We used to do our 5 mile Boy Scout hike from the intersection of SH 225 and Tidal Road to San Jacinto State Park where we would cook our lunch over an open fire in one of the now non-existent picnic sites. (This was also before the Clean Air Act . . . hiking down Tidal Road we would double time through certain particularly pungent stretches. Today the air and water is much cleaner.) I had some free time and did a quick pass through the park today. I still enjoy reading the 4 sides of the Monument. (The San Jacinto Monument is reportedly taller than the Washington Monument. The plans submitted to Washington showed it being shorter but apparently someone "forgot" to mention the star to be placed on the top which made it taller. Those were the good old days when communications were MUCH slower!) The monument is quite a feat of engineering especially considering the marshy clayey soil on which it was built.
The park has something relatively new and very special . . . a restored marsh that is still being expanded and improved and the natural grass lands within the park are being re-established. There were a ton of birds in the marsh but my time was very limited. Definitely worth a visit if you're into bird watching. Unlike the monument there was only one car in the marsh parking besides mine. Money is being collect to return the topography to that of the battlefield in 1836. Here are a few shots which I already wish had been better framed but what the heck it's a slow night!
I didn't have time to walk the marsh trail but will make the time next opportunity.
Al
PS I hope I was able to edit all of those weird character strings out . . .
