Rural Interstates, Highways, and Roads in the South Plains Region

Of course, the big freeways are in the big cities. But any true road enthusiast also likes to take a look at the rural roads and the surrounding landscape. I'll slowly add photos to this section
 

The South Plains Region includes the following counties:       Atascosa Guadalupe Maverick Bee Hidalgo Starr Bexar Jim Hogg Webb Brooks Jim Wells Wilson Dimmit Karnes Zapata Duval La Salle Zavala Frio Live Oak   Goliad McMullen

Features of the South Texas Plains Region
Topography and Characteristics	Major Cities / Rainfall / Elevation	Common & Rare Vegetation	Common & Rare Wildlife
Size: 28,000 sq mi Av. Rainfall: 20-32 in/yr Characteristics: The South Texas Brush Country is characterized by plains of thorny shrubs and trees and scattered patches of palms and subtropical woodlands in the Rio Grande Valley. The plains were once covered with open grasslands and a scattering of trees, and the valley woodlands were once more extensive. Today, the primary vegetation consists of thorny brush such as mesquite, acacia, and prickly pear mixed with areas of grassland. The average annual rainfall of 20 to 32 inches increases from west to east. Average monthly rainfall is lowest during winter, and highest during spring (May or June) and fall (September). Summer temperatures are high, with very high evaporation rates. Soils of the region are alkaline to slightly acidic clays and clay loams. The deeper soils support tall brush, such as mesquite and spiny hackberry, whereas short, dense brush characterizes the shallow caliche soils. Although many land changes have occurred in this region, the Brush Country remains rich in wildlife and a haven for many rare species of plants and animals. It is home for semi-tropical species that occur in Mexico, grassland species that range northward, and desert species commonly found in the Trans-Pecos. Livestock grazing and crop production are the principal agricultural land uses.	Alice-27.81 in / 205 ft Crystal City-20.98 in / 581 ft Eagle Pass-21.54 in / 797 ft Falfurrias-25.88 in / 109 ft George West-27.59 in / 162 ft Laredo-21.42 in / 438 ft McAllen-23.4 in / 122 ft Pearsall-14.88 in / 646 ft Pleasanton-17.65 / 374 ft Poteet-28.94 in / 525 ft Rio Grande City-9.10 in/ 238 ft Three Rivers-12.59 in / 125 ft Zapata-19.72 in / 311 ft	Black lace cactus Star cactus Runyon's cory cactus Sugarberry Brasil Anaqua Freeno Great leadtree Retama Texas ebony Southern live oak Saffron plum Texas kidneywood Honey mesquite Texas wild olive Desert yaupon Fiddlewood Rare Plants and Habitat Ashy dogweed: Mesquite grassland openings of thorny shrublands on deep, sandy soils Johnston's frankenia: rocky hillsides or saline clay loam flats within openings of thorny shrublands Star cactus: Openings of thorny shrublands on rocky clay loam soils Texas ayenia: Subtropical woodlands on alluvial deposits on flood plains and terraces of the Rio Grande Walkers manioc: Openings of thorny shrublands on sandy loam soils	Ocelot Jaguarundi Coati Chachalaca Caracara Road runner Ferruginous pygmy-owl Green jay Elf owl Texas tortoise Indigo snake Texas longnose snake Mexican Burrowing toad Rare Animals and Habitat Jaguarundi and ocelot: Dense, thorny, low brush Interior least tern: Bare sand, shell and gravel beaches, and bars and islands, associated with reservoirs along the Rio Grande
"Features" information from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.