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/