We were supposed to check into the Grand Canyon today… But I asked Chuck if we could change that plan due to it being about 6 days extra "windshield time on this trip," and I opted for a few hours less driving and the sunny beautiful east coast of Texas. Dear Chuck is willing to "turn right, turn left" and not ask too many questions. He has saved us a few times when I miss exits and entrances so I know he is paying attention. So today, after yesterday’s wonderful final tribute to the men who freed Texas for independence… at San Jacinto Sam Houston seemed to his men to be retreating and they were deserting…. but I think he just wanted to out fox Santa Anna and put the Mexicans’ backs to the water… When Sam Houston’s forces attacked, the Mexicans weren’t ready and the battle at San Jacinto was over quickly. Only 9 "Texicans" died there. In a final war with Mexico, the US gained about 7 of what are now the Western States. So with the Louisiana purchase, the war with Mexico, and the purchase of Alaska we became "big" – what we are today. Texans are proud to be Texans. I wish we could all be so proud and keep our individual states clean and well regulated.
After the visit to San Jacinto Chuck and I came back to the pool for pool play and reading. We are both reading submarine novels. Mine is the sinking of a sub in 1939 and the rescue of about half her crew. The sub was raised from the bottom and major changes were subsequently made to her systems and to future submarine design. It seems that someone left a valve open, or it opened accidentally as they dived filling her with sea water. I’m not to the rescue yet in the book, but I know she survived and was recommissioned under a new name. Chuck’s book is a 2000 incident with a nuclear sub. It’s really dangerous business. Go find and hug a submarine sailor. We are really blessed in our local submarine group to have some of the younger men who served on nuclear subs. They are successful, independent, proud men. Hug a veteran today!
Yesterday evening we met the widow of an old friend… "Jake" Charles Smiley was the son of Smiley… he and Cotton were Chuck’s dad’s best friends. Smiley drove me to our wedding. They were such good friends. Chuck visited Jake in Houston in 2010 and Jake succumbed to cancer in 2014. We had a good visit with Lorraine and shared many good old memories. God bless our friends whom we have lost. Take care of them Lord.
Off we go south today, to Galveston island, via ferry to Port Bolivar, and along the south Louisiana coast. I’ll let you know tonight where we land for we have not a plan! Just head east along the water of the Gulf of Mexico. I would like to give some business to the beleagured coast that took such a beating off the deep water Horizon. Until we land… God bless you.