LLano Grande Resort

Leaving Falcon for Llano Grande, the landscape is still scrub. Gradually we see some grass emerging that evidently supports ranching as there are now a number

of traditional ranch signs like the one below.

Then a further change as we roll along, into crops as well as grass. We have reached the region known as the Rio Grande Valley, the final 50 miles of southern Texas, and a fertile year-round area of agricultural production. It’s an odd name because it’s not a valley but dead flat, and the Rio Grande runs along the whole 1,250 mile Texas border not just the last 50.

The Llano Grande campsite is big. We are pitch 612, but there’s plenty of room as the “snowbirds” haven’t all yet arrived from northern states or Canada. This is us, with the travel poster back. One year we had a realistic road graphic on the motorhome and needed to watch in foggy weather that someone didn’t try to drive along it.

The photo is taken from a bank, a levee, which used to be the Rio Grande before it changed course. A long lake is left that looks attractive in the evening light.

The birds also like the lake for night roosting. They arrive in hundreds, anything from small wading birds to pelicans.

Here are the last of them arriving in the setting sun that looks like a glowing mushroom.

Running alongside the levee lake is yet another state park, and one that we can walk to. Having already bought the park pass for our previous visits and stays, it’s free for us to come and go as we wish. There’s an alligator lake in the park but we failed to spot any from the viewing platform. My theory is that they all hide under the platform. Plenty of birds, though, and trying not overdo the bird aspect for non-birders, the next 3 photos are, in order, black belly whistling ducks, black and white stilt, and yellow crowned night heron. The ducks really do whistle; I’m sure the tune is Colonel Bogie.

Running along the levee top is a good path, sufficient to take a vehicle, which are not permitted, but they do allow walkers, bikers and golf trolleys. All campers here seem to have a golf trolley, to be used for all journeys of over 10 yard. Nobody walks much. People take their dogs for walks while driving the golf trolley. The dog runs alongside. Here’s one approaching in the distance, with trotting dog that probably isn’t close enough to be visible.

Got to say it, the showers and toilets are modern, clean, and greatly appreciated.

Sorry, state parks.