Right or Wrong? How do we decide?

For the last few days I have suffered from confusion. I don't like being confused. It would be so nice if everything were either black or white, but this world is full of gray areas. Now don't get me wrong, I really love color and would be delighted if when making decisions we didn't refer to things as black or white or gray. My confusion lies with beliefs and those usually are in one of the three monochromatic color areas.

How do we discern what is right and what is wrong when there are so many gray areas? I recently corrected someone I thought was wrong ... really wrong. Now I feel badly about doing so. Was it right or wrong for me to correct this person? I "dressed down" someone whom I love, that I have known all my life, and who is 20+ years older than I.

We all make mistakes and anyone knowing me knows I have made a bundle in my life. Some are little mistakes, but some have bordered on huge. Many times I wish I could undo some things and do them a bit better, but hindsight is always more spot on than decisions we make when we are in the midst of something. Most big decisions I've made were based on the best information I had at the time and hopefully made the best (if not the right) choice.

My current dilemma deals with those emails that continue to be forwarded around in cyberspace. Someone comes up with some story that has either no bit of truth to it or only a modicum of truth and sends it until it circumnavigates the globe 5000 times. These topics generally denigrate one group of people while making sure the recipient of the email understands that if she does not pass it on to everyone on her email list she is not a "true American", does not believe in "the one true God", will have terrible luck brought down upon her, oh, and my personal favorite "you have no soul".

Below is the ending of the email ... the part that lets me know what a terrible person I am if I don't forward it on to everyone on my email list.

Good old American

Passive-Aggressive A$$ Whoopin!

Pass this along, America needs to know

that we're all working together!

If you can read this.

Thank a teacher...

If you are reading it in English....

THANK A SOLDIER!!!

Who ever thought "passive-aggressive" was a good thing? Does this mean if I don't pass it along that I'm not working to make America better? Why are we tossing teachers into this fray? Why does the propagator of this think that this can be read in English because of a soldier? Soldier from where? Teacher from where? This ending offends me almost as much as the main text of the email did ... which I'm not going to put in my blog. If I added it here it would be much worse than forwarding it to the few people on my email. I did explain exactly how to check on snopes.com for the accuracy of the text. Hopefully these kind of emails will get checked in the future before they are sent out.

Now to get off my soap box ... mind my own business ... think happy thoughts ... work in the yard ... and hope my friend forgives me for bringing to his attention that I think it is wrong to forward emails that are full of hate words.

Travelog - Near Vermillion Cliffs & Navajo Bridge, Arizona

As it turns out I did not visit any interesting Texas towns when I went on the golf outing with Gerald. I ended up riding around the course with him. Unfortunately, I did not bring him good luck. He was having a bit of a problem with his putting and ended up making a bit higher score than he's used to making. Not a bad score ... he came in about 3rd or 4th, but just not what he wanted. He says he's depressed over his performance ... he'll bounce back. He's great!

Now because I don't have anything to report from the Texas front, I decided to post some rather interesting photos of a little wayside in northern Arizona. It's on Hwy 89 A which is the more scenic route out of Kanab, Utah into Arizona. I hope you will enjoy these photos. These photos were taken in early December 2007. I suppose this could be considered "recycling" although I don't think I've posted about these houses before now. Back in 12/12/07 I did write about our Utah trip and that was one of my earliest posts.

Here we are entering the beautiful & scenic Navajo lands of Northern Arizona. We had just come out of the Kaibab National Forest on Hwy 89 A from Kanab, Utah and entered into Arizona near the northern rim of the Grand Canyon. In three tries we have not been able to visit the northern rim. The first time we tried to go there were forest fires in the area and the road leading into that area of the Canyon was off limits. The second and third times the Parks Department had just closed the road in because of winter and snow had begun to fall. As you can see there is no snow in the lower elevations after going into Arizona. This is one of the most interesting drives that we have taken.



After driving for a while we came upon an area called Balancing Rock. Back in the 1920s & 1930s (if memory serves me) someone built houses into these "balancing rocks". It is an interesting stop and I wandered around taking a few photos of these houses and the interiors.

Beautiful, Interesting, Desolate

One would have to be a hermit to want to live in this remote area.

Interior Shots of the House

A Lean-To on side of the House

Navajo Bridge that spans the Colorado River

Colorado River that runs through & helped form the Grand Canyon

Golf Day for the G-Man

The G-Man at his first Amateur Tour Tournament

Saturday is another golf tournament for my husband. He'll have to drive a couple of hours to get to the course, but it's not a difficult drive. I am planning to go along & drive for him, but today I have an allergy headache that is making me feel lousy. If the headache is gone in the morning Gertie & I will go along to keep him company. I'll take her down to the Blanco or Guadalupe River for a romp and hopefully get some photos of yet another little Texas town.

Awww, com' on, Mom! Let's go for a romp!

The town of Blanco is near where he is playing and they have a lovely little park, so we may hang there over the afternoon. Gertie will have to put up with more photo opportunities. She'll be looking over her shoulder again saying "Aw com' on Mom! Let's go for a romp!"

Wish us luck!

Capital Comment by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson

Even though I do not agree with a great deal of the politics of the Republican Party I receive a newsletter email from Senator Hutchinson. Many times I am in such disagreement that it is difficult to read what she has written. Taken the fact that this week I have been writing about the Texas Revolution I found her newsletter of today extremely interesting.

Senator Hutchinson's great-great grandfather was one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. In her essay, as a 5th generation Texan, she sums up every Texans feelings about our state whether we are Native Texans or Texans by Choice. Since the 1960s a Texas Senator has read the letter written by Colonel William Barret Travis from the Alamo. I applaud her for writing this. Below is Senator Hutchinson's essay about Texas Independence Day.

Capitol Comment
by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

Texas Independence Day Honors Our Tradition of Patriotism
February 27, 2009

Nearly 173 years ago, two very different groups of Texas patriots led a double-barreled effort that would eventually secure Texas’ independence from Mexico and change the future of the United States. On March 2, 1836, a convention of 54 men drafted and signed the Texas Declaration of Independence at a small settlement called Washington-on-the-Brazos. Among the signers were my great-great grandfather, Charles S. Taylor of Nacogdoches, and his friends Sam Houston and Thomas Rusk, who later became the first Senators to represent Texas. On behalf of all Texans, they declared, “We, therefore . . . do hereby resolve and declare . . . the people of Texas do now constitute a free, sovereign and independent republic.” During this time, 189 Texas soldiers were under siege at the Alamo in San Antonio by an estimated 6,000 Mexican troops who were determined to extinguish this newly created republic. Under the valiant leadership of Colonel William Barret Travis, these Texans, outnumbered 10 to 1 by Mexican forces, fought courageously in the most famous battle of the Texas Revolution. Though Colonel Travis and his soldiers were willing to lay down their lives in service to Texas and in pursuit of its freedom, they knew that without reinforcements they would not be able to withstand the much larger Mexican army. In a final letter to all Texans shortly before the fall of the Alamo, Colonel Travis wrote: Fellow citizens and compatriots: I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna – I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man – the enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison is to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken – I have answered the demands with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the wall – I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of liberty, of patriotism and of everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country – Victory or Death. William Barret Travis, Lt. Col, Commander The sacrifice of Colonel Travis and his men made General Sam Houston’s subsequent victory at San Jacinto possible. As cries of “Remember the Alamo!” were delivered during the final battle of the Texas Revolution, General Houston and his soldiers won independence for Texas. The Texans leading the fight against Mexico weren’t alone in their sacrifice. The signers of the Texas Declaration, like their forefathers who signed the American Declaration of Independence in 1776, risked their own lives and those of their families when they put pen to paper. They were considered traitors to Mexico as they used their voices, professions, and positions of influence to wage a critical battle in Texas’ struggle for independence. My great-great grandfather’s own loss was significant. While he was doing the work of the Republic, all four of his children (ages seven and younger) who remained back at home in Nacogdoches died during the “runaway scrape,” when the women and children in the Nacogdoches Territory fled toward Louisiana because they feared Indians and Mexican troops were headed their way. Our family story did not end there, however. Charles S. Taylor and his wife, my great-great-grandmother, went on to have nine more children who were blessed to lead lives of independence and opportunity in Texas. It is important that every generation of Texans pause to remember these patriots: each soldier who gave his life at the Alamo and Goliad; the 54 men who met at Washington-on-the-Brazos, putting their lives in danger by signing that Declaration of Independence and becoming heroes for a cause; and every man, woman, and child who struggled to make Texas the marvelous place it is today. While few of these Texans could have predicted Texas’ future prosperity and achievements, they all knew independence and freedom were worth any sacrifice. Each year on March 2, I am honored to recognize our history by reading Colonel Travis’ letter on the floor of the United States Senate. The late Senator John G. Tower, who served in the Senate between 1961 and 1985, initiated this practice, and I am proud to carry on the tradition today. It is my hope that this ritual will last for generations to come, as our children and grandchildren carry on our state’s legacy of freedom and patriotism.

Texas Revolution - The Battle of San Jacinco - Part Four

San Jacinto Monument at San Jacinto State Park near Houston, TX

The Battle of San Jacinto took place at 3:30 on the afternoon of Thursday, April 21, 1836. Prior to that time General Sam Houston learned that Martin Perfecto de Cos had crossed Vince's Bridge with about 540 troops to increase Santa Anna's forces to 1,200. Houston ordered the bridge destroyed so that no more Mexican reinforcements could arrive. This also prevented the retreat of both the Texans and the Mexicans toward Harrisburg.

Knowing the feeling of his men in their desire to wait their attack any longer, Houston held a council of war with his officers. Some wanted to wait until Santa Anna attacked, but others wanted to attack with the enemy in position. At 3:30 Houston gave the order.

Santa Anna had no lookouts posted and most of the Mexican army, including Santa Anna, were taking an afternoon siesta. The Texan forces were hidden by trees and rising ground. The armies approached on three sides. Burleson's regiment was in the center, Sherman's was on the left wing, the infantry was to Burleson's right, and the cavalry under Lamar was on the far right. The Twin Sisters (the two cannons) were in position.

At Houston's mark the army advanced on the run with the cry, "Remember the Alamo" "Remember Goliad". The battle lasted 18 minutes. According to Houston's official report 9 of 910 Texans were killed or mortally wounded with another 30 suffering wounds less serious. Houston himself received a wound to his ankle and his horse, the beautiful white stallion Sarazan, was killed. 630 Mexicans were killed and 730 taken prisoner. A large arsenal, provisions, livestock, clothing, tents, and $12,000 in silver were captured.

Santa Anna disappeared during the battle. He was repudiated to have been in his tent with a captured Mulatto woman named Emily West Morgan. He was found the next day when he was rounded up with other prisoners. He was dirty and dressed as a common soldier. Until some of the prisoners addressed him as "el presidente" it was not know that Santa Anna was among the captured men.

The legend of the Yellow Rose of Texas (Click on this link to read the lyrics and hear the music. However, at the bottom of this page there is perhaps a more accurate account of how the song came to be.) came as a reference to Emily West. She was an indentured servant of a James Morgan and had been captured. Much lore has been written of her. A hotel in San Antonio, the Emily Morgan, is named after her. In tribute to her the song, "The Yellow Rose of Texas", was written. Other tributes are awarded this woman ... I have a document (framed and hanging on my wall), signed by then Governor George W. Bush, commissioning me Yellow Rose of Texas as a tribute for being the wife of a retired U. S. Navy officer. At his retirement, my ex-husband (and other naval officers) was commissioned into the Texas Navy. As you can tell Texans are, perhaps inordinately, proud of their heritage.

Below is one of eight inscriptions at the base of the San Jacinto Monument which further explains the significance of the the Texas Revolution that led to the shaping of the United States of America.

"Measured by its results, San Jacinto was one of the decisive battles of the world. The freedom of Texas from Mexico won here led to annexation^qv and to the Mexican War,^qv resulting in the acquisition by the United States of the states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Almost one-third of the present area of the American nation, nearly a million square miles of territory, changed sovereignty."

After the Battle of San Jacinto all Texans began immediately returning to their homes and began rebuilding their lives and what would eventually become the great state of Texas.

The End ... No, the Beginning!

Resource: "Battle of San Jacinto" Handbook of Texas Online and Yellow Rose of Texas (showing a more detailed research into the Legend)

Texas Revolution - The Massacre at Goliad - Part Three

Presidio at La Bahia, Goliad, Texas - Texas Parks and Wildlife - State Park & Historic Site

After the Battle of the Alamo Santa Anna had to recoup his army. During this time Sam Houston hurried to Gonzales, TX which was the gathering point of the Texans. There he found 374 "effective men" who were without food and lacked guns and ammunition. The town of Gonzales was thrown into a state of fear when on March 11 a Mexican came into town relaying the atrocities of the Alamo.

Houston sent three of his most valuable scouts to find out what had happened. The scouts were "Deaf" Smith, Henry Karnes, and R. E. Handy. They found Mrs. Dickenson and the other female survivors of the Alamo and took them back to Gonzales where 20 women and 100 children found they had lost their husbands and fathers. Houston also learned that General Sesma was close behind them.

At this point Houston had to make a hard decision. He ordered a general retreat. He had a group of undisciplined and untrained men and was not ready to make a stand. He wrote General Fannin in Goliad and ordered him to blow up the fortress and retreat. Houston then took the hungry, displeased regiment, set fire to Gonzales marched northeast. By March 28 he had marched to San Felipe on the Brazos River and camped at a plantation.

Meanwhile, Col. Fannin's remained in Goliad. He sent one third of his men under the Captains King and Ward to Refugio to evacuate the Anglo settlers, but the two forces were killed by Urrea's army. Urrea burned Refugio and marched toward Goliad.

Instead of retreating as he had been ordered Col. Fannin refused to move until he had heard from Ward and King. A scout returned to Goliad with the news of the defeat in Refugio on March 16. At this time Fannin called a council of war and it was decided they should move north to Guadalupe Victoria.

But by now Urrea was near and a skirmish was fought on the 18th. Fannin decided to abandon the fortress at La Bahia and move out under the cover of a ground fog on the morning of the 19th. Unfortunately, the sun burned off the fog and the animals used to transport the heavy guns were weighted down. Urrea had a fix on the soldiers. Instead of pressing on to a nearby creek where there would be water and some cover, Fannin elected to resist on an open plain. With no water to cool the guns and with the one man who knew how to use the artillery wounded they were quickly enveloped by Urrea's superior army.

Urrea took prisoners and no one, not even the Mexicans, thought anything more than putting them under guard would happen. It is important to note that most of these men were Americans who had come to Texas to aid in the revolution. It was believed by the Mexican officers & themselves that they would be disarmed and exiled back to the United States. They were heartily sick of war and Texas and ready to go home.

However, Santa Anna had ordered that they take no quarter. On Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836 Colonel Guerrier came into a room of American surgeons who had volunteered to take care of the Mexican wounded and said, "Keep still, gentlemen, you are safe; these are not my orders, nor do I execute them." Several other Americans were being hidden by the wife of a Mexican officer named Alvarez. The rest were marched out on three roads under heavy guard, and believed they were headed home. When they were a little way out of Goliad they were shot. A few broke away in the confusion. The wounded prisoners were dragged into the street and shot. Lastly the officers were shot after they learned what had happened to their men. Fannin was shot in the head and dropped in a common grave. Three hundred ninety Americans died. Twenty-seven were saved in various ways and when the Mexican army left Guerrier made sure the men he had hidden got away.

Santa Anna now felt that between the Massacre at Goliad and the Alamo Texas resistance would end. He intended to start a panic and drive the colonists across the U. S. frontier. He was successful. The period between Santa Anna arriving at the Rio Grande in January 1836 and the end at the Battle of San Jacinto was to be known as the Runaway Scrape when many Anglo-Texans fled ahead the advancement of the Mexican army. In the Runaway Scrape many children died of illness due to the harsh winter weather and severe conditions of the escape. The aim was to flee to the Sabine River in far east Texas (near what is now Houston) and escape into the U. S. in Louisiana.

Now the war cry of the Texans at the Battle of San Jacinto would be: "Remember the Alamo" "Remember Goliad"

Resource: Lone Star, A History of Texas and the Texans by T. R. Ferhrenbach
and "Goliad Massacre" The Handbook of Texas Online and "Runaway Scrape" The Handbook of Texas Online

Next: Texas Revolution - The Battle of San Jacinto - Part Four

Random Album

Baker's Hill
Knowing Themselves...Finding Themselves

This little meme is from Coffee Messiah and Willow Manor. It's random, fun, easy and entertaining.

1. BAND NAME: Go to "wikipedia." Hit "random article" or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2. ALBUM TITLE: Go to "Random quotations"or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3 The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the
title of your first album.

3. COVER ART: Go to flickr and click on "explore the last seven days" or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

So, there you have it, my bloggy friends. Go ahead! Give it a whirl and see what you come up with. It's fun!

Wiki + Quotations + Flickr = Album

Texas Revolution - The Battle of the Alamo - Part Two

The Texas Revolution was haphazard at best. The Battle of the Alamo is probably the most famous of the battles in the Revolution. Men from various states in the United States arrived to assist in the liberation of Texas from Mexico. The men arrived in groups of 12 to 20, a mere handful in comparison to the 5,000 soldier army of General Santa Anna. Few of these men were familiar with military knowledge or experience.

Governor Smith sent Lt. Colonel William Barret Travis to San Antonio. At the same time General Sam Houston detached Colonel James Bowie from his command directed him to march with a handful of men from Goliad to San Antonio on January 17. Col. Bowie was to inspect the Alamo and it was left to his discretion whether to stay or withdraw from San Antonio.

At the Alamo, Bowie found that only 104 men were holding the mission. None of the men were Texan except nine ethnic Mexicans who had joined the Revolution. Two-thirds of the men were from the South (below the Mason-Dixon Line) with the largest group from Tennessee. There were men from almost every state, a good-sized group from the British Isles, and another from Continental Europe. Travis & Bowie brought about 50 more men who were mostly "Texians". Shortly afterward David Bowie arrived with an entourage of 12 men with rifles. So, by the time of the battle, there were about 150 men at the Alamo determined to hold off 1,500 soldiers of the Mexican army. (Santa Anna had divided his army and sent groups to other areas of Texas.)

February 2, 1836 James Bowie dispatched a letter to Governor Smith:

"The salvation of Texas depends in great measure on keeping Bexar out of the hands of the enemy. It stands on the frontier picquet guard, and if it was in the possession of Santa Anna, there is no stronghold from which t repel him in his march to the Sabine (River). Colonel Neill and myself have come to the solemn resolution that we will rather die in these ditches than give them up..."

When Santa Anna arrived at San Antonio he was surprised to find men defending the Alamo. Although there were a dozen cannon inside the walls of the Alamo there was very little powder for their use. Dispatches were sent to & from the Alamo so there is little doubt that the men inside could have escaped.

Bowie and Travis were co-commanders of the Alamo although Travis' desire was to be totally in charge. He was loyal, brash, young (about 25 to 27 years of age), a rebel, and wanted very much to be in command. Bowie became ill with pneumonia and in front of the men turned the command over to Travis. The most famous letter of the Alamo was dispatched by Travis. It epitomizes determination, defiance, and bravery to a fault.

Commandancy of the Alamo
Bexar, Feby 24, 1836

To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World--
Fellow Citizens and Compatriots:
I am besieged with a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual Bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison is to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the wall. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, and everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due his honor and that of his country.
VICTORY OR DEATH.

William Barret Travis
LT. COL. COMD'T

The Alamo was under siege for 10 days. Mexican gunners had been picked off by riflemen inside the Alamo walls. On March 5 Santa Anna gave orders and a breach was battered in the Alamo wall. Orders for an assault were issued on the evening of March 5.

Five battalions, about 4,000 men, were committed to the assault. The soldiers assembled on the morning of March 6 were veteran soldiers who were good at their jobs. As the soldiers stormed the Alamo the Texians were intent on killing as many Mexicans as possible knowing that victory was not possible.

The Mexicans who broke into the courtyard held a furious hatred for those inside. They killed every man and after killing them they bayoneted the corpses with a hundred wounds. The bodies were burned and the charred remains were buried in a common grave and its location has never been found.

The lone survivors of the Battle of the Alamo gave the only eye witness accounts. One was a Negro slave who was spared expressly by Santa Anna and another was the wife of a Texan lieutenant. Her name was Susannah Dickenson. Several Mexican women and children were among the survivors. There were no white survivors. Those who attempted to surrender were shot.

The loss of the Alamo would inflame the Texans and put indescribable fear into their lives.

Resource: Lone Star, A History of Texas and the Texans by T. R. Fehrenbach

Next: Texas Revolution - Massacre at Goliad - Part Three

Texas Revolution - Texas Independence Day - Part One

The Texas flag as seen through a friend's window.

The Unanimous

Declaration of Independence

made by the

Delegates of the People of Texas

in General Convention

at the town of Washington

on the 2nd day of March 1836

Thus begins the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico. The declaration was written hurriedly by five men on March 1, 1836; these men were George C. Childress, Edward Conrad, James Baines, Bailey Hardeman, and Collin McKinney. It was unanimously adopted and signed into being on March 2 at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Time was of the essence in writing the new Constitution as the Mexican army under the command of General Santa Anna had the Alamo at San Antonio under siege. There were daily reports of the fighting taking place at the Alamo from February 23 to March 6th.

Fifty-four delegates to the Convention of 1836 began the process of changing Tejas forever. Each of the settlements in Texas elected representatives for the Convention held at Washington-on-the-Brazos March 1. The purpose of this Convention was to prepare a declaration whereby Texas would no longer be under the rule of Mexico, but would become a country unto itself. The Convention lasted until March 17th when it was determined that Santa Anna's army was fast approaching.


Next: Texas Revolution - The Battle of the Alamo - Part One

Fires in Bastrop County

The fire danger that we have been so concerned about for the last few months came on Saturday as a result of a dry front with winds of 40 to 50 MPH. A power line was blown over resulting in the beginning of a fire that burned more than 600 acres, 23 homes and/or businesses, and evacuated 80 homes. A report from KXAN is below. Today winds are up again (around 20 MPH) but not so high as yesterday. It will again be dangerous work for firefighters.

I wanted to go on a little excursion today to Washington-on-the-Brazos where in 1886 a committee of five men wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence. This little town is known as the birthplace of Texas and since tomorrow is Texas Independence Day I wanted to have a little history trip and take some photos. This may have to happen later since we aren't sure about leaving town with the fires in the area. As you may know we live in an area dense with lob lolly pine trees.


Massive fire whips through Bastrop Co.

Fire 50% contained; Disaster declared

Updated: Sunday, 01 Mar 2009, 8:42 AM CST
Published : Saturday, 28 Feb 2009, 4:40 PM CST

• Amy Peirce

BASTROP, TEXAS (KXAN) - The Bastrop Fire Department and the Texas Forest Service have reported that a wildfire spread over 650 acres in areas of Bastrop and Smithville. Nearly 50% of the fire has been contained as of approximately 7 a.m. Sunday morning. The fire was caused by a fallen power line in a pasture north of Highway 71 at approximately 12:30 pm Saturday. Officials fought the fire, which they named the Wildnerness Ridge Fire for most of Saturday.

The smoke billowing from the fire could be seen for miles as the high winds whipped the blaze towards residential areas and business centers along the Colorado River. The area of the fire is known as the Piney Woods.

At least 80 homes have been evacuated, with 23 already destroyed, in the area of Bastrop State Park. At one point, over 200 homes were threatened. Several businesses have also been lost including at least 30 antique shops at the Alum Creek Center.