We are traveling the southern part of North America into Texas on Highway 281. Hidalgo County part of one of the fastest growing areas in the United States and with a cost of living lower than the U.S. average. A great agricultural area. Fresh fruits and vegetables most anytime of the year here. Winter visitors like to call this area, "home away from home". Entertainment for every member of the family. Annual events, festivals and weekly happenings, lots to see and do in these International Border-towns.
Pharr, Texas +/- 65,000. A community rich with bicultural diversity and beauty, minutes to the border and the beach. Average high in January is 68 °F, and the average low in this area of the USA is 47 °F. June - September, 80 - 100 °F.
The City of Pharr has a 18-hole, 6,767-yard municipal golf course. We found 15 Public golf courses within 30 miles of Pharr. What a fun place to be, golfing, shopping, beach, fishing, boating, international experiences, and more.
Pharr Chamber Website:
On the Southern-side of Pharr a few miles 281 "T's" and splits into a, North-westerly & South-easterly route. Right towards Hidalgo, left towards Progreso, to Brownsville. This road is also refereed to as "Old Military Highway".
City of Hidalgo, Texas. Population +/- 12,000. In 1848 Scottish-born merchant John Young founded a town site on Spanish land grants as a trading post and ferry landing opposite Reynosa, now in the Republic of Mexico. Entertainment for the whole family, sports, events, festivals and weekly happenings, lots to see and do in this Border-town. See the giant killer bee in town.
City of Hidalgo Website:
Progreso, Texas +/- 5.500. Located on US HWY 281 and FM 1015. Bordering the Mexican town of Nuevo Progreso. The International Bridge, is a crossing for U.S. and Mexican citizens as well as travelers to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico directly across The Rio Grande River.
International Bridge Website:
Brownsville, Texas +/- 175,000. The 15th largest city in the state of Texas and the 129th largest in the United States. With a city this large it has it all. See our previous post about the Brownsville area for more in-depth information of things to and see do in this most southerly of our US Highway 281 towns.
Our Brownsville 281 Link: Brownsville Visitors Website:
Birds of a feather flock together. World class birding, a spectacular convergence of birds here. I counted over a half dozen places to go for viewing. There is approximately 800 plus bird species recorded in the United States, 500 +/- have been recorded in the Rio Grande Valley.
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, a 2,088 acre refuge established in 1943 for the protection of migratory birds. Along the banks of the lower Rio Grande River as it flows to the Gulf of Mexico. Directions: On Highway 281 (Old Military Highway) the refuge is on the south side of the highway.
Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge:
World Birding Center Website:
Safe travels, happy motoring and ya'll come back...
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