Run to the Rio Grande Valley 5.17.08

[phreak]

I wanted to go there 2 years ago. Almost phorgot about it.

Oh boy this is going to be fun....just sayin

[BillyB]

Originally Posted by phreak

I wanted to go there 2 years ago. Almost phorgot about it.

And now you'll get your chance my phriend!

Originally Posted by BigAlsRK

Oh boy this is going to be fun....just sayin

Oh yeah!! After this weekend, I am rested up and ready for another adventure!

[thrasher]

Originally Posted by BillyB

True, but some of us have been too lazy to get one (cough..me)
Do you know if a passport is required to go across the ferry you mentioned? Didn't know if you could ride across and just stay on it for the ride back without need for border hassles?

Not sure about that, Billy. That hand drawn ferry is a small one. It holds three cars max plus walkons. I do know that its a dirt road on the Mexican side. Probably not a good place to cross. Here's what the ferry looks like.



This website says that there is a customs checkpoint around four miles south of the ferry landing.

http://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/Lo...anos_Texas.htm

[Dinero]

Originally Posted by BillyB

It would probably work about as good as the one I don't have

We can keep our focus on the US side of the border for now, think there is a town named Pharr, TX along the route that might be of interest to you

How pharr is it?

[genoway]

Originally Posted by Dinero No Mas

How pharr is it?

Pharr ain't far at all from McAllen.

[BillyB]

Originally Posted by thrasher

Not sure about that, Billy. That hand drawn ferry is a small one. It holds three cars max plus walkons. I do know that its a dirt road on the Mexican side. Probably not a good place to cross. Here's what the ferry looks like.

This website says that there is a customs checkpoint around four miles south of the ferry landing.

Sounds like it is still on the US side of the border then. Will do a little checking, might be able to get off on the other side and hang out for a few minutes until coming back over. Thanks for the tip on this place!

Originally Posted by Dinero No Mas

How pharr is it?

From Dinero, it's about 155 miles. It's less than 5 miles to McAllen

[genoway]

Originally Posted by BillyB

...
From Dinero, it's about 155 miles. It's less than 5 miles to McAllen

I thought the city limit sign between them was shared. You know like a millimeter apart! You must be talking post office to post office.


BTW, downtown McAllen is just like being in Mexico. Only you can drink the water!

[thrasher]

Originally Posted by BillyB

Sounds like it is still on the US side of the border then. Will do a little checking, might be able to get off on the other side and hang out for a few minutes until coming back over. Thanks for the tip on this place!

No, the US/Mexico border in Texas IS the Rio Grande River. The ferry crosses that. Anything south of the Rio Grande IS Mexico.

[thrasher]

Billy, y'all ought to go into Port Isabel and South Padre Island...

[genoway]

Save that for SPI Bilkefest.

[BillyB]

Originally Posted by thrasher

No, the US/Mexico border in Texas IS the Rio Grande River. The ferry crosses that. Anything south of the Rio Grande IS Mexico.

Yeah, that is true. Doesn't make much sense to have a customs checkpoint 4 miles away from the border. I'm going to call the Chamber of Commerce down there and get some more information on what, if any, ID is required to get on the ferry. Really hoping we get to check that out

Originally Posted by genoway

Save that for SPI Bilkefest.

Probably will wait until SPI Bikefest to hit those areas. Been there a few times but have never been to McAllen, Dinero or Pharr!

[genoway]

Originally Posted by BillyB

Yeah, that is true. Doesn't make much sense to have a customs checkpoint 4 miles away from the border. I'm going to call the Chamber of Commerce down there and get some more information on what, if any, ID is required to get on the ferry. Really hoping we get to check that out



Probably will wait until SPI Bikefest to hit those areas. Been there a few times but have never been to McAllen, Dinero or Pharr!

Uh, I know you chose dOOf, but Dinero is nearer where you live.

I have loved McAllen since I was a boy, Yes, before you were even born!

I used to spend summer vactions down there riding, my pony that is. Get up in the morning, eat breakfast, saddle my pony and come back at dusk for dinner. Sometimes at lunch, if I wasn't wanting to just eat all the fruit that was everywhere for lunch.

[BillyB]

Originally Posted by genoway

Uh, I know you chose dOOf, but Dinero is nearer where you live.

I have loved McAllen since I was a boy, Yes, before you were even born!

I used to spend summer vactions down there riding, my pony that is. Get up in the morning, eat breakfast, saddle my pony and come back at dusk for dinner. Sometimes at lunch, if I wasn't wanting to just eat all the fruit that was everywhere for lunch.

I should have said that we wouldn't have many chances to hit Dinero and Pharr in the same day Sounds like good memories from your childhood! Have been to Brownsville and Harlingen a few times but not to McAllen.

[BillyB]

I just got off of the phone with the Border Patrol office in Los Ebanos. The ferry is closed until at least 5/26 due to high waters. The agent I spoke with told me that we could still see the ferry and ride up to it but no rides for now.

He also clarified that while their physical checkpoint is a few miles into Mexico, that they have agents on the other side of the ferry and you have to have a passport or DL/Birth Certificate combo to get back on for the return trip to the US.

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For a place to stay Saturday night, there is a brand new Motel 6 in Mission that looks good. We can get rooms there for $44.99, it has a pool, WiFi and free coffee in the morning. I'm going to make a reservation there this morning. Here's the contact info

Motel 6 Mission, TX #4306
1813 E Expressway 83
US-83 at Sharyland Rd/FM-494 exit
Mission, TX, 78572
Phone: (956) 581-1919