Trip Update Jan Feb 2011 PA to NM Part 3 of 5

Peak at Big Bend NP
Mexican Jay
Chisos Basin BBNP

The first two weeks of the year were spent visiting family and friends. On the road, we usually encounter folks from “The Greatest Generation,” so it was fun to spend some time with the younger generation. In Annapolis, we played games with Ron, Sarah and daughter (Wii expert) Annie. We toured the Farm Show in Harrisburg with Pat’s nephew Randy and niece Jenn and her friend, Dan. We watched Tom and Marie’s son Nick burn up the court in a basketball game in Fairfax, VA.
After 5 weeks out of the RV, we were getting anxious to get back on the road. On our way out of town, we stopped in Accokeek to visit with some of our former neighbors. We meet the new owners of our former home. They bought the house in foreclosure for 40% less than what we sold the house for in 2005. They were in the middle of a complete makeover of the very modern décor left by the former owners. On our way to the Southwest we stopped in Oak Ridge, TN and spent the day in the American Museum of Science and Energy, and learned the history behind the development of the atomic bomb. In Vicksburg, MS we toured the Civil War battlefield. President Lincoln considered Vicksburg “the key” and believed “the war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket.” After 5 months of attacks and maneuvers Grant found Vicksburg defenses difficult to penetrate, so he began formal siege operations. After 46 days under siege, Vicksburg surrendered.
There was no surrender at the Alamo. There it was “Victory or Death”. Victory was nearly impossible considering how Santa Ana’s troops outnumbered the Texans. The first time we visited San Antonio, we nearly missed seeing the Alamo because it seems much smaller than expected. However, what we think of as the Alamo is actually just the mission. The actual Alamo was the size of 1 ½ city blocks. It was much too large for only 200 defenders. To get a true feel for the size of the Alamo, we visited a large diorama which gave us a great perspective on the conflict. Phil Collins, the British rock singer, not only owns the diorama, he has the largest collection of Alamo memorabilia in the world. We also toured the Riverwalk, an historic church, and the old Governor’s Mansion.