Jan 24th - Del Rio, Texas

Today was a travel day from Laredo, Tx to Del Rio, Tx., a 180 mile trip north and west but still on the Mexican border. We had our first "inspection" stop while in Texas. There are areas on the highways which border Mexico where the Border Patrol have an area that is orange coned off. They have officers and dogs and both come to your vehicle. We were asked if this (the motor home) was where we lived and was there anyone with us. We answered yes to the first and no to the second. Evidently the dog gave us a passing score or a negative sniff test and we were allowed to continue on our way. I believe they are searching for drugs and illegal aliens. There is a long stretch of highway that borders Mexico with no other roads leading into Mexico except the highway we were on and the Border Patrol set up inspection areas at each end. I am sure we will run into other areas with inspection sites. It is only mandatory to stop at these inspection sites when the lights are blinking meaning there are officers present.

I have made comments before about how boring flat land can be. I think I may be wrong. You simply have to look at it without a comparing eye. Let the land speak for itself and you will see the inherent beauty that is there. We went through almost totally barren country side except for a cattle ranch every 20 miles or so. There is only cactus and scrub trees........and yet as you look more closely you realize how strong those cactus and trees have to be to survive in that dry, arid land. Each leafless tree has its own gnarled shape and is unique. Every now and then we passed a river bed or creek that actually had water in it. Most are very dry at this time. Not much wild life to be seen today. We have seen wild Havalina (wild pigs) dead on the road but have yet to see a live one. We were warned about them in Zapata. They come out at night and will attack dogs. We were told to carry a flash light at night along with a big stick! The woman who gave us these instructions added " Enjoy your time here!"

We are in a small private RV park right in the middle of old Del Rio. called Hidden Valley RV Park. Great area to ride bikes in and that is what we are planning for tomorrow. The high today was about 70 degrees and although cool for this area feels wonderful to us. I am loving the low humidity. Even when it was 90 degrees a few days ago the humidity was 15%!! You just have to remember to drink lots of water .....or whatever!

Today's pics are of the beautiful Tourist information Center just outside of Laredo that we stopped at to pick up literature about Texas. It is quite a sight. I was told that it was designed by a woman engineer from Texas and was built 10 years ago. Quite the rest area and info center!

I would be remiss if i didn't include a picture of Chester our mascot chicken. My son and his wife gave him to me for Christmas. When we are camped he rides on the dash. He now sports an eye patch as he needed a little more macho attitude with all the cock fighting down this way