The Legend Himself: Ross Maxwell

[Casa Grande]

Here's a pic I've uploaded on behalf of "hejira." It is of Ross Maxwell and his wife at the Terlingua Chili Cookoff in 1974.

[Bobcat]

Thanks for your contribution to this beautiful area.

[okiehiker]

I was fortunate to have the chance to have the opportunity to spend several days with Ross Maxwell at his home, after he had retired to Austin.

In the fall of 1984 I made made two trips to Austin and spent blocks of about two hours at a time in Ross' living room with a tape recorder and a set of questions.  My hope was to write a comprehensive guide to BIBE and gain a first hand glimpse into the park's early days.  Unfortunately I lost the tapes when I moved six months later and honestly don't have a lot of specific recollections about our conversations.

I can tell you that Ross Maxwell was a gentleman in every respect, a joy to visit with, and as are most true giants in their fields, a most unassuming man.  

There is absolutely no doubt that BIBE would not be what it is today but for the herculean dedication of a young field geologist who saw the stark landscapes of west Texas for what they were, a truly unique slice into the very heart of creation itself.

Thanks for posting that pic.  It brought some almost forgotten memories of a truly great man.

[Vince T]

David...thanks for posting.

Okie- what a bummer about the tapes.
Vince

[BigBendHiker]

Thanks, David, for posting.  Had it not been for his vision and leadership, we would not be enjoying BIBE today...


BBH

[Burn Ban]

this picture is awesome.  i can just see "hard living"  all over their faces.  though i see that, it is apparent that contentment and fulfillment are also there.

[Al]

Was Ross Maxwell at least part indian?  I've seen that look recently from a friend who is part indian.  Looks not only through you but beyond you.

Al

[SHANEA]

this picture is awesome.  i can just see "hard living"  all over their...

I can just see the "hard living" all over their hats.

[Kookaburra]

Ross was my Grandfather - and although he was born in OK when it was Indian Territory - I don't believe that we have Indian heritage.

He was a great story teller - too bad you lost the tapes!

I like this photo!

[mule ears]

Ross was my Grandfather - and although he was born in OK when it was Indian Territory - I don't believe that we have Indian heritage.

He was a great story teller - too bad you lost the tapes!

I like this photo!

Kookaburra welcome to the board!  What a great treat to have Ross Maxwells grandson here.  Please tell us any stories you might have.   

[steelfrog]

Every native Okie has at least some Indian blood.

[TheWildWestGuy]

His book on  Big Bend is one of my most cherished books, I have read it cover to cover in a tent on the OML and still re-read parts of it once in a while when I am in Big Bend.  Every one of us would like to leave such a legacy as this to our children and to all the generations to come,  not just for Texas but for the whole world.

[Kookaburra]

I'm his granddaughter - and don't get out to Big Bend as often as I would like -
we grew up outside of Washington DC and I now live in Australia and spent the last 10 years
in France and the Ivory Coast.

The entire Maxwell clan were just in BBNP at Thanksgiving.

I have the absolute coolest pictures of my Grandpa that I will post some day when I get
a new scanner. I also have lots of his books, fossils, arrowheads, rocks, etc - so
I consider myself very lucky.

Unfortunately, he told most of his stories to my two brothers. He told a lot of stories
about Pretty Boy Floyd who was his neighbour in OK.

I think it was lack of sunscreen that gave him that 'hard look'!

The Maxwell family was originally from Ohio... But, now I am curious.

[Casa Grande]

I have the absolute coolest pictures of my Grandpa that I will post some day when I get
a new scanner.

That, I can't wait to see!

I truly Royal welcome