Here we are in Houston with Mitchell and Piper. After a couple of days hanging around recuperating from a hectic trip along Interstate 15 from Bryce Canyon down to Las Vegas and then peak hour traffic in the city where the party never stops we are now ready to continue the adventure. Piper has helped decorate the Christmas tree with Grandma (aka Homealone) and is all excited because it is her 3rd birthday tomorrow. It  is also Thanksgiving and we are off to the celebration at one of Mitchell’s friends places.

Near Zion NP Camp Ground

Piper dressing the tree

Today we have been down towards Galveston to visit the San Jacinto Monument and the old WW1 battleship USS Texas, which is moored on the river nearby. San Jacinto is where Sam Houston leading an ‘army’ of all sorts……..Texas rangers, farmers, mercenaries, adventurers as well as the Texas Army finally defeated Santa Anna the leader of the Mexican forces who were trying to recapture Texas.  Santa Anna and his troops were the chaps who slaughtered the inhabitants of the Alamo, in San Antonio,  which we visited about 4 years ago. After Texas’ independence from Mexico it later joined the United States. The city of Houston is named after Sam Houston. So much for the potted history.

San Jacinto Monument

USS Texas

The USS Texas, built in 1914,  was nearby and we spent an hour or so wandering around its decks, playing on the guns. The deck of the ship is wooden planks and Sopwith Camels were launched from a couple of its gun turrets. A massive ship for its time,  it was decommissioned after WW2 and has been resting here in Houston ever since.

USS Texas 14″ guns were the biggest at the time

Gunners Mitch and Piper, Homealone in support

Piper’s birthday and Thanksgiving are tomorrow. An early night is needed to cope with the turkey and condiments.