Very interesting tour at Rancho El Charco

On Monday we went to Rancho El Charco near La Joya, TX for a very interesting tour of an area unchanged from hundred years ago where we saw much natural Texas wildlife.

Click here to see Rancho El Charco web site.

Swinging foot bridge several of us went across -- a challenge with the rope so low.

Phyllis listening to guide tell about the surrounding trees

Area where many wedding have been performed

All this is carved by hand by 80 year old man in Mexico

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At the entrance

This setting has been in TV Coca-cola commercials

Our group gathering.

Our guide, on veranda looking out on lake.

guide telling us what will happen

Going out to our wagons

Harold & Ernestine, from New York state

Guide giving some final instructions to our wagon load

Belgium Mules pulling our wagon

The other wagon

Going by some bison

Bison

Assisting guide instructing us to unload

We were shown an area of broken shells, indicating activity

Indian arrowheads found on this ranch recently

Guide explaining the prickly pear cactus which grows in shade of the mesquite trees

Gordy, Ann, and Phyllis listening.

Guide shows a blanket dyed with the fruit from the cactus

Photo shows fruit of cactus.

A really old Texas Longhorn

Our group listening to guide

This roadrunner is made of metal

Eating lunch of cactus.

Turtles

Goats, goats, goats.

Showing turtle and explaining the life of them.

Lots of goats, and one blue healer dog in large pen.  Dog had been saved when young on goat milk and remains with them as the "alpha goat".

A fox in one of the large cages

 We experienced some 10 minutes or so of very loud rotary blades from this Border Patrol helicopter circling the area very low over the mesquite area and one uniformed Border Patrol Agent came walking through our area carrying rifle. At least 3 Border Patrol Cars were driving through the area.  Guide said in her 5 years guiding groups this was the first time she recalled the Border Patrol searching over their ranch.

Area where we ate lunch

Lunch

Tasty lunch of beef ribs

Building where we ate lunch

Guide showing a very limited edition book about the place