscape, providing opportunity to smell the countryside, and watch cows and horses calmly grazing on a summer afternoon. Hay had just been harvested when I went through in July.

Remember that Texas was a nation only 160 years ago. That is six or so generations, but many of our great grandparents saw those days during their lifetime. 

Now its your turn to go on a ride down that road. From The Woodlands, you can take I45 to Huntsville, head northeast on SH 19 to Crockett, then proceed northeast on SH 21 to Alto or even further to Nacogdoches. Plan on at least a half a day trip, if not a full day. This time, I took this outing as part of a trip back from Tennessee.

Recommended references:
1. The Handbook of Texas Online
2. Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Go Texans! Professional Football is back!

The Woodlands is not very far from Houston, but you can't get to the Texans Reliant Stadium ball park in 30 minutes! Not much more than that on a good traffic day, it was nevertheless our recreational destination this week. My friend has PSL seats, so we get to view the game from a terrific vantage point. Definitely an amenity, I am so glad we live here. Our neighbors to the south host football, baseball, two basketball, hockey and soccer teams at a top professional level. This time it was the preseason opener at home for the Texans against the New Orleans Saints. I took my camera to share the event with readers.

First there was the Tailgating party. And partying was what the fans was doing! First game of the season at home. The real fans show up at this. These two photos were taken at a Tailgate bus whose owner sounds a siren each time a toast is to be made and passes out a beer to everyone in the crowd. The beer is to be chug-a-lugged on the spot without spilling it all over you. It is opened at both ends. I told the guy after the first time, I need a lesson on drinking a can of beer from both ends at the same time. Well, the guys in this photo showed me that you drink from the bottom. So "TOPS UP!" or "BOTTOMS DOWN!".

You might see Texan ladies in shorts with high heels like this one. For those who don't know, the little lady is all dressed up for a Texan game, and it was very hot outside! She was just fine. Party time!

You will run across Tejanos (if you are unfamiliar with this word, you can look it up. It means a native Texan who has a Mexican heritage.) "Tejas" was a state of Mexico and is Spanish for "Texas". Remember that Texas was at one time part of Mexico and then became a nation with mixed Tejano and gringo blood lines.

Part of being there is to watch the game, but part is to cheer them on as well. Ya gotta watch the cheerleaders to do that part, so we were good boys and did just that! Meet Brandi, one of 29 fabulous 2009 Texan Cheerleaders. She danced good too! Then there is another aspect of the game to appreciate - the fans themselves. Cute ones, wierd ones, young ones, old ones, ... you name it, that type of fan was there!

To see more photos of fans, cheerleaders, players and the festivities, I have quite a few for you to enjoy at this site:
Woodlands Photo Studio (Woody's Photography).

Galveston Island - It's back!

Guest writer, Laura Jardine, Woodlands Texas resident

I just returned from a trip to Galveston this weekend. Occasionally, I need a dose of sea air and a place to escape the summer heat. We are lucky to have such a place close to The Woodlands. It is one of the reasons we looked forward to returning to the Houston area. I start feeling landlocked if I am too far from the ocean, any ocean, and it is just minutes (okay an hour or so) away from The Woodlands.

I am happy to report that Galveston is back. The island was packed with people looking for summer fun. The economy, the drought conditions in the hill country’s lakes and rivers, and the excessive heat must surely have contributed to the masses on the island. However, I was happy for the local businesses, as they have really had a rough year trying to renovate and stay in business. George Mitchell was instrumental in returning the Strand to its former glory and, although the entire area was hard hit by the hurricane, progress is being made everywhere you look. The Strand is a jewel that holds much historical, cultural and architectural value. In the 1850s Galveston was considered the Wall Street of the South. It had the state’s first bank, electricity, and phone system. I have lived in the Houston area most of my life and still learn something new each time I visit the Strand, nearby museums or tour one of the lovely old stately homes lining Broadway Boulevard. The Grand Opera House has completed renovations and has posted listings for its upcoming season. A trip to the Grand makes for a great couple’s weekend by adding a stay at one of the charming period hotels or bed and breakfast inns, dinner, and an evening carriage ride. Although not all businesses are at 100%, they are certainly open and ready for your business. There are also many extra outings for children when visiting the island other than the obvious beach activities. One of my favorites is the airplane museum. I found it fascinating and informative even though I know nothing about airplanes.

While we lazed on the beach and read our novels, we did dip our toes in the water. You might ask how one could cool off when the water temperature is 91 degrees. The water temperature does vary a bit at different locations on the island, and perhaps the 10-20 mph winds and 89-degree air temperature helped. The water did not feel as warm as it did in 2005 when Katrina and twenty plus storms formed during the hurricane season. That year one could feel the overly warm water and know something was not quite right in the world. I am happy to report the water did not feel as warm as it did then but I’m not an expert.

While I was concerned the sea birds might find a new place to flock after the storm, they have returned in great numbers. I was particularly delighted to see the many brown pelicans. Every afternoon they fly in geese-like formation following the coast westward to roost for the evening. Pelicans were almost extinct on the Texas coast when I grew up, so seeing them is always an affirmation that we are doing something right. Typically Texas had 1,500 to 4,000 nests. However, by 1968, only two nests were found, and by 1970 there were none. In 1970 they were put on the Endangered Species List and two years later DDT was banned for domestic use. It appears that they have recovered and are now crowding out some of the other species on some islands. I call that a success story. I even saw two Roseate Spoonbills on the island. These birds are pink like Flamingos and it is always a treat to see them. It’s also a testament to the health of the environment.

I noticed a lot of the inner island historical homes are receiving long overdue renovations. Much of the island’s architecture is invaluable and deserves preservation. It was a bit shocking and sad to see the potential loss of most of the large Live Oak trees that line Broadway Boulevard. They are now leafless skeletons against the sky and a reminder of the sea water that inundated the island. These trees will be last on the tree removal list to give them more time to recover. They were planted after the 1900 storm and are more than 100 years old. It will be sad to lose them as they give the boulevard its southern charm. However, I am sure, with a little patience they will be replaced with something equally as lovely. So, if you need a place to entertain the kids, a quick weekend interlude, or just have the urge to feel some cool summer sea breeze, I would recommend a trip. It was good for my soul, and Galveston’s economy, to see the island booming.