I checked in and was assigned to site 8 in the Karankawa area near the front of the park. It is a circular area with full-hookups and pull-through sites. I was lucky enough to get a site with a tree on the left side of the 5th wheel which really helped with the sun and heat. The Jacales area is on the other side of the park with water and electric sites located on three sides of a parking lot area. There are also two tent only areas. Up until about three years ago, the park had a swimming pool near the Jacales area but it developed a huge leak that was too expensive to fix.
The rally was actually in the Jacales area but we didn't all realize that when making reservations. It worked out okay though, we just drove the mile over there for the activities.
Since I arrived the day before the rally started, I decided to tour the park and the town. Located within the park grounds is the beautiful reconstructed Franciscan Mission Espiritu Santo. It was the largest ranching operation in Texas in the 18th century.
Although the mission is reconstructed rather than original, you can get a very good idea of early life of the missionaries and Indian-converts. As I was walking the dachsies Friday morning, I did a double take when I saw a man dressed in full Franciscan monk attire come out of an RV and head up the road. I found out later that he was an historian that comes four or five times a year to give tours. I missed out on that but some of the other ladies said it was really good.
Next, I headed down the road into town.
Harley was very interested in seeing the sites but Willy took a nap in the backseat.
Small Texas towns are nearly always built around beautiful, majestic courthouses.
The town square has lots of small businesses and looks active.
The area was in disarray after the Civil War ended so Jack Helm was appointed as a special marshall to bring order. He headed a group known as the regulators who brought order to the area along with the Texas Rangers.
This was an interesting tidbit on one side of the square. Apparently Bull Durham Tobacco salesmen looked for up and coming towns where they painted huge advertisements on the side of buildings.
This sign is being preserved. It is on one side of a courtyard where group gatherings occur. Interestingly, there are signs prohibiting smoking in the area.
A little more investigating around town turned up some interesting homes.
The San Antonio river runs along the edge of town as well as the edge of the state park and kayaking is popular. This walkway leads down to the river.
I found this little park in my travels.
Harley thought he might like to try kayaking as long as he didn't have to get wet.
After the battle of Coleto where the Texans under Col Fannin were defeated, the men were war prisoners. General Santa Anna ordered 400 of the prisoners shot on Palm Sunday 1836. The doctors were spared and a Mexican woman, later called the Angel of Goliad, saved 30 men. Some others were able to swim the river or play dead during the massacre. This later led to the battle cry "Remember Goliad! Remember the Alamo!"
This is the Fannin Memorial Monument where Col Fannin and his men were buried.
The Presidio La Bahia was originally built to protect the mission and the frontier.
The gift shop was originally here but may have been damaged in one of the hurricanes.
Manuel Becerra was born in La Bahia and became one of the most prominent citizens. He was very active in colonization of the area.
Presidio La Bahia is operated by the Catholic Diocese of Victoria and is the location where Fannin's men were executed.
There is definitely some interesting history in Goliad. Now on to the Rally.
Wow! I want to there.
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