Texas

See commentary with nearby picture.

See commentary with nearby picture.

I assume this is someone coming to check to see if I left any tips for Victor (see nearby photos).

The beginning parts of Boquillas Canyon. Despite how gorgeous the scenery, I find it completely impossible to not reflect on border issues when in this location. There are no signs saying "don't cross", there are no signs saying "Mexico" or "United States", and it would be very easy to cross. Having been here in the 90's, I also know this was an area where cross-border traffic was once not a concern. Considering the remoteness of the area (both sides of the border are very distant from population centers), the current border concerns don't fit with what is experienced at this part of the border.

Victor (see adjacent photo). Unfortunately, after having been harassed by Border Patrol in other states in the past (particularly in Arizona), I assumed that whenever I was near the river that I was under surveillance, thus I was afraid to leave any money.

See adjacent photos.

Getting closer to being in the canyon itself, I saw in the distance a set of canes and trinkets. More surprisingly, though, I began to hear a very melodious voice singing in Spanish, echoing off the canyon walls.

As you approach the canyon, you begin to notice signs of human habitation on the other (Mexican) side of the river, including horses, a small corn field, and a fence.

This is a cropped section from the previous picture -- if you look close here, you can barely see the outlines of two people swimming at the end of the fence.

Approaching Boquillas Canyon from the trail.

Early cross-border trade.

Throughout the Boquillas Canyon area there were these small stacks of jewelry and walking sticks (see adjacent picture). I had assumed that the sellers were hidden somewhere nearby so as to not be spotted by the Border Patrol, but the frequency of them and their very open locations suggested that they were brought over by people who crossed the river in the morning, left them, and then came back later in the day to collect any monies.

The village of Boquillas del Carmen.

I had been to Big Bend once years ago and was very impressed by the scenery, its remoteness, and the geo-politics -- so I went back. After this trip, I'd still go back again... Boquillas Canyon is on the eastern side of the park. The area is largely unchanged from how I remember it in the late 90's -- a relatively shallow Rio Grande where it would be very easy to cross the border.

The oasis area, from another angle.

Dugout wells, a former ranch just off the main road, west of Rio Grande Village.

Dugout wells, a former ranch just off the main road, west of Rio Grande Village. The windmill is a replacement of the original windmill, installed by the park service in the 1950's.

Dugout wells, a former ranch just off the main road, west of Rio Grande Village. Outfall from the windmill.