Tuesday, February 5 - Our last stop on our "Making Memories With Friends" was Rio Grande City.
Here we visited the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto. Built to resemble the shrine of Lourdes in Southern France, the man-made cave is beautiful. In the center of the grotto, stands a 7-foot-tall statue of the Madonna. The grotto is 33 feet high and 90 feet wide with cacti growing from the walls.
Stations of the cross.
As we walked some of the back roads of Rio Grande City, we notice this strange looking tree.
A close up of the tree bark.
If anyone knows the name of this tree, we would appreciate knowing it.
We continued with a walk around historic Rio Grande City enjoying much of the old architecture.
One historic stop was at the LaBorde House. LaBorde House was originally served as a travelers’ way-station for many years. Early-day guests included those traveling to Texas political events, riverboat and wagon travelers, cattle barons who sold their herds on nearby river docks and military officers en-route to California. Construction was completed in 1899. A former hotel, bordello, and now a very good Mexican restaurant. We stopped there for lunch.
One of two eating areas.
Furniture for the hotel has been selected for its authenticity to the period.
After lunch, we searched for the historic Fort Ringgold. This was a difficult search, but we finally located it on the Rio Grande School District property. With schools being very concerned with unknown visitors, we didn't really feel too comfortable driving around looking for these former fort buildings.
Many of the building were being used by the school district as classrooms, offices, and other school related buildings. Many of the others were in various states of disrepair. We weren't sure where the historic Robert E Lee House Museum was even located.
Rio Grande City was our last stop on the "Making Memories With Friends" tour. While driving home, we reviewed our day with some laughs and poking fun at each other. Marsha being the tour guide took her share of kidding along with Barry our tour driver.
Our "Making Memoires" group.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!
great pics as always. . .
ReplyDeleteNot sure without seeing the leaves. . .but the tree may be a Winged Elm. . .we have them here at SFA. . .the bark looks very similar.
If I can remember, I will have our interpreter take a look at the pic!
I think it is a Silk Floss Tree
ReplyDeletehttp://pinecrestgardenguy.blogspot.com/2010/09/fabulous-silk-floss-tree.html
Sounds like a fun day..
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested in finding out about that tree. We saw them in Pacific Beach (San Diego) and wondered....
ReplyDeleteWe have never been to Rio Grande City. I really enjoyed your tour. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSilk Floss Tree is my best guess as well
ReplyDeleteAll that touring and no bullet hole makes for a successful tour.
ReplyDeleteNice tour-thanks:)
ReplyDeleteSo much fun ... like the LaBorde House ... will have to stop there for some Mexican food.
ReplyDeleteAnother nice tour and history lesson. That's a great picture of your group. Looks like you have all had a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteYou are really making the time count down there with all the touring you are doing. I still love the birds in the tree best.
ReplyDeleteYou are really making the time count down there with all the touring you are doing. I still love the birds in the tree best.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great tour of Rio Grande City. That Grotto is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos too!
What a great tour!
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting stop! Loved the LaBorde House.
ReplyDelete