On Saturday, February 9, 2008 we flew to Texas to visit with Charlie & Betsy Mangrum. We arrived in San Antonio early in the afternoon and rented a car and headed south to Weslaco, Texas. It took us about 4 1/2 hours to drive there. Tonight, after checking in our motel, we had an Italian dinner and played "Hand & Foot" with Charlie & Betsy.
Sunday was spent sightseeing. We started off at a flea market, one like we have never been to before. Then we headed to Boca Chica where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico. We were able to drive on the beach there. After a snack on the beach, we drove to Padre Island. There we drove around the island, stopped at Point Isabella Lighthouse, and just did the tourist things. We had dinner on Padre Island at a restaurant called "Dirty Al's". I think that was the best shrimp and fish that we have eaten, delicious!
Monday....South of the Border!! We walked over into Mexico today and just had a grand time. After walking around looking at all the shops and taking in all the sights, we settled in at a little tavern called "Arriba's". The margarita's were yummy! As were the taco's and enchilada's. Jim has met a new friend called, Lupi. Ask him about him when you see him next. Also, while we were shopping here, we decided to buy a steer head, horns and all, to bring home and hang on our fence. That should be quite an adventure getting him home on the plane....haha!
Sunday was spent sightseeing. We started off at a flea market, one like we have never been to before. Then we headed to Boca Chica where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico. We were able to drive on the beach there. After a snack on the beach, we drove to Padre Island. There we drove around the island, stopped at Point Isabella Lighthouse, and just did the tourist things. We had dinner on Padre Island at a restaurant called "Dirty Al's". I think that was the best shrimp and fish that we have eaten, delicious!
Monday....South of the Border!! We walked over into Mexico today and just had a grand time. After walking around looking at all the shops and taking in all the sights, we settled in at a little tavern called "Arriba's". The margarita's were yummy! As were the taco's and enchilada's. Jim has met a new friend called, Lupi. Ask him about him when you see him next. Also, while we were shopping here, we decided to buy a steer head, horns and all, to bring home and hang on our fence. That should be quite an adventure getting him home on the plane....haha!
Tuesday...Another sightseeing day. Charlie & Betsy make great tour guides. We drove to Los Ebanos where the only man-operated ferry crosses the Rio Grande River. That was interestig to watch. From there we went on to Falcon Lake Dam, where there is a monument showing the borders of the USA and Mexico. You can put each foot in a different country. Then, we had the best fun, but you really had to be there to enjoy it, words just can't describe it. So, again, when you see Jan, ask her about her shopping trips to "Ropa".
Wednesday...We drove over to Harlingen, Texas to see the Iwo Jima memorial. It was quite an impressive sight to see. We found a great little Mexican restaurant called "el Gloria" today and had a delicious Mexican feast. We got home early today and enjoyed the camp ground where Charlie & Betsy are staying and played some Hand & Foot. So far, Charlie & Jan are the champs!
Thursday...Again, we walked over into Mexico. This was an unusual way to spend St. Valentine's Day. It was very windy today, thought we would just blow across the Rio Grande. We stopped at our favorite place, Arriba's, again for margarita's.
Friday...Today we left for McMahan, Texas to visit with George & Nancy Miller. They are spending the winter there doing work camping at Lake Falling Star RV Resort. It was about a 4 hour drive there. They took us to a quaint place for a bar-b-que dinner tonight. It was an old town meeting place. We all had sandwiches and then you stay and play games right there. We met so many friendly people, everyone there was so nice.
Saturday...It was George and Nancy's turn to be tour guides today. They took us through Lockhart, Texas and then on to Gruene, Texas (pronounced like 'green'). There we explored the town which has the oldest dance hall in Texas. We had lunch at a restaurant called the "Grist Mill Restaurant". It actually is an old grist mill. Our lunch was delicious and the atmosphere with all the fireplaces burning and overlooking a river was spectactular.
Sunday...The party's over. This week went so fast. Charlie & Betsy went back to their RV in Weslaco, and Jim & I headed to the airport for our trip back home. We had such a good time, again with great friends. photos
Click on the i in the middle of the picture to view the comments. The best way to view them is to do a slide show.
P.S. Regarding the steer head, what a riot! While putting the steer head through the x-ray machine at the airport, the lady scanning, said "dare I ask, it isn't often that I get to see teeth coming through here". We got a good laugh out of that. Anyway, we got home safe and sound along with our steer head that now adorns a spot on the fence in our backyard.
