Marathon has been a slow-motion flurry of activity, if that can be said -- folks displaced from park stays have been wondering what's accessible out here, other than Big Bend National Park. There's actually a lot. It just doesn't include the Chisos Mountains, sadly. The list on our blog only covers things within ~2 hrs of Marathon, so Balmorhea, Davis Mts (the state park IS closed, though the lodge is open), Marathon, Christmas Mts Oasis, Big Bend Ranch State Park, etc. http://www.bigbendnature.com/2013/10/birding-furlough.html My two cents on Laguna: ocelots need it more than we do, but a tram option would be nice. -h Heidi Trudell Marathon, TX -- Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities. - Mark Twain Big Bend Birds & Nature - http://www.bigbendnature.com Edit your Freelists account settings for TEXBIRDS at //www.freelists.org/list/texbirds Reposting of traffic from TEXBIRDS is prohibited without seeking permission from the List Owner