Brownsville, TX Again (2/13/2020)

Thursday, February 13, 2020
Time to check out of the hotel.

A sunnier view of the Gulf of Mexico from the Palms Resort

After being picked up by John, we went to retrieve Pat who was volunteering to set up for a quilt convention. We were able to get a sneak peek at some of the quilts.

Patriotic quilt using trapezoids

Wow, unique disappearing nine patch (?) design

Fan pattern quilt

Fan pattern quilt detail

3-D design quilt

Attic window design variation quilt

Six-pointed star design quilt

Star quilt detail with sequin bling

Colorful quilt, using triangles to create curves;
note the hard-to-see edging

Original design quilt

Positive-negative design quilt

Positive-negative quilt detail

Quilt with kaleidoscope effect

Kaleidoscope effect detail

Okay, a nod to Texas: Dallas Cowboys quilt

After breakfast at Pat's and John's condo, we headed back to Brownsville.

Immaculate Conception Cathedral (founded 1850,
built 1856-1859, by Father Pierre Yves Keralum,
in Gothic Revival style)

Cathedral interior with sky blue canvas-lined vaulted ceiling
and chandeliers from France

The pulpit is made of mesquite wood

Chapel with statues of St Jerome, Our Lady of
 Guadalupe, St Martin de Porres, and
perhaps St Benedict (KSS)

Our Lady of Charity (KSS)

Memorial to the Missionary Oblates of Mary
Immaculata, who founded this church and others;
the hexagonal sign marks the Oblate Fathers Trail
linking the churches they founded (KSS)

Market Square, site of open-air market started in 1852

Former City Hall (1850) is now the Market Square Event Hall and
Research Center of the Brownsville Historical Association

E Washington Street from E 12th Street

Shop front with earrings

Shop front with wedding bouquets

Rutledge Hamburger Stand (established 1922)
was constructed in the alley between two buildings

Holy figures from many religions

Mexican dresses

Stillman House (c 1850) is one of the oldest houses in Brownsville;
one owner was the Mexican Consul to Brownsville who later was
involved in a plot to overthrow the  Mexican president in 1875;
now the Brownsville Heritage Museum

14th Street Plaza murals (2019, by Monica Lugo, Samantha Rawls and
Alexandria Canchola) that represent sisterhood and female empowerment

View down an alley

Entrance to the Gateway International Bridge to Mexico

View of the Gateway Bridge through the border fence

Here the fence follows the curve of the Rio Grande

Demonstration in Xeriscape Park, protesting the so-called
Migrant Protection Protocols/MPP which in effect traps
all asylum seekers and immigrants on the Mexican side of the border

Banner in Xeriscape Park (KSS)

The bars on this bench do not deter the homeless from sleeping!

Former Cameron County Courthouse (1912-1914, by
Atlee B Ayres in the Classical Revival style) now houses
county offices and County Court at Law #1

Old County Jail (1882-1883) is an example of the Spanish Colonial
Border Brick style); it later was converted into a store with living quarters

The windows are still barred in the former jail

We had a late lunch at the Vermillion Restaurant and Watering Hole, experiencing another Texas specialty: chicken-fried steak. Oh, so "comfort food" good!
It was time to be dropped off at the Brownsville airport and say our goodbyes. We are very grateful to Pat and John for a fabulous and busy "winter break." ¡Muchas gracias!