A Visit to VMI

After we left the Sam Houston birthplace, we drove on to Virginia Military Institute.



VMI was founded in 1839, as the first state supported military college in America.



It's a vertible fortress.



We first saw this featured in the movie Gods and Generals.



Stonewall Jackson was an instructor here before the Civil War.



George C. Marshall is considered their most distinguished graduate. We had visited his house in Leesburg earlier this year, so my son had wanted to tour his museum, but it was closed.

Sam Houston Birthplace...and a Texan Flag in Virginia

Teaser:
March 2, 1793-Sam Houston was born in Virginia
March 2, 1836-Texas declared independence from Mexico
Years ago we discovered a bust of Sam Houston at the Virginia Capitol (thought one of those only resided at the Texas Capitol). It was about time to find Sam Houston's birthplace in Virginia.



It was while taking pictures of this huge chunk of Texan granite that I spied...



...a Texas flag!



I had read about that house. Finding the path to it would come after a picnic lunch...



...but first, the view of the house beyond the boulder.



Our picnic spot with picnic tables nearby.



A tour of Washington and Lee University in nearby Lexington forthcoming...



After lunch we walked around looking for the road to the house of the Texas flag...





Finally we found the road, Sam Houston Way. The commemorative San Jacinto stamp marked the spot.



The site of Sam Houston's birthplace, in a log cabin, became not only a 19th century plantation, but also the site for a movie scene from Gods and Generals.





Love my son's choice of t-shirt for the day! Those who know their Texas history will make the connections between the Come and Take it cannon and the Sam Houston birthplace.



Behind us was a church and graveyard. While standing here taking pictures, a church member was driving by. He stopped to talk to me. He liked that we were from Texas, now in Virginia. Sort of like Sam Houston in reverse.



He talked our ear off, finally getting out of the car to give us a tour of his church. (He even sold a history book of the area to me. He promised me that Sam Houston information was in the book!)



Back to the picnic spot...



...to show off a view of the distant mountains.



The rest of the story: General Sam Houston captured Mexican General Santa Anna in April 21, 1836, securing Texas Independence. Under the Texas flag Sam Houston served as President of the Republic of Texas. Under the American flag Sam Houston served as governor. He was against secession from the Union.

March 2, 1793-Sam Houston was born in Virginia
March 2, 1836-Texas declared independence from Mexico
Feb 23-March 6, 1836-Siege of the Alamo
April 21, 1836-Battle of San Jacinto won by General Sam Houston who captured Mexican General Santa Anna

A Day on the Chesapeake

St. Michael's Maryland...























I love these houses along these inlets...











Learning about crabbing...

















Going home...love these waterways off the Chesapeake with boats and houses...and of course all the green trees and grass!











I love summer. So sad to see it go...