We are back in Saskatoon for Christmas. 2200 miles to get home for Christmas in the car seems a bit excessive but that is what we did. The weather was good for us and we made it in under 4 days. The trip was worth it to see our kids and granddaughter. And our friends too!! We hope that the weather is as good as we head south again at the end of the month.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Drugs, birds and turtles
We have just been enjoying the southern lifestyle. We did not go to the Welcome Winter Texans Day as we had originally planned. We heard that it was poorly attended. We did go again a few days later for a quick shopping trip. It is dead in Progreso and I feel sorry for the people who are not making much money from tourists. Crossing the bridge over the Rio Grande is like moving into a different world with the American lifestyle on one side and Mexican poverty on the other. I don't think that I mentioned before that people beg from under the bridge. You can't really see the people but they stick ball caps through the bridge openings. In Progreso, there is not much begging but lots of entrepreneurship. Aggressive entrepreneurship! Wanna buy a necklace lady? Cheap, just for you.
The whole drug thing down there has really taken a toll. Both the American and Canadian governments do not recommend travel to Mexico. The resorts might be OK but along the border, the drug trade is a constant concern. In Texas, they are worrying that it is moving north into their larger cities. You often see the police vehicles on the highways that are the border patrol. Several times we have seen rest areas used as areas for the police to flag down transport trucks to check them. Recently we heard that the cartels are now using smaller vehicles to avoid this. Every day the news has at least one item about drug activity.
On a more pleasant note,we went over to South Padre island yesterday. It is very small (You can see from one side to the other.) and set up for tourists almost entirely. They have a lovely bird sanctuary though. Open only 2 years but getting a reputation as a tourist destination, it is on 50 acres of land right near the Convention Centre and of course on the ocean. South Padre is a first landfall for birds flying from Southern Mexico and northern Central America over the Gulf of Mexico to their northern summer grounds. There is a long boardwalk system at the centre with blinds along waterways that allow up close viewing of many birds.
Although this is not the best time of year for viewing (Spring is when the birds are flying north.), we saw quite an array of birds as you will see from our pictures. Here are a few pictures. I wouldn't live long enough to download them all! Is this ever slow.
Roseat Spoonbill
Little Blue Heron
Tricoloured Heron
Snowy Egret
Turtle (Don't know what kind)
We were fortunate to see an alligator as we walked the boardwalks. He/she didn't move but just blinked. I think he was enjoying the few minutes of sun on a somewhat cloudy day.
They weren't kidding.
Before lunch we also went to the Sea Turtle Rescue centre. They had tanks of turtles which had been injured or found with deformities. Some can be released as they recover but others will never be able to survive in the ocean again. The biggest turtles are wonderful to see up close. The centre appears to be privately funded and looked as if it could use some serious financial help. They have a small area for public education as well as the tanks for the turtles.
We went for lunch at a place that features live parrots. What colours they are! Although the day was partially cloudy, it cleared as we sat on the deck and we had a nice sunny time watching brown pelicans. They are a threatened species so it was nice to see so many. Although the ones near the bird sanctuary were sometimes hunting for fish, these seems content to float with the breeze.
Access to the island is over a causeway. You have to yield to pelicans. From the causeway you can see people fishing. We gathered that the fishing is very good.
Causeway from Port Isabel
Brown Pelican
We checked out the RV parks while we were there. They looked quite nice but we were warned to book early since they fill up. Everything here seems to fill up in the New Year. Maybe not so much this year since the drug wars seems to affecting the number of Winter Texans coming to the whole Rio Grande Valley.
The whole drug thing down there has really taken a toll. Both the American and Canadian governments do not recommend travel to Mexico. The resorts might be OK but along the border, the drug trade is a constant concern. In Texas, they are worrying that it is moving north into their larger cities. You often see the police vehicles on the highways that are the border patrol. Several times we have seen rest areas used as areas for the police to flag down transport trucks to check them. Recently we heard that the cartels are now using smaller vehicles to avoid this. Every day the news has at least one item about drug activity.
On a more pleasant note,we went over to South Padre island yesterday. It is very small (You can see from one side to the other.) and set up for tourists almost entirely. They have a lovely bird sanctuary though. Open only 2 years but getting a reputation as a tourist destination, it is on 50 acres of land right near the Convention Centre and of course on the ocean. South Padre is a first landfall for birds flying from Southern Mexico and northern Central America over the Gulf of Mexico to their northern summer grounds. There is a long boardwalk system at the centre with blinds along waterways that allow up close viewing of many birds.
Although this is not the best time of year for viewing (Spring is when the birds are flying north.), we saw quite an array of birds as you will see from our pictures. Here are a few pictures. I wouldn't live long enough to download them all! Is this ever slow.
The Great Blue Heron
The Great Egret
Turtle (Don't know what kind)
We were fortunate to see an alligator as we walked the boardwalks. He/she didn't move but just blinked. I think he was enjoying the few minutes of sun on a somewhat cloudy day.
They weren't kidding.
Before lunch we also went to the Sea Turtle Rescue centre. They had tanks of turtles which had been injured or found with deformities. Some can be released as they recover but others will never be able to survive in the ocean again. The biggest turtles are wonderful to see up close. The centre appears to be privately funded and looked as if it could use some serious financial help. They have a small area for public education as well as the tanks for the turtles.
We went for lunch at a place that features live parrots. What colours they are! Although the day was partially cloudy, it cleared as we sat on the deck and we had a nice sunny time watching brown pelicans. They are a threatened species so it was nice to see so many. Although the ones near the bird sanctuary were sometimes hunting for fish, these seems content to float with the breeze.
Access to the island is over a causeway. You have to yield to pelicans. From the causeway you can see people fishing. We gathered that the fishing is very good.
Causeway from Port Isabel
We checked out the RV parks while we were there. They looked quite nice but we were warned to book early since they fill up. Everything here seems to fill up in the New Year. Maybe not so much this year since the drug wars seems to affecting the number of Winter Texans coming to the whole Rio Grande Valley.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Mexico
We went to Mexico on Monday. We don't go across near Brownsville where the sister city is Metamoros. Apparently it isn't very safe. We went west in the valley and crossed into Nuevo Progreso. We parked on the Texas side and then walked across a bridge. We had to pay 25 cents to go each way. The Mexican authorities are there but do not look at your passport. On the way back, the Americans only wanted to know if we bought alcohol or cigarettes because there is a tax to pay.
This picture was taken by our friends Arlie and Ron that we went with. It marks the boundary.
This is the Rio Grande which is the boundary between Mexico and the US, taken from the bridge.
This is the north bank. The fence to keep the illegal aliens out of the US is in the background.
The town of Nuevo Progreso is very touristy where we were, with lots of street stalls and little stores.
Everyone is trying to hawk something. Even the little kids are trying to sell you a stick of gum. When we sat at a street level bar for a beer, we were constantly bothered by people eager to shine our shoes or sell us a basket. It wasn't very busy. Since the drug wars, trade and tourist traffic is WAY down and so the locals are very anxious that we should buy something.
Three of the big items are prescription drugs (no prescription needed), dental work (crowns for $200) and glasses. One lady who goes to the dentist in Metamoros has a car sent for her from the dental office to pick her up on the Brownsville side. She would not go otherwise.
We didn't buy any of these services, but did buy a few Christmas presents. Some things are considerably cheaper than in the US.
We thought it seemed quite safe although our friends remarked on the lack of police presence. Other times they had apparently been more in evidence. It just seemed like the tourist markets that we have seen in other places in the world.
On Friday Dec 2 there is a Winter Texan Day there with street music and lots of free stuff to try to lure the tourists back. Our friends want to go back so we may do that. I imagine that the crowds will be bigger.
This picture was taken by our friends Arlie and Ron that we went with. It marks the boundary.
This is the Rio Grande which is the boundary between Mexico and the US, taken from the bridge.
This is the north bank. The fence to keep the illegal aliens out of the US is in the background.
The town of Nuevo Progreso is very touristy where we were, with lots of street stalls and little stores.
Everyone is trying to hawk something. Even the little kids are trying to sell you a stick of gum. When we sat at a street level bar for a beer, we were constantly bothered by people eager to shine our shoes or sell us a basket. It wasn't very busy. Since the drug wars, trade and tourist traffic is WAY down and so the locals are very anxious that we should buy something.
Three of the big items are prescription drugs (no prescription needed), dental work (crowns for $200) and glasses. One lady who goes to the dentist in Metamoros has a car sent for her from the dental office to pick her up on the Brownsville side. She would not go otherwise.
We didn't buy any of these services, but did buy a few Christmas presents. Some things are considerably cheaper than in the US.
We thought it seemed quite safe although our friends remarked on the lack of police presence. Other times they had apparently been more in evidence. It just seemed like the tourist markets that we have seen in other places in the world.
On Friday Dec 2 there is a Winter Texan Day there with street music and lots of free stuff to try to lure the tourists back. Our friends want to go back so we may do that. I imagine that the crowds will be bigger.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Still here!
We have been without internet service for a week and so now are at the clubhouse trying to get caught up on emails, etc.
The weather is nice - in the 70s with some breeze most days. It is hard to believe that it is late November!!
We have done some driving around the area to check it out. The main road rules to remember are:
1. Check behind you if you even think about stopping for a yellow light. If anyone is behind you, run it and four cars will follow.
2. Look both ways before you proceed on a green light. The ones who run yellow, also run red.
3. Do not look at the drivers beside you. (Several people told us this). People who take exception to being looked at have guns.
The downtown here is like rural saskatchewan's main streets, dying. It looks quite impoverished except where there are public buildings. As it is at home, the big stores have built elsewhere.
For the quilters, we have a lively group here. We had four demonstrations of different half square triangles. Some used rolls of paper with the markings on. We also received some fabric to make a square using one of the techniques. There will be a drawing to see who gets all the squares to make a quilt top.
Another activity was an exchange of Christmas fat quarters, with a pattern to use them. It was more fun than it sounds. They are making this a monthly activity. Next time we are to bring fabric with a pattern (no flowers) and will receive a pattern for something to do with wine. Sounds up my alley!!
Speaking of wine, it is so cheap here that it makes me want to weep. No, make that have a big smile. For example, we saw a special where two bottles of the Barefoot label were under $10. Happy Hours are very happy!
Dalton went kayaking between South Padre Island and the mainland. He saw some interesting water birds. The water was very shallow in places and he got stuck and had to push himself out with the paddle. Eleven people from Winter Haven went. We are not sure if this was a one time trip or if this is a regular activity, Although we are told that our inflatable kayak would be ripped by shells, Dalton says the bottom is mud and sand so we should be OK. So long as the water is calm, I am up for it.
Eating is a social activity here and people go out for lunch and dinner at the drop of a hat. The food is quite cheap though. Our turkey dinner was under $20 for the two of us. We have been out for spaghetti, a Mongolian buffet (you choose your meat type and quantity and they cook it on a big grill), HUGE hambugers and a couple of regular meals. And that is just in the last week or so!
This is just behind our motorhome. I am picking a grapefruit. The season is nearly over but there are still a few to lick. They are the red variety and quite sweet. Lots of fruit just falls to the ground here. People take it for granted.
This is our site at 2 Lazy. There is a resaca (small inland waterway) behind the motorhome. We have a little deck but there is a shaded spot just in front of the little brown shed where is is more pleasant to sit.
We have about three weeks until we drive home. I am not looking forward to the drive but do look forward to seeing many of you.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Brownsville II
Our internet access is not better and photos seem almost impossible to send but there is no point in getting upset at Tengo because at this point, it is what it is. The whole park is having problems. Not a very successful trial period.
Today we went to a large outdoor flea market at Donna which is to the west of Brownsville. Aside from getting stung by a wasp, it was an interesting experience. Lots of vendors selling clothes, jewellry, fresh fruit and veggies and loads of other "stuff". We bought a couple of RV things, a fresh pineapple and a car back support ($4!!). Dalton wants to go back on another Saturday to get a sun screen made for our motorhome from window. One of the couples we went with got a sunscreen for their patio for $20 (made to order).
One the way home we drove along a road that ran just inside the Mexican border. At times we could see the fence (concrete at the bottom with steel rails rising vertically from the concrete). Some of the yards of the homes ended at the fence.
By the way, there seems to be little zoning here. Commercial, industrial and residential exist side by side, as do affluent houses and shacks. Only in a few new subdivisions have we seen housing that is all similar, with no other type of development intermingled.
We made quick trip out to South Padre island the other day and it is like being in another world. Very touristy and commercial. We are going to make a day trip since there is a bird santuary there that we would like to see.
Dalton is going on a kayak trip this week with a group from Winter Haven. I'll let you know how that goes.
For the quilters, we did go to the quilt store at Harlingen which is the closest quilting store. It wasn't a huge store but that didn't stop me from doing some damage to the MC. The owner must have felt sorry for Dalton. She regaled him with stories of her history and that of the store location. It used to be a night club. Freddy Fender began his career there.
The Winter Texans are gradually filling up our park. I think they are a strong economic force for the entire Rio Grande Valley. Some towns double their populations in the winter!
Just to rub it in, it was about 90 F today. Wish you were here!
Just to rub it in, it was about 90
Today we went to a large outdoor flea market at Donna which is to the west of Brownsville. Aside from getting stung by a wasp, it was an interesting experience. Lots of vendors selling clothes, jewellry, fresh fruit and veggies and loads of other "stuff". We bought a couple of RV things, a fresh pineapple and a car back support ($4!!). Dalton wants to go back on another Saturday to get a sun screen made for our motorhome from window. One of the couples we went with got a sunscreen for their patio for $20 (made to order).
One the way home we drove along a road that ran just inside the Mexican border. At times we could see the fence (concrete at the bottom with steel rails rising vertically from the concrete). Some of the yards of the homes ended at the fence.
By the way, there seems to be little zoning here. Commercial, industrial and residential exist side by side, as do affluent houses and shacks. Only in a few new subdivisions have we seen housing that is all similar, with no other type of development intermingled.
We made quick trip out to South Padre island the other day and it is like being in another world. Very touristy and commercial. We are going to make a day trip since there is a bird santuary there that we would like to see.
Dalton is going on a kayak trip this week with a group from Winter Haven. I'll let you know how that goes.
For the quilters, we did go to the quilt store at Harlingen which is the closest quilting store. It wasn't a huge store but that didn't stop me from doing some damage to the MC. The owner must have felt sorry for Dalton. She regaled him with stories of her history and that of the store location. It used to be a night club. Freddy Fender began his career there.
The Winter Texans are gradually filling up our park. I think they are a strong economic force for the entire Rio Grande Valley. Some towns double their populations in the winter!
Just to rub it in, it was about 90 F today. Wish you were here!
Just to rub it in, it was about 90
Friday, November 11, 2011
First Days in Brownsville
We arrived in Brownsville last Sunday but due to difficulties getting internet access on my computer, I just got onto the internet yesterday and even then it has been hit and miss. I have had all sorts of problems trying to post pictures even after I got into the internet. Dalton keeps calling the help desk but no success so far.
We have been fortunate to have our friends Arlie and Ron and Carol and Garry from our Saskatoon Sunseekers Good Sam chapter to help us in finding things and getting into the park's activities. It is a lovely gated community with homes, park models, mobile homes and RVs. There are tons of activities and the preferred method of transport for many people is a golf cart. Waterways abound and there are swans and ducks to add ambiance. Casey (our dog) is not sure what to think of them. Since I can't post pictures right now, you can see the park at www.winterhavenresort.com.
I went to a qulters' group during the week. We also went to a Happy Hour and a Hamburger Supper. There are cards, aquatic activities and loads of other things to do if you wish. You don't need to be bored around here!
Our site is really nice with a shed for storage and water behind to make sitting out pleasant. We have a grapefruit tree/bush that appears to be just at then end of its season but still has a few fruit on it. We live on Lazy Street and we are #2 - which makes us 2 Lazy!!
Tomorrow we are going to go to Mission to the Camping World, one of our favourite stores. If I can get Dalton to share his computer, I'll tell you about it soon.
We have been fortunate to have our friends Arlie and Ron and Carol and Garry from our Saskatoon Sunseekers Good Sam chapter to help us in finding things and getting into the park's activities. It is a lovely gated community with homes, park models, mobile homes and RVs. There are tons of activities and the preferred method of transport for many people is a golf cart. Waterways abound and there are swans and ducks to add ambiance. Casey (our dog) is not sure what to think of them. Since I can't post pictures right now, you can see the park at www.winterhavenresort.com.
I went to a qulters' group during the week. We also went to a Happy Hour and a Hamburger Supper. There are cards, aquatic activities and loads of other things to do if you wish. You don't need to be bored around here!
Our site is really nice with a shed for storage and water behind to make sitting out pleasant. We have a grapefruit tree/bush that appears to be just at then end of its season but still has a few fruit on it. We live on Lazy Street and we are #2 - which makes us 2 Lazy!!
Tomorrow we are going to go to Mission to the Camping World, one of our favourite stores. If I can get Dalton to share his computer, I'll tell you about it soon.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Remember the Alamo...and Don't Forget the River Walk
We took the bus downtown today and saw a little of the city. San Antonio has done a wonderful job of making the downtown area around the San Antonio River a tourist haven. What began as flood control measures for a flood prone river has ended up being an area of shops and restaurants and just a lovely walk - or ride. We took a river cruise to see the sights for only $6 each (that's for us old guys).
It was very interesting to see how the natural parts of the river have been conmbined with manmade structures to create a really picturesque spot. We enjoyed a lovely lunch at an Irish pub, eating outside and watching the river traffic and the walking traffic.
While we were downtown we also went to The Alamo. In case your Texas history is failing you, that's where, in 1836, the Mexican soldiers overran the Texas volunteers who are felt to have died in the cause of freedom from the oppression of the Mexican Government. Using the rallying cry of "Remember the Alamo!" the Texas Army eventually defeated the Santa Anna army and established a republic. In 1845, Texas was annexed by the federal government but seceded in 1861. It was readmitted in 1870 following the Civil War.
With all the tourists milling around, it was hard to imagine either a battle or a site of a mission. With a modern city surrounding what is left of the ruins, the feeling of the place is lost. They have erected a large statue to those who died at The Alamo (and it looks quite recent) so it clearly remains a significant part of the history of Texas.
I would add more pictures but it is taking AGES to upload each one. Not much bandwidth at an RV park.
Tomorrow we are off to Brownsville where we will stay until after Christmas. (We will be home for Christmas.)
It was very interesting to see how the natural parts of the river have been conmbined with manmade structures to create a really picturesque spot. We enjoyed a lovely lunch at an Irish pub, eating outside and watching the river traffic and the walking traffic.
While we were downtown we also went to The Alamo. In case your Texas history is failing you, that's where, in 1836, the Mexican soldiers overran the Texas volunteers who are felt to have died in the cause of freedom from the oppression of the Mexican Government. Using the rallying cry of "Remember the Alamo!" the Texas Army eventually defeated the Santa Anna army and established a republic. In 1845, Texas was annexed by the federal government but seceded in 1861. It was readmitted in 1870 following the Civil War.
With all the tourists milling around, it was hard to imagine either a battle or a site of a mission. With a modern city surrounding what is left of the ruins, the feeling of the place is lost. They have erected a large statue to those who died at The Alamo (and it looks quite recent) so it clearly remains a significant part of the history of Texas.
I would add more pictures but it is taking AGES to upload each one. Not much bandwidth at an RV park.
Tomorrow we are off to Brownsville where we will stay until after Christmas. (We will be home for Christmas.)
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Texas Y'all
We have made it to Texas. The first 3 1/2 days it seemed as if we were driving on a treadmill. Farms and flat land. The only difference from Saskatchewan were the dead critters left on the road. They don't clean up road kill. They just wait until it is mashed to nothing. Ashes to ashes.
About the same time that the scenery became a little more rolling, the temperature began to get a little better. Today it was in the high 70s. It seems a bit weird for Nov 1. The weather has been clear and sunny except for one day when it was cloudy but not raining. We have had a lot of wind though so Dalton has had to do more active driving than is usual for us as we rolll down tthe road.
Dalton says he could never be a trucker. He is tired of days of long driving so from now on, we are going to take it easy. We are now between Dallas and Fort Worth at a place called Arlington and plan to stay here a couple of days. The park is very nice and we are very comfortable. It is a related park to the Travellers' World park in San Antonio recommended by our friends Don and Donna.
The terrain has become drier and rougher. Texas cattle country. You can almost see John Wayne coming over the hill. They are experiencing a drought here so water restrictions seem to be in place in all the communitites around Dallas-Fort Worth.
Next we plan to go to San Antonio for a few days. We will probably stay there for three days before we head to Brownsville to meet up with our RV friends from Saskatoon.
About the same time that the scenery became a little more rolling, the temperature began to get a little better. Today it was in the high 70s. It seems a bit weird for Nov 1. The weather has been clear and sunny except for one day when it was cloudy but not raining. We have had a lot of wind though so Dalton has had to do more active driving than is usual for us as we rolll down tthe road.
Dalton says he could never be a trucker. He is tired of days of long driving so from now on, we are going to take it easy. We are now between Dallas and Fort Worth at a place called Arlington and plan to stay here a couple of days. The park is very nice and we are very comfortable. It is a related park to the Travellers' World park in San Antonio recommended by our friends Don and Donna.
The terrain has become drier and rougher. Texas cattle country. You can almost see John Wayne coming over the hill. They are experiencing a drought here so water restrictions seem to be in place in all the communitites around Dallas-Fort Worth.
Next we plan to go to San Antonio for a few days. We will probably stay there for three days before we head to Brownsville to meet up with our RV friends from Saskatoon.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Off We Go
We will be leaving on Oct 28. As soon as we get through the boring part of the drive, I will begin to write about what we are seeing. Stay tuned.
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