National disgrace

[azrving]

We made our first and last trip to Big Bend National Park. Upon arriving we were met by the camp host who very nicely informed us of all the rules. We noticed that the literature and signs within the park say not to purchase any of the items (walking sticks or trinkets) placed along the trail as it was a federal crime and you can be be prosecuted for having the items.

The illegals come over and place the items and money jars. On our first stop at a hiking trail we noticed that the trail was covered in horse******and as we continued a little further we spotted a guy on horse back with a large bag over his shoulder. He started toward us on this steep narrow rocky trail and we took off for our car. I asked about it at the ranger station as I had decided It was not the place for us to stay.

They dismissed it as being customary and they really cant do anything about it. So I guess I went through two road block check points and cant even take my dog out to any of the areas unless it stays in the car and I have to put up with horse******covered trails and illegals hounding us?

As I pulled up to the check point on my way north from the disgrace I was greeted by 3 border patrol guys with their hands on their hips, ready for the 60 year old guy and his wife and 2 ten pound dog.

After telling the agent that he didn't have to worry about us having any illegals with us, that we were trying to get away from them he explained that there is nothing they can do about it because as soon as they drive up in a truck those rascals just take off back across the river. I would think that any idiot could figure that out and maybe not ride up in a border patrol truck. Maybe ride up in a regular car, have a camera, look like a tourist. We are in trouble and they have all of our money to burn as they play their games. Hey, they have jobs so they are happy.

[answerswillvary]

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[time2roll]

rjxj wrote:
as we continued a little further we spotted a guy on horse back with a large bag over his shoulder. He started toward us on this steep narrow rocky trail and we took off for our car. I asked about it at the ranger station as I had decided It was not the place for us to stay.

Seems a bit paranoid to me.

[toedtoes]

rjxj wrote:
I dont dislike people who dont look like me or I wouldn't be friends with a Mexican co worker of 30 years. He is the one who hates Mexicans THAT ARE ILLEGAL. His parents came here legally and his father was in the Army. It has nothing to do with being scared of some trinkets on the trail. It has to do with this being an national park and the disgracefull situation that exists in that park. I would expect that for my money especially in a national park I would be able to walk on the designated trails without walking in horse waste and be bothered by an illegal person. These are also trails that your own dog is not allowed to use. Dogs are only allowed to go where your vehicle is or on a leash in the campground.

As I stated earlier, horse waste is something you see on every trail where horses are allowed. It's not limited to National Parks, let alone Big Bend. If you don't want to see it, limit your walks to non-horse trails.

As for being bothered by an illegal person who simply rode towards you on his horse, I suspect everyone here has been bothered far more by other legal citizens when out and about than you were by one person on a horse. Sheesh, just sitting in the campground you'll be bothered with the generator-runners, the let-the-dog-bark-non-stoppers, the screaming-kids-families, the blinding-outside-lights-turner-ons, the partyers, and so on. Heck, we even had a post from an OP who was bothered by the elderly man who sat quietly in his campsite.

[azrving]

I dont dislike people who dont look like me or I wouldn't be friends with a Mexican co worker of 30 years. He is the one who hates Mexicans THAT ARE ILLEGAL. His parents came here legally and his father was in the Army. It has nothing to do with being scared of some trinkets on the trail. It has to do with this being an national park and the disgracefull situation that exists in that park. I would expect that for my money especially in a national park I would be able to walk on the designated trails without walking in horse waste and be bothered by an illegal person. These are also trails that your own dog is not allowed to use. Dogs are only allowed to go where your vehicle is or on a leash in the campground.

[Blazing_Zippers]

Hopefully I won't be repeating something already written here----One poster wrote about the items left on PUBLIC LANDS both on the border and in other parks.
In North Idaho, some very determined person (people) climbed the tallest pine tree in the forest and placed an AMERICAN FLAG on a tall pole out the top of the tree--complete with a solar panel to illuminate the flag at night. It is very visible from I-90, and quite pretty to see.
The U.S. Forest Service wanted to hire some company to remove the "private display" from the tree. No one would climb that high to the point where the pole was placed, so it's still there (last I saw). The government position was that no private property be placed on public property, like American Flags on U.S. owned soil, or geo caches, etc.
My point here is that maybe the Natl. Park Service get the U.S. Forest Service to put a stop to the practice being allowed on the border!!

[rr2254545]

rexlion wrote:
I'm trying to figure out why some RVers say that Big Bend is their favorite park. It doesn't sound too inviting to me.

It isn't a matter of "people who look different," but of people who are known lawbreakers and who act in a suspicious or menacing manner.

It is our favorite - remember this is the internet and all poster are not factual - we were there for 2 weeks in Feb 2013 and never came close to seeing what other have reported above

[rr2254545]

tsetsaf wrote:
Our one and only trip to that park we stopped at the Ranger Station to check trail conditions for a mountain bike ride. They informed us to ride only a select few trails as most of the others were over run with illegals and drug runners. The week prior some folks went missing on the same trail we were looking at! Those border patrol guys were not as nice to us on the way out... guess a young couple looks out of place there. I agree with the post title but this applies to the overall immigration policy.

Must be 2 Big Bend parks we were there two weeks in Feb 2013 and never heard or saw this

[toedtoes]

Snowman9000 wrote:
Here is an example of what's being discussed. Gives you the cold sweats just looking at it.

OMG!!! If I saw that on the side of a trail, I'd run for my life back to my car! It makes the dueling banjos look like Mary Poopins.

[path1]

Snowman9000 wrote:
Here is an example of what's being discussed. Gives you the cold sweats just looking at it.

That pic right there is one of the many, many reasons I am so glad to be US citizen. Makes me realize how "lucky" I was to be born here and to give thanks for what I have. Others aren't so "lucky".

[agesilaus]

We had a good time at Big Bend, the one part of the park that we didn't make it too was that SE corner that you are talking about. But there is nothing to keep anyone from wading across the river. And down in the state Big Bend Ranch Park the river vanishes every few miles so they won't even have to get their feet wet.

I blamed the Feds for not building a border fence but recently I heard that the Texas state government told the Feds that they didn't want a fence. My wife said she saw a sign saying there was an $8000 fine for unauthorized border crossing, I missed it. We more of less drove right along the river for 60 miles in the NP (river road) and another 40 or 50 in the State park. Hardly saw another person the whole time.

[ScottG]

Snowman9000 wrote:
Here is an example of what's being discussed. Gives you the cold sweats just looking at it.

Well that sure clears it up! :B
Oh the humanity.

[RFCN2]

What is disgraceful is the chaos of the situation. National Parks have rules and they either need to be changed or enforced. If we are going to allow Mexican Nationals to enter a National Park and leave things for sale on the trails then change the laws to reflect that. Currently we actually spend money to hire people to do nothing. What a waste. Plus it makes the Mexican Nationals breakers of US laws and subject to penalties. If we are going to allow them to put things on trails then organize that so it can be done safely.

On the other hand, I don't remember seeing things for sale on the trails in Yosemite, Yellowstone, or Glacier. So maybe allowing people to put commercial items in areas that are supposed to be wilderness is not a good idea. In that case we should take whatever measures needed to keep pollution off the trails. A fence seems like a good idea to me, and people who actually eject people who put things on trails that are not supposed to be there.

With regards to the National Park I see this as a no litter and wilderness issue and not a political one. I volunteer at a State Park and we have Rangers and volunteers that actually enforce the rules. The park I volunteer at is only 15 miles north of the Mexico border.

As far as all the other blah blah on immigration. Order is better than chaos. Chaos leads to anarchy. The immigration situation is definitely chaotic at this time. If people obey the rules you get more order and more peace and quiet. If there are bad rules, change em.

[rolling_rhoda]

Horse manure is excellent fertilizer. In fact, our big box stores sell horse manure and sheep manure in 30# bags in springtime.

[Snowman9000]

Here is an example of what's being discussed. Gives you the cold sweats just looking at it.