had a fantastic trip last wed-sat. stopped at choke canyon along the way and dug the park. saw about 10 wild turkeys grazing in the campground. breakfast in three rivers sucked. from there to a friends restaurant in edinburg for lunch, then on to the art museum in mcallen, la lomita, and then on to the national butterfly center. had supper at ana liz taqueria (james beard winner and texas monthly top 50 taco). rented a 4-bdrm house in mission for $200/night with a pool. great house! next morning was bentsen state park then teddys bbq. both excellent. teddy's is well-deserving of their top 50 ranking - as good if not better than leroy and lewis and tejas in tomball. then hit santa ana wildlife refuge and quinta mazatlan. more wild turkeys at bentsen, kiskadees, chacalacas, green jays all over, inca doves, orioles, and caracawa at bentsen. supper that night was mi genta (top 50 taqueria). fri was back to my friends place in edinburg for breakfast, laguna acosta wildlife refuge, across the border to progresso (for maybe an hour max), spacex, vera's bbq (top 50 bbq and top 50 tacos). every restaurant i ever ordered barbacoa there was just one listing on the menu - barbacoa. vera's has 20 different kinds - mixta, lamb, brains and eyes, and on and on. we had 4 kinds and i wish i had the other 16. all outstanding. supper that night in harlingen at some old seafood place from the 50's. had the whole flounder and it was top notch. next day stopped in kingsville at the king ranch museum and saddle shop, then on to san antonio and home.
its an area of the state i'd never been to and well worth a visit. i plan on going back.