April 2026_Pink Moon
Fairfax Dorn_Big Bend Pictures
**The Border Wall Issue**
Marci and I had a meeting at our house with Bob Krumenaker the previous park superintendant, Rick Harris, former NPS, Trey Hermann, graphic designer, and former board member of BBC, Ronny Dodson, our Sheriff, Clif Ladd, Wildlife Biologist, Lynn Shackelford, Ranch owner, and Tara and Joe Shackelford, Hidden Dagger Adventures. I (we) wanted to learn about what is really happening on our border.
Bob was in Washington DC all week, doing the thankless task of meeting with politicians and people that can possibly move the needle.
But it was Ronny Dodson, who has boots on the ground, and really knows the most about what’s going on. He said the border is actually already secure. They have 240 working cameras and if there is an illegal entry they are picked up on heat sensing cameras and drones. Law enforcement just waits for them. The Trump Administration has actually already secured our border. Lynn, who has a ranch very close to the river, said he used to get about one illegal a month, but has not had one in 4 years.
While the Big Bend region makes up about 25% of the border, there are 0.32 of 1% apprehensions.
Here are some real facts:
1. There is not enough man power to maintain and support a border wall.
2. We will no longer have dark skies.
3. It will have devastating consequences for the people who depend on tourism.
4. Bears and other migrating animals would no longer be in our national park.
5. The New York Times reported that in 510 miles that makes up our border, there are 6 apprehensions a day. A DHS estimate says it cost a very conservative 17 million dollars a mile to build a wall. For the the 510 miles the cost would be $8,670,000,000. That's 8 Billion 670 million dollars. For six illegal entries a day, 2190 a year. The cost of the wall for each illegal caught over a 20 year period would be $197,945 dollars. That is just for the wall itself. Not taking in maintainance, or manpower to sustain it.
6. We would be losing the Rio Grande river to Mexico. That more than anything is the true battle.
Fight for the Rio Grande, to keep our American rights intact, and the wall goes away. It is the lifeblood for hundreds of Americans. We need and depend on it.
Ronny said if he had a helicopter and pilot, and a Border Patrol station in Terlingua, that would best money spent, cost comparitively very little, and it's done. If the Sheriff's department had its own helicopter, it could potentially save lives, if it could also be used in emergency situations.
From Candelaria to Del Rio, we do not need a border wall here.
It is waste of money, manpower, and will ruin the Big Bend region.
Please do what you can to preserve this most beautiful national park.
https://nobigbendborderwall.com/
Email: greg.abbott@gov.texas.gov (no - you don’t have to use their online form)
Telephone (Office of the Governor): (512) 463-1782 or (800) 843-5789.
Mailing Address: Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 12428, Austin, Texas 78711-2428.
Calls are much more effective than emails or letters.
**One More Thing**
What has fallen off the radar is the building of the new Chisos Restaurant. Another terrible idea that is not needed and the primary benefactor Aramark Corporation. I wish the support we are getting for no border wall would extend to no restaurant and only the CC rooms in the basin. It goes against environmental impact statements.
BREAKING NEWS:
I just saw this on Instagram minutes ago, so it is unconfirmed. They are not going to build the new restaurant in the basin. I don't know if this a rumor, if it's on hold, or fact. I hope it is true, and at least one environmental disaster is avoided for the moment.
**A Personal Note**
I have lived in Marathon for 38 years. I fell in love with area the first time I visited. The third time I came out, I knew this was where I could do my life's work. I could create a body of work that would actually mean something. There was always a Border Patrol presence, and law enforcement, but it wasn't so oppressive. In the last month, I have been stopped by the police three times for less than two miles over the speed limit, and failure to use a blinker while I was changing lanes, which I did abruptly, because the car I went around was going dangerously slow.
There was a sense of freedom and anonymity.
My doors were always unlocked.
I had the park all to myself, photographically, for about 25 years. No one will ever have that luxury again.
In small communities you are aware of your neighbor's lives. Their struggles and highlights. The human condition. In the past if you had a disagreement with your neighbor, you might say some harsh words, not talk to each other for a while, and then go have a beer together, shake hands, hug, and laugh. Now, if you have words or disagreements, lawsuits are in the mix.
I guess I am like every generation that thinks the way it was, was better, but I resent this new era.
**A Gratitude To The Better Half Of Our Species**
March was Woman History Month, Woman are one of my most favorite things on the planet. When I was 5 years old, I was riding on the back of a horse and fell off. I didn’t get hurt bad, but my Aunt Phyllis came to my rescue. She took me to her room, and laid me on the bed, nurturing me until I felt better.
In her room I remember her vanity and the smell of perfume and girly things. She was the first woman I fell in love with.
I still easily melt around intelligent and beautiful woman. After all these years, I can’t say I understand them at all. I am trying.
My friend Iris, says Woman are crazy and Men are stupid. I think that sums it up rather well.
So, hats off to woman, the best thing on the planet. I wish I could post an image of every woman I love. Here's a few. Marci, you are the true light of my life, and I am a very fortunate man.
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