Green covers Big Bend desert

It's green out there.

From Marathon to Alpine to Fort Davis to Marfa, the land is taking on the hue of Tennessee's Smoky Mountains.

Well, maybe not that green, but we're closer than we've been in a many years.

"For awhile there, I thought we were on a pace with 1941," Ted Gray, longtime cowboy and rancher, said. "In '41, we had 36 inches [of rain]."

To date in 2007, we've had 16.53 inches, most of which has come in the past three months. "Although we started out a bit slow this year, we caught up," Gray said.

Looking back at 1941, Gray said, "We had grass that was knee high, and all the creeks were running high and wide."

"At that time," he said, "our mountain creeks ran clear water all year long. We had a lot of underground springs feeding those creeks. ... Grass was knee high, grass was on the ridges.

"But during the drought of the '50s, most of those creeks disappeared; the underground springs dried up ... and haven't really come back."

"A lot of people say we're out of [that drought]," Gray added. "But I don't agree. When those springs come back, then I'll say we're out of the drought."

Gray is hopeful that might happen, particularly if the rains continue through the end of the year. The trend is good: in 2005, the official rainfall was 23.93 inches; in 2004, it was 30.88. The total dropped significantly in 2006 - to 18.02, but we appear well on our way to breaking back into the 20- or 30-inch range in 2007.

He's also looking forward to September. "You can make a lot of grass in 20 days when the temperatures cool a bit - and we get some of those fall rains."

As for the finished product, Gray said, "I think we have the strongest grass you'll find anywhere" for cattle. He adds, though, that for a variety of reasons - such as the great sell-off of the '50s - we don't have nearly as many cattle as we used to.

Most Big Benders know that increased rains bring out the mosquitoes. Gray points out that there are also increased animal populations to consider. Some of that's good, such as more quail and antelope. Some, such as snakes, it simply depends on what floats your boat.

"When it rains, the water fills up the sinkholes where the rattlesnakes have gone," he said. "Then they start moving to the surface; some even move into the trees."

So, there you have it: The Alpine area is painted in marvelous green hues, which should be appreciated, and the cattle are fat and happy. Just watch out for those snakes and mosquitoes.

Marathon ISD among best

MARATHON - Official word came down late on Aug. 1 that Marathon Independent School District is rated a "recognized" district by the Texas Education Agency.

New Museum of the Big Bend opens Aug. 18

The old Green Café neon sign and a giant panoramic view of the Rio Grande by photographer Jim Bones welcome visitors to the new Museum of the Big Bend.

Green covers Big Bend desert

It's green out there.

Museum director Francell knows what he's doing

Since he started work on Aug. 1, 2000, Museum of the Big Bend Director Larry Francell has worked tirelessly, and almost always, on getting out of there.