- Details
-
Published: Wednesday, 12 March 2025 14:10
The Rio Grande Valley's Winter Texan scene isn't the quiet, gem in the rough secret that it once was.
For the winter visitors, that's a good thing – especially when it comes to entertainment. Winter Texans are known for having fun. The Valley provides tons of it too.
More and more Wintertainers™ are coming to the Valley to entertain Winter Texans. The growth can be attributed to entertainers like Gordy and Debbie who came to the Valley nearly 15 years ago and were an immediate hit. When they returned home, they spread the word and brought some friends down. Many other entertainers are still sharing the good news with others that the Valley is a place to be.
Read more: Rio Grande Valley parks feature top Wintertainers™
- Details
-
Published: Wednesday, 12 March 2025 14:10
For decades, the Rio Grande Valley of Texas has been a favorite destination for retirees from the Midwest and Canada looking to head south for the winter to escape the snow, ice and cold, harsh weather. In addition to the warm, semi-tropical climate here in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), Winter Texans frequently tell us they enjoy the friendly people here, the many activities available to enjoy in the mobile home and RV parks and resorts, and the camaraderie with other Winter Texans who spend three to six months in South Texas each winter.
Besides the warm weather, they come because it’s fun!
Read more: Winter Texans feel safe in the Rio Grande Valley
- Details
-
Published: Wednesday, 12 March 2025 14:03
Editor’s Note: This submission was part of a contest at Mission Bell/Tradewinds Resort in Mission. They asked for submissions on what their residents thought a Winter Texan was. Bob McBain won first place and was featured in their newsletter. We were given permission to republish the article.
By Bob McBain
Being a Winter Texan means a lot of things to different people. First most people think of Winter Texans as just another version of Snowbirds. People who flee the wintry weather and go south, like migrating birds.
And that is what I thought as well, until I retired and tried the Snowbird life. I had visited Arizona during the winter months before I retired, but there was nothing to make me want to be a Snowbird and migrate to Arizona. Then I visited my brother in March 2014, who was a Winter Texan at that time, and it was so different.
The people were friendly, warm, and sincere. They made you feel welcome. That was the point in time that I decided I would come back the next year and give it a try, as I was retiring in 2015. So, we bought a travel trailer and made the journey in 2015 down to Mission, Texas to try the Winter Texan thing.
My brother was no longer staying in the valley, so we were coming down, knowing no one other than the few people that I had met the year before. My wife knew no one down here, as she was not with me when I was here in 2014.
Talk about taking a gamble. My wife and I loved it. Everyone made you feel welcome. The people were not pushy or snobby. We have been Winter Texans since 2015, and plan to continue being Winter Texans for as long as the good Lord sees fit.
I will say that things have changed in the nine years that we have been coming down. The dynamics of the Valley have changed dramatically, as well as the dynamics of RV parks.
“People are aging out,” is the best way of saying it. Death, health issues, cost, and age are the biggest factors.
When we first came down, it was 90% RVs and 10% Park models, and the park was full. Today it has reversed. 90% park models and 10% RVs. This in itself has changed the dynamics of a park.
If you lived in an RV, you wanted to get out and do things. The hall was busy every night of the week with people playing cards, games or just gathering. Happy hours were going on daily somewhere in the park. Trips to Mexico were all day events. Golf was 50-60 people. Bus trips to events were commonplace, but living in a park model has changed this. People are living in “homes,” not an RV.
There is one constant, and this is the heart of being what a Winter Texan is. It is the people. I think of the people as being family, not extended family, but blended family. We are all different and come from diverse backgrounds and beliefs and from all over the USA and Canada. We are here to be among family and friends. That is what brings us back every year. They are our friends, yes, but even more, our blended family.
That is what being a Winter Texan means to me.
I am proud to be a Winter Texan.
- Details
-
Published: Wednesday, 12 March 2025 14:02
AUSTIN – You can enjoy spring too, at any of Texas’ State Parks. If you’re not into visiting during the month of March, there is plenty of time to visit on your way back up north. Texas State Parks still have day-use and overnight availability for anyone looking for an outdoor adventure.
“Spring is a special time to get outside, with warmer temperatures and blooming wildflowers — parks are perfect places to experience both,” said Tara Humphreys, director of interpretation for Texas State Parks. “We are excited to welcome visitors and showcase our parks and encourage every Texan to ‘take a walk on the wild side’ and visit a Texas State Park.”
Read more: Tips for adventures at Texas State Parks
- Details
-
Published: Wednesday, 12 March 2025 13:52
As a Winter Texan, you know you can’t stay cooped up in your RV park all the time so when you want to venture out for a day it usually means passing Freddy Fender’s water tower with a trip to Brownsville or South Padre.
Haven’t you heard the expression, “Go West, Young Man, Go West”? So, if you have not followed the Valley to the west, here is a little help. Forget the bypass, there is little to see. Stay on Business 83 and go through Penitas and La Joya. Look for the small highway sign that points you to Los Ebanos, take that side trip for five minutes and you can see the rope drawn ferry across the Rio.
Read more: Go west for a change
Tropic Star had a great season with a wide variety of entertainment with many different shows, happy hours and dances. The park has over 75 different activities each week for their guests to take part in.
As they say at Tropic Star, you can’t be bored if you live at Tropic Star.
The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo will be held March 6 through March 16. Special admission on Senior Citizen Day, March 9, will be $5. Chris Marshall will be playing at the youth center from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are discounted for 55+, law enforcement and military. Must show ID, law enforcement badge or military ID.
