Friday, March 28, 2014

La Lomita Chapel & Anzalduas Park, Mission, Texas

 

Now that we got settled in Bentsen the time came to see what was around us and to get out and do some sightseeing.  To our surprise there was so much in and around that we were not really sure were to start and if we could cover it all in three months.  We decided to start close by and headed out. 

Mission was the closest city to the park so this is where we started.  We headed out to La Lomita Chapel as our first stop.  Getting there wasDSCN3687 - Copy interesting to start with – we headed out not really sure where we were going and found ourselves on top of a levee that runs along the Rio Grande River.  There were orange/grapefruit orchards on one side and the river on the other.  We came to an area where we thought the chapel was and found it DSCN3694locked up with No Trespassing signs everywhere.  Looking around I saw another road on the other side of the chapel that really did not look like it went anywhere but we tried it and it lead us to the parking lot for the chapel and the park. 

The chapel was built in 1865 and is only 12x25.  It is built out of sandstone and still has the original brick floors and heavy beamed ceiling.  It was truly unique and interesting.  The outside area has an outdoor oven and a working water well. 

After we left the Chapel we drove further down the levee and found Anzalduas Park.  This was an interesting park, quite large and really beautiful.  There is a dam located at the park on the Rio DSCN3780Grande River.  It was very interesting in that you can see into Mexico and their park.  The area had lot of picnic tables and trees, great place for a family day out.  There is a bird blind so you can do bird watching also.  While we were there, on the Mexico side, there was a party going on and it was something – loud music and dancing.

DSCN3782

DSCN3783

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we headed out of the area we ran across something that we found veryDSCN3691 interesting and went to look closer.  We found out it was a high school -Juan Diego Academy.  It was interesting in that all the security given to schools today and concern about making schools safe it appeared they took it very seriously. There was a guard shack just to the right and you had to go through him to get on the ground.  I have not seen this type of security any other school we have every been at.   No chance of skipping out or playing hooky – lol!!

There were some interesting ruins that were in one area and asking around we found out it was the location of the original DSCN3693church years ago.  We would have like to learn more about the school but it is a private school and there is really not much information about, but it was really neat looking. 

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Rio Grande Valley

 

Betnsen SignAfter we left  Goliad we then headed for our third workamping experience  in the Rio Grande Valley.  We are looking forwarding to spending the winter in the valley at Bentsen Rio Grand Valley State Park in Mission, Texas.  We arrived at Bentsen on January 4th in the afternoon, checked in and set up our coach for the next threeIMG_2886 months.  One other workamper couple arrived few days before us, so we had our choice of location to park between the other two spots.  We felt we were luck as we got the spot we were hoping for so that we could have a good area of the dogs and their pen.  Things were perfect in our world.  Then we discovered that the Border Patrol staged in the area in front of our coach.  Oh thrills!!  Really it was not that bad and was very interesting.  We got a chance to talk to and meet many of the officers as well as the Game Warden in the area. 

Border PatrolDSCN5112DSCN5126

We had until Wednesday before we had to start workamping so it gave us time to visit the park and take advantage of the programs/tours that they offered.  The next morning we took our first bird walk and started learning about the birds in the area.  Lets see how many you can name?

Things are really looking up and we are looking forward to our stay here at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park!  On Sunday we began our third workamping job and met with the park personnel and got our assignments.  Fred was working in maintenance and I was with interpretation. 

DSCN5246DSCN3752

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our new adventure starts and now to work out the places to go and see while we are here – more to come!!!