It was warm during the night. I kept pulling in and out of the comforter during my sleep. Erwin did the same thing! We did not leave the air conditioner running.
It was overcast this morning, but looked good for our day's trip to visit some attractions in Del Rio, TX.
Before heading out of the campground we checked into Broke Mill office to register for the campsite. The office has some cool Western themed exhibits.
Del Rio, Texas is a city in and the county seat of Val Verde County. As of 2015, the population was around 40,500. It is home to Laughlin Air Force Base, the busiest training complex in the world. There is a bridge that leads to U.S.-Mexico border crossing. Several movies were made in this town, such as Arrowhead, No Country For Old Men, Bandolero and 2 Rode Together among a few others!
First attraction we visited was Old Del Rio National Bank Building. In 1910 the bank bought the lot and hired noted Texas architect Alfred Giles to design the building. In 1931 the bank vacated this building for a larger building somewhere else. After World War II Victor Lee worked his way up to become sole proprietor and owner of the property.
Old Del Rio National Bank Building
Next building, across the street from the bank building, was Woolworth's. It was one of the early brick buildings on the Main Street. Back in the old days Woolworth's was a thriving 5 & 10 store that used to sell school supplies, holiday decorations, etc.
Woolworth's
There were few interesting murals throughout the town, some in the alley.
We checked out Sacred Heart Church, completed in 1892, is across the street from The Val Verde Courthouse. Before the church was finished the Mass was held in private homes. The building has been converted to other uses that support the mission of the parish. We also visited First United Methodist Church.
Sacred Heart Church
First United |Methodist Church
Val Verde Courthouse
I read somewhere in photographers' webpages about the cemetery in Del Rio and was determined to look for it. After driving around I finally came to San Felipe Cemetery. It is the first cemetery that has markers dating back to 1870's..
We went back to the town to have lunch at The Brown Bag at 440 S. Main Street. It was ranked #2 out of 58 restaurants in the town. |I had a bowl of Tortilla soup, after asking for a sample and a platter of chicken and tuna salads with crossiant. Erwin had Rueben sandwich with a side of potato salad.
We went south to get as close to U.S.- Mexico border crossing, but there was a fence wall along the river.
We wanted to sample wines at Val Verde Winery, but it was closed. We went by Whitehead Memorial Museum, but this place was closed, also.
After supper we drove west on Highway 90 to check out the sunset. We could not find a perfect spot for photography, so I told Erwin that we can stop on the bridge on our way back to the campground. After "parking" on the bridge and taking pictures we were stopped by the border patrol agent. He was very angry, demanded to know why we stopped on the bridge. He explained that parking on the bridge is prohibited and there was a sign before the bridge. We must have overlooked when we were looking at the train bridge and the sun. Besides there were no cars coming or going while we stopped on the bridge!
