Remember the Alamo

I was going to include The Alamo with the River Walk over on 1000 Places, but decided to put it here instead.  Two things you need to know about The Alamo:

1.  There is no basement in The Alamo!

2.  It is super tiny building, but part of a complex of several missions.



During the Texas Revolution Texians and Tejanos banded together to force the surrender of the Mexican army holding The Alamo.  On February 23,  1836 General Santa Anna's arrival caught them by surprise and the Texians and Tejanos prepared to defend the Alamo together.  The defenders held out for 13 days, while General William B. Travis sent out pleas for help from the communities of Texas with this message:

I shall never surrender or retreat.

Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, and

everything dear to the American character, 

to come to our aid with all dispatch. ...

VICTORY OR DEATH.

On the 8th day 32 volunteers arrived, bringing the number of defender to nearly 200. Legend says, that realizing no more help would come, General Travis drew a line on the ground and asked any man willing to stay and fight to step over - all but one did.  They believed the key to the defense of Texas was the Alamo and were ready to sacrifice their lives rather than surrender to General Santa Anna.

The final assault came before dawn on March 6, 1836.  Columns of Mexican soldiers headed of the Alamo's wall while cannon and small arms fire beat back several attacks.  Eventually the Mexicans scaled the walls, and turned a captured cannon on the Long Barrack and church blasting open the doors.  The defenders continued the struggle until overwhelmed.  The battle ended by sunrise and Santa Anna entered in victory. The facts of the battle continue to be debated, but it has come to symbolize an heroic struggle against impossible odds.  A place where where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, marking it as hallowed ground.


This live oak was approximately 40 years old during the battle for the Alamo.















As we were walking by this tree Ryker exclaimed, "There's a tree; take a picture!" ran over and posed.






It was the San Antonio Founder's Day and there was a festival going on, thus the food carts.


See?  Tiny!

For Founder's Day there was an Irish step dancing demonstration going on.  What?  Weird, I know.





This is what happens when the curly Irish step dancer hair combines with Texas hair.  YOWZA!  That is some BIG hair.