Sam Houston and Prison for us!

We spent the weekend at Huntsville State Park, which is a little north of Houston.  First, we attended the ranger program on alligators.  Even after watching “Swamp People” on TV, there’s a lot we didn’t know about alligators.  There are 40-60 adult alligators at the park, but since it was cool weather most were under the water in the mud.  The park had lots of signs about not harassing the alligators.  I’m good with that!

 We did a quick stop at a statue of Sam Houston.  This is right by the highway in Huntsville.  According to Wikipedia, it’s the largest free-standing statue of an American (John is standing below in  this picture!).  Our next stop was to see the Sam Houston complex.  If you’re like me, you’ve forgotten who exactly Sam Houston was.  We could remember he was somehow tied to the Alamo.  So, quick biography…he was first governor of Tennessee then later led the Texas militia for independence.  He sent Jim Bowie to the Alamo to remove the artillery since he knew the Alamo could not be held.  Jim Bowie went to the Alamo, but decided to fight instead.  They lost to Santa Anna, the leader of Mexico.  Sam Houston was able to beat Santa Anna soon after in another fight.  Houston became the president of an independent Texas.  After Texas was annexed to the United States, Houston became a senator and later the governor of Texas.  He was removed from office when he refused to take an oath to the confederacy.  We learned lots more, but that’s plenty!  The picture of the Steamboat House is his home when he died.

Our final stop was at a prison museum.  Huntsville is the site of the first Texas prison.  Much of the museum was creepy with exhibits about the death penalty.  Some things were fascinating.  There were samples of things the prisoners made either with permission (wood work, signs) or without (weapons, art, games).  Plus, Bonnie and Clyde were killed by a man sent by the head of the Texas prison system.  So there were several exhibits concerning them.

Tonight we’ll be in Houston to pick up our son David from the airport.  It will be the first time home from college.  I’m feeling sorry for him.  Most college kids can run off to see friends during breaks.  David will be stuck in a 26’ RV with his parents!