Thursday, January 2, 2014

An Overnight Adventure: Palestine and the Polar Express (Part 2)

We were up early and eating breakfast at the hotel before any other kids were up! Gene had us all packed up and checked out at 9 am, and we headed to nearby Mission Tejas State Park for a hike. We were on windy back roads again, but they sure were beautiful and we paused a few times to snap some pictures. 





We love Mission Tejas State Park, and just like last year, we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. It was chilly but not too cold to hike or play on the playground.







Do you remember Henry's "Spirit of Christmas" pine branch last year?   










This year we hiked to the CCC Baths. The Civilian Conservation Corps built this park in the 1930s. They bricked up a natural spring and made two pools downhill to bathe and rinse in.





Along the way, we checked out fungus, tree stumps, pinecones, leaves and more.





After our hike, we stopped for lunch at Texas Burgers in Crockett, and then drove on to Huntsville to visit the Sam Houston Memorial Museum. It was a great place for the boys to run around and explore. Sam Houston is such a fascinating historical figure and we all really enjoyed the visit.

Guerrant Family Cabin


Sam Houston's Woodland Home


The detached kitchen


Sam Houston's law office -- for the lawyer with us



We found another pond with more mallards


and lots of roosters!


Sam Houston's Steamboat House, where Houston died in 1863


We also visited Oakwood Cemetery, where Sam Houston is buried. 



I am so thankful for my crew of intrepid explorers. They are so much fun to travel with and are almost always up for an adventure!

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