Castillo San Cristóbal-San Juan, Puerto Rico

Another adventure from our honeymoon was visiting Castillo San Cristóbal which is part of the San Juan National Historic Site. This was part of a guided tour we scheduled to visit here and Casa Bacardi. Before going to Puerto Rico, I had no real knowledge of the country's history or what there was to do on the island. I could tell you the very basics about the Commonwealth (yep, they are a Commonwealth and a US territory), and prior to going I was busy with wedding planning and starting a new job. 

Our guide was a local and very knowledgeable about Castillo San Cristóbal and about the Commonwealth itself. We learned interesting tidbits that would take to much time to write here. Now onto the point of this post... the location. San Cristóbal stands guard st the eastern gate and built in 1634. This was to protect the land entrance to Old San Juan. This is largest fortifications that was built by the Spanish in the New World covering 27 acres. When you visit make sure you have some good walking shoes. 

I love going to places and trying to picture what it was like back during its prime. (I know, I know... history nerd!) Our guide took us through the fort and we went into the Dungeon. Inside here there is no window, so that means there is no light or air coming in. A group of us were in here for maybe 5+ mins and we were sweating I can only imagine what the actual prisoners felt like. On the wall there is some ancient graffiti of ships and mierda (sh!t) written on the walls. Not everyone agrees that prisoners were kept in this room, but chose what you wish to believe. Someone had to of been kept there in my opinion. 

Leaving the fort, it is massive.  

The fort has a presence in this city still to this day- now only has a landmark but a unique look into the history. The first shots of the Spanish-American War were fired here. Now the city does have a better known fortification, El Morro, which protected the city from sea attacks. A post will follow on there as well. 

The fortification is open daily from 9am to 6pm.

Cathedral of San Juan Bautista-San Juan, Puerto Rico

Let me start off by saying that San Juan, Puerto Rico is a beautiful place. I would go back there any day! We went for our honeymoon 2 years ago, and I think this may be one of the best trips by far that we've taken. We did take a guided tour while on the island, but one day we decided that we would walk around in Old San Juan and we came across the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista. (I usually link to the direct site, but their site appears to be down. Here is a link to an official Puerto Rico site instead.)

The cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in San Juan, located in Old San Juan, and is the second oldest cathedral in the Americas.The church was built in 1521 originally with wood. It was destroyed by a hurricane and rebuilt with stones. It has survived many hurricanes and was last updates in 1917. The inside is simple yet beautiful. To my knowledge, there is no ac, but they do have fans pointed at the pews to provide some circulation.

The one standout feature to me other than the Gothic style architecture was the stained glass windows. They are a site to see in it self. Pictured to the right is my favorite in the building. The light coming in on the stained glass shows the picture so clearly. Now, I did mention the architecture-- make sure if you go to look up! I don't wanna overload this post with pictures, so you will just have to go see for yourself! 

Inside you can also the tomb of Juan de Ponce and the mummy of St. Pio. You can attend mass here Saturdays at 7 pm, Sunday at 9 and 11 am, and weekdays 7:25 am and 12:15 pm.

 For more information, call 787-722-0861. The church is open daily from 8 am - 4 pm (Sunday until 2 pm). (Please call and check times for accuracy. These times were taken from here.)

Confederate Memorial Hall-New Orleans, LA

[Please excuse the delay in posting- here we go with another post!]

When we were in New Orleans back in December we had to kill some time since the National WWII Museum was closed for a special event in the morning. This was across the street from the parking lot where we parked. Now, most museums for me you don't have to sell me on. Their sign did it all for me "Louisiana's Oldest Museum" how could I not go? 

The Confederate Memorial Hall Museum was established in 1891.  It contains the second largest collection of Confederate Civil War items in the world. The one downside I always find to museums is that I wasn't allowed to take pictures. They do let you take pictures of the hall itself, but not of any specific artifacts. I understand why but it is always a bummer. 

I always enjoy looking at uniforms from back in the day. They were so small compared to us now. Unfortunately since we visited back in December I can't remember any specific things that stood out to me. Definitely worth checking out if you are in NOLA. Here is a view of the right and left. 

If you choose to visit just keep in mind they close for Mardi Gras. They are open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm. 
 

The National WWII Museum-New Orleans, LA

This past weekend we took a weekend trip to New Orleans, LA. I'm sure most people go to NOLA to get drunk on Bourbon, eat beignets from Cafe Du Monde (yum!), or to go hang out in the French Quarter. My first thought when we chose our destination was, "Oh, they have a WWII Museum that I've heard is great!" My husband is used to this by now so we decided to go there once we arrived in town. We were disappointed to learn that they were closed for an event that morning, but we were able to come back that afternoon and again the next day.

The National WWII Museum  is open seven days a week from 9am - 5pm. There is so much to do and according to their website they recommend 3 hours for the exhibits. When we went on Friday and Saturday we spent about a total of 6 hours combined. We did everything the main exhibit, Road to Berlin (which just opened this past Saturday!), Beyond All Boundaries, and Final Mission: The USS Tang Experience. 

From a local tour guide I learned that this was originally a D-Day Museum, but then was expanded to include the whole war. There is so much information to take in from the whole experience. While, I would recommend doing everything when you visit I know not everyone will spend the amount of time we did. You have to check out the main exhibit plus that is your admission to the museum. I did learn more about Okinawa and that is where my Grandpa was during WWII on the USS Hart. 



The new exhibit that opened on Saturday was Road to Berlin. You get a Dog Tag that you register with your information, and then you select a story to follow. I chose Josephine Pescatore who worked as a an evacuation-hospital nurse in the United States Army Nurse Corps and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for her service. You walk through the interactive exhibit and at different stations you swipe your card, and then watch a short video on their story during the war. You can also collect items on your card to review later from home. I have been to a lot of museums, and this one of the coolest features I have seen. 

One other thing I do want to highlight is the 4D experience Beyond All Boundaries. The film is narrated by Tom Hanks and runs about 48 minutes long. First, you are welcomed by Tom in a small room where you watch a short preview and then you make your way into the auditorium. Since it is a 4D experience you have fog going off, chairs shaking, snow falling and other features that come up from the orchestra. I learned a lot from this video--this is a must see!

When Roosevelt didn't speak softly

*This article is from San Antonio Express News and not written by me.*

By Richard A. Marini

SAN ANTONIO — Vice President Teddy Roosevelt was chafed. That much is apparent from even the most cursory reading of a three-page letter dated July 13, 1901, that will be sold via an online auction beginning today.

In the letter, written only three years after his victory with the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War, Roosevelt airs his concern that an upcoming annual reunion might besmirch the regiment's “splendid record” if it is used as “an advertising scheme, or turned into a raree show.”

Reunions should be held less often, he proposed, and only “in one of the four territories in which the regiment was enlisted (or else in San Antonio).”

Photo via Flickr

Roosevelt's affinity for San Antonio is understandable. This is where he spent several weeks in May 1898 training the raw recruits who would gain fame and glory battling up San Juan Hill in Cuba. And the city returned Roosevelt's affection, turning out in numbers to watch the approximately 1,000 men of what officially was known as the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment train in Riverside Park south of downtown.

In the letter, written from his home in Oyster Bay, Long Island, Roosevelt also rails against those former comrades who beseech him for military appointments and government jobs, or for help getting out of legal scrapes.

The surprisingly candid, behind-the-scenes glimpse of one of American history's most colorful characters will be sold online by Boston-based RR Auction in a sale running through Nov. 12.

The original, typewritten letter is addressed to Maj. William H.H. Llewellyn, who'd served under Roosevelt and been rewarded with a post as U.S. attorney in New Mexico.

Signed by Roosevelt and with several handwritten corrections — he added the parentheses around the phrase “or else in San Antonio” — the letter is one item in a lot of more than 850 historical documents, manuscripts and artifacts to be sold.

Purchased from one of Llewellyn's descendants three years ago by a New York collector, the Roosevelt letter carries a starting bid of $1,000, according to Bobby Livingston, executive vice president of RR Auction.

“Other than some scattered creases and a rusty staple hole at the top, the letter's in very good condition for its age,” he said. “It gives you an interesting look at Roosevelt's personality.”

Apparent in the letter, for example, is Roosevelt's keen interest in maintaining the Rough Riders' reputation. After all, the regiment's fame helped propel him to the second-highest office in the land. (What he could not know, of course, was that he'd be elevated to the presidency only two months hence, following the assassination of William McKinley.)

The letter begins with Roosevelt complementing Llewellyn for his prosecution of someone he calls simply “Britto.”

Research by the auction house revealed he likely was referring to Frank Brito, a one-time Rough Rider convicted of murder in the third degree after he tried to shoot his wife but mistakenly killed his sister-in-law instead.

Roosevelt's annoyance with others seeking military or political assistance from their now-influential commander is plain.

“We cannot afford to let it be thought that we either shield bad men because they are Rough Riders or press second rate men forward for the same reason,” he wrote, later adding, “The Oklahoma men have bothered me particularly, seeming to be unable to understand that I cannot possibly dictate the appointment of postmasters &c. I have asked for so many favors for men of the regiment that I am positively ashamed to go to a single department in Washington, and above all, to the War Department.”

As for the reunions, he expresses the belief that getting together annually might be too hard a burden for the “best and most hardworking” vets and instead suggests the next one — “a quiet meeting of the regiment without any outside show of a spectacular type” — be postponed until 1905.

According to contemporary reports, Roosevelt and 50 or so Rough Riders did indeed attend a reunion held here that year. While there were plenty of public events during the two-day affair, the agenda also included a private lunch and afternoon meeting with the president, and a farewell reception later that evening in the parlors of the Menger Hotel.

State Board of Education ponders: Was Sam Houston a liberal?

*This snippet is taken from an article at HoustonChronicle.com and not written by me.*

Wax bust of Sam Houston that was on display at
the San Jacinto Monument. Photo taken by me.

Was Sam Houston a liberal? This is yet the latest "factual" issue discussed by the State Board of Education as the deadline approaches next month for approving new social studies textbooks that Texas students will use for the next eight years. Recent directives from the board to textbook publishers have involved refernces to Jews and the Holocaust, and the good and the bad sides of Islam. "The whole structure is in a way a charade," said Jacqueline Jones, the chairwoman of the history department at the University of Texas at Austin. Texas Tribune

Proposed Items for Social Studies Textbooks

Books via Flickr                                                             Frontier Classroom via Flickr

   

                     
Back in 2009 the State Board of Education (SBOE) in Texas tried to cut Darwinian evolution from state textbooks. These new social studies books will be voted on in November by the SBOE. The Houston Press has compiled a list of 10 crazy things they are proposing to include in the textbooks. The full list is located here . Here is some of the crazy things being considered from that list:

"6. Nothing good has happened in society since 1927.
4. The Native Americans hung out with the Pilgrims and the whole things turned out just fine for Squanto and his buddies.
2. The whole segregation thing wasn't that big of a deal"

I can't even begin to say how ridiculous some of these are. Read the article and make your own conclusions. 


**I did not write the list, it's from the Houston Press.**

Peaceful Protests

From time to time people of this great nation have felt oppressed and stood up against opposing forces. The colonists who were tired of taxation from the British, women who wanted the right to vote like their counterparts, and African Americans who wanted equal rights. All of these were achieved with peaceful protests-where the oppressed remained  peaceful even when they were attacked or harassed. With recent events in Ferguson I thought it would be interesting  too compare a true peaceful protest held by Alice Paul compared to the "peaceful protests" being held in Missouri. 

Photo from History.com

Alice Paul fought for woman's suffrage not only in Britain but in the United States as well. She organized her first political protest outside the gates of the White House in January 1917. Along with other women they held banners demanding the right to vote. The women continued to protest throughout the year by holding up different banners even while the country went into World War I. Paul and the other women were not met kindly while peacefully protesting. Young men would beat up and harass the women with the police never intervening, police would arrest the men who tried to help defend the women. The women were arrested and pardoned once by Wilson. They were sent to Occoquan  Workhouse in VA and given no special treatment. The lived in dreadful facilities with infested food and poor sanitation. Paul went on a hunger strike protesting these conditions and she was force feed raw eggs. All of this put pressure on Woodrow Wilson and he finally announced in January 1918 that  suffrage was needed urgently as a war measure. For the next two years the House and Senate would vote  on women's suffrage finally passing the 19th Amendment on August 18, 1920. 

Women stood up with signs merely asking for their voice to be heard and were mistreated by others in the process. 

Picture taken from Flickr

In Ferguson, MI however they did not protest all that peaceful. People were protesting after an African American teen was shot in the street. (This post is not about getting into who did what, who is or isn't innocent, or any of that.) Days after the shooting people were out in protest. They could of taken note from any peaceful protests... the Boston Tea Party, Alice Paul, or the March on Washington for Civil Rights just to name a few. However, they choose to get in police face's taunting them not to shoot. There was also acts of looting, breaking into stores, or damaging property. The "peaceful protests" shut down the city preventing some people from going to work, children to go to school, and curfews set in the city by the Governor. Explain to me how looting or breaking into a store is going to change the way Ferguson or even America views racism? 

Comparing the two protests you can see a difference. One lead to women getting the right to vote and the second hasn't lead to anything, in my opinion. People are so quick to judge, but they don't take the time to look at the details. 

That is all.

Arlington National Cemetery-Arlington, VA

If you're ever in Virginia or Washington D.C. you should definitely visit the Arlington National Cemetery.The cemetery was established 150 years ago on June 15, 1864. It was created out of necessity for the soldiers lost during the Civil War. Today it is a shrine to the numerous men and women who have survived during times of war and peace for our beloved country. 

This is from our trip in 2011.

Now I've been to the Houston National Cemetery to visit my Grandpa and Uncle's grave, but being at Arlington it is a once in a lifetime experience. To see that many graves in one place puts things into perspective. This is a place to visit and show your respects. 

There are two things you must see while there: the eternal flame and the changing of the guard. The eternal flame is at the grave site of John F. Kennedy and was put in at the request of his wife, Jackie.
The flame has only been extinguished a few times once when holy water was spilled on it and once by a heavy rain. Both times the flame was relit by hand.

At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier it has been guarded since July 2, 1937 continuously. Inclement weather, terrorist attacks, and other events do not cause the watch to cease. The Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard" protect the tomb day and night. The soldiers who walk the mat do not wear rank, so they won't outrank the "Unknowns."

The soldiers duty is not only ceremonial but they will confront anyone trying to cross the barriers or people who are disrespectful/loud.

Arlington National Cemetery is open 365 days a year in April-Sept from 8am-7pm, Oct-March 8am-5pm. There is a charge for parking and there may be a charge to get in but that can be found on their site!

San Jacinto Day

Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!

On April 21, 1836 the Battle of San Jacinto occurred and it was the last battle of the Texas Revolution. Texas won their independence from Mexico. 

Today is an official state holiday, but of course I still had to work :p (They don't really give anyone the day off...). An annual San Jacinto Day Festival and Battle Reenactment is held on the weekend before, on, or after (depending how the days fall) . This year the festival is on April 26, 2014 from 10am-6pm at the San Jacinto Monument.

2012

Now not only is there a battle reenactment at about the same time of the actual battle they do have both camps set up for you to walk through and ask questions about life in the 1830s. I have asked Santa Anna where his Yellow Rose of Texas was and he  didn't answer my question. I'm not sure if he was in role and didn't want to answer my question or if he didn't know what I was talking about. It could also be that I was in the 7th/8th grade when I asked. Lol! 

There is also vendors, the museum gift shop, entertainers, petting zoo, train ride, square dancers, among other things. 

If you've never been it is worth checking out. The best time to go to the top of the Monument is early in the morning when they open at 9am, during the actual Reenactment because everyone will be out there. They stop selling tickets around 5:30pm and the show runs hourly from 10am-5pm. Be prepared for a long day and lots of people. 

As for me, I won't be out there this year I've gone numerous times and will be at work. Have fun yall!

National Museum of American History-Washington, D.C.

Where do I even begin to write about the National Museum of American History?  This place is amazing! We drove up to meet friends in Georgetown for lunch (which if you are in the area, you must eat at Filomena Ristorante the food is to die for!) and make it over to the museum.

Caroline Scott Harrison's dress

We only got to see about 1/4 or a 1/3 of the museum. It is so large, and there is so many things to see. I had the biggest smile on my face the entire time I was there. It was like taking a kid into a candy store instead this was taking a mid 20's woman with a B.A. in history to the ultimate American history archive! 

As we walked in the first display was the The Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the National Anthem. The flag is over 200 years old and is quite a site to see. I wanted to take a picture of it sooooooo bad, but photography is not permitted.  I understand why they can't let pictures to be taken to preserve the flag, but they are nice enough to share pictures on their flickr page. Ok, ok we must move on to some other things now. 

Other things we got to see were the First Ladies dresses, pieces of the White House, debris from the Twin Towers after the 9/11 attacks, a piece of the Berlin Wall plus a few other things. I really wanna spend a full day or two walking around and seeing EVERYTHING! 

If you make it out to D.C. to see the museum plan on spending a few hours. There is so much to see and read, plus they have a pretty nifty gift shop. I plan to go back, hopefully soon while the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

This is my Civil Era type photo.

Admission to the museum is free and they are open 364 days a year (closed on Christmas Day) from 10am-730pm.

Houston Zoo-Houston, TX

While contemplating my next blog post I came across some pictures from the Houston Zoo. It's been a couple of years since I've been... I want to go feed the giraffes! Plus there is new babies at the zoo, and what is more adorable than a baby animal? This got me wondering on how the zoo came to the city and if there was any interesting story to its creation. 

The Houston Zoo had its early beginnings in 1922 with a bison named Earl. A fence was put around him and the park collected other birds and reptiles. At that time it was named Hermann Park Zoo. The first staff member was Hans Nagel who built up the collection and bought the zoos first elephant, Hans. Hans, the zookeeper, did lion and elephant shows. Only in Texas, would this story exist but he passed away on Zoo ground during a gun fight. 

In 1950, the Zoo expanded to add primates, an aviary and an array of other animals. They have an agreement with the city for a 50 year lease of the park. They have expanded the Zoo and brought in more animals. 

The nest time to visit the Zoo would be in the spring or fall just for the simple fact that our summers can be unbearable sometimes. 

I plan to make it out there soon to feed the giraffes, see the large cats, and the baby elephant. 

They are open from 9am-7pm; children under 2 are free, children 2-11 $11, adults $15, and senior citizens 65+ $8.50. 

The Museum of Edgar Allan Poe-Richmond, VA

"I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity."-Edgar Allan Poe

We went to Richmond, VA to go to a performance shop for my husband's truck that needed work and before heading back we stopped at The Museum of Edgar Allan Poe. 

I didn't know there was a museum until looking it up on one of my favorite apps History Here. Poe never lived in the building that the museum is in, but it is set up to reflect Richmond at that time. The museum hosts a large collection of manuscripts, personal belongings, first editions and a 3D model of Richmond from when he lived. 

Pictures were not allowed to be taken inside so sadly I have none to share but this one to the left. In the museum you get to learn of his life. They have relics from his boyhood bed, his truck, walking cane and even handwritten first copies of some of this work. 

It's interesting to learn more about him then the things you are taught in school. It would of been nice to have someone dressed up as him reading "The Raven" or a "Tell Tale Heart." I would visit it again next time I make it back to Virginia. 

Mayan frieze found-Holmul, Guatemala

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Archaeologists have found an "extraordinary" Mayan frieze richly decorated with images of deities and rulers and a long dedicatory inscription, the Guatemalan government said Wednesday.

The frieze was discovered by Guatemalan archaeologist Francisco Estrada-Belli, a professor at Tulane University's Anthropology Department, and his team in the northern Province of Peten, the government said in a joint statement with Estrada-Belli.

"This is an extraordinary finding that occurs only once in the life of an archaeologist," Estrada-Belli said.

The archaeologists were exploring a Mayan pyramid that dates to A.D. 600 in an area that is home to other classic ruin sites when they came upon the frieze.

"It's a great work of art that also gives us a lot of information on the role and significance of the building, which was the focus of our research," Estrada-Belli said.

The high-relief stucco sculpture, which measures 26 feet by 6 feet (8 meters by 2 meters), includes three main characters wearing rich ornaments of quetzal feathers and jade sitting on the heads of monsters.

The frieze, which was found in July, depicts the image of gods and godlike rulers and gives their names.

The dedicatory inscription "opens a window on a very important phase in the history of the classical period," Estrada-Belli said.

The inscription is composed of some 30 glyphs in a band that runs at the base of the structure.

The text, which was difficult to read, was deciphered by Alex Tokovinine, an epigraphist at Harvard University and contributor to the research project at Holmul, the site where the frieze was found.

View gallery."

This June 2013 photo released by Proyecto Arqueologico Holmul shows a detail of a high-relief stucco …

Tokovinine said the building was commissioned by Ajwosaj, king of the neighboring city-state of Naranjo, and vassal of the powerful Kaanul dynasty, the statement said.

David Stuart, an expert in Mayan epigraphy at the University of Texas at Austin, called Tokovinine's reading of the text "excellent."

But while the government statement called it "the most spectacular frieze seen to date," Stuart was cautious about using superlatives.

"It's really impressive," Stuart said in an email to The Associated Press. But he added, "I certainly wouldn't say this is the 'most spectacular' temple facade."

"There are other buildings in Maya archaeology that are just as magnificent, if not more so," Stuart wrote, pointing out the temple called "Rosalila" at Copan, Honduras, and a building excavated starting last year at the ruins of Xultun, Guatemala, which has not yet been uncovered in full.

Also Wednesday, Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina presented the National Geographic Society with the Order of the Quetzal, Guatemala's highest award, for their research on the Mayan civilization.

Perez Molina thanked National Geographic for its support and said the society has "put on high the cultural heritage of the Mayan civilization."

Estrada-Belli is a National Geographic Explorer. His excavations at Holmul were supported by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Guatemala and funded by the National Geographic Society and other Guatemalan and foreign institutions.

___

Associated Press writer Mark Stevenson contributed to this report.

**This is an article from Yahoo! I did not write it. Link to article is at the beginning. **

Appomattox Court House-Appomattox, VA

"Here on Sunday April 9, 1865 after four years of heroic
 struggle in defense of principles believed fundamental to the
existence of our government Lee surrendered 9000 men the
remnant of an army still unconquered in spirit."

I think it is safe to say that everyone knows this country fought in a Civil War from 1861-1865 between the United States of America (North) and the Confederate States of America (South). The war was won by the North at Appomattox Court House. 

On my first trip to VA at the advice of people who worked with my fiancé we made the trip out there. For the short time we did live in VA it was weird that people who have always lived there have never been. Oh well there lost!

I would recommend going to visit when it is a little bit cooler outside because you will be walking around outside. It is a quiet place to visit. 

At the site there is the McLean House where the surrender took place. The house is filled with period furniture, items and clothing. Lee walked into the house first and then Grant followed, 90 minutes later they emerged and Lee rode back to tell them that they had lost.

There is outbuildings that you can see such as the exterior kitchen, outhouses and slave quarters. You can also take a walk through the county jail, and I know I wouldn't of wanted to be held in there. 

There is a few to pay per person depending on the season, but it isn't much. When we went they only took cash. 

Alamo-San Antonio, TX

If you know anything about Texas then I'm sure this is one thing you definitely know. This is the Alamo. I'm pretty sure as a Texan we are taught about this place from birth or maybe even while still in the womb. 

You first learn that this is where Texas fought for independence from Mexico. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna is bad, Davy Crockett and his coonskin cap, and that we lost. Once you get older though you learn the whole back story in Texas history classes. 

The Alamo was originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero and was a Roman Catholic mission and fortress. It went from Spanish control to Mexican control. In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain and there was much fighting and chaos in Mexico City as liberals and conservatives struggled with power. Most Texas settlers approved of the Mexican Constitution of 1824 which gave many freedoms to states. Texas was part of the sparsely populated State of Coahuila y Texas. Later the government rescinded this constitution and settlers wanted to split from Coahuila and form their own state Texas. Tensions were high and in October 1835 the first shots were fired of the Texas Revolution. 

(I'm really trying to give you a short version of the history here... I don't want to write a book.)

At the Alamo there was 200 defenders among those are William B. Travis, Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett. Santa Anna, General and 11 time President of Mexico, arrived with nearly 2,000 men.  The defenders lasted for 13 days but they were finally defeated on March 6, 1836. Texans would win their independence at San Jacinto. 

I've been to the Alamo numerous times. I still love going, but the last time I was in San Antonio I didn't wait in line to go inside. I just walked around outside, that's why I only have this one photo. It's a great place to go see but be prepared for groups of people. Millions of people visit this place each year. Admission is FREE and they gladly accept donations to maintain the site. 

Dzibilchaltún-Merida, Yucatán

Dzibilchaltún is located just outside of Merida, Yucatán, Mexico. (There is no official website that I could find, so I linked it to TravelAdvisor.com) When we took a cruise we joined in on this tour of Mayan ruins. It's not the popular one you always see pictures of, but impressive nonetheless. 

There were settlements here from 500 B.C. to 1540 A.D. It is believed that this area had as many as 40,000 inhabitants. From what I've read to refresh myself on this site is that there is a museum. I didn't get a chance to check it out, but from the pictures the museum exhibit looks really nice. 

At the Temple of the Seven Dolls, also known as Temple of the Sun, a phenomenon takes place twice yearly, at the spring and fall equinoxes, when the rising sun is visible through one window and out the other, a tribute to the incredible mathematical knowledge of the Mayas.  It is amazing what they knew just from watching the stars, moon and sun. These days we all rely on a computer to tell us this. Simply amazing.

Another interesting feature of the site is the natural spring pond, Xlacah. The end on the left is very shallow and gets progressively deeper. It it over 140 feet deep and that leads to a tunnel. In the water they have found carved bone, wooden objects and pottery. This is also one of the largest and deepest bodies of water found on the Yucatan. I didn't take a swim in it because this was our first stop and I wasn't prepared to swim. 

Some of the structures you can climb on top of  to look out at the scenery and it is breathtaking. It can also be a little scary if you are afraid of heights like I am. All in all it is a great place to visit.