This part is so sad and apt, "Nor do I know how to make anyone care about Mexicans so desperate to cross the border, they’ll risk dehydration, heat stroke, and drowning." Hope Big Bend can stall or outright ditch the attempts re the border wall. A travesty for sure. Great photos!
Fabulous piece! Full of emotion and entertainment at the same time - how do you do it? And the D Magazine piece which you offered, is excellent. Everyone needs to read both.
Diane, a gripping, poignant, important braided essay...I was holding my breath the whole way to the end. I could feel everything! Really loved this one and will share. What I wish I could make people understand is how apocalyptic the 2600 acres of data centers that are coming to my rural neighborhood will be, to animals, also to night darkness, to health and welfare, to this land that was once a sojourning place for Native Americans. I think of A.R. Ammons' poem "Eyesight" which ends with the line "...some things that go are gone."
This piece was particularly beautiful. Now I care about that piece of the wall, whereas before, I didn’t even know it existed. And now I am curious about Dark Sky.
I am so gutted by this essay. We have spent a lot of time there in Big Bend, and it’s so hard to think it will be tossed with everything else we have lost. Thx for writing this.
We care! Keith and I have sent many postcards (from ourselves and our friends) to Greg Abbott and Ted Cruz opposing the wall. A scar on the land. Brava for bringing attention to this in the D Magazine article.
Hey, now you are in my neck of the woods, or desert, or whatever. I have been going through Marathon on I-90 each year since 2022. I love it out there. It’s on my way to Mexico for the winter. Next time, stop in the town of Marathon and visit the Railroad Liquor store, which is owned by the town doctor. I find that hilarious. Say hello to Mark, the owner/doctor. He is in.
OK, I officially offer you my sympathy for the unwelcome intrusion into your Airbnb, which sounds very scary. Also, for being stopped by the cop. I hate that. Plus, building the wall through Big Bend, what the actual fuck?
Now, I do have to quibble with this International Dark Sky business. I get that they want to encourage communities to light responsibly and all of that, but hey, I spent a lot of time in Africa, and THAT is the biggest dark sky.
As far as loving AC, to each his own. I accidentally became a nomad, as a result of spending 4 years on the road full time in a mini-campervan. I no longer want to use AC or heat. I kind of hate it. Instead, I move with the seasons, as nomads have always done throughout the world.
As far as how to reach people, and get them to care, I have no idea. We live in a world awash in diversion and gratuitous entertainment. How can we as writers compete with that? Maybe when all the electricity is gone… one day.
Thank you Diana. This is an important piece. Thank you for writing it. I follow The Border Chronicles. They are doing great reporting on what’s happening at the border and the swift actions being taken to move the wall forward without regard for the law, the people who live there or the impact on this irreplaceable national treasure.
We were just in the Big Bend region a couple of weeks ago, same time as you! I'm fascinated by the sense of loneliness, the dark, the desert, and the kinds of people who choose to live in such a remote and extreme landscape. All of which you capture so well in this beautiful and sad essay. Every time I'm there, I'm trying to figure out how to stay longer.
I didn't learn about the wall plans until right before we got to the National Park, and was heartbroken. There's no sane defense for the project. Of all the latest horrific assaults on public lands and wilderness, this has to be one of the worst.
Thank you for writing about it here. Your Dallas Magazine article is excellent too.
I believe people will want to protect what they love, or at least some do. But maybe, as one commenter here mentioned, we're all too distracted? Maybe we only have the ability to care, for a minute, and then it's on to the next thing?
The one encouraging thing is how support for No Big Bend Wall has brought together diverse people who might not normally be aligned.
Thank you so much, Tina. I think this sums it up: “Every time I'm there, I'm trying to figure out how to stay longer.” I’m so glad you feel a connection to that place. I’m at work on a third story about it, this time for a publication with a wider audience. We just have to keep getting the word out.
The wall in Big Bend. That’s tragic. It’s such a beautiful part of the world and desolate. How could anyone survive crossing. I remember that part of Texas so fondly from my travels there. Saw the wall in Campo, California. Terrible. Dark indeed.
This part is so sad and apt, "Nor do I know how to make anyone care about Mexicans so desperate to cross the border, they’ll risk dehydration, heat stroke, and drowning." Hope Big Bend can stall or outright ditch the attempts re the border wall. A travesty for sure. Great photos!
Thank you, Jeanine. I hope so, too. ❤️
Fabulous piece! Full of emotion and entertainment at the same time - how do you do it? And the D Magazine piece which you offered, is excellent. Everyone needs to read both.
Omg! I love the accompanying audio. It’s lovely listening to you. 😘
MISS YOU! ❤️❤️❤️
Diane, a gripping, poignant, important braided essay...I was holding my breath the whole way to the end. I could feel everything! Really loved this one and will share. What I wish I could make people understand is how apocalyptic the 2600 acres of data centers that are coming to my rural neighborhood will be, to animals, also to night darkness, to health and welfare, to this land that was once a sojourning place for Native Americans. I think of A.R. Ammons' poem "Eyesight" which ends with the line "...some things that go are gone."
Thank you so much, Terri. And wow, what a chilling last line.
I know right? That one will keep you up at night...
This piece was particularly beautiful. Now I care about that piece of the wall, whereas before, I didn’t even know it existed. And now I am curious about Dark Sky.
I listened, and wanted to read more.
Thank you for all of that.
This is such a nice comment. Thank you.
I am so gutted by this essay. We have spent a lot of time there in Big Bend, and it’s so hard to think it will be tossed with everything else we have lost. Thx for writing this.
It’s like a nightmare.
Read and shared your DMagazine article - hoping for a positive outcome. Thank you for covering this.
Thank you so much, dear Elizabeth! ❤️
We care! Keith and I have sent many postcards (from ourselves and our friends) to Greg Abbott and Ted Cruz opposing the wall. A scar on the land. Brava for bringing attention to this in the D Magazine article.
I know you do. ❤️
This was so beautifully written. I miss you.
Miss you!!!!
Hey, now you are in my neck of the woods, or desert, or whatever. I have been going through Marathon on I-90 each year since 2022. I love it out there. It’s on my way to Mexico for the winter. Next time, stop in the town of Marathon and visit the Railroad Liquor store, which is owned by the town doctor. I find that hilarious. Say hello to Mark, the owner/doctor. He is in.
OK, I officially offer you my sympathy for the unwelcome intrusion into your Airbnb, which sounds very scary. Also, for being stopped by the cop. I hate that. Plus, building the wall through Big Bend, what the actual fuck?
Now, I do have to quibble with this International Dark Sky business. I get that they want to encourage communities to light responsibly and all of that, but hey, I spent a lot of time in Africa, and THAT is the biggest dark sky.
As far as loving AC, to each his own. I accidentally became a nomad, as a result of spending 4 years on the road full time in a mini-campervan. I no longer want to use AC or heat. I kind of hate it. Instead, I move with the seasons, as nomads have always done throughout the world.
As far as how to reach people, and get them to care, I have no idea. We live in a world awash in diversion and gratuitous entertainment. How can we as writers compete with that? Maybe when all the electricity is gone… one day.
This comment is its own little essay. ❤️
Oops, sorry, too many words. I have a word factory in my head.
Thank you Diana. This is an important piece. Thank you for writing it. I follow The Border Chronicles. They are doing great reporting on what’s happening at the border and the swift actions being taken to move the wall forward without regard for the law, the people who live there or the impact on this irreplaceable national treasure.
Your writing is impactful.
Thank you so much. ❤️
Thank you for writing about what matters to you. You make us listen and make us care.
You’re the best, Claire.
Loved listening to this beautiful piece in your beautiful voice 💕
I wish we were hanging out.
Same!!!
We were just in the Big Bend region a couple of weeks ago, same time as you! I'm fascinated by the sense of loneliness, the dark, the desert, and the kinds of people who choose to live in such a remote and extreme landscape. All of which you capture so well in this beautiful and sad essay. Every time I'm there, I'm trying to figure out how to stay longer.
I didn't learn about the wall plans until right before we got to the National Park, and was heartbroken. There's no sane defense for the project. Of all the latest horrific assaults on public lands and wilderness, this has to be one of the worst.
Thank you for writing about it here. Your Dallas Magazine article is excellent too.
I believe people will want to protect what they love, or at least some do. But maybe, as one commenter here mentioned, we're all too distracted? Maybe we only have the ability to care, for a minute, and then it's on to the next thing?
The one encouraging thing is how support for No Big Bend Wall has brought together diverse people who might not normally be aligned.
Love your writing and photos.
Thank you so much, Tina. I think this sums it up: “Every time I'm there, I'm trying to figure out how to stay longer.” I’m so glad you feel a connection to that place. I’m at work on a third story about it, this time for a publication with a wider audience. We just have to keep getting the word out.
And let me know if you ever find yourself near Dallas. I have a feeling we’d be friends.
Thank you, I will, and I agree!
Sharing everywhere. Thank you for helping us feel it along with you.
Love you. Thank you.
The wall in Big Bend. That’s tragic. It’s such a beautiful part of the world and desolate. How could anyone survive crossing. I remember that part of Texas so fondly from my travels there. Saw the wall in Campo, California. Terrible. Dark indeed.
Yes. You get it.