I’m totally phoning this one in. It wasn’t my most exciting sightseeing trip, but I was out of stuff to see in that area. Don’t get me wrong, it was nice historic old stuff, but it’s always been hard for me to get excited about historic old stuff – unless it’s really, really old. Like Pyramids in Egypt old.

A brief update after last week’s rant: I’ve encountered some nicer folks, most notably today. Other than that, I’m sticking close to home for a bit and only surrounding myself with positive people, meditating longer myself, and reading and listening to more metaphysical stuff – something that always makes me feel great.

Tomorrow my neighbors are taking me boating on a huge, pretty lake nearby. Apparently there are waterfalls! I will take pictures for you all. Pray they don’t look like my usual fuzzy crap. It will be about 105 degrees, so pray I also weather the heat.

Now, on with the old stuff…

Old stuff in historic Goliad, Texas: a mission, a presidio, and a monument.

I know, more old stuff. There’s not much else to see around Gonzales and Goliad, except historic old stuff.

The architecture of old mission was mesmerizing. Something about the shape of the Spanish colonial buildings always causes me to gaze at them for a long time. The inside of the mission was equally pleasing and peaceful. Maybe my fondness for the style has to do with my growing up in Santa Barbara where many of the homes are of Spanish or Mediterranean architecture, with red tile roofs. I love the white walls, arched doorways, and high exposed-beam ceilings.

Knowing nothing of the history of the old stuff, and lacking my normal interest in researching the bejeezus out of something, I opted to let Texas Parks and Wildlife tell you all about Goliad:

Mission Espíritu Santo State Historic Site

At Goliad State Park, tour the beautiful reconstructed Franciscan Mission Espíritu Santo, home of the largest ranching operation in Texas in the 18th century. Enjoy the serenity of this Spanish colonial church and view exhibits that explore the history and daily life of the missionaries and Indian converts–including some of the original artifacts they used.

My awesome photos, with pithy commentary:

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Presidio La Bahía

Across the river, visit the Presidio La Bahía. Located 1/4 mile south of Goliad State Park on U.S. Highway 183 and 77A and operated by the Catholic Diocese of Victoria. View exhibits, enjoy an interpretive program and exciting reenactments, and imagine life at the fort. Originally built in 1749 to protect the mission and the frontier, it later played a major role in the Texas Revolution. Here, Colonel Fannin and his ill-fated men were held prior to being executed at Santa Anna’s order, an act of infamy later recalled at the Battle of San Jacinto with the cry, “Remember Goliad! Remember the Alamo!” For a very special experience, make reservations to stay overnight in the comfortable Priests Quarters.

And more of my photos…

Fannin Memorial Monument

Just east of the Presidio La Bahía, visit the Fannin Memorial Monument, which marks the burial site of Col. Fannin and his men. To learn more about these events, take a short drive just nine miles east on Highway 59, to the site of the 1836 Battle of Coleto Creek where the Texian army was captured.

Downtown Goliad was cute, small, but apparently closes kind of early. The recommended sandwich place was closed when I got there around 2:30pm.