Progreso, Mexico

Progreso, Mexico is about a 3 hour bus ride from Mustang Island (Corpus Christi). Tour bus is a good way to go. 49 on our bus.

LOTS of street vendors, in addition to the many stores along the main street. The whole town excudes a Market Atmosphere, and haggling for price is the word of the day.

Here's Pat checking out some t-shirts in one of the stores.

The Mexican Army was on hand to discourage any violence or running gun battles between rival drug cartels, or so we were told. The soldiers looked to be quite bored.

Talavera pottery is famous in Mexico. Most stores had large displays of it, and yes, we did bring a small piece back - a gecko to hang on the wall.

Street artists were also present in good numbers. This one created really nice images on vases using nothing but spray paint, a piece of cardboard for a brush, and a tissue to remove excess paint. Impressive.

Progeso has an old-time, small-town appearance. Streets are narrow and most buildings are in rather poor repair. As advised by our tour guide, we did not stray from the main street.

Pat purchased several name bracelets from a street vendor. He had to make three of them while we waited. He is really fast and completed each bracelet in less than ten minutes.

Handy fingers at work.

Two neighbors from our RV Park went along. Bernie Kerns, left, Carol Casner, right. Both from Illinois.

Behind this camo netting is a soldier with a machine gun. Makes one feel real safe. Right.

Sadly, this is the only and best view we had of the Rio Grande at Progreso.

The lineup at the border crossing leaving Mexico. We had to get off the bus and parade through customs.

This was our first trip to Mexico. We plan to go back again, but next time will probably drive in order to have more time to see stuff on the way as well as spend more time in Mexico without having to rush back to catch the bus.

Fish Fry!

I told you we'd be back with another post soon, but I didn't think it would be the same day. It just worked out that I have the time to get 'er dun.

Fishing, make that CATCHING, has been pretty good at Port Aransas. Our across-the-street neighbors, Jim and Jack with one morning's catch.

There will need to be some knife work before this mess of fish is ready for the fryer.

Almost ready to go into the hot oil.

Our neighborhood got together for a pot-luck fish fry.

Jack, Jim and Don did the frying.

No shortage of good food to go along with the fried fish. You know how pot-lucks are.

The only thing you don't find at our RV Resort get-togethers is kids. No mystery about that, just look at all the white and/or gray hair present.

We do our own "kid" stuff.

These guys are in to good grooming, no kidding.

And a good time was had by all.

Beach, and other things we do

A large flock of Black Skimmers is hanging out on Mustang Island. These are pretty neat birds, and it's a delight to see them feeding. You can see why they are called "skimmers".

The Sand Festival isn't until mid-April, but sand sculptors can often be found practicing their art on Port Aransas beach. This is one of the many currently at work.

Lots of metal detecters at work. This guy found a gold/diamond ring just before we met him. The best we ever did was three dimes in four hours. Ships pass frequently through the ship canal to Corpus Christi.

Our neighbor across the street has a new golf cart. Carts are a common form of transportation on the Island.

Our friendly, little "love dove" makes an appearance on occasion. This is the most friendly wild bird we have ever met. Wish it would hang around more. It comes and goes.

Pat spends a lot of time with a crochet hook in her hand. This is a granny afghan she just completed.

I have been participating in a wood carving class - 3 of 6 lessons done. One of the first, basic projects was to carve a cowboy boot. This is what I came up with. Maybe I have a new hobby.

We'll have another post real soon. The weather has taken a turn for the better so we're able to go more and do more and have a good time while doing it. It's Saturday afternoon, temp is about 79 deg, and it is partly cloudy. Really nice day. How's winter going where you are?      I thought so, sorry.

Winter Happenings in Port A

We're in Port Aransas, Texas because it's a lot warmer here than anyplace up north during the winter. We walk the Gulf beach nearly every day. In this photo we're on the guided beach walk, which gives just a little educational touch to what you often see on the beach.

You can see from the clothing that it's not bikini weather. But look at that sunshine! And the hungry gulls.

Our next-door neighbor, Harriet, with one of her December tomatoes. Got that up north? I didn't think so.

Flock of White Pelicans on New Year's Day. LOTS of birds here.

On New Year's Day we participated in the 2010 meander, which, by design, was 2010 meters long. I suppose next year they'll make the course 2011 meters. It was a beautiful day, although nobody was sweating very much. Not even the runners.

Pat, in purple, with two of our neighbors from the RV park, ready to meander.

On the walk.

Crossing the Finish Line.

Our time. As you can see, we weren't exactly running.

A common winter scene in Port A.

Refreshments after the 2010 Meander.

It's been cooler this year than last year, of course that's true for our friends up north as well. Don't you just hate Global Warming?

Come back and see us again. Leave a comment, if you are so inclined.