Go to Big Bend National Park and Join the US Army…

/ Curt Mekemson
Big Bend National Park, like Death Valley, demonstrates how incredibly beautiful and diverse deserts can be.

I wasn’t going to blog about Big Bend today, given that I blogged about it last year. However, the plan to deploy US Army troops there encouraged me to include it sooner rather than later. It fits the series Peggy and I are doing on the importance of of protecting our national parks, monuments, and wilderness areas against present threats.

Sending troops into Big Bend is part of President Trump’s efforts to reduce illegal immigration into the US. Today’s post isn’t about the issue of controlling illegal immigration; it’s about the logic of sending troops into Big Bend given its potential impact on the Park versus benefits gained. Let’s look at the numbers.

Customs and Border Protection reported that there were 2600 migrant encounters in El Paso, 1600 in Laredo, and 165 in Big Bend during February. For the Park, this breaks down to an average of 5.9 migrants per day. In order to reduce these illegal entries, the Army has stated that it plans to send 500 troops and several Stryker vehicles into Big Bend. While the Army would not release the number of Strykers, let’s assume 6 for the purpose of this discussion. (A large truck hauling what looked like one zipped by us on I-10 not too far from the Big Bend turn off.)

Would it be an effective deterrent? I suspect the answer is yes. If I were an illegal alien faced with the possibility of encountering 83 soldiers (my share: 500 divided by 6) and one Stryker vehicle (more or less)on any given day, not to mention the usual contingent of Border Patrol, I’d seriously consider going elsewhere. Is it a cost effective use of resources given the extent of the overall problem? I can’t see how the answer would be anything other than no. Given this, compare the potential disruption to visitors and the possible damage to the Park given how much time the Strykers spend off road. Desert environments are very sensitive and require long times to repair. While it is difficult to predict what the President will actually do, or not, on any given occasion, the Big Bend scenario shows once again, that little— if any— consideration is given to potential impact on national parks, monuments and wilderness areas in his actions.

A US Army Stryker vehicle. Developed in the early 2000s to increase the army’s mobility and versatility, this million dollar vehicle weighs 19 tons, comes with all of the latest surveillance equipment, and can carry 2 crew members and 11 soldiers. It can travel up to 60 MPH on paved roads. The army claims it will be primarily used for surveillance in Big Bend but can be weaponized if necessary. One can only wonder what ‘necessary’ would constitute? (Media photo.)

And now on to our 25 photos of Big Bend. Once again our objective is to show the unique beauty, geology, flora, fauna, and human history of each area we feature and the value of protecting these national treasures for our children, grandchildren, and future generations.

Sharing a border with Mexico provides unique opportunities and challenges to Big Bend. This is the Rio Grande River that forms the border between the two countries.
Situated in the Chihuahuan Desert, the Park shows great diversity in its landscape, from the river to the desert floor to the mountains. Peggy has chosen a seat where she can look out over the desert toward the Rio Grande. Cerro Castellan towers over her.
Looking across the desert at the distant mountains.
This range is on the Mexico side of the river.
A distant perspective with attention to both the desert floor and the Chisos Mountains.
A closer look at the Chisos.
The part of the mountains known as the Mule Ears.
Desert floor
A touch of green
Colorful canyons invite exploration on foot.
Peggy and I discovered this outcrop in the canyon.
Tuff Canyon provides another opportunity for exploration.
Erosion always adds interesting and often beautiful views in the desert. Peggy and I saw a ‘dog’ in this carving. How about you?
Thorny cactus are expected in the desert, not so much flowers. But after a rain, they can provide a carpet of color.
Speaking of thorns…
The ocotillos’ normally bare limbs have broken out in tiny leaves, here.
Prickly pears. The small dark spots will immediately teach you the meaning of prickly if you brush up against one. But someone has been chomping on these. Who would be so brave, or foolish!?
This guy, a javalena. Their incredibly tough mouths allow prickly pears to be an important part of their diet. This fellow, plus several more, came roaming through our campground. We were tempted to ask to see their papers since they travel back and forth across the Rio Grande between Mexico and Big Bend.
Fall colors added their touch to Cerro Castellan.
Another perspective.
The contrast between the dark lava, light tuff, a reddish ridge ridge and distant blue mountains made for a fun photo.
Boquillas is a small Mexican town just across the Rio Grande from Big Bend. The residents supplement their income by selling their arts and crafts in a specific location in Big Bend approved by the border patrol. A metal container with a slit in the top serves as a bank for tourists to pay for what they buy in an honor system.
A sample of crafts for sale. We stocked up. Partially because Christmas was coming and partially to help the folks from Boquillas.
A number of sites feature historical artifacts ranging from ancient petroglyphs to this symbol of the Old West.
And wild horses.

That’s it for Big Bend. Since we featured a desert national park this time, we’ve decided to follow up with another desert national park, one of my all-time favorites: Death Valley. I may also work in another post of what we are up to now. Peggy and I just spent three weeks dodging thunderstorms, heavy rains, floods, hail, and tornadoes as we made our way from Virginia to the Southwest to the start of our next adventure. We didn’t escape the winds— always fun when pulling a trailer. Anyway, our trip across didn’t leave a lot of time or energy for blogging. Back to it!

41 thoughts on “Go to Big Bend National Park and Join the US Army…”

  1. We camped at Big Bend 25 years ago on a weekend off from flight training in Corpus Christi; I remember being the only people there! Really enjoyed the solitude and how the Rio Grande wrapped around the lone towering rock formation! Gonna be some really bored troops there after a few days tho, lol

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    • About the same time we were there, Tony. Christmas 2000 when we took the year off. Like you, we loved the solitude. Laughing about the troops. On the other hand, if they enjoy the beautiful scenery…. And I suspect it’s a heck of a lot better place to be deployed than somewhere in the Middle East!

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  2. I can’t really wrap my mind around these kinds of decisions that have been made. Thank you for this series Curt. As always, I enjoy your writing as well as Peggy’s photos.

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  5. I’m glad you’ve captured a collection of ‘before’ photos. Hate to think what the ‘after’ ones might look like. The arts and crafts from Boquillas are fun.

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    • If the troops behave in the way they say they will and stay on the roads with their Stryker vehicles, minimum damage should be done. Hopefully the beauty and sensitivity of the country will be enough to have them do so.

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  6. Well written, Curt, and amazing photos. I do see a dog in that photo! 🙂 We haven’t been to Big Bend, but we visited Death Valley years ago, so interesting. And my husband rode with buddies on their motorcycles to DV, so that was an adventure for him. Anyway, thanks for sharing the desert beauty, and my mind is still spinning since he went into office. By the way, glad you stayed safe in the crazy weather. Our daughter and son-in-law live in TN. and they had several tornado watches which are scary for us in CA, worrying about them. They’re fine though. I look forward to your Death Valley post. Take care and stay safe!

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  7. What a lovely assortment of rocks, plants, mountains, plains, blue skies! And, oh, wild horses! They look very fine! Thank you for the tour! And that little guy that looks like a beast in six inch heels! Ha!

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  10. The vastness and resilience of the desert, as well as its fragility (spikes and all!) comes across vividly in your images Curt. Imagining the devastation caused by soldiers and their 19 ton vehicles to humans and nature to this environment is one more heartbreak in this ongoing onslaught.

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  11. None of the assembled troops and equipment make sense, if the actual objective is to capture fugitives. If you want to make a big show while painting natural areas as a vulnerability, though…

    Big Bend is a beautiful place. It’s a shame that you have to acknowledge this distraction (and that this is what’s getting all the attention in the comments)!

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    • I suspect it was more for show and to establish that the president can go wherever he pleases, plus his disdain for parks, monuments, and wilderness areas in comparison for their value for oil, minerals, timber, etc., and profit.

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  14. All the damage and destruction does not seem worth it, Curt. It makes me so sad that the administration doesn’t care about our national treasure. Thank you for documenting this beautiful National Park for us. My best to you and Peggy. Glad you made it safely through the storms!

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    • They are certainly worth fighting for, D. I realize it’s a long list, however, which may be part of the strategy.
      On a much happier note, I finished your book. I loved the world you created and your wonderful characters. It’s so important to have something we can escape into as a break from our every day world. I found myself joining Bryn and all of the other characters urging Erith to find her power! Thanks for providing a much welcomed escape!

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      • Awww. Thanks for the wonderful comment, Curt. I’m glad you enjoyed the book. It was my first attempt at creating an tale steeped in magic. And she did find her power – spring is fully here.

        And keep up the good fight, my friend. Every voice matters. We may find that as the economy tumbles and consumers disappear, wrecking our national parks and land becomes less profitable. Of course that won’t help Big Bend since that’s about racism (not money), but it may help other areas.

      • We can use a lot of positive magic now, D. The US needs it. Rational thought doesn’t seem to work. I’ll keep pounding away at the value of protecting our parks and other wild areas.

  16. The migrant issue is a difficult problem for both sides. I am so happy to see this blog even more vibrant than it was, Curt. Love the B Bend photos — yes, larger shots look better. Miss you but glad to see you going strong.

    Bear hug.

    HW

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  17. Glad you survived the weather and storms.. Thanks for the education and contrasts being on the border here, Curt. Raising awareness is so vital and NO army tanks please!!!
    “We were tempted to ask to see their papers since they travel back and forth across the Rio Grande between Mexico and Big Bend”. 😂 Maybe he should be the greeter when Trump visits there with his strong mouth.. just sayin! 💕. Thanks for raising awareness and all you are doing to get the word out! 💗

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