Saturday, January 20 – It was a beautiful day here in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. A nice day for a cruise on the Rio Grande River. We met up with friends Louise and Duane who are staying in Harlingen, TX, which is about an hour east of our park in Mission, TX.
The boat, which is a large enclosed pontoon boat, can carry about fifty passengers. The boat is clean and well maintained. The cost is $12 ($10 for seniors). Reservations are advisable. The cruise lasts about one hour. It departs from Riverside Restaurant. They were so busy today that a two additional cruises was added. We departed at 10:30 AM with other cruises at noon and 2 PM. The captain is also the tour guide giving a nice informative and sometimes humorous explanation of the areas along the river. There are beverages and snacks for sale on the boat as well. Note: All photos had to be take through the window.
Riverside from the water. 
Duane and Paul enjoying the ride.
The Mexico side of the river has new construction of many private entertainment venues used primarily in the summer by residents of nearby Reynosa, the third largest city in Mexico with a population over 700,000 people. Americans and Mexicans are free to use the entire river for fishing and pleasure but are not allowed to land on the other countries shore. The river is 200-300 feet across in this area and averages about 25 feet deep. The USA – Mexico border is actually at the mid-point of the river.
Private entertainment venues in Mexico.
The roofs for these picnic shelters are made out of palm leaves. They put the leaves on when they are green.
As they dry the palms shrink and make great covers for buildings and picnic tables. 
Much of the USA side of the river is a large national wildlife protected area. It is also the area where many illegals cross the river from Mexico. The captain said the border patrol, which has an extremely large presence in the Rio Grande Valley, intercepts an average of 100 illegals crossing into the US in this area per day. Only two of those caught are from Mexico. Eight are from other countries. It is common to see US Custom and Texas Custom gun boats running at high speed up and down this section of the river.
Wildlife Refugee on US side. 
There is a sugar cane field that lines part of the river on the US side.
Boarder Patrol lookout.
One of the places were illegals cross.
Our guide told us that the Rio Grande river twists and turns so much that sometimes you will find yourself East or West of the river rather than North. We found ourselves exactly in that situation in the next photo.
It is in this area that President Trump wants to build the first sections of his wall. There is currently a levy for helping with river flooding on the US side of the river. The plan is to build the wall on top of this levy all the way to the Gulf. Unfortunately, the levy sits back about 500 or more feet from the river and there are many homes, business, and RV parks along the river which would be cut off. The Riverside Restaurant from which we departed is one of the many business that would be affected.
On the other side of the dame is a 30 ft. waterfall.
We did see some wildlife. Mostly Blue herons.
We enjoyed the cruise. We found it both informative and interesting. Remember, if in the area and interested in the cruise, it is a good idea to make reservations. Of course, we had to have lunch after our tour. Another delicious meal.
Duane and Louise
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day.
