Brief trip to Texas/RGV

[MNGeeks61]

Hello,

I am attempting to plan a brief trip south to look around the RGV area. We've already looked at Arizona but since I can't convince my DW to go there (she prefers green) we're going to do a dual-purpose trip. A little sightseeing, maybe birding, and look around some resorts.

Here's our quandary.

We have an older blind, diabetic dog. He travels best in our truck, hates the car. I had thought about renting a small TT and pulling it down to Texas, but: We can make good time in the truck, but not if I tow - prefer to keep the speed down to 65.

So my plan is to rent a TT down there for 7-10 days, and attempt to stay in a resort or campground. I am looking for places that may rent the lot for a week to 10 days, in order to get the feel for the place. It's not required, but it sure would be nice. Wife is over 55 and I am slightly younger.

Unfortunately, we have to limit the trip to 10 days as I can't take much time off work. My wife could work from anywhere with good Internet, so we are debating the possibility of her staying there for a month in order to experience it. She doesn't like the idea as much, as she will miss me and the dog 🙂

Any parks or resorts in the RGV area that might rent for a week to 10 days? Mainly, I am looking for ownership parks but would consider others.

Thanks in advance.

[B_O__Plenty]

Don't overlook the Texas Hill Country. Not as warm but it still beats the 20 below zero we get back home in Jan. Not as crowded, scenic, plenty to do. Prices are reasonable and it's green. We went to AZ for 3 years. Liked the weather but not the wind and it was like living in a gravel pit. Not my kind of place...

B.O.

[TomG2]

Weather statistics are often taken at airports and not private homes. The private homes in the RGV last winter were warmer than the private homes in Yuma. Every year is different

[pjsky]

TomG2 wrote:

pjsky wrote:
If you like green, come to Yuma AZ. That is one of many reasons why we have spent eleven winters there. Also, it is warmer in winter that RGV. PM me if you would like more Yuma info.

Where are you getting your weather statistics? Weatherspark records show that Yuma, AZ and McAllen, Tx have almost exactly the same averages for the month of January with a one degree advantage for the RGV.

The stats for Yuma are from the airport and it is much higher elevation than where we live. Our home is only 100 feet above sea level, hence warmer.

[fanrgs]

Based on our snow-birding trips to AZ, NM, and TX, I would suggest renting a park model instead of trying to rent a travel trailer. Every RV resort designed for snow-birders that we have stayed in seems to have a number of park models. Many are rented every year by the same couple, such as the Saskatchewan farmer and his wife we met for several winters in Benson, AZ. And, since the park models are already permanently set up in the RV park, you don't have to tow them anywhere.

[Space_nerd]

We do it in 2 days. Last year towing a fifth wheel. We stop in Norman Oklahoma. Both of us trade off the driving duties. It is two twelve hour days on the road (not fun). But until we retire it is more about the destination than the trip. Once we retire I will take about a month to make the same trip.

[MinnCamper]

Depending on how long you want to drive each day you could drive there from Minneapolis in 2 full days. We did this a few years ago doing the same thing you are doing - checking things out. We drove our car and stayed in hotels.

We left at 4am and drove to Oklahoma City where we spent the night. The 2nd day drove the rest of the way. Makes for 2 very long days, but we took a break every couple of hours and don't mind driving.

[alfredmay]

I suggest Victoria Palms Resort in Donna, Texas. It is in the middle of the RGV and will have short term rental options. The complex consists of a mobile home section, a motel with 20 motel rooms and 100 suites (bedroom, living room, eat in kitchen), rental park models and RV lots for rent.

Pets are allowed in most areas. If it were me I would rent a suite or park model, BUT call to see if pets are allowed in their rental units. 956-782-3200

[TomG2]

pjsky wrote:
If you like green, come to Yuma AZ. That is one of many reasons why we have spent eleven winters there. Also, it is warmer in winter that RGV. PM me if you would like more Yuma info.

Where are you getting your weather statistics? Weatherspark records show that Yuma, AZ and McAllen, Tx have almost exactly the same averages for the month of January with a one degree advantage for the RGV.

[pjsky]

If you like green, come to Yuma AZ. That is one of many reasons why we have spent eleven winters there. Also, it is warmer in winter that RGV. PM me if you would like more Yuma info.

[joebedford]

I was in RGV last year - didn't see any crowds.

[TomG2]

Roy&Lynne wrote:
....snip....... I loved the birding in the RGV, but not the crowds.

Where and when did you encounter crowds in the RGV? Maybe an occasional wait at a restaurant but with the lower number of Winter Texans, I don't see crowds as being a reason to stay away. The RGV is five to ten degrees warmer in the middle of winter than the Rockport area. That is worth a lot to me.

[Roy_Lynne]

We stayed at a great little RV park in Fulton Tx last Winter and really would love to go back The place we stayed at was full, full but they did have a nice little hotel, (retro not luxury) and a great restaurant right across the street. And it was on the water. Birding was great (near Aransas NWR) and crowds are further south. I loved the birding in the RGV, but not the crowds.

[pawatt]

We usually take 3 days from Brainerd and they are pretty long days.

[Chuck_thehammer]

MNGeeks61 wrote:
Appreciate the feedback. Wondering what the fastest time is to get from Minneapolis to Mission area has been? Google has it 21 hrs 47 mins...I doubt it'll be that fast.

You are correct... gas stops, restrooms, meals. Eye Rest....