Harlingen and South Padre Island, Texas

We stayed five nights at Palm Gardens, a "55+ Community" campground in Harlingen, Texas. Almost all the sites here are permanent mobile homes but all the "transient" spaces are together and the people are all very friendly.  This part of south Texas is really nice, clean and modern.  The highway system is beautifully designed and landscaped and smooth.  All these small cities in this area -- from Harlingen to McAllen and others have new and modern restaurants, shopping areas and infrastructure.  We like it very much.

We took a day trip to South Padre Island and took Lexie along for the ride. It was on this day I took the previous post's pictures of her in the back of the car.

Crossingthe bridge onto South Padre Island

Port Isabel Lighthouse.
Christmas carolers perform on the lighthouse steps.

Lexie and me along the South Padre Beach.
Lexie didn't want to look at the camera.  She's shy.

Along the way, we stopped in the Palo Alto National Park. On this location the first battle of the Mexican - American War -- I've forgotten the date.  These photos were taken in the park area.



A giant pricklypear cactus.
Some of them are ready to bloom. They have giant red buds.




We didn't get to see this guy.



I had been looking forward to taking Lexie for a walk in the National Park.
Imagine my change of heart when I saw this sign.

Typical terraine inside Palo Alto National Park

Typical plants in the park. 
The Honey Mesquite Trees seem to be everywhere.

On the way from Harlingen to South Padre Island, we drove through San Benito, Texas, birthplace, home and burial place of the Hispanic singer, Freddy Fender.