Biding the Warm Weather Good Bye

The weather only got to 65F this afternoon. For all the winter Texans (aka snowbirds), the weather was cool and required a sweater and long pants. With less than 36 hours remaining in southern Texas, I was basking in the weather.

Tomorrow is going to be a tough day. I will have breakfast in the morning with my fresh squeezed organge juice in the warm sunny (hopefully) weather before boarding a plane for a winter barren land called home. It is understandable why people head south for the winter! That being said, I am - dare I say it - missing the snow. I am sure this notion will dissolve quickly as I leave the confines of the airport in Minneapolis and walk out into winter. But until then, I am enjoying the warm weather.

Leia Mais…

20 Foot Fence

On my travels from Weslaco, Texas to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico I was introduced to the latest means of preventing illegal immigrants from entering the United States. At first sight, a million thoughts raced through my head. One day later, I am still perplexed.

The Rio Grande River constitutes the entire Texas-Mexico border. Traditionally, the international border has been guarded by fences, armed border agents, and video survelliance. In 2006, the United States federal government passed the Secure Fence Act. This legislative bill permitted the construction of a 1,100 kilometre fence along strategic areas of the US-Mexico border "prone to illegal immigration". I recall hearing of this development a few years ago in the news, however, never visualized or considered the consequences. This changed on the trip to Nuevo Progreso yesterday.

The United States has begun construction of the double-reinforced fence in Texas. The fence will consist of a two 20 foot segments: (a) 20 ft cement wall below the surface of the ground and (b) a 20 ft high fence above ground. As we approached the Rio Grande River/international border an obtrusive structure rises from what appears to be a levee. The levee, upon further investigate is the 20 ft cement wall undergound. The start of the 20 ft fence extends like fingers from the ground. The wall is no where near completion, however, this didn't stop my mind from racing between thoughts. Accordin to President George W. Bush, "This bill will help protect the American people. This bill will make our borders more secure. It is an important step toward immigration reform" Understanding the need for immigration reform, I am not sure a 20 foot fence will reform the immigration system.

Leia Mais…

Merry Christmas from Texas

I was disappointed this morning when I awoke. Not because there was no snow; rather it was because there was fog everywhere! The weatherman had fore casted a bright sunny Christmas morning with temperatures around 65F and warming to 85F by the afternoon. Thankfully, after a champagne breakfast the fog lifted and the sunny was blazing.

After digesting breakfast I am now sitting on the patio with a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice checking my email. Later tonight I will walking two blocks down the street to another trailer for a potluck Christmas supper. Beyond that, my plan is simply to sit here and relax in the great weather!

Merry Christmas from the Citrus Capital of Texas.

Leia Mais…

Visit to the Sand Bar

With the temperature hovering around 80 F, I ventured down the highway to the southeast corner of Texas for the first time. My destination was the sand bar/island barrier of South Padre Island.

The island was approximately 1 hour due east from my new 'home base' in Weslaco. I anticipated the small island to be wall to wall with tourists, however, I was shocked to find the island half empty. Restaurants were closed for renovations, store fronts were empty and for sale/rent, and the streets had very few people walking around. In a few weeks this atmosphere will completely change as tourists and seasonal residents return for winter holidays. Damage from Hurricane Dolly was clearly evident throughout the island. Boarded windows, torn roofs, and new renovations greeted all visitors to the island. Compared to the damage in Galveston from Hurricane Ike, South Padre Island faired very well. I spent the day walking around the Gulf of Mexico beaches, walking some of the sand dunes, and driving around the island. I have a few photographs below.

Leia Mais…

Winter Home

After a 4:30 AM waking call, a brief buffet breakfast, and a 2.5 hour flight I arrived in at my final warm destination. For the next 8 days, I will forego hanging my hat in snowy, cold Brandon for warm, sunny Weslaco, Texas.

Weslaco is a small city of approximately 30,000 people 7 miles north of the Texas - Mexico border. Known as the Citrius Capital of Texas, the streets are lined with various fruit trees of organes, grapefruit, and lemons. The city populations includes a significant number of "winter Texans" or snowbirds. The snowbirds come from across Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario) and the northern United States (Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Idaho). At first glance on the city map I counted 27 'snowbird parks' - small communities of 500-750 people who reside in the community from December - April annually.

Anything you could possible need (or dont need) is available in Weslaco or one of its neighbour cities of Mercedes, La Feria, McAllen, or Donna. There are huge multi-national box stores open 24 hours, ma and pa stores, and roadside food stalls. I can admit to only visiting one store and one food outlet since my arrival, but will most likely visit a few more!

I have no idea what the plan for the remainder of my travels. Something that will need to be determined in due time (mostly likely over coffee and breakfast). I will keep you posted.

Leia Mais…

Winter Driving to the Twin Cities

After a day full of dodging snow drifts and driving down the centre of the two lane highway, we arrived in Minneapolis without any dilemmas. The nine hour drive through southern Manitoba, North Dakota, and Minnesota started slowly and finished on a better note.

The drive from Brandon to Grand Forks, North Dakota was a test in winter driving. The highway was full of drifting snow, fresh snow, and ice. It was not reassuring to see very few other cars on the highway. Four hours later with a pit stop for lunch and gas, we drove out of the crappy weather. From Grand Forks, North Dakota to St Cloud, Minnesota the road conditions were great. No drifts, clear roads, and lots of traffic. As we (my mother and I) got closer to Minneapolis the weather began to warm up and there was actually standing water on the interstate.

The drive was made easier knowing that by lunch the next day there would be no snow. Texas (hopefully) will have beautiful warm weather, sunny filled days, and lots of fresh citrus fruit. The only thing standing in the way is a 4:30 AM wake up call to catch the flight south!

Leia Mais…

Manitoba in Washington DC

On Saturday afternoon I took the opportunity to visit a few of the Smithsonian Museums. It was in the second museum that I unexpectedly stumbled upon a showcase of Manitoba history.

The National Museum of the American Indian is four floors of exhibits dedicated to preserving and documenting the histories, cultures, and languages of American Indians. However, a section of the three floor has a recent exhibit showcasing Aboriginal communities from across the world. The collection includes the communities of Kahnawake (Quebec), , Kalinago (Dominica), Pamunkey Tribe
Nation (Washington State), Igloolik (Nunavut), and the Saint-Laurent Metis (Manitoba). The Saint-Laurent Metis exhibit provide an overview of the Metis, their culture, and language. It highlighted changes in the way of life for the Metis over the past 100 years. The display included three snowmobiles - starting with a small tractor on skis to the modern skidoo.

Never would I have imagine to stumble across a piece of Manitoba history in Washington DC.

Leia Mais…

Photos from DC

I arrived in Washington DC without any further delays. Friday evening and Saturday walking around the city, visiting a few museums, and taking in a hockey game. Here are a few photographs from Saturday's hike.

Leia Mais…

Who Would Have Thought?

My alarm went off at 4:00 AM this morning (slightly painful, but knowing a holiday was just hours away it was bearable). I was at the airport at 5 AM and through security. By 5:30 AM I was seated on my first of two flight destined for Toronto. At 6:30 AM I was still seated on my flight for Toronto with the aircraft still at the airport gate. By 7:10 AM the pilot announced the plane would not be taking off - apparently the aircraft would not start properly due to the cold temperature last night. The plane sat on the tarmack all night and didn`t want to start this morning. You would have thought that Air Canada, which flies in a northern country, would realize that winter night are cold. Everybody that lives on the prairies understands they need to pull in their cars to make them start in the morning. Apparently Air Canada didn`t realize this!

I am now hoping to catch a flight to Washington DC via Montreal, however, I do not have a confirmed seat to Montreal - just standby. If everything goes according to the new plan, I will be in DC late this afternoon.

Leia Mais…

DC Bound

Tomorrow morning (at the crack of dawn) I will head out Washington DC. Unlike many of my recent adventures, this will not involve any work! A short holiday in the US capital. I had a few credits with Air Canada that would have expired at the end of the year. Rather than simply forfiet my money to the airline I booked a weekend vacation in DC.

Leia Mais…