Small Town Wine Bar in California’s Smallest Incorporated City

Updated 11/4/23, original post published 1/30/18   Whenever I hear about someone closing their business, it always makes me a little sad. Such was the case when I saw the following post on Instagram from Ginger at Small Town Food and Wine, formerly Small Town Wine Bar. The last few years have been tough for many businesses. Some were closed down for months and never reopened and recovered. Those who have been lucky enough to reopen have struggled with lack of help (people don’t want to work!), fewer customers and rising prices. These challenges have forced many business owners to reevaluate what is important. Ginger came to the decision that she no longer has “the desire to fight to stay open.” The good thing to…

Continue reading

World Birding Center Locations and Best Time to Visit

The World Birding Center may sound like a single place but, in fact, it is a series of nine locations that stretch out 120 miles across the southern border of Texas. Each unique facility is a gem on the chain that forms the World Birding Center. The World Birding Center locations offer year round activities. Whether you are a casual nature lover with no interest in birding or an expert birder, you’ll love all that these centers have to offer. About the World Birding Center The World Birding Center is a $20 million development based on the joint partnership between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Rio Grande Valley Communities & U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Each unique location is sponsored by one of the…

Continue reading

Port of Brownsville Fiesta Cruise with Osprey Cruises

It was a while coming but I finally got to go on the Port of Brownsville Fiesta Cruise with Osprey Cruises. I purchased my ticket at the Winter Texan Expo in McAllen way back in January 2020, then everything came to a screeching halt that March. The cruise finally started operating again earlier this year. I watched the weather for what I hoped would be a beautiful day and made a reservation. I was rewarded with an almost perfect day of blue skies, warm but not too hot temperatures, and a mild breeze. Osprey Cruises Osprey Cruises may be best known for their fishing trips, both deep sea and bay fishing, but their six boats offer a variety of options. Deep sea and bay fishing…

Continue reading

Tourist Day in Nuevo Progreso

Nuevo-Progreso Tourist Day

The border town of Nuevo Progreso, Mexico, honors tourists twice each year. Why? Simply put, tourists are essential to the economy. Early in December, usually on a Friday, they host Welcome Back Winter Texans. On March 21st, regardless of the day of the week it falls on, they host another big celebration for Tourist Day in Nuevo Progreso. Many winter Texans wait until after this event to return to their homes in northern locations. When I moved to the Rio Grande Valley the end of 2018, one of the things I really wanted to do was visit Nuevo Progreso. I was excited to make my first Progreso – Nuevo Progreso International Bridge crossing early in 2019. My friend Linda and I had a great time…

Continue reading

Alpaca Ranch in the Rio Grande Valley

photos of Alpaquita Ranch

I had planned to make an alpaca ranch in Mathis, TX, the last stop on last year’s fall RV trip. It was disappointing that, in the end, it didn’t work out but I planned to visit there on another trip. I was absolutely delighted to discover that there is an alpaca ranch right here in the Rio Grande Valley, barely a 30 minute drive from my home! Of course, when I learned that, I immediately made a reservation to visit Alpaquita Ranch in Raymondville. If you follow me at all, you know I am a sucker for animals and any kind of up close experience, like the elephants at The Preserve and the Exotic Resort Zoo. Although I have horses, have worked with big cats,…

Continue reading