On December 22, 70 residents of Tip O’ Texas gathered to sing Christmas carols led by Santa Claus’ golf cart. Carolers were greeted with smiles and season greetings along their ambitious route and rewarded with tons of cookies and hot chocolate. Great turn out; great fun.

My co-workers were amazed at the number of packages that kept arriving for me. So was I.  888 now has a new hose, water filter, and vacuum. I have books on birds, seed glass jewelry, and online teaching and enough of my f-a-v-o-r-i-t-e chocolate treats to keep me purring as I finish out this adventurous year.  Mac loves his wonderful sleeping blanket with frog squeak toy; we both LOVE these wireless table lights—whomever thinks one can’t have ambiance in an RV, needs to come visit.


Spending Christmas away from “home” was bittersweet.  I missed our family gathering of games, food, and gifts on Christmas Eve.  What a joy receiving photos online from my family on Christmas Day documenting this year’s Christmas Eve – what a treat seeing my family’s celebration with their opened presents and smiling faces – how neat and thoughtful was that!!

Several frosts, during the 80s, did major damage to the Gulf area. 

McAllen, a neighboring city of Pharr, hosted both the nature and the history tours I attended in December. 


I learned McAllen’s avenues are alphabetically named after trees and flowers and its streets are alphabetized cities (including Chicago). Whenever a street name doesn't follow the alphabet, its street sign includes an "X" next to the "culprit" name.


Only two J.C. Penny stores still exist within a city (rather than a mall); one of those is in McAllen.  

Andy Paris, the bubble gum king's,  factory was located in McAllen;  he taught Natalie Wood how to blow bubbles for her performance in “Miracle on 34^th Street.”  Check out this website http://bubblegumking.com/

Camped at KOA and gladly used South Padre Island's free trolly and bike lanes to explore the Island while leaving Mac "home" in 888 with air conditioning and all his comforts.

Our last afternoon, I drove 888 to check out the Gulf beaches -- these lovely flowers greeted us.

After we are enjoying the moment....

Here we are...after collecting sea shells, we headed back to Pharr.

South Padre Island's Whaling Wall #53, seen on an outside of  their Convention Center, was a great start to a g-r-e-a-t day!

While treking 1500 feet of Laguna Madre Nature Trail's boardwalk, I was thrilled to see this beautiful egret and male alligator--both enjoying the sunshine.

Sea Turtle Inc. is dedicated to educating the public about endangered sea turtles.

This turtle with a prosthetic fin -- has to be watched when it is put in tank several times a day so it doesn't accidentally turn upside and and drown.

Port Isabel Lighthouse -- closed in 1905 was reopened in 1952. This is the only lighthouse on the Texas coast open to the public -- the view from the top was worth the climb. 

Port Isabel is linked to South Padre Island by Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway -- 

an impressive and free two and one half mile long bridge.

 While exploring this southernmost tip of Texas, I enjoyed eating freshly caught Gulf tuna and shrimp.

Hidalgo's trolley tour of Festival of Lights - Tropical Christmas -- was breathtaking. 

This 21st annual celebration included over three million lights with more than 500 displays.

After a delicious dinner and trolley ride, Hidalgo's High School's Mariachis 

and Band performed Christmas and popular songs for the awaiting crowd.

Using powerful binoculars to see birds in greater detail takes practice -- but is soooo worth it.

Pauraques sleep during the day and need to stay hidden to survive -- that's why seeing his pauraque sleeping close to our trail was so amazing...

Turk's Cap is plentiful; it's red color attracts Hummingbirds -- I bought a Hummingbird feeder to hang on my tree next to 888 -- what a treat it'll be to see them drinking -- hope that action photo can be taken shortly so I can post it.

Mac and I were invited to go "birding" at Estero Llano Grande approximately 20 minutes from Pharr -- this lake overlooks the park entrance. We watched as ducks went bobbing for food while we ate snacks at adjacent tables--getting ready for some trails.

Jack and Mac also loved this reflection of pelicans.

The journey begins...

Mac and I began 1500 mile drive in 888 on October 24 for my first workamper position in Pharr, Texas. Boondocked first night at WaMart in Marion, Illinois.

October 25, Searcy, Arkansas; arrived at 3:45 p.m. Had requested brakes be ordered in advance of my arrival; however, they were not ordered. Brakes would not be inhouse until October 27 at 10 a.m.; I should be able to leave by noon. Mac rolled in the grass yesterday and today --  so glad Mac is relaxing -- he's adapting to a hectic few days.

Brakes did not arrive at 10 a.m. on the 27^th -- I announced at 1:15 p.m. that I was leaving at 3:30 p.m. with or without brake replacement. Brakes arrived and were installed. I left at 3:30 p.m. and drove 4 lane highway around Little Rock – with rush hour traffic, light rain, ambulance beeping behind me—boondocked at WalMart in Arkidelphia. Slept with rain coming down, but Mac and I were high and dry and on our way again.

Made extra miles on October 28th – boondocked at WalMart outside of Waco, Texas. It has gotten in the 30s at night in Arkansas and in Waco, Texas -- sure glad I had a generator to get heat inside 888 in the morning.

October 29 – decided to book a campground in San Antonio -- first time I've had electric and running water in five days. Showered, got electronic devices charged, wrote email. I started to "relax" and mentally get ready for my arrival in Pharr tomorrow. Decided I’d like to re-visit San Antonio in the future – they have a River Walk and bus service from the campground. 

As I started my five hour drove toward Pharr on October 30, I noted the town of Alice (where I had planned on spending a night) was really small and rustic – glad I took the advice of a truck driver in Searcy to drive directly to Pharr once I started on highway 281.

Mac hasn't rolled in grass since day two, but he's drinking his water and eating his broccoli and carrots so he continues to adapt to more hectic days.

Arrived at Tip O’Texas at 2 p.m. on October 30 – settled into campsite #72. Met my neighbors – from Rockford – joined them for happy hour at 4:30 p.m. On October 31, I did laundry, took a shower, organized 888, walked over to office to meet manager and co-workers but won’t start work until November 1 at 8 a.m.

I'm doing laundry and sitting by the beautiful pool. The temperatures are lovely and the wind isn't crazy like it's been most of the time since I've arrived.

This “ponderosa” lemon (on left) was given to me by a guest. A fruit/vegetable fellow comes every Tuesday morning to campground -- he grows fruits and vegetables at his farm so everything is fresh and nicely priced.

My campsite (Lot 72) is away from the main buildings which allows me to keep my window blinds open (when the west sun isn't hot) so I get to see (and hear) the palm trees while I'm relaxing in 888.  I have three sets of Midwest neighbors (social but also private).

Learning a new job is always challenging -- one Monday I came back to 888 and basically slept from 6 p.m. - 6:30 a.m. -- kept falling asleep sitting up so finally went to bed. That Tuesday, I came to work mentally ready for more challenges. Everyone is helpful so it’s practice makes perfect.

Mac rolled in grass two times during morning walk on November 20; he has spotted one squirrel and one rabbit in campground (RV resort) since our arrival.  Will soon locate state parks that have trails that allow dogs.

Tip O’Texas residents invited me to join them for Thanksgiving dinner. I also volunteered to help Salvation Army prepare/organize meals. So on Thanksgiving morning I drove to Salvation Army but found I wasn’t needed because of the many high school students eagerly doing everything needed.  Came back to Tip O’Texas and enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving early dinner. This is the first time I wasn’t “home” for Thanksgiving.

November was a busy month: learnng a new job, finding food markets, drug stores, banks, bike repair shop, researching “things to do” as a “winter Texan.”  

Now it's December and I have time/energy to enjoy being a Winter Texan.

Joined Bike Club for a morning ride to San Juan for breakfast.

Checked out beautiful Quinta Mazatian--the largest adobe structure in Texas – 10,000 sq. ft.  From there a bus took us to McAllen Nature Park for a two hour nature walk.

Never have seen an ebony tree -- I only know that its wood is black and very dense.

Quinta Mazatian is also a World Birding Center -- this punched metal bird light was in the bathroom.

And this elegant door handle opened the door for that afternoon's wedding party.

I'll be returning to Quinta Mazatian in two weeks for a two hour history tour.