Thursday, February 19, 2015

• Cool, calm, clear, temp: 48, high 73. Should be a nice day.
• Very busy day with lots of pictures. Yippee!
• First off, Thursday, we always join about 25 other guys from Paradise Park and drive to Taco Fiesta for breakfast.
• Late morning Jim & I loaded our bikes on Phil's bike rack and drove to Mission Nature Trail head, South of Mission near the Rio Grande.
• Biked on a trail through Retama Village with some very interesting Mexican style homes, complete with shelters for 40 foot motor-homes.
• From there, we bike about 5 miles to the World Birding Center Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley state park.
• After water, a snack, & local sightseeing, we headed back toward our destination, but rode on a waterway levee most of the way back.
• So all-in-all, we biked about 10 miles. 
• After reloading our bikes on Phil's bike rack, we drove along a stretch of the Rio Grande river levee near Chimney park, ending up at the Riverside Club.
• The club served food and had 2 large halls for old time dancing. In one of the halls, Phil saw a friend from Iowa, Barefoot Becky who played the accordion and was the band master of ceremonies.
• Had a short nap after driving home.
• Went over to Phil's last evening to watch the movie, Jersey Boys. I had seen it before, but it's still a fun movie to watch.
• And sorry I'm so late in getting this published, but I was pooped after that big day.

Phil & Jim on a levee near a bridge

The waterway for irrigation

We didn't have enough time to visit this center - perhaps next time

Phil & Jim near the park entrance - notice that you see Jim's teeth smiling - a first

Barefoot Becky's band on stage