April 2022
San Benito/Harlingen - Fun-N-Sun Encore RV Resort

I booked 14 nights at an Encore resort which is an extension of my Thousand Trails membership. Fun-N-Sun RV Resort is on the northern edge of San Benito and just a couple of miles from all of the stores and restaurants of the much larger Harlingen TX. The cost of the 14 night stay, $0.00. This area is a good launch point for the Rio Grande Valley, South Padre Island is 40 miles and the Brownsville International border crossing is 23 miles. The age qualified (55+) Fun-N-Sun is a beautiful peace of property with every amenity you can imagine. Clubhouse, Swimming pool, Whirlpool/Spa/Hot Tub, Fitness Center, Tennis Court, Laundry Facilities, Restaurant, Game Room/Billiards, Ballroom/Banquet Hall, Dog Park, Mature Palm Trees everywhere, really a small town in and of it's self. I drove around in San Benito but found myself returning to the closer and more accommodating Harlingen when I wanted/needed things outside the RV park. I also used another fantastic feature at Fun-N-Sun. There are several full hookup spots along the front fence in the gigantic overflow parking lot. I stayed there my last night with my trailer fully hooked to the truck so that I could leave before dawn.

April 2022
South Padre Island & Port Isabel TX

My first trip to South Padre Island was on April 6, 2022 which turned out to be a record breaking heat day for the Rio Grande Valley. As I passed east of Los Fresnos some 10 miles inland from the island, it was 92 degrees. Traveling over the bridge to the South Padre the temp had dropped to 77 degrees and remained there for the 2 hours I was on the island. As I returned to San Benito around 2 pm the further west I drove the hotter it became. The temp reached 109 just before I merged onto I69 North. If the heat in the valley is extreme, try South Padre Island. On the west side of the bridge is Port Isabel and what a charming little place with it's historic lighthouse, specialty shops, niche restaurants, art galleries, and charter fishing. Across the bay is the barrier island known as the resort town South Padre Island. This town is as little or as much as you want to make of it. Spend all day everyday at the beach if that is your jam or soak up some of the activities such as parasailing, dolphin-watching cruise, visiting Sea Turtle Inc., riding horses on the beach, or bird watching at Laguna Madre Nature Trail. Beach Access #5 and #6 allow you to drive onto beach South Padre Island. I pulled into Access #5 and the cost was $14 for me and my F150. I did not stay on the island but there are several RV Parks including Isla Blanca Park, and South Padre Island KOA.

April 2022
Boca Chica State Park

This state park has a beach on par with South Padre Island and also allows the public to drive their vehicles on the beach. The primary difference during my time in the area is Boca Chica Beach is free whereas South Padre access #5 and #6 were $15. 4-wheel drive recommended of course. South Padre Island is visible to the north from the beach and the lighthouse in Mexico is visible from the southern end of the beach. SpaceX is building the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program facility here in the Boca Chica State Park with the intention of launching the next generation rockets from this site. During my stay in the area, on April 6, 2022, CNBC Reported the Army Corp of Engineers had withdrawn the SpaceX application to expand Starship facilities in Texas. Lets hope they get this worked out because this looks like it's going to be a top notch facility and a real boom for the local economies.

April 2022
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

On May 8, 1846, United States and Mexican troops fought on the prairie of Palo just north of Brownsville TX. General Zachary Taylor of the US forces defeated a larger Mexican force in this battle which marked the start of the 2 year US-Mexican War. The park has a visitor's center with a wealth of facts about the battle including some cannon shot and a 15 minute film. The battlefield has many walking trails with info plaques along the way AND signs warning visitor's to Stay on the Paths due to snakes. I had Barron with me and a short leash but still didn't want to take the chance of a snake encounter with my dog. There is some you can see with a vehicle tour so this stop is worth the time.