Adventure 354: Goliad State Park/Post B

Just add a fried egg and a corn muffin.

Blessed with no wind, sunny skies, and temperatures in the sixties, we took off this morning to ride in the hinterlands around Goliad. We had no map, just a commitment to ride at least two hours, which we did for a total of just over 25 miles. We were chased by a few dogs protective of their turf, but none bit us, although Judy did squirt a couple of aggressive guys with water. Mostly, though our ride was spectacular. Tandem riding is very pleasant when the stretches are flat and long. That describes the ranch land around Goliad. We did go down a couple of roads that turned out to be long driveways into ranches. Dead ends. No problem. We just turned around and took another road. At the end of the ride, as a reward, we enjoyed lunch at the Blue Quail Deli. We shared the special of the day, a locally raised Angus hamburger smothered with jalapeño jack cheese, grilled onion, mustard, and mayo. It was fabulous. We  even had a bite of chocolate-coconut bread pudding for dessert. After a shower and a little reading, we decided to make Chile Verde Pork Stew for dinner because the night before when we were at the local market we noticed these fabulously fresh, plump, and ripe tomatillos. So, we drove into town for the materials and proceeded to cook the afternoon away. We did take a break to visit the Mission Espiritu Santo de Zuniga, and tour its museum. The history of missionaries in Texas, much like California's is long and storied road. The missionary zeal of the Europeans, though passionate, did little to preserve the cultures they sought to convert. On the other hand, the missionaries would say they brought many heathens to the truth of Christ. It's too bad that their new passions paved over the old ways. Left behind is a story of conquest, hardship, enlightenment, and sorrow. So it goes with progress, as it ever has. Dinner was also fabulous. We ate some of the Chile Verde and froze the rest for another time. I could have eaten much more, but I'm trying to become a man of moderation (Stop laughing). Now we're in front of the Goliad library where I'm using their wifi to write the blog, and where we'll use our phone apps to watch the Zags play San Francisco tonight. The game doesn't start until eight around here, which is usually the time Judy's eyes start drooping like wilted flowers. Maybe the excitement of the game and the discomfort of sitting in the pick up will keep her awake. Even if she nods off, I'll nudge her just enough to remind her that life is good, especially today.

 Three times our ride ended abruptly at a ranch entrance. Texas ranches are so big, the county access roads are about three miles long.

 This one at least warned us it was a dead end.

 In Texas gun control means hitting what you aim at.

 The county court house shined brightly this afternoon.

 My new found moderation meant I enjoyed only half of this delicious "Ben Burger" (Angus beef, jalapeño jack cheese, lettuce, grilled onions, mayo, and mustard. Deeeelicious 

 The poblanos, and jalapeño were blackened and skinned.

 The pork is browned on all sides in a little oil. Not pictured, but sweet onion and another clove of garlic is sautéed in the pork fat.

 The tomatillos and garlic are roasted in the oven. 

 The roasted peppers are diced, then mixed with the tomatillos and blended into a puree.

While the stew simmered, we took a visit to the mission.

 Simple, yet powerfully elegant, the sanctuary is now just a show piece for tourists.

 The fourteen steps on the Way of Sorrows are again simple and elegant.

 This is a small chapel beside the main church. The entire mission, a working, living space for several people in its heyday was protected by a rock wall complete with corner battlements. Much of the rock wall remains. The battlements are gone. The chapel now houses the museum.

 These angels watch over everyone who enters the church.

Heavy wooden doors, carved in mirror image, swing wide to allow people to enter. In our travels, we've seen only one mission more impressive, and that is in Monterrey, California.