We left La Grange about 8:30 AM on Wednesday, having stopped to fill up with gasoline at a very slow pump, taking over 20 minutes to pump some 60 gallons of fuel.  We continued north on US Highway 77 to Rockdale, then northeast on US Highway 79 to Henderson, then northeast on Texas State Highway 43 to near Marshall, then US Highway 59 to near Texarkana, Texas, where we had originally planned to spend the night at the US Army Corps of Engineers Rocky Point Campground on Wright Patman Lake.  As it was still early and we were neither one fatigued, we opted to continue driving north on Interstate Highway 30 to Little Rock, arriving just before dark at US Army Corps of Engineers Maumelle Park on the Arkansas River.  Our total driving distance today was 493 miles, but it was an easy drive with only slight winds, light traffic, and fairly good roads.

After quickly setting up, we visited with Kay’s daughter and grandson, Karyn and Ridge, and had dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Maumelle, before returning to the motorhome for the evening.

I awoke last night with a terrible stomach ache, a rarity for me, and didn’t get back to sleep until about 5:00 AM and sleeping only another hour or so before getting up—is this a sign of things to come? We were ready to leave early enough this morning, but were welcomed with hearty goodbyes from the neighbors.  Gosh, it sure is hard to leave good friends!
We were on the road by 8:45 AM, our scheduled departure time.  Our route on Tuesday was east on US Highway 83 to Pharr, then north on US 281 to Falfurrias, east on Texas State Highway 285 to Riveria, then north on US Highway 77 to La Grange, a distance of 318 miles.  After about an hour, we were met with strong northerly headwinds, and dust so heavy at Falfurrias that we could barely see.  According to the National Weather Service, winds were 30+ miles per hour gusting to over 50 and continued for the next 250 miles, abating to about 10 miles per hour just south of Lagrange. Outside of La Grange was the famous Chicken Ranch, a brothel made famous when ZZ Top released its classic rock song “La Grange”.  Of course, La Grange was also the inspiration of the hit stage musical play in 1979, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, as well as the 1982 movie based on that play.  The Chicken Ranch was closed in 1973 largely through the efforts of the Houston television reporter, Marvin Zindler.
We parked for the night at Colorado Landing RV Park in La Grange on the banks of the Colorado River. We only hooked up the electricity, but the rates were still $34, and the wi-fi was terrible!  We have stayed there several times, but will have to rethink it on our next trip.
Dinner was at Frank’s Restaurant in Schulenburg. Schulenburg is home to descendants of German, Austrian and Czechoslovakian settlers who remained in the area because the rolling hills and forests reminded them of their homeland.  The area still shows evidence of their culture. Local bakeries are noted for their kolaches. Other immigrants of Jewish descent also made Schulenburg their home and many of them became merchants. I digress.  Frank’s is a delightful 4 out of 5 star eatery, and everything is great.  We particularly like the sausage, kraut, and German potato salad dinner which is served everyday.  Frank’s has been in the same family for 84 years, and we highly recommend it.

Today is our last full day in the RGV this season.

Our first order of business this morning was to reserve our site for next year.  Reservations are done on a schedule whereby those reserving for 6 months have first choice, those reserving for 5 months second choice, those reserving for 4 months third choice, etc.  For less than 3 months, there are no guarantees!  For us, it was simple enough, and we have the same site as this year—and it is one that we really like.  We have great neighbors; we’re relatively close to the laundry, swimming pool, and hot tub; and the sun is at our back during mid-day and on the driver side in the late afternoon, meaning that we have shade on our patio most of the day, even without the awning being deployed.

We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch, but had forgotten it was closed on Mondays.  We drove to a Mexican café near the US Post Office in Mission recommended by Bill and Dee Alexander (neighbors at BPVRV Resort) and were pleasantly surprised at how great the food was—now our new favorite.

Packing has proved to be relatively easy, and as of late afternoon, everything has been stowed, the tow bar has been installed, and the bicycle rack and bicycles have been mounted. We even dumped the black and gray tanks so all that is left for tomorrow morning is to undo the water hose and electrical cord, and retract the slides and jacks.

Leaving the RGV for the season is a mixed bag for us as we are anxious to get home to see kids and grandkids, and spend some time at our house, but will miss our friends in the Valley, the warm climate, the myriad of birds and butterflies, and the easy bicycling. We said our goodbyes at the palapa during happy hour, and are already looking forward to seeing folks again next season.  This was a great winter as we deepened many great friendships.

We played Court Whist at the clubhouse, and my string of bad cards continued, though I did not come in last. During the course of the game, the resort manager, Juanita, came in and announced that Richard Parker had been fired.  Richard Parker was hired to be general manager of the entire Rhodes Real Estate Development in Mission, and proposed selling RV sites at Bentsen Palm Village RV Resort at very steep prices.  His style, at least as it appeared to us, was one of arrogance and attempted intimidation.  It was rumored that no lots were sold and the number of returning BPBRV Resort residents was down considerably—enough said.  Anyway, it was a good note upon which to end the night.

We debated as to whether to go to the 9:00 AM church or go to breakfast with the BPVRV Resort bunch, and opted to go the 9:00 AM church service. Pastor Bill Duke preached another good sermon, and because this is the first Sunday of the month, we participated in Communion, one of my favorite church activities since I feel closer to God during this ceremony than just about any other time.

After church, we hurried to McDonalds for a Weight Watchers approved Egg McMuffin, and then drove to Costco’s for some last minute items to bring home to Arkansas.

Back at BPVRV Resort, we had several choices:  RGV Borderfest, dancing at the Riverside Club, dancing at Crazy Joe’s, playing bridge, or doing nothing—we chose playing bridge with Al and Sharon and enjoyed a nice breeze as we played in the palapa.  As has been the case the last several weeks, I was dealt really bad hands, and didn’t even make the most of what was dealt, coming in dead last for the umpteenth time.

After bridge, other neighbors began gathering in the palapa for happy hour, and we had a full house with several discussions going on simultaneously.  Generally, there will be a couple groups of women and a couple groups of men each talking about something different.

We watched television this evening, winding down our season in the RGV.  Tomorrow, high temperatures are forecast to be near 90 degrees, so we’ll enjoy the pool and spa one last time.

Finally, I’ve begun packing, and it’s not near the chore it appeared to be.  The most difficult part is finding a space for everything, including Christmas presents brought back from Arkansas over the holidays, and things we acquired while down here in the Rio Grande Valley.  Kay and I spent a portion of this morning packing the outdoor chairs and tables back into the motorhome, taking down the outdoor lights and packing them away, unhooking the grill and portable propane tank and stowing them, and rearranging a few other compartments.

We completely forgot about card bingo tonight, and only noticed it as we drove back into the resort from Cracker Barrel where we enjoyed regular food and Southern-style VEGETABLES.

We are definitely winding down, readying for our Tuesday morning departure.

Seems like it was Christmas just yesterday, and now it is March 1; where has the time gone?

We are trying to get in a few remaining activities and spend time with resort neighbors before departing early next week.  Today, after a slow morning, we met at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Pharr, Texas, for lunch with Wayne, Bessie, Al, Sharon, Chuck, and Sue.  The seafood at Pappadeaux is really good, and has a significant Louisiana influence.

We left Pappadeaux and drove to Costco for an item or two, and then back to the resort for pool and spa time.

It appears that all we did today was eat, or at least be where there was food.  This evening we joined a couple of dozen friends for ribs at a local barbecue joint considered a favorite of Winter Texans.  Kay and I shared a plate, and after living in Memphis and Little Rock, and even our own KT’s Smokehouse BBQ and Catering (about the best ribs anywhere), and eaten real pork ribs, we were not impressed.  But, as they say, we’ve now been there and done that.

There was no entertainment tonight—it’s all over for the season—allowing us to spend a quiet Friday evening at “home”.

Here are some photos from our resort barbeque and dance last Saturday.  These were taken by various people and are from them or Facebook.

It’s Thursday—that means it’s birding day. I rode with neighbor Lorna to Santa Ana NWR, our last birding trip of the year, and perhaps for all times since Jerry and Karen Smith have bought a winter place here in the Valley.

It was an interesting commute; just outside the entrance to BPVRV Resort . We were met with a speeding Border Patrol vehicle, which turned around and passed us as if we were sitting still. With lights flashing, another 11 city, county, state, and Border Patrol enforcement agents passed us; we never discovered the reason. As we neared Santa Ana NWR, we saw eight illegal aliens leave a cornfield and jump into the Tahoe, which then sped away. It was definitely an orchestrated event, as we suspect are most illegal entrances into the US in this area. Quite interesting!

There were 24 birders this morning (Jim & Ruth Alexander, Marie Burke, Elton & Donna Combs, Donald Dunn, Dottie Farrer, Lou & Jan Frase, Aileen Garvin, Lorna Graham, John & Romola Laninga, John & Donna MacNeil, Dave & Marcia Marsh, Ernie & Karen Martelle, Steve & Suzette Mazur, Pat Riek, Jerry & Karen Smith), and before we began, Lorna presented Jerry and Karen with a thank you card and $200 in cash as a token of our appreciation. Truth be known, it’s much too little for the time and expenses they incur, but for them it is a labor of love. We had a great day today, ending with 71 species. 

We did karaoke tonight at the palapa, and it was fun.

Just for fun I’m including a list of the birds we identified today.

Ducks & Geese:   Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mottled Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck

Chachalacas: Plain Chachalaca

Grebes: Least Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe

Cormorants: Neotropic Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant

Herons, Egrets & Ibises: Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, White-faced Ibis

New World Vultures: Turkey Vulture

Kites, Eagles, Hawks & Falcons: Northern Harrier, Harris’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Crested Caracara, American Kestrel

Rails, Coots & Allies: Common Gallinule, American Coot

Plovers, Sandpipers & Phalaropes: Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs

Mockingbirds: Northern Mockingbird

Starlings: European Starling

Wood-Warblers: Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, (Myrtle) Common Yellowthroat

Sparrows: Olive Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow

Cardinals:   Northern Cardinal

Blackbirds & Allies: Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle

Old World Sparrows: House Sparrow

Plovers, Sandpipers & Phalaropes:  Spotted Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher

Pigeons & Doves: Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove

Owls: Great Horned Owl

Kingfishers: Belted Kingfisher, Green Kingfisher

Woodpeckers: Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Tyrant Flycatchers: Eastern Phoebe, Great Kiskidee, Tropical Kingbird

Shrikes:   Loggerhead Shrike

Vireos: White-eyed Vireo

Jays & Crows: Green Jay

Swallows: N. Rough-winged Swallow, Cave Swallow

Titmice: Black-crested Titmouse

Wrens: Carolina Wren, Marsh Wren

Kinglets: Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Gnatcatchers: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Our pace has once again quickened, as we are trying to get in as many activities as we can here in the Valley.

After completing some household chores, Chuck, Van, and I went on a long bicycle ride, the first along the road runner trail, then to Anzalduas Park, and back to BPVRV Resort, the total distance of about 18 miles. The first 10 miles was easy riding, as the wind was either nonexistent, or blowing at our backs.  The last 8 miles, however, were a struggle, though Van and I pedaled well over 15 miles per hour trying to catch Chuck.  Chuck, at 70 years old, rode us into the ground, and we’ll all pay for it the next day or two. It is truly a joy to ride with these two guys, as the conversation is always pleasant, and our riding ability is about equal.

(Added) Despite the wind, I visited the National Butterfly Center, perhaps for the last time this season, and was rewarded with a few photos of butterflies and a bird or two.  There are different butterflies each time I go there, but with the wind, it was difficult to photograph them as they would flit rather than sit! The first photo is a Giant Swallowtail I’ve been trying to photograph for over a week now, and all I got is the a fleeting glimpse.  The last photo is a Clay-colored Thrush, a member of the Robin family.

In the evening we joined next-door neighbors, Paul and Laura, for dinner at one of their favorite restaurants, Republic of the Rio Grande. This restaurant is a steakhouse, and the food is very, very good. Despite our arguing, Paul bought our dinner as a thank you for my assisting Lorna with some computer/photography issues.

Upon returning to the motorhome, we played a late bridge game with Al and Sharon. As has been the case the last several evenings, I came in last. The cards just have not been falling the right way.

The wind has abated, and the weather is spectacular, though a little bit chilly in the morning with temperatures in the low 50s.

The highlight of the day was a birding trip to Salaneno with Jerry and Karen Smith. Salome know is located on the Rio Grande River just south of Falcon Lake.  This is west and slightly north of us, about 45 miles. Last year, birding was spectacular as Salome know; bird feeding stations have been established in a clearing, and otherwise densely vegetated area, complete with chairs and places to stand with camera and tripod. However, new owners of the property became concerned about liability issues because the area is so close to the border, and closed it down. Now, feeding is done along the narrow path/trail near the Rio Grande River, on US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge property. It is much more difficult to photograph birds in the new location, and they are not as plentiful. We were, however, able to see both the Altamira and Audubon Orioles (the Audubon Oriole was too elusive to photograph), as well as a number of other species (Long-billed Thrasher, Olive Sparrow are shown in the photographs) we had seen previously at other locations. On our return to BPVRV Resort, we spotted a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on a power line adjacent to the highway, my first for the year. Birds of this species frequent Quarry Park just below Norfork Dam.

Tonight, we played our last bridge in the clubhouse for the season, but hopefully we’ll get in a game or two with Al and Sharon before we depart for home next week.

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We effectively begin our last week tomorrow, and are dragging our feet and making preparations to leave. This has been an incredibly great winter for us, but has gone by entirely too fast. We are immensely enjoying the weather, except for the wind; gusts of over 50 miles per hour occurred today. As a consequence, there was little outdoor activity, allowing us to slow down.  Jerry Smith dropped by late this afternoon and invited me to tag along with Karen and him to Salaneno for some birdwatching; specifically, we would target the Hooded Oriole, a bird I did not have on this year’s list, though the photo shows one we saw last year.

This being Monday, we did play Court Whist this evening. This is a game that I immensely enjoy, though. Kay much prefers bridge.