Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Ok, the last post was a little bit winded, but it had been a while since we had posted something, and we had a lot to say.  We need to shorten them up and just post a little more often. And, Lulu has promised to add to the blog also. She too is adding to her journal, so we should be reading something from her real soon.

If you’ve been on face book, then you have already seen some pictures from some of our experiences here in Los Indios, Tx. We are at he very bottom of Texas, only about 2 miles from the Mexico border, and about 20 minutes from Brownsville. I should have gotten a photo, but I felt like I was in Israel when I drove down 281. The U.S. has erected a huge iron fence that runs for miles along the Rio Grande River. it is evident that they are still working on it due to the construction sites scattered along the highway. The Border Patrol units are very visible driving along this route, and there are constantly reports of huge drug seizures coming over the borders. Some of them in the $100,000 values.  It makes me wonder if these seizures are just a sacrificial lamb that the cartel uses in order to get the much larger shipments across. There are just so many that there must be much bigger and many more getting across. With all that activity, we always feel safe, and everyone here feels the same way. They have never had any problems here or around our park. And I don’t anticipate that that will change while we are here.

Some Rvers have already left for the season and many should be leaving by the end of this month. They tell us that by May, most of this area will be quiet as many of their “Summer Texas” (Florida’s equivalent to “Snowbirds”), head back North and then return again in October.

 Lulu did a great performance last week at the park clubhouse in Angler’s Nest. It was a small group, but they had a great time. We were told that this group was not the dancing type, but if you’ve seen the video, that changed on that day. Lulu will be doing another performance on Monday, March 19th.

Neighborhood woodpecker.

We hit it right when we picked this park. It is small and a little tight, but comfortable. Fortunately, they put us in a very roomy site, right next to the clubhouse and laundry room. They have clean and roomy showers, so we have been able to take a regular shower in a regular bathroom. The shower and bathroom in our rig is half the size, so using the park’s shower is a treat. The residents here are so very friendly and kind. And of course once they get to know Lulu, forget it, they made a friend for life!

Molly's bike ride

Molly's new bike basket

Clubhouse and neighbor.

clubhouse kitchen.

They have had some activities that we came to enjoy. We had the pancake breakfast the other day and we have come to watch their jam sessions twice. A group of musicians get together and entertain the residents for a couple of hours. We were also invited to a fish fry at a local American Legion hall, where Lulu got a near standing ovation for singing at a karaoke session. Something she hardly does, but they twisted her arm. We also got to go to Gonzalez Burgers where they serve the huge Texas style burgers. They always have a line out the door and they always sell out all their burgers on a daily basis.

Huge 1 pound burgers. 56 Orders were taken for  just about 100 people.

Patiently waiting for their burgers.

Out the door....at Gonzalez Burger

We went by ourselves to the Borderfest 2012 where we got to see some Mexican bands, a Beetles tribute band and got to try out some Mexican food. And, most importantly, got to take a photo with the Kool Aid guy, and got to see the original Oscar Myer wiener mobile. . We have ventured out in to local Harlingen and San Benito where we have found  a couple of nice Christian Churches, as well as a good chiropractor as my back has been acting up. We will also be flying out of Harlingen Airport in April to go to my parents 50th anniversary in April. The RV will stay here until we return 10 days later.

This area has a huge Mexican population, and we find it amusing that we sometimes feel like we are back up North in New Bedford and Fall River , MA. The Mexican community remind us so much of the Portuguese community that we grew up with. They dress similar, speak loud and use their hands to communicate. And, most are very fun and friendly people. Some of their music is similar, but not the foods. We do miss our Portuguese food. Even though the languages have some similarities, there are some important differences and I am trying to brush up on my Spanish as we will be using it when we RV in Mexico this summer. By the way, unless you have been in Mexico and have personally witnessed a beheading, please keep your advice to yourself. We have spoken to many fellow Rv’ers who live in Mexico and they report that all is fine. They have their crime and violence just like we have ours here in the U.S., and they have their areas that some people do not belong in. If you don’t believe me, just follow my face book page and you can speak to them yourself. We are not afraid and we plan on leaving sometime around May.

Some time this week we plan on heading out to Progresso, Mexico, which is just up the road about 30 or 40 minutes, where you can cross over on foot and get souvenirs, manicures, see doctors, dentists and buy medicine at their pharmacies. I will be checking out some prices for inhalers as I still have to pay a $25 co-pay and I think I should be able to get a better deal down there.

We will also be taking a ride out to San Padre Island, but we are waiting for the college kids to get out, since they have invaded for spring break. There are also some nature trails that we will be checking out, and a few other local attractions.

So far, we have enjoyed the area. There is plenty to do and see, and the weather has been very pleasant. I think the cold is gone. We expect this week to be in the 80’s and sunny. The wind is another thing,. It is always windy, but it is nice to cool things off. We have yet to use out air conditioner. The open windows let in a nice breeze that cools things down. We have finally been able to comfortably and safely ride our bikes around, and even Molly has a new basket that I mounted on my bike. Speaking of who, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure after the vet heard a heart murmur back in Alabama a few weeks ago. They also found her heart to be enlarged. This was when we brought her in to check her out because she seemed to be acting a little sluggish. She was put on medication and she seems to be much better. She is a little more herself again. She is 12 years old, so we have to be careful with her.

So, for now, we will enjoy the weather. As usual, I have to finish up some of the “nothings” that I started doing the other day. It seems that these “nothings” never get done.

Be safe and may God Bless you all!!!