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Sunday, February 22, 2009

The Rio Grande Valley--A Last Impression

This is our last day in Harlingen and the Rio Grande Valley.  We have been here for three weeks and have developed an opinion about the area.  I want to share with you what we found, but of course, our opinions will be biased based on our personalities, needs and style of travel.  So I think I want to do this in three parts—pros and cons based on our observations and conversations with others, our opinion of the area based on our travel style, and a comparison to what we have seen in Summerdale, AL, Livingston, TX, and Corpus Christi.

One of our goals for this winter has been to survey some of the areas which attract “snowbirds”—Northerners trying to escape the harsh winter weather.  South Texas is a popular “snowbird roost” for very good reasons.  You can get far enough south in Texas to be pretty much guaranteed no freezing temperatures.  That is not to say it won’t get cold from time to time, but still the coldest nights are almost never below 30. Our nights have been generally in the 50s and 60s for the month of February.  Last night was the lowest at 43.  The daytime temperatures are very pleasant 70s and 80s.  A couple days last week was in the 90s.  For birders, the Rio Grande Valley is world class.  There are about 6 large birding areas (refuges, sanctuaries, etc) for the enjoyment of the birding enthusiasts.  Deep sea fishing is also handy in the Gulf as well as along the inter-coastal waterway between Padre Island and the mainland.  For shopping, there is a small outlet mall about 10 miles west of Harlingen on Highway 83 and we certainly wouldn’t want to omit the bargains available at both Don-Wes flea market and Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.  Speaking of Mexico, many go there for discounted dental work and prescription drugs.  Besides the warm weather, perhaps the biggest advantage of South Texas is the low prices for goods and services.  Of those we have talked to, they all agree, this is the cheapest place (of Florida, Arizona, California) to spend the winter.  The RGV is a very economically depressed area and the winter Texans (snowbirds) pump a tremendous amount of money into the local economy.  The permanent residents and business owners recognize this and are delighted to have us here.  It seems to be a very friendly place to be.  The primary disadvantage is the constant wind.  A “no wind” day seems to be about 10 mph.  We have had several days with winds of 20-25 with gusts up to 35.  It’s brutal.  Many owners of rigs with slide-out covers have taken precautions to keep those awnings stable.  There are a few large awnings out, but they are well secured to the ground and have additional cross supports installed.  Having said that about the wind, let me hasten to add that this same wind keeps the bugs away.  It’s blown them all over to Florida, I guess.

As far as we are concerned, we have not been too enthusiastic about the RGV.  Our biggest complaint is the wind, as you might imagine.  Some days it really gets on my nerves.  That wind is also blowing the top soil around and other trash (like plastic grocery bags) which eventually ends up in the trees, fences, and just about everywhere.  Generally, we find the area somewhat dirty.  Because it is an economically depressed area, many buildings look run down and in various states of disrepair.  We are not birders, fishermen, nor shoppers.  We like to hike, visit museums and historic buildings, and tour National Parks none of which are in the Rio Grande Valley with the exception of Palo Alto Battlefield.

Tropic Winds RV Resort compares favorably with Ransom Rd just north of Corpus Christi.  Ransom Rd was much smaller with only about 50 sites compared to the over 500 here, but much the same in size and degree of maintenance.  These sites are not as large as those in Summerdale, AL (Gulf Shores) but here (and at Ransom Rd) there is a concrete patio area.  Summerdale and Livingston, TX will get cold in winter, but they enjoy more warm than cold.  I liked the beach at Gulf Shores better than the beaches here or at Corpus Christi.  So far, my choice for a winter roost (if I really wanted one) would be Corpus Christi.

Although, we wanted to scout out south Texas with an eye on a place to spend winters, we are not yet ready to park for the season.  We are still in “travel mode” and what to see what we can in an area then move on.  Most of the winter Texans are here for 3 or 4 months and they come here every year.  They have made friends with others over the years and are perfectly content to stay within the campground for that length of time.  This campground, as does many in the RVG, provides many activities for the residents from ice cream social, live entertainment, craft classes, to weekly meals.  If your primary goal is to spend the winter where it is warm, this is a very good place if you don’t mind the wind.

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