I wanted to get an early start, but couldn't seem to get it all together and ended up leaving Hattiesburg at about 9 am. Our goal for the day was to visit with Diane and Gary Hitzfeld in Cuero, TX . Cuero is a city in DeWitt County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,571 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of DeWitt County. It is also unofficially known as the "turkey capital of the world" (this is reflected in the school mascot, the Gobblers). In 2010, Cuero was named one of the 'Coolest Small Towns in America,' by Budget Travel Magazine.
We stopped for lunch at Prejean's in Lafayette, LA. Located in the heart of French Louisiana, Prejean's Restaurant captures the hearts of all who visit. A delight to all “six” senses, Prejean’s Restaurant satisfies diners with some of the best cuisine available in the south. In a culture famous for delicious flavors, Prejean’s leads the way.
The staff serves up, not only the fine hospitality expected in the south, but also serves up the succulent seafood dishes which have made Prejean's so famous. Juicy steaks, wild game dishes and world famous gumbos twist from the ordinary into memorable. Traditional music fills the air with the sounds of live Cajun bands entertaining nightly. Prejean ’s showcases the rich culture of our Cajun French heritage. Antique relics grace the walls and rafters.
"Big Al," the fourteen foot alligator once a native of the Louisiana’s Grand Chenier swamp, sits in the middle of the dining room guarding the culinary medals, earned by Prejean's chefs in various culinary competitions held locally, nationally and internationally.
We make it to the Hitzfeld's Three Oaks Ranch, just as the sun was setting.
This is the horse barn.
The guys got to bunk in the ole Hitzfeld Bunk House.
First activity of the day was a little horsing around.
Diane is giving some equine instruction to Matthew.
Seems to have worked.
Hi Yo Chessie
Wonder what Gary is trying to do here?
When the riding is done, the pony gets a massage.
Asa, you are going to help, aren't you?
Our hosts with the mostest!
We head into town to take on some foods, then we search out the Chupacabra. The chupacabras (Spanish pronunciation: [tʃupaˈkaβɾas], from chupar "to suck" and cabra "goat", literally "goat sucker"), is a legendary cryptid rumored to inhabit parts of the Americas. It is associated more recently with sightings of an allegedly unknown animal in Puerto Rico (where these sightings were first reported), Mexico, and the United States (Cuero, Texas), especially in the latter's Latin American communities. The name comes from the animal's reported habit of attacking and drinking the blood of livestock, especially goats.
Phylis Canion, resident of Cuero, Texas, and a former hunter with African experience, along with some neighbors found roadkills near her farm in August 2007 that she believed was mythical, bloodsucking chupacabra. She kept the head of the animal in her freezer. On September 1, 2007 she showed the head to journalists and said that, "It is one ugly creature." The putative Texan chupacabra whose head she had exhibited had big ears, large fanged teeth and grayish-blue, and mostly hairless skin. Earlier Canion said that she had lost some chickens to wild animals recently. Canion based her premise that the animal that killed her chickens was not a coyote, but perhaps the vampire-like beast, because, according to her, chickens weren't eaten or carried off, but, blood was sucked off from them. The alleged sighting had triggered off an international and countrywide craze. Canion started selling $5 T-shirts that read: "2007, The Summer of the Chupacabra, Cuero, Texas." both locally and to foreign countries. The animal found by Phylis Canion was possibly the Mexican Hairless Dog, a rare breed found in Mexico and not the mythical Chupacabra. However, the Texas animal had a much longer snout, shorter front legs, tall ears, and longer tail; the television series Paranatural said that DNA testing indicated that the Texas animal was a hybrid wolf /coyote.
On August 8, 2008, a Dewitt County deputy, Corporal Brandon Riedel, filmed an unidentifiable animal along back roads near Cuero, Texas on his dashboard camera. The animal was about the size of a coyote but was hairless with a long snout, short front legs and long back legs. The footage was clear and in daylight, however the animal was running in front of and away from the police cruiser so it is difficult to discern most of its features; however at one point it briefly looks over its shoulder, revealing what seems to be a very elongated snout. Riedel commented that it didn't seem to be running like a dog or coyote, which run in a more smooth motion, and instead in the footage it is running in a galloping motion. However, Reiter's boss, Sherrif Jode Zavesky, believes it may be a coyote similar to the one identified by Texas State University–San Marcos researchers in November 2007.
Next, we were due to visit the Spoetzl Brewery, which is a small brewery located in nearby Shiner, Texas, USA. Also known as the "little brewery in Shiner", the brewery produces Shiner Bock, a dark beer that is now distributed in 41 states. Our goal was to sample their Shiner 100, which was intended to conclude its centennial beer production in 2009. Unfortunately, we missed the tour and were forced to press on to San Antonio and the Alamo. The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar (modern-day San Antonio, Texas).
All but two of the Texian defenders were killed. Santa Anna's perceived cruelty during the battle inspired many Texians—both Texas settlers and adventurers from the United States—to join the Texian Army. Buoyed by a desire for revenge, the Texians defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, on April 21, 1836, ending the revolution. Several months prior, Texians had driven all Mexican troops out of Mexican Texas. Approximately 100 Texians were then garrisoned at the Alamo. The Texian force grew slightly with the arrival of reinforcements led by eventual Alamo co-commanders James Bowie and William B. Travis. On February 23, approximately 1,500 Mexican troops marched into San Antonio de Béxar as the first step in a campaign to re-take Texas. For the next 12 days the two armies engaged in several skirmishes with minimal casualties. Aware that his garrison could not withstand an attack by such a large force, Travis wrote multiple letters pleading for more men and supplies, but fewer than 100 reinforcements arrived.
In the early morning hours of March 6, the Mexican Army advanced on the Alamo. After repulsing two attacks, Texians were unable to fend off a third attack. As Mexican soldiers scaled the walls, most of the Texian soldiers withdrew into interior buildings. Defenders unable to reach these points were slain by the Mexican cavalry as they attempted to escape. Between five and seven Texians may have surrendered; if so, they were quickly executed. Most eyewitness accounts reported between 182 and 257 Texians dead, while most historians of the Alamo agree that 400–600 Mexicans were killed or wounded. Several noncombatants were sent to Gonzales to spread word of the Texian defeat. The news sparked a panic and the Texian army, most settlers, and the new Republic of Texas government fled from the advancing Mexican Army. Within Mexico, the battle has often been overshadowed by events from the Mexican–American War of 1846–48. In 19th-century Texas, the Alamo complex gradually became known as a battle site rather than a former mission. The Texas Legislature purchased the land and buildings in the early part of the 20th century and designated the Alamo chapel as an official Texas State Shrine. The Alamo is now "the most popular tourist site in Texas". The Alamo has been the subject of numerous non-fiction works beginning in 1843. Most Americans, however, are more familiar with the myths spread by many of the movie and television adaptations, including the 1950s Disney miniseries Davy Crockett and John Wayne's 1960 film The Alamo.
We leave San Antonio and head toward our next destination: Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, but not without some unplanned excitement. Ken was driving in west Texas, when the gas gauge started telling us it was time for fuel. Unfortunately, there were no gas stations. On fumes, I called a halt to our travels and parked the Jeep under an overpass for a little shade.
Here's a plug for AAA Plus. They brought us 6 gallons of gas, with a round trip of 60 miles, all for $3. I sent the boys up ahead to see if there was any gas or anything at the next exit which was about half a mile ahead. The met a native american, who worked at the wind turbine farm, who agreed to bring us some gas. The boys returned triumphantly with the news that help was on the way and that I could cancel the AAA rescue. I thought it best to keep both options open, and it was a good thing too, as the boys new friend never showed. Anyway, AAA showed up with the gas, and we were able to continue on our way.
While we waited, the boys found something to occupy their time, getting 18 wheelers to blow the air horns. Matthew got the bright idea that it would be good to make signals as if we were in immediate need of help, and see if anyone would stop. Despite my telling him not to, he flagged down a good hearted soul. I had to tell our good samaritan that we had help on the way and that Matthew was in big trouble for flagging him down.
Not sure what Matthew is on, but I would like some of it. Well, maybe not.
Tired, and late of an evening, we make it to Carlsbad, New Mexico.
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