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Arroyo City
Arroyo City is a small fishing village located on a stream called the Arroyo
Colorado. At Arroyo City this seems like a large river because it has been
dredged to make a channel inland approximately 25 miles to Harlingen to make a
port. It is common (usually at least once a day) to watch a barge go by on the
pier front being pushed by a tugboat. If not for this channel the Arroyo would
be more like its name-arroyo in Spanish means a dry creek bed.
BIRDING
During the day you can view numerous birds both aquatic and terrestrial. Some
include the brown and white pelican (although the brown is considered
endangered, there are numerous ones here and the whites are more rarely seen).
Other birds include mockingbirds (state bird), turkey - yes turkeys -actually
considered local pets as they walk the road or pier fronts, loggerhead shrikes,
kingbird, hummingbirds, kingfishers, numerous gulls, finches, cardinals,
kiskadee, flycatchers, and the local beautiful green-jay to name a few. The
valley is known as one of the top birding destinations in the United States. If
this interests you, a day trip to Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge (birders’ paradise
on the Rio Grande (many more shore and marsh species - ducks prevalent here)
Part of the Laguna Atascosa Refuge can actually be walked to (approximately one
mile) from the rental property and a walking trail exists within this area
complete with an observation tower. It’s also free to get in if you walk. If you
take a boat ride to the Laguna Madre at the mouth of the Arroyo (where the
channel intersects the intra coastal waterway) to the north is an island, (Green
Island on some maps) which is owned by the National Audubon Society. Numerous
species of shorebird - crones, egrets, spoonbills, pelican etc. can be observed
flying to this island especially early in they mornings. Unfortunately no
visitors can step ashore (numerous signs stating this) but the waters around the
island are free for birding or fishing (you will need a shallow draft boat to
get close - be forewarned).
FISHING
You can fish off of your own pier (night fishing under lights for trout usually
the best), or if you have a boat leave from your own slip down the channel and
in approximately six miles you are in the lower Laguna Madre. This is one of the
premier locations for fishing the flats or the intra coastal waterway (channel)
for trout, redfish, flounder and the rare snook (this is about the northern
limit of the range of this species). Numerous guides are available. If deepwater
species are more your style, guides are also available for day trips out of Port
Isabel or Port Mansfield for tarpon, ling, snappers, dolphin, kingfish, tuna,
sailfish and marlin.
MEXICO
Approximately 45 minutes to Progresso or Brownsville depending on what your
going for. If for shopping or medicines I prefer Progresso. If for nightlife my
choice would be Matamoros or Reynosa, further west. Progresso is great for
shopping because years ago they took the main street beginning at the bridge and
overhauled it where all of the shops are on one street. You can cross the
bridge, park and shop down one side of the street, cross over, shop back up the
other side, load the car and go. I like to occasionally get a margarita and
continue my shopping . Seems to help a little with the heat if you are there in
the summer. You may want to eat dinner as they have excellent food. My favorite
places to eat are Angels, the restaurant above the Canada store and Arturo’s.
While in Mexico don’t forget to barter (it is expected and is really an art
form) unless you are in the Canada Store which have price tags affixed to the
merchandise . These stores rarely budge on prices but I have seen them change
prices, especially on jewelry. Regardless, have fun!
BEACH
To the southeast from the property, approximately a 35 minute drive is Port
Isabel and South Padre Island. Personally I think this is the best beach in
Texas but I grew up here so I’m a little biased. The town of South Padre Island,
which in the fifties was only about a four-dwelling place, has exploded with
beachwear shops, boat shops, surf shops, shell shops and just about any kind of
shop you are looking for. There also many restaurants, condos, motels, hotels,
marinas, amusement parks, golf courses, boat, plane and horse rides, rentals for
every vehicle which has ever been rented. A person can almost get lost in the
place and that’s with almost everything being located on one road. Most of the
town is located to the north (left) after coming across the Queen Isabella
Causeway (a breathtaking view of the Laguna Madre), but if you want to go to the
jetties then turn right and they are about a half mile down in a park (small
fee, this is where most of the surfing is done as the jetties reduce the
long-shore current which usually makes for cleaner breaking waves) . If you go
to the north eventually you will run out of town and there will be numerous
little cutoffs to the right giving beach access. You can still drive on the
beach for about 36 miles if conditions permit all the way to the Port Mansfield
cut, where there is a set of jetties. Most people don’t go all the way to the
Mansfield cut, as long before this you can get a stretch of beach with huge sand
dunes with not another person in sight and big waves crashing a short distance
offshore inviting a swim in the warm water of the Gulf Of Mexico. Well it is
warm most of the year , however, if you are visiting in the winter to early
spring (Nov-Mar) you probably won’t want to go for a swim. At these times the
birding and shelling are very enjoyable. If you have the gear (big rigs)
surf-fishing for redfish is usually great in October and March. Enjoy!
This brings me to the subject of Spring Break which occurs usually from
mid-March to about the first week in April. This has become known world-wide. If
you are a great socializer and enjoy throngs of teenagers to mid-twenties
partying like there is no tomorrow then this is the place to be at this time.
South Padre is one of the U.S.’s spring break Mecca's. If you are of the more
peaceful persuasion be prepared if you go to the beach at this time.
A list of FUN events and FUN happenings around
McAllen Texas and the RGV ,Rio Grande Valley TEXAS,
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Past events
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