January_2026
** A True Approach To Conserve Big Bend National Park_New Year's Rant **
It makes the hair stand up on my neck when groups use the word “Conservancy” or “Friends” in their group titles, but barely do they stand for the meaning of the words. It seems more like a fund raising title used to give the impression they actually believe and work towards conserving the environment and natural things.
Take the new renovation of the Chisos Basin. Outside of Rick Lobello, not one person or group has stood up and said, this may not be a good idea.
To really conserve the Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park should tear down the bad restaurant building, and all those hotel rooms, and turn it in to a primitive camping area, like they have just below this area. It would end the traffic issues in the basin, and a lot less water usage.
There is no reason the park service needs to provide people with food and lodging. 61 years ago when it was built, a place to eat and sleep may have been a good idea, but now there are hundreds of places to sleep, and lots of places to eat just outside the park boundaries. Give that business to them. I live 45 miles from the park entrance, and never would I go to the park without food, water, fire, and way to sleep. Who would travel hundreds of miles without these necessities? Unprepared is Disney world mentality. The premise of Big Bend is to hike, camp, and explore the natural beauty and wonder of this national park.
Many national parks do not provide food and lodging. I recently visited Joshua Tree National Park. Over 500,000 acres. No restaurant. No lodging. But just outside the boundaries there were plenty.
Keep Big Bend rugged. Keep it natural. Keep it a place for healthy and fit people. If you can’t hike lost mine trail, you don’t belong here.
People die here.
If you have ever had anything built in this area, it usually takes twice as long, and cost way more than you budgeted. 2 years and 22 million dollars is what they are proposing, Is it really the best way to spend that money?
My understanding is the money can not be reallocated, but if it could, better housing, substantial raises for park employees, and maintaining the park itself. They deserve it.
I will be exploring what the past superintendent was trying to put in place, declaring the park as a wilderness area. I will keep you posted on what I find out.
I wish I knew how to get a groundswell of people to make the decision makers reconsider what we are doing here, and in that I understand the frustration of the groups that love and care about Big Bend. The people that make these decisions are very hard to sway. Money rules everything. The more, more, more mentality is the American way and very difficult to change.
My next task would be to get the park designated as a quiet park. No more loud motorcycles.
These goals are achievable if there are enough people to get politicians to listen.
**Joe Ely**
Lou Ann Barton and Joe Ely_ I shot this for Louis Black’s, Austin Chronicle in the late 80’s. They were going to a restaurant on 1st Street and Lou Ann said you have 15 minutes after we get done eating. I needed electricity to power my strobe so I knocked on the door of the house next to the restaurant and asked if I could run an extension cord from her house. The woman was elderly and she said yes, if I could change a burned out light bulb for her, which I happily did. I was ready when they came out and made this image, using my 15 minutes well._ Joe was a great man and fabulous musician. The first time I heard Joe was in Corpus Christi in the early 80's He burned the walls down of that club. I was new to Texas, and I wondered who is this guy. I photographed him with Joel Guzman too. Another time Joe was hired to play a private gig at Cibolo Creek Ranch. After the event, Joe and Marci and I sat on a porch talking. He was kind and sweet. Another time the Flatlander's played the Starlight in Terlingua, and that night a storm came in and knocked out the power. With Coleman lamps and candles the band played on. It was a magical night. Between Joe's passing and a few other close friends lately, my mood has been somber.
**Highlights of the Year**
1. Without a doubt the best thing that happened to me this year was to meet and photograph Bess and Margo. Two survivors of the 4th of July Camp Mystic flood. These two young people showed courage, remarkable survival skills, good sense, and a whole lot of luck to survive.
2. Jimmie Dale's 80th Birthday Party. I surprised Jimmie and made portraits backstage at the Paramount. It was so much fun. The Flatlanders are responsible for creating a magical night in Terlingua. How magical you ask? Marci said she fell in love me that night. I am eternally grateful to Butch, Joe and Jimmie.
3. Hanging out on the Movie set "Bethesda" filmed in Marathon.
4. I had several other highlights, but I am keeping it to photographs, otherwise it's going to sound like a diary.
Thank all of you for helping to make my life special. I really mean that.
Happy New Year,
Love Marci and James