Remember the Alamo!

Yesterday mom and I ventured down to the Alamo.  Thanks to my oldest, I had an Uber account and Elaine drove us directly to the Alamo Plaza.  What a beautiful venue!  While mom and I enjoyed the gardens, people watching, and shopping in the gift shop, we were disenchanted with the experience overall.  The grounds are beautiful, and there was a re-enactment on part of the park lawn, but there was little literature to direct us in a self guided tour.  We did figure it out and were able to get great pictures.

When we were able to enter the original church at the Alamo, the trip improved.  Very awesome atmosphere with a feeling of reverence and respect.  Mom was fascinated by the archaeological information and efforts within the naves.  I am glad we were able to walk on such hallowed ground. However, I was a little underwhelmed.

A memorial for the Tejanos who defended the Alamo.

Now this morning we returned to the Alamo Plaza and visited the "Battle for Texas" museum at the Riverwalk Center.  This was an excellent museum!  The collection of artifacts was very impressive, and the self guided literature was informative and easy to follow.  The music and biographical testimonies, played in the background, were truly as asset, setting the tone and establishing an authentic atmosphere.

One of the many murals in the reception area of the "Battle for Texas; the Experience"

At one point, the visitor walks through a re-creation of the barracks as the Mexican Army made its last assault, and the sound affects, props, and actual re-creation films were very life-like.  Although creepy at first, it was well worth the walk through the the last hours of the fierce fight to hold the Alamo.

The last two rooms of the museum are so very patriotic we were both moved to tears.  One room has a solemn listing of each defender's name, and these names are continuously read aloud as a visitor walks by a wall portrait of the Alamo Mission.  The walls of the last room are covered with quotes about Texas, spoken by famous figures in politics, literature, sports, and entertainment.  A huge panoramic screen displays beautiful pictures of the Texas landscapes, cities, ranches, and famous Texans.  I left feeling proud to have been allowed to visit Texas!  Every state chamber of commerce in the Union should visit this room in the museum and see how to truly promote a state!

Mom really enjoyed it, and we both enjoyed this more than the Alamo!

If I were to do this adventure again, I would recommend the "Battle of Texas Museum" visit first, and then move onto the Alamo and enjoy making the connections between the life stories of the defenders and the ground they fought valiantly to hold in 1836.