Palo Alto Battlefield

It is another warm day in the Rio Grande Valley with a few clouds and even a sprinkle or two.  I wish I had a video camera to attempt to give you an idea of the incredible wind we are experiencing.  We do no put out our large awning.  However, the slide cover awnings are out anytime the slide rooms are out, and I am surprised those have not been ripped off.  The Montana just rocks and rolls.  The few still pictures I have posted just don’t do the wind justice.

Despite the wind and the clouds, we drove down to the site of the first battle of the Mexican War—the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site.  We watched the short film which explained this conflict between America and Mexico, the battle at Palo Alto and subsequent battles, and the resolution at war’s end which resulted in the significant expansion of American territory south and west to the Rio Grande River.  We took the short half-mile path out to points on the battlefield.  The path was paved for an easy walk, with interpretive panels describing aspects of the battle.

There were several signs along the path warning walkers to beware of snakes lurking in the shrubs.  I kept a close eye out, but didn’t see a snake. What I did see was hoof prints of what appeared to be deer, but they were too large.  Back at the Visitor Center, Gene asked the ranger and was told they were nilgai prints.  Nilgai are antelopes from northern India—the largest Asian antelope species. Apparently, these exotic animals were imported to a hunting preserve near the King Ranch a few miles north of here.  The nilgai escaped and now there are several roaming around South Texas.  Just more fun facts to know and learn.

We are staying inside out of the wind this afternoon and will relax with a book, watch a little TV, or surf the internet this evening.