Left the Gulf coast for the Lower Rio Grande Valley

 On Sunday,  we departed Mustang Island state park and the Gulf Coast and headed south to the Lower Rio Grande River Valley. This is the area of Mission or McAllen, TX. We are about 3 miles from the border. That blue squiggly line is the river/border.

 There is quite a bit of birding here, and butterflies as well. We are staying at our first (and one of only a very few) RV Parks as there are no good state or county parks in the area. The RV Park is called Americana Birding RV park and it is in Palm View TX. There are a LOT of RV parks in the area - lots of "winter Texans" as they call themselves. 

 The National Butterfly Center is just down the road,  and we were there for a bit today and will likely go back tomorrow. Right near the Bentsen RGV state park which we will also visit tomorrow.

Here are a few pictures from our last day at the Gulf and some from today. For those keeping track, we drove just under 200 miles on Sunday, into a strong headwind so were getting under 10mpg. First time for that. But gas here is $2.79 gallon so not as bad as it could be. The RV park here is $45/night (ouch!) for full hook ups. Bathroom is OK, water pressure is poor though. Cell service is good. There's a lot of Mexican food here, no surprise and most signs are in Spanish and English. Our next two camping places are primitive or dry camping meaning no hook ups at all -  no water, no electric. It will be the first use of our solar panel and we will have to get used to conserving power and water. 

 

Surfy Gulf

Ship leaving Port Aransas

Pelicans and other water birds at Leonabelle Turnbull Sanctuary

All White pelicans in back, all Dunlin in front. Great birding spot.

 

Big A** cactus! Mission, TX

Bouganvillia

The "We build the wall" illegal wall outside the National Butterfly center

 

Queen Butterfly

Altamira Oriole

Great Kiskadee

Green Jay