Wednesday, January 31, 2018 - Morning Walk; Golf for Dean; Tea Room Lunch; Set up SKP Luncheon for Winter Texan's;

Wednesday, January 31, 2018 -  Morning Walk; Golf for Dean; Tea Room Lunch; Set up SKP Luncheon for Winter Texan's

We haven't walked for the past few days so this morning we headed to Bentsen RGV State Park.  We walked 2.38 miles.  It was a beautiful morning.  We have not seen as many birds recently.  It doesn't seem like they are feeding them as early as they were. 

Sunrise this morning as we rode to the park.

We took a different trail this morning.  This park doesn't have what I would call remarkable views.  I find the trees somewhat haunting as we walk the trails.  So many of these trees are bent, dead or without any sign of life, yet there is a beauty here all of it's own.

One of our Heartland friends, David, suggested that we visit the nearby National Butterfly Center.  Here's some information I copied from their website.  Yes, I think we need to visit here soon!

You never know what you'll see at the National Butterfly Center!

Did you know nearly 150 species of North American butterflies can be seen only in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas, or by traveling to Mexico?

In fact, more than 300 species of butterflies may be found in the LRGV, and more than 200 species have been seen at the National Butterfly Center, including a number of rarities and U.S. Records!

Incredibly, almost 40% of the 700+ butterflies that can be found in the United States can be seen in this three-county area at the southernmost tip of Texas, where the subtropical climate makes it possible to enjoy the outdoors year 'round.

We returned to Bentley, ate breakfast, and soon after Dean left to go play golf with Dave and Lin.  Flora made a reservation for the ladies at "The Tea Room" here in Mission.  Corbin and Jay were good enough to drive the six of us to the restaurant and then return when we were finished to chauffeur us back home.  

From left to right:  Stella, Debbie, Nancy and Flora.  I'm not sure where Peg was when I took this picture.

Peg checking out the items on display.

What a wonderful little tea room this was.  It was] decorated in a Victorian motif, with many things similar to what we remembered our mothers and or grandmothers having in their homes.  Flora and Peg were really enjoying walking around and looking at all of the items on display for purchase.

The menu included stuffed tomatoes or avocados with either grape chicken salad, or tuna salad, soups and salads.  I chose the avocado stuffed with grape chicken salad.  In addition it included a few crackers, chips, and fruit slices (grapefruit, apple and orange).  The meal was delicious and I am so glad that Flora suggested we do this.

We were back home around 2.  I visited with Dennis and Pam about setting up a luncheon for all of our Ozark Chapter 17 Escapee group that are here for the winter.  In the past they have held these at Gatti's in McAllen.  They said it works well and that if we have it there we should plan to be there when it opens at 11.  They serve pizza, spaghetti, etc. and have a couple of meeting rooms.  I sent a message out to all of our Chapter 17 members on our Facebook page, as well as an email to all members (in case anyone else is in the area we are not aware of) to invite them to attend.  I hope we have a great turnout.  It will be good to see some of our group that we haven't seen since spring of 2017.

I spent the rest of the afternoon working on the blog and updating our month end budget.  Dean didn't get back from golf until later in the afternoon.  I made grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner, and we relaxed the rest of the evening.