Travel Photos Tuesday: San Antonio, Texas

  Slowly but surely working through all the photos that we took on our major trek in 2013. Gosh it's hard to believe it's been that long ago already. So anxious for another real trip!

 Today's photos are from our day in San Antonio, Texas.

First up is the Alamo, of course.


Then we visited the lesser known missions all located south of the Alamo. This is Mission San Jose


Mission San Juan Capistrano(no, not *that* one! that's in California)


Mission Concepcion


Mission San Francisco


And then we are at Texas Pride Barbecue, best damn BBQ sandwich I've EVER had!

Tuesday's Battle

Tuesday is named for Tyr, the Norse God of War. I believe it is fitting to show photos from the various battlegrounds, mostly Civil War, that I visit.

This is Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Despite what may be perceived by many people, this is not actually the "court house". And to be factual, this isn't completely the actual house where General Robert E Lee signed terms of surrender to General Ulysses S Grant on April 9, 1865, either-it is mostly a reproduction.

The town of Appomattox is located a few miles from here, in the county of Appomattox. The old court house(now reconstructed at the National Park) was located at this town, which was called Clover Hill. The town of Appomattox, a few miles away, is the location of the current county court house. The county seat was moved when a train station was built in 1854 at Appomattox Station. The Civil War culminated at this place, Clover Hill, in April of 1865 after several days of fighting.

This home, the McLean home, was where both sides met to draw up the formal agreement to end the war. After the war, the home was sold a few times. One owner wanted to move it to Chicago for the 1893 World's Fair, but it never happened. Then they decided to move it to Washington DC and put it on display. The house was taken apart and readied to be moved, but that idea fell through as well. The home then lay in piles for nearly fifty years. Environment as well as thieves and collectors took their toll on the home. It wasn't until 1940 that the National Park was created and the home was to be rebuilt. About 5000 of the original bricks were able to be used, but much of the wood had to be replaced. It was opened to the public on April 9, 1949.

We visited the park in March of 2006.

Tuesday's Battle

Tuesday is named for Tyr, the Norse God of War. I believe it is fitting to show photos from the various battlegrounds, mostly Civil War, that I visit.

Today we visit the Stone's River National Battlefield Park, specifically the Hazen's Brigade Monument and Cemetery. Built just a few months after the battle in 1863 to honor those in the brigade of General William Babcock Hazen, men from the 110th Illinois, 9th Indiana, 6th Kentucky and 41st Ohio. They held this area throughout the Battle of Stones River on December 31, 1862. Buried here around the monument are 45 of the men from the unit who fell in battle. The monument has inscriptions on all four faces, including a memorial to 6 officers of these units who were killed at Shiloh in April of 1862.

This photo was taken after a snowfall in February of this year.

Tuesday's Battle

Tuesday is named for Tyr, the Norse God of War. I believe it is fitting to show photos from the various battlegrounds, mostly Civil War, that I visit.

Today's photo is from Manassas National Battlefield Park. The monument is of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, who supposedly earned his famous nickname here. It is near the park's visitor center, and in roughly the area where the First Virginia began their attack on Union forces. The artist is Joseph P Pollia and was dedicated at the park in 1940. Some folks call this the "Superman" monument. I can see why. It's one of my very favorites.