STOP "A" ON THE TRAVEL MAP (PART 2)
Tuesday 10/27/15
We arrived in Mercedes, Texas at the Llano Grande Resort for a 5-month stay working 25 hours a week (between the two of us) as tour directors. The resort caters to Winter Texans from all over the US and Canada. There is over 2,000 sites, 3 swimming pools (2 hot tubs), activity center, event center, fitness center, wood shop, sewing room, art center, pool hall, dog park, card room, shuffleboard, tennis and pickleball courts, 18-hole golf course, restaurant and bar, and so much more. Check them out at http://llanogranderesort.com/. We had the best time learning about the history of the area as well as what there is to do. We took in reservations for 50 different tours (some through local tour companies) and had our last tour on March 29th (one of six trips to the zoo for a behind the scenes look). 875 people went on one of the tours, bringing in $17,500 for the organizations. The types of tours we arranged included educational/historical, nature (state parks), holiday, performing arts, water-based (dolphin watches, cruising the Rio Grande, dinner cruises, etc.), 1-day bus trips to nearby cities and even 3 and 4-day trips. Judi Roy is a Canadian who comes down for the winter each year. She organizes outings for those aged 90+ and for the adults who are less mobile. She was a big help to us and kept us in line. Thank you Judi.
In addition to doing the tours, Joe volunteered as the Pickleball instructor and held classes at least twice a week. He organized game time for the different skill levels in a way that everyone had a chance to improve on their game. The resort has 4 courts. He is now a USAPA Ambassador.
We made so many friends and enjoyed every minute while we were there. It was bittersweet leaving, but the memories we made will last our lifetimes. And, who knows, maybe we will return one day.
Saturday 11/7/15
We drove an hour east for a free fish and chips lunch at the Sea Ranch Restaurant in South Padre Island and then on a boat tour of the Port of Brownsville (known as “The Original Dolphin Watch” tour.) We saw lots of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins on the way to the port. The port is known for stripping decommissioned aircraft carriers, but does not allow for photo taking. Spent night at the Schlitterbahn Beach Resort, which is also a water park.
Wednesday 11/11/15
We drove 20 minutes east to Harlingen for a free Segway tour around the town. There are many murals on buildings depicting the history of the town.
Friday – Sunday (11/13/15-11/15/15)
I left Joe at home and joined a bus load of other women for a free trip to San Antonio. Here is what I did:
- Visited Market Square, ate lunch at Mi Terra, and did wine tasting at Fiesta Winery (right there in the square).
- Visited the Mission San Jose and watched a video entitled “Gente de Razon” which tells of the native people of the 18th century south Texas, their role in colonizing New Spain, and the results of entering the Spanish Missions.
- Enjoyed the view of San Antonio from the observation deck of the Tower of the Americas.
- Experienced an evening at the Alamo; an after-hour tour by an Alamo historian.
- Ate dinner at the Liberty Bar in the restored Benedictine convent in the historic King William District. They make their own breads, and make their own desserts and ice-cream.
- Had breakfast at Bakery Lorraine at the Pearl District and then walked the neighborhood admiring all the old homes built in the 1880’s.
- Toured the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
- Ate lunch at Augie’s Barbed Wire BBQ Restaurant in the heart of San Antonio. They offer true Texas pit smoked BBQ along with homemade sides.
- Went to the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit at the Witte Museum.
- Enjoyed the Diwali Festival of Lights; one of the most celebrated Indian festivals which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. (India celebration)
- Took a dinner cruise on the San Antonio River barge along the river walk.
- Watched “San Antonio The SAGA”; a 7,000 sq ft projection with custom choreographed music in surround sound that narrated the history, settlement and development of San Antonio. It’s projected on the façade of historic San Fernando Cathedral.
- Enjoyed breakfast at the Guenther House in the King William district and then walked the neighborhood.
- Shopped for a few hours at Traders Village; a large swap meet.
Sunday 11/22/15
We walked over the International Bridge into Progreso, Mexico and spent an hour looking for a great deal. Lots of deals to be had, but no room in the 5th wheel for anything we want.
Wednesday 12/2/15 (and also on 1/14; 1/21; 2/4; 2/9; 3/3 & 3/29/16)
“Behind the Scenes” tour at the Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, which included continental breakfast, tour, interaction with some animals, and 3-course lunch with more animal interactions.
Saturday 12/5/15 (and also on 1/30/16)
Mariachi Concert at the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg.
Wednesday 12/9/15
Winter Wonderland at the Waterford Gardens Assisted Living home - Enjoyed a chili dinner and strolled outside taking in all the holiday lights on the grounds.
Wednesday 12/23/15
Holiday Village in Brownsville – Holiday themed miniature cottages representing what goes on at the South Pole.
Wednesday 12/30/15
Basilica of our Lady of San Juan del Valle Tour – One of the nuns gave our group a tour of the basilica. I enjoyed the holiday decorations and learning of the history of the church.
Monday 1/11/16 (and then on 3/14/16)
Hilltop Gardens Tour – The gardens are tropical and includes an organic farm first planted with aloe in 1939. There is a sensory walk, a healing garden, a memorial aloe garden, and a children’s garden. Paul gave us all a 2-hour detailed tour giving us the history of aloe in the United States.
Wednesday 1/13/16 (and also on 2/10/16)
Estero Llano Grande Electric Tram Ride – We enjoyed a 2-hour ride in the state park to most areas to see the birds, butterflies, dragonflies, alligators, frogs and more as well as the lakes, and the wonderful array of trees and shrubs that grow in the park. The state park is right next to our RV park.
Friday 1/15/16
Dolphin Watch Eco Tour from South Padre Island – They dragged a net along the bottom of the gulf and brought up some live sea specimens to speak to us about. There were plenty of Bottlenose Dolphins following the boat, just for fun.
Friday 2/5/16
Aloe King Farm – Enjoyed a wagon ride and history tour through the aloe farm and then lunch at the La Palapa Restaurant on the farm.
Monday 2/15/16
Aransas Queen Gambling Cruise and Buffet – We took a bus trip to Port Aransas for the gambling cruise. Joe and I provided the bus entertainment, including game prizes and raffle items. Everyone enjoyed the bus ride, but the majority of us got sick on the boat due to the high winds which caused a lot of rocking and rolling. For those that didn’t get sick, there were quite a few winners who were very happy with the trip and asked for us to do another one. I don’t think so.
Friday – Saturday (2/19 & 2/20/16)
Shrimp Boil & Tour with the TX Gulf Trawling in Brownsville – We visited one of the largest shrimp operations in the Gulf and toured a shrimp boat at the docking facility. We learned the difference between domestic and wild caught shrimp and imported farm raised shrimp. Joe won the fish peeling contest, which gave us a free peeler and some shrimp!
Saturday 2/20/16
Pioneer and Ranching Craft Day Festival at the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg.
Thursday 2/25/16
Sabal Palm Bird Walk & Plantation Tour - Enjoyed an hour and a half bird walk at the sanctuary and then a 30 minute tour of the historic Rabb Plantation.
Sunday 3/13/16
Southern Wave Sailing & Dinner Cruise out of South Padre Island - Dinner included a grilled shrimp appetizer; beef, chicken & fish fajitas; fruit; and water and soda. The cruise hugged the coastline of the island.
