Oh yeah.....this day looked like it was going to be real dismal day.......cloudy, damp, and in the 50's. But......after taking my French Roast coffee inside TheHowserHouse......the clouds did begin to break up....and tiny patches of blue sky became visible.......ahhhhh, evolution of a day in progress!!!
The 1st Lady went to a Line Dance Class this morning for about 1.5 hours.....and I wandered across the street to visit with Pete....and Jack, their beautiful Golden Retriever. As we stood on his patio visiting, the sun did jump out from the clouds, the sky brightened....and our day was readi-made for a trip across the border.
Sooooo, about 11AM, Pete/Jane, Buzz/Moe, and the 1st Lady and myself loaded up my truck and drove the few short miles to the border. Leaving my truck in the $2 parking lot, we ambled slowly across the bridge.....cost of $.25.....and our first sight from the bridge was that damn WALL that the Feds are building along the Rio Grande River.....and I do mean exactly as I said: "that damn WALL"!!!!! WHAT a waste of our money!!!! Soooooooo DUMB!!!!!! Another grand idea of the Bush Administration....which like everything else he has done.......it won't work! It practically ruined the day for ALL six of us!!!
Walking onward into Mexico.......we stopped at the first shop..... large liquor store to check on prices.....it pays to shop around over there as prices can be quite different from shop to shop.
Not desiring to carry a bottle or two all day, we enjoyed the "looking" and then moved on down the VERY, VERY busy street.
If you have never been to Progreso, it is a paradise for shoppers desiring Mexican pottery, clothing, boots, trinkets, purses, beautiful jewelry, and about any other items you might want. Also......the small town is full of dentistas and pharamacias.....and then there are the residents who always try to sell you something,......but, that is Mexico just south of our border. Progreso is a small town that seems made for the thousands of Winter Texans(seniors)........and probably the item that is purchased the most are the medical drugs which are cheaper than in the states. Soooo, the pharmacias are always busy!!!!
We ambled, shopped, priced, and enjoyed the colorful atmosphere of the main street......and at times it becomes almost impossible to walk as there are little stalls and tables on the side of the sidewalk by the street.....and everyone comes to a halt as those in front of them shop and look.
We did our share of shopping and looking......and I purchased some medical cream for tendonitis problems.
We finally arrived at the stairway to the upstairs restaurant which is called "The Red Snapper".....a place that is a favorite of the 1st Lady and myself.......delicious food...especially the fried shrimp. Soooo, the six of us were seated and soon were going wild over the chips and warm salsa......OMG!!! SOOOO GOOD!!!! As "Happy Hour" exists ALL the time there.......we had Margaritas at the price of 2 drinks for the price of 1. Really good drinks.....and they were great paired with the hot chips and warm salsa!!
The 1st Lady and I ordered the fried shrimp dinners......they came with salad, rice, fries and six very large shrimp which were lightly battered and fried crisply but not overdone. And.....we were not disappointed.....they were ever bit as good as they were last year!!!! Ummmm!!!! Pete, Jane, and Buzz all ordered the fried oysters and raved about them.....and Moe ordered the enchilada with rice and beans....and was excited about the great tastes!!! All in all.....it was a great late lunch.....and one that we would highly recommend to everyone!!!
After lunch we wandered through more shops for an hour or two.........I purchased some of my favorite cookies which I always buy when over there......and then as we approached the final liquor store, I bought some Bailey's Caramel liquor.......and oh, oh, oh, is it every great!!!!!
We went right through passport control with no problems....a question or two about our purchases, but otherwise not a problem, and it never is returning to the states from Progreso! We did have to stop to pay Texas taxes on the importing of the liquor......$1.25 per liter. Not bad, huh??
Returning to the truck.....we were back at our Resort in about 10 minutes......GREAT!!!!! A wonderful few hours in Mexico....a super lunch....and some fun shopping in colorful Progreso!!!
This evening, after Buzz and Moe who had dropped by for some conversation on our patio, I called my life-long friend in PA.......whose son I will be staying with just across the Potomac from Washington DC while I am there for the Inauguration of Pres. Obama. We visited and for a few minutes and discussed my flight/train plans for arriving in D.C......and my current plans for remaining in the city after arriving by train the night before the ceremonies. Since I cannot carry/take any large back or backpack into the secure area closer to the Capitol, I plan to Fed Ex a box with some changes of clothing for a couple of days there....to his son's home. This little jaunt to be a part of history is taking a lot of planning for these four days that I will be away from the RGV!!!! (I even had to bring my winter leather coat down here with me)
Soooooo, the day which started so dismally with the gray day.......evolved into a wonderful one.........and so, there is no doubt from any of us that........
LIFE IS JUST INCREDIBLY GREAT!!!!!!!......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!
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