Down in the Valley

We maneuvered our way out of Tips Park this morning, trying to avoid tangling with overhead branches, and headed south on US 281. Our first stop was at the Walmart in Alice, where we switched drivers and picked up some groceries.

We stopped at a nice rest area in Brooks County for lunch. It's one we stopped at on the way north last spring and took note of--it's located in the median about nine miles south of Falfurias (the county seat), so it's accessible both northbound and southbound. Right now everything is dry as a bone, and very little is green, but it was still a welcome respite from driving.

As we drove south, we saw more and more familiar sights (mainly lots of mesquite trees!). North of Edinburgh we passed a sign proclaiming "Gateway to the Rio Grande Valley." It felt good to be back "home" for the winter. We'll be here for the next four months, having good times with friends, doing plenty of square dancing--and keeping warm!

Tomorrow we'll meet some friends and attend a McAllen Community Concert, but for tonight, it's enough just to rest up from our trip.