The theme of this year's trip is cold-It's much colder than normal, and a head cold has dominated the past few days

I have a bit of catching up to do.  Last I left you, I was in a hotel room with a cold.  I stayed in that hotel room for three days.  Not really how I planned to spend my vacation, but there you go.  It was also chilly (for South Texas) rainy, and gray, so with a cold smacking me about, I really didn't want to go outside.  

The comped hotel room suite ended up being a huge benefit since I had a little room to spread out in my misery.  Steve went out birding a few times, but wasn't very lucky.  I lost a few brain cells to mindless TV.

But, we had to check out on Sunday January 4, so I threw back some Dayquil and we were on our way.

Jake the Dog!  And State Troopers

I-2/Hwy 83 on a Sunday morning is a whole different thing than on weekdays!  We made good time, but after Mission, TX we started noticing a plethora of cop cars. City, County, State, plus Border Patrol.  Many of them were hanging out in huddles of three or four cars, but plenty were on the sides of the highway, waiting to pounce.  There was no speeding on that highway.

We were headed for Salineno, TX.  There is a birding area there on land owned by the Valley Land Fund.  It was given to them with the (not in writing) understanding that the bird feeding would continue.  Not in writing is a bad thing.  A couple of years ago the VLF got cold feet about liability and shut it down.  They got such bad press that they have allowed it to re-open again under an agreement with US Fish and Wildlife (I think).  All the birders are thrilled it is reopened, and good for them that they recognized the error of their ways :-)

It's a prime spot for Altimira, Hooded, and Audobon's Orioles.  It's where we saw the Brown Jay a few years ago.  The volunteers who man the place regularly put out seed, fruit, and peanut butter mix and there is a nice seating area.  Best of all, there's Jake the Dog!

Jake is a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog owned by one of the volunteers.  We've met them several times, and Jake is the sweetest, most good-natured dog I have ever met.  I would like a Jake.  Jake is the offical greeter and the minute he hears doors slamming out in the parking area his ears perk up and he heads out to greet them.

Salineno is right on the Rio Grande.  I went down to the river to spot an Osprey and a Great Blue Heron.

Warning!  and, Don't Mind Us Javelinas

Eventually things slowed so we headed on to Falcon Lake State Park.  Usually this is one of my favorite places on the trip, but it just didn't work out all that well this time around.  It was cold, windy, and nothing was blooming.  The butterfly garden I liked to visit produced exactly one butterfly when we pulled up, and then nothing more.  There isn't currently a bird feeding program, and the rec center wasn't open on Sundays.

We saw a few pyrrhuloxia, a couple of roadrunners, and this pack of javelinas crossing the road.

There were quite a few out of sight on both sides of the road.  In this picture, if you look very carefully, you can see two tiny baby javelinas:

Before my brother Dan asks "What's a Pyrrhuloxia?"   Here's a link:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhuloxia

Eventually I dropped Steve at one end of a trail and drove around to the boat launch other end of the trail to wait for him.   The warning sign of the day was this one at the head of the boat launch:

This isn't just a knee jerk warning.  Falcon Lake is a dammed lake on the Rio Grande and you could easily venture into Mexican waters. This was put up after a few incidents on the lake, including the death of a jet skier several years ago.  A couple had taken out jet skies and crossed over into Mexico to take pictures of the ruins of a church under water.  They were not supposed to be there.  The theory is that they were mistaken for spies of a rival drug cartel, and cartel members shot and killed the husband.  His body has never been recovered.   This crime took place in Mexico, so any investigation and arrest is their responsibility.  Two years later there was an arrest, but I wasn't able to find any more current updates.

I wasn't worried as I did not have a boat.

We Hang Out Near/In Libraries a Lot - More importantly so does a Vermillion FlyCatcher

One of the birds we often see at Falcon Lake is the Vermillion Flycatcher.  We had no such luck on Sunday so we headed out and up to Zapata where there is a Vermillion Flycatcher that likes to hang out in the park next to the library.  We pulled up, and there was one right away, and soon two.  I left Steve there and headed over to fill up the car and pick up some tacos and enchiladas at The Taco Company at the Valero/Stripes station.  Is it bad that I really like The Taco Company?

http://www.stripesstores.com/laredo-taco-company/about-laredo-taco-company.cms

So Steve chased birds, we ate lunch at the picnic table, and I read a book.  A truck pulled up and out spilled 5 little kids who immediately started running and I swear to you leaping for joy as they headed to the swings.  What fun to see such unbridled excitement for such a simple thing.  Eventually a couple of families were gathered to have a barbecue.

A Night in Rio Grande City and Christmas Lights in Cemeteries 

We debated where to stay as we wanted to be at Salineno early in the morning and there is no (let me repeat, NO) place to stay there or nearby.  We decided that Rio Grande City was the closer option, so headed back down the highway.

I've noted before that down here all the cemeteries are elaborately decorated at Christmas time (and may be at others times of year as far as I know).  As we drove up this morning, we saw several people putting more flowers and decorations out.  And driving back in the evening, we saw that many graves had been decorated with Christmas lights, even twinkling ones!

We knew the Holiday Inn Express there so pulled in and got a room.  We didn't feel like going out to eat, and weren't particularly hungry after our late meal from The Taco Company, and I said I would be fine with a bag of chips.  Steve asked what kind, and I said BBQ.   He headed out.  There was a gas station/convenience store right in front of the hotel so I thought he would be back in five minutes.  Time stretched.  Eventually he returned.  He had gone to three places to find BBQ Chips!  What a man.

Happy New Year! Here's your cold.

Truly nothing meandering to report today.  I started the New Year with a cold.  Nothing more fun than being on vacation, in a hotel, when you feel crummy :-(

We are clearly the most exciting couple in the world

You can tell because we spent New Year's Eve in a library.  The McAllen Public Library to be exact.  Another rainy and chilly day here, and when you are mostly planning outdoor vacation activities you have to improvise when the weather doesn't cooperate.

We had been to the library here before, and it's a great one.  The outstanding feature is that it is a building that used to be a Wal-Mart.  Here's an article:  http://nbclatino.com/2012/07/13/walmart-transformed-into-library-unites-a-community/

But it really is a great public space.  Not only have we seen for ourselves that it is well-used, we spoke with some local people who confirmed that.  It's also beautifully landscaped.  Tons of study rooms, a huge computer room, a quiet study area, and books, lots of books.

Steve found a place for me to sit that was just two stacks from the Travel Guide section.  Coincidence?  I don't think so!  I managed to do a little travel planning while there.

Out for dinner on New Year's Eve

We didn't eat breakfast or lunch, so we were hungry early.  We thought about 4 at a Texas Roadhoues woudn't be crowded at all.  We were wrong!  But we managed to get in and have a meal, and enjoyed being by far the youngest people in our section.  Winter Texans were the predominant crowd.

And that's it.  Back to the room where Steve is watching a Walking Dead marathon and I'm continuing some travel planning.

When Room Upgrades Count

It's all relative of course, but it is rainy and chilly here in South Texas (46 right now).  This beats 3 F at home, but it does mean that there is no birding, butterflying, or golfing to be done.

Luckily, when we arrived here we had been upgraded to a suite and this was waiting for us:

So I didn't meander at all yesterday.  I did laundry, read a book, and worked on a quilt square:

It was all made more comfortable by being in a suite.  Lots of room to spread out.

Unfortunately, it looks like a few more days of this :-(

Warning signs of Texas

We have a running joke in my family about warning signs I encounter in Texas (Hint, there are a LOT of them).  I'm also prone to mishaps on vacation, usually minor (well, except the time I fractured four vertebrae falling off a runaway horse when we were in Belize).

This was the only warning sign I encountered yesterday.

It was not at all helpful when, while innocently sitting at a butterfly feeding station, something came up and stung me on the wrist!  Dammit Texas!

Since this was not the first time we had been stung or bitten by Texas inhabitants, we had Sting-Eze in the car, and once applied I merrily went on my way.

We were at Estero Llano Grande State Park.  It was a gray, chilly day so not a lot of activity.  Steve had nice views of the Green Kingfisher.  I had some nice looks at the buff-bellied hummingbird.  Unfortunately only two American Lady butterflies, and no Pavon Emperor to be found. 

http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/estero-llano-grande

Dinner with Virtual Acquaintenaces Made Real

Over the years of going to the Rio Grande Valley I had received some travel advice on a travel board from a poster who lives here in McAllen, TX.  They generously asked us over for drinks last night and took us out to dinner.  We enjoyed playing with Kelly Ripa, their new rescue pup (sort of a Chihuahua/Terrier mix of some sort) and we enjoyed the conversation.

Dinner was good at Koko's, and they seemed to know everyone in town!

 http://kokosuptown.com

Camo is the new black, and a visit to the Edinburg Wetlands

Camo is the new black

Okay, so I know camo is fashionable, but at this hotel, it seems to almost be required.  I don't know anything about hunting, but there has to be something hunting-related nearby, because I have never seen so many people wearing camo in my life. Camo with leggings and cowboy boots, camo overalls with camo long sleeved shirt, camo gaiters.  

Edinburg Wetlands

Steve spent a little more time at the Brooks County rest stop chasing the Painted Redstart, then about noon we hit the road again.  This time we were headed for the Edinburg Wetlands, a World Birding Center.   For me it is also a good butterflying location. 

The Admission sign at the entrance listed that over 55 you get senior rates.  Woo hoo (for Steve anyway) but we didn't get to take advantage because apparently the last Saturday of every month is Spectacular Saturday and admission is free.  Double Woo Hoo!

The bird sighting listed a black throated gray warbler, so Steve went off to chase that.  I chased butterflies, and got lucky enough to watch a ceranus blue with its wings open for quite awhile.  I spotted the green kingfisher and was able to take a picture.  A beautiful buff-bellied hummingbird made lots of appearances.  Possibly not an exciting day for everyone, but a nice relaxing day for us.

http://www.edinburgwbc.org

Unfortunately the clouds were rolling in in front of the cold front that was on its way and butterfly activity slowed early.  Steve got the black-throated gray, and we decided to get on our way a little after 4 to head to Harlingen, where the best-laid plans of mice and men were thwarted.

Rainy and cold

Even in South Texas it happens.  We were using a free night from Marriott to stay at a Courtyard in Harlingen, the closest Marriott property to where we thought we wanted to be on Sunday.  And that was to be South Padre Island so I could go on Dolphin Watches and we could chase birds and butterflies in that neck of the woods.

Unfortunately a cold front has swept in and it is cold and rainy.  No birding or dolphin watches today, so we are going to see the last Hobbit movie today.  Always have a backup plan!

I'm meandering again.

We spent the first offical day of vacation at a rest stop.  The Brooks County, TX rest stop outside Falfurrias to be exact.

This isn't just any rest stop though (for one thing, there might be snakes!)

You might be asking yourself why we spent all day at a rest stop?  A Painted Redstart, that's why.  We don't get this bird where we live, and the only other option for us to see it is to go to Arizona.  We had seen it there, but not particularly good looks. There had been reports for months that this bird was hanging out here, so on our way down to the Rio Grande Valley we hoped to see it, and we did.  

In fact, there were quite a few birds--bluebirds, the painted redstart, the Audobon yellow rump, yellow throat, golden-fronted woodpecker, caroline wrens, and more.  It was a beautiful, warm day, and Steve chased birds and took video, and when I tired of that I sat at a picnic table and drew.

I also opened up my Christmas morning Crackerjacks and found this as my "surprise"

Naturally I posted it to Facebook to rib a few friends who are Royals fans.

Driving to the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day found us driving to Texas.  The first night we made it to Pauls Valley OK and luckily Santa found us the next morning and brought us stockings.

We drove the rest of the way to Falfurrias on Christmas Day.  I had established a TXTag account earlier in the month so we could use TX Tollways at a cheaper cost, and just drive through.  We took the 130 around Austin all the way to Seguin.  It was great to go 80 then 85 legally!  That last stretch though had really wavy pavement.  It was like being on a boat without the benefits of blue water and dolphins, and at 85 mph you really felt it.

Christmas Night

After a brief stop at the rest area, we checked into our hotel and went in search of food.  There was none to be found.  The ONLY place in town that had food was the Stripes at the gas station.  It was surprisingly good Mexican and the lineup was practically out the door.  The other thing we found in Falfurrias was Game Rooms.  The only places open (besides gas stations) as we drove around on Christmas night were these Game Rooms.  We asked the desk clerk on our return what they were, and apparently Falfurrias is the only place for miles around that have slot machines.  These Game Rooms were packed!  Gambling away the Christmas money I guess.

The Breakfast Room

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express two nights.  The breakfast room is a great place to people watch, no kidding.

A conversation between two young women the day after Christmas:  Did you have a good Christmas? Yes, we went hunting (she's wearing camo pjs).

And PJs are apparently de riguer now.  In addition to the young woman in camo pjs and slippers, a woman in black silk pj pants and short robe made her appearance.

This morning was a little more boring in comparison, although camo jackets, leggings and cowboy boots did make an appearance (yes, all worn by the same person).