**An Open Letter To President Donald Trump**
Dear President Trump
I commend you on doing the excellent job of securing our border. In the 510 mile stretch, the average of 6 illegal entries a day is a true feat. Less than 1% of total illegal crossings. Through the stationed Border Patrol Agents, and our own outstanding sheriff Ronnie Dodson, and his department, our border is essentially closed. Ranch owners that used to get at least one illegal entry a month have reported to me they have not had an illegal on their property for 4 years. Mr. Dodson says that with the heat sensing camera and drone technology any illegal movement is located, and they just wait for them to make it to the highway.
This has all been successfully accomplished without a physical wall.
I saw your interview on 60 Minutes and you told the reporter you resolved the border issue, and in Texas, you really did.
Your administration is still threatening to build a wall all along the Rio Grande, but I beg you to please reconsider. The Rio Grande river is essential to every Texan's way of life that is near it, and the one size fits all mentality of a proposed wall doesn't work here.
Texas fought a war for this river.
Ceding it to Mexico would destroy our local economy, our wildlife, and our dramatic night sky. Bears, mountain lions, and many other animal species migrate from one side of the river to the other. It will kill them.
The class one dark sky that the McDonald Observatory depends on would be threatened.
I realize you grew up in cities, and may be far removed from the natural beauty of the American west. But I would urge you to please come to Big Bend and spend a week with us on the river. You will learn why even before you installed all the border patrol reinforcement, how inhospitable the terrain is for illegal entry. Once you cross the Rio Grande, there is still a hundred miles of desert. In the summer months temperatures can reach 115 degrees.
Also, you would learn that the villages and people close to the banks of the Rio Grande in Mexico are our friends. We love them, and they are an essential part of the Big Bend experience.
Calculating the modest price of 17 million dollars a mile to build a wall, divided by the current amount of illegal apprehensions, the cost per person would be over $195,000. for the next 20 years. That doesn't include maintainance and staff to patrol it.
I have a proposal. Buy our police force their own helicopter and pilot. In fact, buy us two. Build a border patrol facility in Terlingua or Lajitas, so agents won't need to drive two hours to reach the border, and monitor us for a year.
Every person that relies on the Rio Grande will gladly join in to dissuade any illegal entries, especially if you promise not to take our river and livlihood away from us.
If entries go up, let's have a meeting and discuss what we can do next. If they stay the same or go down, we can all declare a victory.
On a personal note, I can't imagine what your life is like, and I would venture to say, you can not imagine what mine is like. But, I want you to know there is good in the world. It's here in the Big Bend region. Come see for yourself.
Dear Reader, Please feel free to copy and paste this letter for social media or to send to someone you think should read it. Please credit James H. Evans_Marathon, Texas
**Jon Dee Graham**
I used to go see Jon when he played at the Railroad Blues. I loved the banter that he had with Richard Fallon, one of the owners. A great songwriter and musician. It was obvious to me that he had his demons. We had an "on the road friendship." He was very easy to talk to and be around. I sure miss him.
**Ten Year Anniversary**
Marci and I celebrated our 10th anniversary. We took some lunch and a tiny bottle of champagne and went to a friend's ranch, and then to our special spot in the park.
You know, I asked Marci to marry me, she said yes, and 10 years later we did. You have to respect a woman that keeps her options open.
I can't tell you how many bad decisions I've made. Hundreds, thousands.
This was a good one. I love you Punkin.
**New Version of Big Bend Pictures**
This book represents a Big Bend that is no longer. Many portraits of iconic people of the area, and my beginning life in Big Bend. It is an updated version of my first book. I changed out 11 images, and updated my notes and stories. It still includes Robert Draper's original foreword, and an additional foreword by Sterry Butcher. I reprinted every image as I would print them today. There was some cropping of images in the original book. This book is exactly how I shot them. To order signed copies go to www.jameshevans.com, and click on the book cover in the menu.
You can also call me at 512-560-8269.