June 20, 2016

June 20, 2016

From Victoria, TX we drove several hours south to the Mexican border to continue our exploration of Texas history.  This time at Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park.  After the US annexed Texas, relations with Mexico soured and a dispute over the actual border ensued.  In 1846 both sides staged troops on the Rio Grande. The Mexicans struck first, but the US prevailed.  The Americans took advantage of the war and seized California and New Mexico.  Even though Mexico and the US were evenly matched, the American army was better trained and armed while Mexico was in political turmoil.

After watching the movie and looking through the exhibits, we toured the small battlefield.  It was fought in a flat Rio Grande floodplain full of chaparral.  A place not conducive to the cavalry charges that the Mexican army relied upon.  Instead it was an artillery duel with the US having better cannon.

We then drove thirty minutes east to the coast to visit Point Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site. This was where US General Zachary Taylor had his port for supplying his army. Across the bridge is South Padre Island.  This beach full of resort hotels is a mecca for Spring Break students. Today it is packed with families enjoying the surf and sand. If you are not staying at a beach hotel, it is difficult to park and get public access to the shore.

From the Rio Grande Valley we drove back north and spent the night in Kingsville. This city is the headquarters of the King Ranch, the largest in the world at almost 1300 square miles.