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RE: Winter-ing the RGV?
...... I'm certain that the "flaming" from the RGV residents will start after my comments, but I'm a firm believer in giving people BOTH sides of the RGV story, not just the "Chamber of Commerce" version. I wish that someone had given me the "bad and the ugly" before I went down there, but all I got was the "good", and I was sorely disappointed.
After our 7th season in the Rio Grande Valley (Mission Area) I respectfully disagree.
The mid & upper Valley has the best winter weather in all of Texas and better than most snowbird areas except deep south Florida maybe. There is so much to see & do, flea markets, farmers markets, festivals, parades, BBQ cook offs, birding, butterflies, trips to Nuevo Progreso Mexico, bike trails, museums, events at the convention center, concerts & plays at the schools and hockey, basketball & events at the State Farm Arena, auto racing, rodeo's thousands of dining choices, wildlife refuges, the beaches at Boca Chica & South Padre Island, RV shows & so much more.
The fresh fruit & produce are the best & the variety incredible
About 500 RV Parks to choose from.
Best of all the native Texans are friendly & welcoming and the prices on most everything including RV park rent are very reasonable.
Not quite perfect but good enough for about 140,000 Winter Texans
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pawatt
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04/21/12 08:55am |
Snowbirds
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RE: Texas or SD for permanent address
Most Full timers we have met use SD.
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pawatt
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04/19/12 05:54pm |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Snowbird migration about over
Several more left today & when we leave in about 10 days we may have to turn the lights out when we leave. Great Fahita BBQ & afternoon at the pool today.
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pawatt
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04/15/12 07:08pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: WA-20, over the North Cascades 32 foot 5er?...
THANK YOU everyone, lots of good info. It is appreciated.
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pawatt
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04/14/12 09:13am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Winter-ing the RGV?
Just a hint but in Texas they are called Winter Texans and most associate the snowbird phrase to the ones on the East Coast. Here the locals make you feel welcome and treat you just like family.
Very True
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pawatt
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04/13/12 08:08pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: WA-20, over the North Cascades 32 foot 5er?...
I like to explore the area around Winthrop. However most of the roads are better driven in a car or suv than large RV. Still area ranchers must pull horse trailers on the backroads. One time we took a minor road into the hills just SE of Winthrop and passed a large number of horseback riders. It was a club gathering, which was camped just off a major FS road in the area.
The fall the area is also popular with deer hunters. Once I was camped at Lone Fir, and woke to find a deer carcass hanging from a tree at the adjacent campsite.
The highest gravel road in the state goes to Harts Pass and Slate Peak (leaving 20 at Mazama)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dmK_C613vU
Don't think I will pull the 5er on that on. Once had a 2 mile strectch to a campground that was nearly as bad. There was no turning around.
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pawatt
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04/12/12 09:42am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: WA-20, over the North Cascades 32 foot 5er?...
If you are east bound, from I-5, Seattle area, you need to kinda of watch yourself right here.
http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=202099339944278416571.0004bd72ef6f7994da7df&msa=0&ll=48.516078,-120.643744&spn=0.004214,0.009645
It's a bugger of a downgrade.
Gary Haupt
Nice curve, I imagine there are warning signs.
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pawatt
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04/11/12 09:44pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: WA-20, over the North Cascades 32 foot 5er?...
Sounds Great, think that is where we will go. We have plenty of time so keep the campground & attraction suggestions coming. THANKS
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pawatt
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04/11/12 07:08pm |
Roads and Routes
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WA-20, over the North Cascades 32 foot 5er?...
How difficult is this route pulling a 32 foot 5er?
I have light to moderate mountain driving experience.
Towing with a 1 ton diesel so power is not an issue.
Will have at least a month to explore. Any great campgrounds?
Are the NF campgroaccessiblesable to a 32 foot 5er?
Must sees? Any other tips.
Will be coming from & returning to MN.
THANKS Ron
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pawatt
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04/11/12 05:55pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Nuevo Progreso still getting shoppers?
We went to Nuevo Progreso today. Got there about 9:00 for dental appointments. A good cleaning and exam cost $20.00. No high pressure to get any work done. The dental office was steady but never more than 2 people waiting while we were there. All customers were Winter Texans.
There were shoppers on the street & in the stores but nowhere was crowded. Most street vendors had little to no business.
Got a hair cut & neck/shoulder massage for $4.00 while the wife got a manicure.
Bought some vanilla at the Galeria for .95 cents a bottle.
Lunch at the Red Snapper, Fahita's, salad, refried beens rice & home made tortillas for $4.99. Sue had Jumbo shrimp, stuffed & wrapped in bacon & grilled for $9.95. 2 for one margarita's with all you cared for chips & salsa came to $1.50 per drink. There were only 5 occupied tables. There may have been more on the balcony.
Bought a large bottle of Tequila on the way out.
The merchants, street vendors and waiters were all friendly and seemed to be in really good spirits.
The beggars seemed more persistant than usual but I imagine pickings are getting pretty slim for them.
When we left there were about 75 cars in the east parking lot. But I did notice many had driven into Mexico.
Maybe 3 minutes to get through customs with 2 walking lanes open. The 2 customs officers were pleasant & for the 1st time ever even joked around a little.
Business was booming at Mike's Produce on the USA side as everyone was loading up with the sweet 1015 onions, they were beautiful.
This is our final trip of the season but I hope the town continues to be safe and welcome us as they always have.
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pawatt
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04/11/12 02:45pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: seasonal prices
We own our lot, association dues went up $3.00 a month.
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pawatt
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04/10/12 09:35am |
Snowbirds
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RE: Will this work?
Many similar tow vehicles down here.
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pawatt
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04/09/12 08:22pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Nuevo Progreso still getting shoppers?
We are heading there Wednesday, Will try to remember to post comments.
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pawatt
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04/09/12 04:40pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Can a snowchick find work?
Quite a bit of part time work here in the RGV but unless you have a needed skill the pay will be low. Lots of seasonal retail between Thanksgiving & New Years. It is very helpful if you speak some Spanish in both South Texas & AZ.
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pawatt
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04/08/12 07:24pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Are you going back next year?
Next winter will be our first snowboarding experience. I figured from reading these posts that RGV is
Rio Grande Valley? Any specific town/park suggestions besides the ones in above posts? We are in ID
& not sure yet where we'll go - southwest for sure, maybe TX, but FL too far. Don't like the wind, which
is bad in southern ID. Is it hard enough to rip your awning off? Only saw one person goes to Mexico. The drug cartel wars would terrify me to go there. FL too humid for me, been there pre-snowbird. Lived in Houston 3 yrs, also humid, but places you folks mention must be drier. Love reading these posts of those who have gone before us. Thanks for input.
RGV is the Rio Grande Valley.
There are about 500 Snowbird RV & Moblie Home Parks in the Valley. About 80 in the Mission area. I would just come down & visit many parks until you find what you like. Prices range from less than $200. a month to a high of $800 Plus electric. Some of the towns to check are Mission, McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Alamo, Donna, Weslaco, Mercedes, Harlingen, South Padre Island & Brownsville. Usually the closer to the coast the windier. But there are some great beaches & fishing. Where ever you go the locals & other snowbirds are friendly & welcoming. Come on down & have a look around. Recommendations will depend on the amenities & activities you would like. I suggest that you start a new post listing your price range & desired amenities & activities.
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pawatt
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04/08/12 07:17pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Snowbird migration about over
We’re still spreading our money around. I’m thinking we won’t get back till mid May this year. Half the fun of being a self contained RV snowbird is the in-between time. If you’re retired, why rush it?
If you have any extra to spread around send it this way. :B
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pawatt
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04/08/12 10:05am |
Snowbirds
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RE: Dang! Temp tonight forecast to be 20.........danger..
Been in the 90's all week here, cold front today, only 84. May have to grab my jacket tonite.
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pawatt
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04/07/12 01:58pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Are you going back next year?
First year of an extended stay in Arizona. Cold, dust storms, and snow. Still nice.
Perhaps Big Bend if we can find facilities next year. That great big empty looks mighty tempting.
It gets VERY COLD at Big Bend during the winter due to the high elevation.
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pawatt
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04/02/12 10:15pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Safe Travels Snowbirds!
Dozens left here today, we will stay another month. 99 degree weather predicted this week in south Texas.
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pawatt
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04/01/12 11:40am |
Snowbirds
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RE: Leaving a 5'er or trailer in Az storage over the summer
There are many here in south Texas that do that.
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pawatt
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03/31/12 10:43pm |
Snowbirds
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