Some of the sights about Del Rio

We started our visit just looking at some of the old buildings around town.

 

This is the Catholic Church called Sacred Heart. Old and beautiful.

 

The historic Methodist Church

The Court House.

These buildings are all part of the historic city square. Del Rio is also the county seat of Val Verde County. Del Rio is also one of the ports of entry  into Mexico is one cares to cross the border. We didn't do it but we brought our passports just in case we changed our mind.

 

This cool old building is the Whitehead Memorial Museum.

 

This place was deceiving. It looked really small but was actually about two and a half acres. 

The museum store was actually a mercantile store in its day. It was the only one between El Paso and San Antonio and Eagle Pass in 1871.

There was lots to see here.

 

I hope I get out to see it!

 

This is a replica of Judge Roy Beans saloon and court. He was the law "West of the Pecos"

 

The Judge dispensed his sentences in front of the bar and then you have beer. I can't wait for my time at the bar. Jail can make you plenty thirsty.

 

Bill found us a two seater to visit after my sentencing at the Judges Bar.

 

This Texas Star is made of Rattle Snake Tails.

 

The Southern Pacific Railroad came through the area. This 1945 caboose is an actual car we could walk through. Check out the bay window on the side. Very elaborate for the time. The car had two beds, a bathroom and sitting areas. The best seats were in the bay window area.

 

Getting ready to lasso dinner

 

Got him, my hero!

 

Texas actually has flown six different flags during its history. The museum had all six up on poles in the order the countries claimed it as theirs

It was a good day. It started out a little cloudy but by 1:00 the sun was out and a great day to be out.  

 

We also stopped by the ValVerde Winery. We took a short tour, then were able to try samples of the 13 wines they produce. The grapes they grow here are going to be budding soon and the harvest should be in by August. They also purchase grapes from growers in the area. 

 

It was established in 1883 and is still owned by the same family. Their red wines are produced in oak barrels and the white are in metal tanks.

 

Red wine barrels

 

Whites made in these. Waiting to be filled.

 

These old barrels made of wood held 450 or more gallons of red wine. They use the smaller barrels now because of the weight and inconsistencies in the taste of the wine made in such big batches.

In 2013 the vineyard began its second year of producing Olive Oil. They plan on carrying on that tradition for years. What a great holiday treat.

 

This made me chuckle! It was posted on a wall of the winery.  Think this may have happened?

Well one more day here in sunny Del Rio. Then off to Marathon. It is the big city we will stop at before we make our way to Big Bend. Sooooo excited . 

Alaska has the southeast pan handle...

What was used for the carburetor on the first Harley Davidson motorcycle?

Love you all!

Del Rio

 

This is a sunset at Broke Mill. 

This park is home for the next four nights. I need to catch up on some shopping and laundry. Work, work, work. 

 

Door on left is wash room, middle door is the fitness center, fully loaded with treadmill,weights, elliptical  machine and a couple of bikes. The third door is the game room, puzzles, and books as well as video library. Swimming pool around back. No heat yet there but as weather heats up, the cool water feels better anyway.

 

This clever bird feeder is a five gallon drum with PVC piping that brings the cracked corn to the birds. The PVC pipes are surrounded by barbed wire to keep out large birds and varmints.

 

We had our own blind with two chairs to sit and watch the vibrant red cardinals, the browner female cardinals, finches, and a lot of doves.

There were large black birds they were Ravens.

 

This is the Fiddlers Hall. 

Our first night there, a Thursday, the owner of the campground cooked for everyone.(His tradition, every Thursday) We had pork loin, fresh cornbread, pinto beans,and mashed potatoes with slices of pork in them. For dessert we were treated to wild berry cobbler and vanilla ice cream.  After dinner, the park staff entertained with music on the guitar, base and acoustic, electric piano, and Mike the owner, played the violin. It was so much fun. They played for two hours. We were back to the trailer by 9:00 pm. Gosh just like a couple of seniors.

Before we leave here we will visit the Amistad National Recreation Area, the town of Del Rio, the Val Verde Winery, and the Whitehead Memorial Museum, where Judge Roy Bean is buried.

Oh yes, The part of the world called land of the midnight sun is.......the Arctic.

I miss Michigan and all in it, but we have a bit more to see. Be well.

What State boasts of a southeast panhandle, Alaska, Florida or Oklahoma?

Off to Del Rio,Texas, A Border Entry Town into Mexico.

The  state of Texas is actually larger than all countries in Europe. And elephants are the only animals that can't jump. 

We left the state park after a very nice time. We saw lots, got exercise and enjoyed ourselves. We were anxious to move on and get closer to our primary destination, Big Bend National Park. 

Our  trip was going very well until about twelve miles from Ulvade, a town about one hour from our evening destination. We heard a  thunking sound and quickly pulled over.

 

 

This is the drivers side front tire on trailer 

This could really ruin your day. We called Good Sams Roadside service. The gal on the phone really handled the whole thing exceptionally well. She found a tire repair shop that came and changed our tire and we were on our way in about 1 1/2 hours.  We could have done it ourself but dang, we were on the side of the road, no shoulder, on a slant and the tire was on the highway side. This made me a little nervous. This is why we have road service, right.

 

Our old spare! (On the right)

While we were waiting  I found a spot to stay at overnight to do some tire shopping and the next day we became the proud owner of 4 new tires. We kept the best tire for a spare. We had just been talking about replacing the tires when we got back home.

Quail Spring was quite a nice park. Many of the residents spend the winter in Uvalde. There were plenty of Live Oak Trees and a very helpful staff. The Maintenance man whose name was Hooter took Bill in the morning to a shop in the area that had the size tires we needed. We spent another night and the next day we gathered up the new tires and continued on our way. 

 

The Park

 

Wonderful Live Oak Trees

 

Here comes my ride 

 

This is the first of the Border Patrol Stations we encounter along the way. We have seen them before in our travels. We have had to stop in the past but not this time. We were going in the wrong direction.

Next stop Del Rio.

What part of the world is known as the land of the midnight sun?

Stay tuned for the answer.

Last day in Palmetto State Park

A little bit of trivia,   What are the only animals that can't jump?

I think we tried to convince ourselves that we didn't want to go to the Shiner Beer Brewery. It was about  a 35 minute drive and the tour is at 1:30. We could get started breaking down the camper, relax, take another nap, or read. At 12:00 we were in the car discussing the beers we might sample. The park host  told us we would get four tokens each to taste some of the beer on tap that are brewed there.

 

The owners of the brewery brought over a German brewmaster to brew their beer. Shiner is actually the name of the family that donated land to move the town when the railroad came through.

 

Picnic area outside to sit and drink the samples

The tap room

 

Brewing Kettles

 

This chair was carved from a single tree and was placed in the brewery at the request of the brewmaster.

 

Robots move the empty and full kegs 

 

Ready to begin the journey 

 

A lone bottle making its way to the labeling machine

 

The labeler 

 

Filled, Labeled and placed into cases

 

From this point the bottles are bundled and wrapped and placed on trucks to be distributed. Cans and bottles are filled in this plant, which is state of the art. The tour was very informative and the gal that gave it was so entertaining. Seems like the employees are very happy here as is evident by the numbers who have been employed more than fifty years.

Gosh, the tour guide even gave us a few recipes to try using the Bohemian Beer in a chocolate cake with a beer drizzle that sounds yummy. 

Well, I hope you are all well. Love to all...God Bless America!

 

There is just something about San Antonio

I don't know what it is but I never get tired of this place. The sun is always out, the people are bustling about but are still moving in a relaxed manner as if there was nowhere else they needed to go. There are couples sitting around watching other people while enjoying a frosty beer, a Bloody Mary, or a sac of warm Chirros, a Mexican Pastry. We did a little shopping and had lunch. We sampled some craft beer from the area, fresh salsa, and two types of tacos. Delicious.

 

Mexican Village

 

Shoppers enjoying the market

 

So fun!

 

Artwork everywhere

 

Outdoor plaza

 

Yummy!

 

Mangos on a stick 

 

And the music played the entire afternoon. It was awesome!

Still Enjoying Palmetto State Park in Texas.

This has been such a nice park. The area has a few more places we want to visit before we leave. Each day the park fills up at night and empties during the next day as campers continue their trek to where ever they are going.  I have a few more pictures to share 

 . 

This building called the Refractory, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a group of young unemployed men during the depression. The program was instituted by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This building is used for meetings, ranger programs or just hanging out. The porch off the back has picnic tables and a pleasant view the San Marco River.

 

This low water area bridge connects the tenting area and the RV campground across the river.

 

Right now the water is almost over the bridge due to some rain.

 

Not much explanation needed here.

 

We stumbled across this wheel that has been here quite awhile for the tree to grow around it!

 

The vines in the area crawl up the trees and attach themselves and grow into the trees. They also create free vines thick enough and heavy enough to swing on. Just like Tarzan.

 

Papa thought he would give it a try!

 

The Vultures in the area are bigger than dogs.

 

 

They seem to gather each afternoon in the trees and on the pump house because the building warms up and the branches are in the sun.

 

A pretty shot of the marsh, Cypress Trees and the Dwarf Palmetto Palms

 Tomorrow I think we will head into San Antonio and wander around The Mexican Market. 

Hope you are all enjoying the nice weather we hear you are having.