OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

For lovers of the outdoors, there can be no finer place than the Rio Grande Valley. No matter where you travel in the region, an abundance of natural beauty will greet you. Spectacular sunsets, sparkling beaches, clear rivers and lakes and an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna abound.

Situated at the confluence of the two main migratory flyways between North and South America, the Valley is world famous among birdwatchers for the variety and number of birds to be found here.

South Padre Island's bottlenose dolphins are wild and free, enjoying the rich waters of the Laguna Madre Bay and the inshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

East of Rio Hondo bordering the Laguna Madre is Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. This 50,000-acre federal preserve is the Valley's biggest wildlife refuge. It supports hundreds of bird species as well as ocelots, deer, javelina, squirrels, long-tailed weasels and alligators. Mountain lions are admittedly very rare but have been spotted.

In Port Isabel, hit the high seas for daylong deep sea fishing excursions or wade fish in the bay (known as the Laguna Madre) off the banks of the mainland or the island. The bay is nationally renowned for its red drum, speckled trout and flounder populations that flourish in its sea grass meadows and shallow water.

Just north of the Queen Isabella Causeway in Port Isabel is a long, lighted pier parallel to the causeway. Shrimp is the live bait of choice for bay fishing, but lures, especially "worms," produce great results as well. From U.S. 77/83 take the South Padre Island exit. Between San Benito and Brownsville, go east on Highway 100.

Sabal Palm Grove Audubon Center, owned by the National Audubon Society, is a 527-acre wildlife sanctuary near Brownsville and is the largest and best-preserved Texas Sabal Palm forest in the country. Though an excellent destination for walking, photography and observation of native plants and animals, the sanctuary has no facilities for camping, hunting, fishing or driving.

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge - Boasting more species of birds than any other spot in the United States, this 2,088-acre refuge at-tracts birders from all over the world. Its mascot is the rare Plain Chachalaca, a sort of wild chicken found only in the Rio Grande delta. Visitors can get within feet of these and other docile birds.

Walk on three trails of different lengths totaling 12 miles underneath hanging Spanish moss. Stop at three manmade lakes and birdwatching blinds. Tram tours are available on seasonal schedules. Open daily from dawn to dusk. The Visitors Center is open year-round from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Entrance fee: $3.00 per vehicle. South of Alamo at U.S. 281 and FM 907. (956) 787-3079.

Valley Nature Center - Weslaco - A half-mile, self-guided nature trail featuring native plants takes visitors through a six-acre urban forest. Exhibits and programs are offered during the winter, and children's workshops are featured in the summer. Presentations can be arranged for community groups. The Visitors Center is open Thurs-day through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Nature Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 301 S. Border Avenue, Weslaco. (956) 969-2475.