AOL Email Users Did Not Receive July Newsletter

It is apparent , from the hundreds of email bounce-backs, that AOL email users did not get this months Legends of America Newsletter.  Kathy and I sincerely apologize for this, and we are working with AOL Postmaster for a resolution. (UPDATE 8-1-2011 AOL Postmaster reports that the issue has been resolved!)

In the meantime, if you would like to view the July, 2011 newsletter, you may do so by clicking here.

A Nation Divided - 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War & History Channel Special

The Battle of Gettysburg, the bloodiest in the entire war,
 was fought in the Eastern Theater.

In case you've missed it, 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. 150 years is relatively small in the grand scheme of history, and living in the heart of America you can still see it's lingering effects.  Kathy and I live in Missouri, moving here last year from Kansas.  Two states that saw the first bloody episodes of a conflict that would take our nation through some of it's darkest times.  In fact, many historians believe that the Civil War began with Bleeding Kansas and the Missouri Border War. It's amazing to me how, to this day, the rivalry between these two states continues, whether it be the way the conflict is remembered, or the Confederate Flag that's displayed on a home not too far from our own.

Jayhawkers and Bushwackers fight it out over Kansas

becoming a Free-State or a pro-slavery state.

Bleeding Kansas was one of the early stories Kathy wrote for Legends Of America. You can't write about American History without diving deep into its darkest corners.  Just after writing about William Quantrill, she was promptly criticized for the tone of the story, which ultimately lead to her posting the "opposing" view, which still lives on our website today.  The fact is, no matter how you write it, stories about the Civil War invoke a deep response in many Americans.  And although Slavery was a primary issue, it wasn't the only thing dividing our nation.  Causes of the Civil War centered around States Rights, and the Tariff Act of 1832 caused intense opposition in the South, who advocated Free Trade for their primarily agricultural businesses.  Northern states, which relied heavily on manufacturing, saw the act as protection.  The issue was so divisive that South Carolina declared the act null and void, while threatening to secede from the Union, prompting then President Andrew Jackson to send troops.  While order was restored through compromise in 1850, the idea of secession did not go away.

I think it's important that we remember all the trouble that lead up to the Civil War, especially in our current divisive political climate. We have come a long way in 150 years, but we are still a young nation that needs reminded of how far divisions can grow.  I would invite you to take time this year and learn more about this important turning point in American History.  There are many events planned throughout the next four years during the Civil War Sesquicentennial.  Read about them here and get involved.

Recently a company working with the History Channel reached out to us to see if we would help promote a new Civil War film.  We are more than happy to oblige.  Gettysburg is a 2-hour HISTORY special that kicks off a week of History programming commemorating the 150’th anniversary of the Civil War.



Executive produced by Ridley and Tony Scott, this special strips away the romanticized veneer of the Civil War. It presents the pivotal battle of Gettysburg in a new light: as a visceral, terrifying and deeply personal experience, fought by men with everything on the line. Compelling CGI  and powerful action footage place viewers in the midst of the fighting, delivering both an emotional cinematic experience and an information packed look at the turning points, strategic decisions, technology and little known facts surrounding the greatest engagement ever fought on American soil.

The special begins in the high stakes summer of 1863, as the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia crosses into Pennsylvania. Trailed by the Union’s Army of the Potomac, Lee’s 75,000 strong army heads towards Harrisburg, converging instead near a quiet farm town, Gettysburg.  Known then only as a crossroads where ten roads running in all directions converge like a wagon wheel, this small town would become site of an epic battle between North and South.  For three days, each side fought there for their vision of what America should be.

In collaboration with highly esteemed Civil War historians, HISTORY combed through hundreds of individual accounts of the battle to find the unique voices of struggle, defeat and triumph that tell the larger story of a bitterly conflicted nation.

Don't miss this two hour special, Gettysburg, which debuts this Memorial Day, May 30, 8pm Central, on the History Channel.

Final West Texas Stop - San Antonio

We wrapped up our trip to West Texas in Missions and romance. San Antonio, our last stop in a months long journey, took us on the Mission Trail and let us pause and relax along the River Walk.  We had a fantastic journey which you can see and read about in our Facebook photo album here.

The Beginning of the End of Our West Texas Adventure - Del Rio to San Antonio

With Waylon and Willie and the Boys

After several weeks exploring West Texas from our temporary home in Del Rio, we packed up the dog and decided to start making our way back home.  We knew that this would be a long journey back to Missouri, as we still had a lot to see, including one of our premiere destinations, San Antonio.  So Tuesday morning we headed north out of Del Rio on highway 277 up to Sonora, and made a roundabout trip over towards Fredericksburg.  This was a day full of views and history, including Roosevelt, Junction, the ever beautiful and fantastic Fredericksburg, and the little old town of Luckenbach. Read about these places and more by following us through photos in our Facebook Album here.

We'll blog a lot more about San Antonio next, as we continue our journey home to Warsaw, Mo.

Pecos to Del Rio via Fort Stockton

When you come into Pecos on I-20 from Toyah, you might think this is a pretty big town.  However, once you get past the string of Hotels along the Interstate, you realize that the main part of town is much removed from the hustle and bustle of the Interstate, and the reason for the hotels is simple.  There's not a lot going on in this part of West Texas, and for many, this is the only option for an overnight stay. That might also explain why the speed limit in this part of Texas is 80mph.  People tend to want to move as fast as they can back to civilization.

West of the Pecos Museum Saloon

We had a pretty long day when we pulled in, so it was nice to find the comfortable room at the Quality Inn after being turned away by other hotels.  A little exploring the next morning, after a nice tasty breakfast at Abi's Kitchen, found us at West of the Pecos Museum.  Located in an 1896 Saloon and 1904 Orient Hotel, this gem of West Texas is an internationally recognized historic landmark and a must stop for history lovers.  The Saloon has been restored and tells the story of the infamous gunfight between Barney Riggs and the henchmen of the notorious Jim Miller.  Three stories of rooms filled with area history are well worth the small admission price. While your there, make sure to go outside to see the grave of famed gunfighter Clay Allison.  And before heading out of Pecos, be sure to see the Pecos Rodeo grounds, home of the Worlds First Rodeo.  I'm sure some of you are saying that couldn't be, but Pecos is home to the first rodeo that offered prize money.

Paisano Pete, the Worlds Largest Roadrunner

We didn't get back on I-20, opting instead to head south on Highway 285 back to I-10 and Fort Stockton.  Lot's of history here with an Historic Downtown, the Annie Riggs Memorial Museum, and of course Fort Stockton Military Post, established in 1859.  This is a nice place to visit and shop the quaint shops in downtown, along with soaking up the history of this favorite rest stop along the Comanche Trail to Chihuahua, San Antonio-El Paso Road, The Butterfield Overland Mail Route, and the San Antonio-Chihuahua freight-wagon road.

A Scenic Overlook above Ft Lancaster

From Fort Stockton, we head East down I-10 and cut off onto Highway 349 for a side trip to Fort Lancaster.  The old post is located about ten miles east of Sheffield in Crockett County. It was one in a series of forts erected along the western Texas frontier,  established in August,  1855, to guard the military supplies, commercial shipments, and immigrants moving along the San Antonio-El Paso Road. Today, there is little left of the old post but ruins. Fort Lancaster was abandoned by the U.S. Army during the Civil War, at which time it was taken over by Confederate troops from December, 1861 through April, 1862.  It was then abandoned and the buildings began to deteriorate from vandalism and the harsh climate.  The drive is scenic however and it's worth a stop for history buffs.

Crockett County Courthouse

Back onto I-10 we head to Ozona, called the "Biggest Little Town in the World."  Ozona is the only city in Crockett County, which encompasses over 3,000 square miles, and sports a population of around 3400.  Crockett County was founded in 1875 and named in honor of Davy Crockett, the legendary frontiersman who died at the Battle of the Alamo.

Devils River

From Ozona, we get off the Interstate and start our trek back to Del Rio via scenic 163 to Comstock.  Along the way you will cross the Devil's River.  Near here once stood Camp Hudson, established by the U.S. Army in June, 1857 to protect the San Antonio-El Paso Road against hostile Indians. The post was evacuated during the Civil War, but, re-occupied afterwards. It was abandoned again in April, 1868. Unfortunately, there are no remains today. This area, also called Baker's Crossing is a popular entry point for rafters along the river.

Getting back to Del Rio we feel we have seen what we came for in this part of West Texas, and start making plans to wrap up our extended stay and head home.  Of course, it won't be a direct route, as there is much more to do, including Sonora, Fredericksburg, and a little town made famous through music on the way to San Antone, one of our premiere destinations of our long journey in the Lone Star State.

In the meantime, follow this part of our trip in pictures via our Facebook album here.