Out There: Essays on the Lower Big Bend

by Ben H. English

When one opens the pages to this book they step into another world and place, and even on occasions, another time. No matter what you may know about the lower Big Bend or think you know about the lower Big Bend, here are thoughts, maps and photographs that bring together a heretofore unachieved mosaic of this rugged, lonesome land. In effect, 'Out There' is a work that others simply cannot compare to. Whether you might be a first-time visitor or have made many a journey into its more remote environs, there is so much contained within to both see as well as savor. It is a book meant not for sitting on a shelf and gathering dust, but one to be read and re-read time and again. If home is where the heart is, even the first few paragraphs leave no doubt as to where the author's resides. And that is only the beginning… Excerpt The lower Big Bend area of Texas is rife with surprises, both big and small. That most are hidden in some way is the very nature of this land, like any living creature she conceals her greatest treasures with the greatest zealotry. One can take a certain creek, or nearly vanished trail or wagon track, numerous times but then wander a certain number of feet to either side and a different world opens to you. Such was the case with this photo, taken during the latter part of one of my prowls between Burro Mesa and Tule Mountain. I had started near the pour off and worked my way through Burro Spring and across to Tule Spring, both being well worth the effort in their own right. The day was crisp and traces of green were sprouting along the lower elevations, and the springs were flowing with more water than the uninitiated would think possible. After circling through the ruins at Tule Spring and walking along the old earthen dam, I pointed my nose along a nigh forgotten trail that once ran northwest to the high side of Tule Mountain, where another such dam and sources of water are situated. My plan was to move into the very head of Javelina Wash as part of some ‘boots on the ground’ research concerning my third novel. About a quarter mile up from Tule Spring, I noticed an unusual splash of white along the northern side of a low, dark volcanic hill that sits just northeast of Javelina Wash. Sufficiently intrigued, I glassed the area with my Leupolds and made a mental note to swing further west on the way back to investigate. I could discern craggy, chocolate colored boulders and what appeared to be low ground at the base of that hill, and just the general feeling that I needed to go and see. After nooning at a half way point in the pass between Tule Mountain and Burro Mesa, I reversed direction and drifted down a northern branch for Javelina Wash. The day had turned glorious with a crystal-clear sky above a rainbow of colored rock and ground, mixed among the earth shades splashed about for good measure. Most folks don’t know it, but there are parts of the Big Bend that will give the so-called ‘Painted Desert’ a run for its money any day of the week. This area is one of them. Near where the low hill abruptly ended in white, I crossed the dry creek bed and walked into an almost surreal atmosphere. Large boulders of that dark volcanic tone were perched in every position imaginable, many sitting upon unlikely foundations of small spires formed from the whitish soil. It was almost like you had strolled into nature’s own trophy room. The area was only a couple of acres or so in size at best, but oh what a sight to behold while being hidden in plain view. And then I passed on through, heading upon another course through that same zealous desert. I would like to think that I will go there again someday, but there is still so much that I know I’ll never see in this country. And I was burning daylight.

470 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2020

About the author

Ben H. English is an eighth-generation Texan who grew up in the Big Bend. At seventeen he joined the Marines, ultimately becoming a chief scout-sniper as well as an infantry platoon sergeant. Later he worked as a counterintelligence specialist and traveled to over thirty countries on four continents.

At Angelo State University he graduated Magna Cum Laude along with other honors. Afterwards Ben had a career in the Texas Highway Patrol, holding several instructor billets involving firearms, driving, patrol procedures and defensive tactics.

After retirement and a few years of teaching high school, he decided to try his hand at writing. His first effort, ‘Yonderings,’ was accepted immediately by a university press and garnered several awards. His second, ‘Destiny’s Way,’ led to a long term, multi-book contract.

This was followed by ‘Out There: Essays on the Lower Big Bend’ and his second historical fiction work, ‘The Uvalde Raider.’

Ben’s fifth effort, ‘Black and White: Tales of the Texas Highway Patrol,’ was released in June and stayed on the Amazon Number One Release list for six weeks straight. This book has already been mentioned for more literary awards, and many claim it is the best book they have read in years.

The great western novelist Louis L’Amour once advised to ‘write what you know.’ When Ben started writing six years ago, he took that experienced advice to heart.

His intimate knowledge of what he writes about lends credence and authenticity to his work. Ben knows how it feels to get hit and hit back, or being thirsty, cold, wet, hungry, alone or exhausted beyond imagination. Finally he knows of not only being the hunter, but also the hunted.

Ben and his wife have two sons who both graduated from Annapolis, and served their country with distinction. He still likes nothing better than grabbing a pack and some canteens, and heading out to where few others will ever venture.

Just as he has done throughout most of his life…

Reviews

[Dogs and Horses · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a 7th generation Texan with long standing family history stretching from 1799 Nacogdoches down the Camino Real to Terlingua, Presidio and Northern Mexico, I was very excited to discover this essay collection. Mr. English strikes me as a man my great grandfather would have referred to as "Old Texas". Integrity, honesty, strength and heart in all things were his prerequisites for anyone bestowed with this compliment. I suspect, Mr. English's own granddaddy might agree.

I grew up in the Big Bend region in the 70s and remember when Terlingua Ranch was parceled out to eventually become the community it is today. I remember my Daddy riding horses with me as a 8 year old through Terlingua Creek, the Fresno Canyon area, up to Contrabando water hole and camping rough all my life in both parks as the decades trotted on. It does my heart good to know others have these same and better memories of this amazing land.

My husband and I have traveled the literal world and seen places and things that boggled the mine - Bangkok, Angkor Wat, Moscow, Europe, Stonehenge, the Amazon and a bunch of everything in
between. But Big Bend and the Rio always call us home. The Bofecillos and Chinati Mountains are welcome sights, the scent of creosote and juniper after even a hint of rain and the feel of deep, dry creek bed gravel oozing away from boots soles as you walk under the sun's fire - these can be life changing moments and this lovely book explains the lure of this desert lovingly and with grace.

[Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out There

This book is a series of essays, pictures and quotes by famous and not so famous folks. I never made it to the Big Bend and I grew up only a couple of hundred miles away. I wish I had gone when I was younger, and I would probably be going back every time I returned to Texas. A wonderful book that cannot and should not be read in a single sitting. As well as one I will return to again.

[Martha Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really a great read for me. I discovered the beauty and wonder of Big Bend back in March. I’ve lived in Texas for about 16 years, and never would have guessed how beautiful the area is. This book is a collection of essays about the lower Big Bend region and off the beaten path. Mr. English has a great writing style and I thoroughly enjoyed each easy. I’d recommend it if you love the Big Bend of Texas.