1 of 6
Photos courtesy Encore Resorts
Encore Resorts
Sunset at Tropic Winds
2 of 6
Photos courtesy Encore Resorts
Encore Resorts
Koi fish pond at Tropic Winds
3 of 6
Photos courtesy Encore Resorts
Encore Resorts
Palm tree lined street at Victoria Palms
4 of 6
JANINE MARIE
Encore Resorts
Pool at Paradise Park
5 of 6
Photos courtesy Encore Resorts
Encore Resorts
Victoria Palms entrace
6 of 6
Jason Page
Encore Resorts
Woodworking station at Sunshine RV
By Annie Berman, photos courtesy Encore Resorts
Here’s why everyone’s flocking to South Texas
Wake up slow to the rising sun. Drink a cup of coffee on your porch or in the recreation hall with friends. Swim in the resort pool or a cast away for a morning of fishing. Spend an afternoon riding a bike or hiking to spot rare bird species. Play a game of bocce ball or pickleball. Enjoy a show, or dance the night away with your friends. This isn’t just a vacation. This is a lifestyle for many “Winter Texans” who head to South Texas from all over Canada and the U.S. to spend the winter months. South Texas is also known as the “Rio Grande Valley”, an increasingly popular destination known for its weather, food, culture, citrus orchards, world-class birding, top-notch hospitals, and friendly people. South Texas is not only beautiful, but it is a lively and affordable place to spend one’s golden years, and has been consistently rated as one of the least expensive places to live in the U.S.
A favourite among residents and visitors is South Padre Island, which has unique landmarks and destinations like the Port Isabel lighthouse and the Sea Turtle Rescue centre. The Sea Turtle Rescue is a not for profit organization whose mission is to “rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured sea turtles, educate the public, and assist with conservation efforts for all marine turtle species.” It is a great place to bring the grandkids that will surely love the live interaction with sea turtles. Be sure to check seaturtleinc.org for more information on hatchlings, releases, and onsite activities. Other landmarks in South Texas include the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, and the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park.
Port Mansfield was named one of the Top 10 sport fishing destinations in 2014 by Sport Fishing Magazine. Whether you head out on your own or embark on a chartered fishing trip, the Gulf of Mexico provides eager trophy fish just waiting to be caught! Nearby at Port Isabel, there are hundreds of activities for visitors, including fishing from Pirate’s Landing, the longest fishing pier in Texas. Pirate’s Landing extends out into the Queen Isabella Causeway that leads to South Padre Island and fishing poles and tackle are always available to rent here.
South Texas is a popular and world-renowned location for birders. The region has more than 500 species of birds & butterflies and is also home to the World Birding Center, which has 9 locations in South Texas, with each location offering unique birding trails and excursions. It is also the site of the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, which draws world-class birders for speaking engagements, field trips, and special events every year. The 23rd Annual Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival will take place on November 2, 2016 and will feature speaking engagements by renowned wildlife photographers and prominent birders, plus field trips to places like South Padre Island and the Upper Rio Grande. Visit rgvbf.com for more information about field trips and tickets.
The folks that come to live in South Texas are called Winter Texans, not to be confused with the Snowbirds of Florida, Arizona, and Southern California. Winter Texans come because the warmth eases joint pain, there’s no snow to shovel, and the outdoor activities are boundless. There are roughly 10,000 Winter Texans who choose to stay at an Encore Resort in south Texas. Many at one of ten age-qualified, gated Encore RV Resorts, offering amenities and activities like pools & spas, fitness centres, shuffleboard, pickle ball, woodworking clubs, and much more.
Winter Texans are also trailblazers who love living their life on the road with the freedom to go anywhere and see anything, whenever they want from behind the wheel of their RV. After retiring early, Kathy and her husband, who have been coming to an Encore Resort in South Texas since 2003, bought a new rig and headed out to see the country. They found that having the freedom to travel and explore was the best way to spend their winters. Kathy says, “Travelling by RV allows you the freedom to experience sights and sounds that people staying in a hotel never will.”
Ready to join the ranks of the Winter Texans? Trek south to this laid back area with a low cost of living and big city amenities. Take advantage of some of the new customer specials offered by Encore. Rates are $1,433 for a three-month stay on a standard RV site at Sunshine RV, and $1,313 for a three-month stay on a standard RV site at Paradise Park. No RV, no problem, there are park models available for rent!
For more information on these opportunities visit rvonthego.com, rvsouthtexas.com or call 1-877-570-2267.