Who would think that a visitor’s center/ rest stop/ roadside park could ever warrant an entry in our travel journal? - but then, this one is different. Located at Exit 18 on Interstate 35, just 12 miles from Laredo, Texas, this visitor’s center is one you have to see to believe.
Approaching it, my first thought was that is was a resort, but the signs said Rest Area which in this part of the country translates to bathroom stop. Following the long winding entrance, we approached this beautiful oasis.
The undisputed centerpiece of the Visitor’s Center is a magnificent sculpture of the State of Texas, created by Armando Flores in 1999. Beyond the outline of Texas is a beautifully landscaped water park and picnic area. There are waterfalls, water gardens and walkways leading visitors through this tranquil oasis. Of course, everything is handicapped accessible. There are individual and private covered picnic areas, providing shade from the Texas sun. Native river bottom rock in pinks, greens and purple tones substitute for grassy areas. Desert plants thrive in this environment. Mexican tile line some of the pools and retainer walls, pink and blue stucco shelters and red tile roofs leave visitors with no doubt where they are.
Uniformed professional bilingual travel counselors who staff the Center offer free services to all visitors. They helped us with maps and information about activities in Laredo. In addition, there are maps and brochures about every tourist site in Texas. Oh, by the way, clean restrooms and vending machines are also available.
We strolled along the pathways, enjoying the pools of water, the beautiful vegetation and landscaping but had to remind ourselves that this was NOT our destination, but merely a "rest stop" along the way.