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Lizards on the Mantel, Burros at the Door: A Big Bend Memoir
A woman who went West with her husband in the 1840s must have expected hardships and privation, but during the 1940s, when Etta Koch stopped off in Big Bend with her young family and a 23-foot travel trailer in tow, she anticipated no more than a civilized camping trip between her old home in Ohio and a new one in Arizona. It was only when she found herself moving into an old rock house without plumbing or electricity in the new Big Bend National Park that Etta realized, "From the sheltered life of a city girl of moderate circumstances, I too would have to face the reality of frontier living." In this book based on her journals and letters, Etta Koch and her daughter June Cooper Price chronicle their family's first years (1944-1946) in the Big Bend. Etta describes how her photographer husband Peter Koch became captivated by the region as a place for natural history filmmaking-and how she and their three young daughters slowly adapted to a pioneer lifestyle during his months' long absences on the photo-lecture circuit. In vivid, often humorous anecdotes, she describes making the rock house into a home, getting to know the Park Service personnel and other neighbors, coping with the local wildlife, and, most of all, learning to love the rugged landscape and the hardy individuals who call it home.
- GenresMemoirNonfictionWesterns
214 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 23, 2015
I do not doubt that June Cooper Price (nee Koch), Etta Koch’s daughter, did most of the writing of Lizards on the Mantel, Burros at the Door: A Big Bend Memoir. She assembled the book from diaries, letters, stories from her mother, as well as her own recollections. She does so entirely from the first person perspective of her mother, who was ninety-five years old when the book was published. She does so seamlessly and authentically though, so it isn’t a distraction. She couldn’t write the memoir from both of their perspectives, so it was better this way.
Although this book was written first (and I read it first), it is really a perfect sequel to Beneath the Window: Early Ranch Life in the Big Bend Country. Lizards on the Mantel, Burros at the Door picks up in 1945 shortly after the other book ends. In fact, the two books are so close in proximity that I was surprised that none of the same persons were mentioned in both memoirs. But there was a hard break when the ranchers were run out and when it began operating as a park.
Etta Koch and her family arrive on their way to Arizona so that Etta’s photographer/filmmaker husband, Pete, could take photos for a few weeks. Those weeks turned into years and they lived in the park until 1959 and then moved to nearby Alpine. Lizards on the Mantel, Burros at the Door primarily spans the eighteen month period in 1945 and 1946 beginning when the family first arrived in the park. Initially they lived in Chisos Basin. In November 1945, Etta and her three daughters relocated to winter in a rental home at Hot Springs while Pete toured the country with his photos and films for several months.
The Koch family’s circle of friends was small and the place was more remote for them than it was for the ranchers. The Homer Wilson Ranch normally employed about fifteen workers. Thrown in family, neighboring ranchers, minors, suppliers plus CCC workers that arrived in 1934, and there were quite a few permanent residents in the area. Compare that to the National Park Service that employed just five at Big Bend in 1945.
As a book, Lizards on the Mantel, Burros at the Door was an easier read than Beneath the Window. It was written in a consistent style and the authors had the dignity to include an epilog to let you know what happened to everyone over time. It was a little confusing in a couple places, but otherwise was much better written.
Although this book was written first (and I read it first), it is really a perfect sequel to Beneath the Window: Early Ranch Life in the Big Bend Country. Lizards on the Mantel, Burros at the Door picks up in 1945 shortly after the other book ends. In fact, the two books are so close in proximity that I was surprised that none of the same persons were mentioned in both memoirs. But there was a hard break when the ranchers were run out and when it began operating as a park.
Etta Koch and her family arrive on their way to Arizona so that Etta’s photographer/filmmaker husband, Pete, could take photos for a few weeks. Those weeks turned into years and they lived in the park until 1959 and then moved to nearby Alpine. Lizards on the Mantel, Burros at the Door primarily spans the eighteen month period in 1945 and 1946 beginning when the family first arrived in the park. Initially they lived in Chisos Basin. In November 1945, Etta and her three daughters relocated to winter in a rental home at Hot Springs while Pete toured the country with his photos and films for several months.
The Koch family’s circle of friends was small and the place was more remote for them than it was for the ranchers. The Homer Wilson Ranch normally employed about fifteen workers. Thrown in family, neighboring ranchers, minors, suppliers plus CCC workers that arrived in 1934, and there were quite a few permanent residents in the area. Compare that to the National Park Service that employed just five at Big Bend in 1945.
As a book, Lizards on the Mantel, Burros at the Door was an easier read than Beneath the Window. It was written in a consistent style and the authors had the dignity to include an epilog to let you know what happened to everyone over time. It was a little confusing in a couple places, but otherwise was much better written.
January 25, 2017
If you have ever been to Big Bend National Park and liked it then you will love this memoir. Lots of stories and places that I love are in the chapters. Amazing that a young woman with 3 youngsters (and a husband who left often for long stretches) could survive much less come to love this terrain. It is a beautiful desert mountainous area along the Texas/Mexican border--no running water, no plumbing, and no grocery store down the block. Only the Rio Grande river separates the two. I loved this book because it is a story of an amazing woman. But, I loved it also because it reminds me of the many camping trips over the years--beautiful desert, canyons, mountains, colorful vistas and strange animals...mostly of the creeping variety. (Or the kind that can open all your canned food and leave you with nothing to eat come breakfast time!
And how can you come out of the Chisos mountains and basin the same person when Chisos means "ghost", phantom" and "spirit"?
The photographs are interesting too.
And how can you come out of the Chisos mountains and basin the same person when Chisos means "ghost", phantom" and "spirit"?
The photographs are interesting too.
January 3, 2019
The Big Bend area has had a piece of my heart for many years and I was very excited to receive this for a Christmas present. I found the book delightful. It brought back memories of me, my siblings, and friends running around the Chinati Ranch with no supervision.
July 27, 2009
Good book, non-fiction; one woman's story about living in the Big Bend area. I read this when on a visit to Big Bend in 2006, camping with the Girl Scouts.
April 3, 2026
Reflections and personal stories from a 1940's family of 5 leaving a northern city for life on the western frontier, the book is essentially a love letter to Big Bend National Park and the wondrous beauty to behold of the region. Pieced together from letters and journals written by the mother, Etta, this book details what early times of Big Bend were like before the tourism ramped up, with all the wilderness and challenges endured by the natives of the region.
Well-written, beautifully descriptive, and inclusive of personal photos, the honesty and curiosity about such a major adjustment is documented over that initial year, as well as the traits, conditions, and socioeconomics of the area during the WWII era of ration stamps. It provides a perspective from that of privilege but doesn't hold back about the sacrifices and hard lessons learned while adjusting to a 'simpler life' with less available consumable resources and luxuries.
For those who have enjoyed the pristine beauty of this national park, especially before the upcoming desecration of "the wall", this is a wonderful read to provide the sense of wonder, overwhelming beauty, and connection to nature that is experienced in Big Bend. Also, a quick read for anyone curious what life in the desolate areas of Texas during wartime may have been like (at least for this family) and a historical snapshot before tourism & modern infrastructure to the region began increasing. Some parts are informative, many are funny and surprising, and others are a testimony of following one's dreams and hopes for their own future path.
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Favorite Quotes:
“I was intimidated by the space but I acknowledged that the desert did strike a response, whether it was repulsion or ecstasy I had not yet sorted out.”
"What a strange interlude these past months have been, living in the Big Bend, a life so different from the life we'd been born to and thought would never change. How strange the circumstances and coincidences that turn one's direction to unfamiliar paths, to new lands, new situations, new life."
"I had never beheld anything in a city skyscraper as majestic as the mountain range beyond, not anything as peaceful and relaxed as the little trading post drowsing in the sun."
"We never tired of this artful exhibition of Nature, who evidently was as intrigued by her moody mountains as we were, judging from the devotion paid to them during every moment of the day. The color of the desert changed, the light and shadows stretching and shrinking depending on the temper of the weather and the magic of reflection."
"It reminded me once again how skin-deep are the trappings of our civilization, and how fundamental the art of simple living."
Well-written, beautifully descriptive, and inclusive of personal photos, the honesty and curiosity about such a major adjustment is documented over that initial year, as well as the traits, conditions, and socioeconomics of the area during the WWII era of ration stamps. It provides a perspective from that of privilege but doesn't hold back about the sacrifices and hard lessons learned while adjusting to a 'simpler life' with less available consumable resources and luxuries.
For those who have enjoyed the pristine beauty of this national park, especially before the upcoming desecration of "the wall", this is a wonderful read to provide the sense of wonder, overwhelming beauty, and connection to nature that is experienced in Big Bend. Also, a quick read for anyone curious what life in the desolate areas of Texas during wartime may have been like (at least for this family) and a historical snapshot before tourism & modern infrastructure to the region began increasing. Some parts are informative, many are funny and surprising, and others are a testimony of following one's dreams and hopes for their own future path.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Favorite Quotes:
“I was intimidated by the space but I acknowledged that the desert did strike a response, whether it was repulsion or ecstasy I had not yet sorted out.”
"What a strange interlude these past months have been, living in the Big Bend, a life so different from the life we'd been born to and thought would never change. How strange the circumstances and coincidences that turn one's direction to unfamiliar paths, to new lands, new situations, new life."
"I had never beheld anything in a city skyscraper as majestic as the mountain range beyond, not anything as peaceful and relaxed as the little trading post drowsing in the sun."
"We never tired of this artful exhibition of Nature, who evidently was as intrigued by her moody mountains as we were, judging from the devotion paid to them during every moment of the day. The color of the desert changed, the light and shadows stretching and shrinking depending on the temper of the weather and the magic of reflection."
"It reminded me once again how skin-deep are the trappings of our civilization, and how fundamental the art of simple living."
May 11, 2024
Two and a half stars. Pros: the author was a strong writer, with interesting details about her time at Big Ben, back in the day. Whether the letters home (which her mother had saved) were written this well or whether the details were expanded on later, was not mentioned, though the writing stayed consistent through the book. Several sections were filled with photos and drawings and these add to the story. This memoir about her days as a single mother (while her husband was off taking photos or on lecture tours) were interesting and certainly present challenges most women do not face.
Cons: despite the writing being above average, it is more of a diary, meaning it slowly progresses through the day by day challenges. I can say I enjoyed the passages, but it was hard to get caught up in the story, as many challenges were simple daily routines. It took will power to go back and push my way through the book. Comparing it to other books about different lifestyles, I was less vested in the outcome and for some reason did not feel like I’d gained as much from finishing the book.
Last thoughts: while it took some time for the author to go back and write of these adventures, I give her credit to following through and leaving a record of a time before the park was fully established. Might be more engaging for someone visiting some of these sites.
Cons: despite the writing being above average, it is more of a diary, meaning it slowly progresses through the day by day challenges. I can say I enjoyed the passages, but it was hard to get caught up in the story, as many challenges were simple daily routines. It took will power to go back and push my way through the book. Comparing it to other books about different lifestyles, I was less vested in the outcome and for some reason did not feel like I’d gained as much from finishing the book.
Last thoughts: while it took some time for the author to go back and write of these adventures, I give her credit to following through and leaving a record of a time before the park was fully established. Might be more engaging for someone visiting some of these sites.
May 2, 2026
This book is a must read if you enjoy historical memoirs, of course most especially if you’ve been to Big Bend National Park. The writing is spectacular! The stories are comical (many laugh out loud parts regarding their life with animals in the park), incredibly interesting (again especially if you’ve traveled the park), and reflective of a historical era long gone. So many charming tidbits about the way life used to be. I have absolutely no idea how so many people could give this book 4 stars or less. Maybe they haven’t read a lot of books in the historical memoir genre, because many are poorly written and confusing. Not this book! I hesitated to buy this book because of the reviews but should not have. Well worth the time to read and enjoy!
December 30, 2019
This is a charming little book that was fascinating to me after visiting and camping in Big Bend National Park. I was amazed at how primitive Big Bend living was in 1944 and how strong and brave Etta Koch was to live there with her family.
March 30, 2023
Here a couple and her family travel from Ohio to Arizona with a stop in the newly formed Big Bend National Park. Her husband was hired to take pictures for advertising the park. This short stay turns into a life time with in the park and west Texas for Etta Koch.
April 3, 2023
This was a fun book to read. Etta, her husband and their three young daughters came to Big Bend for her health and her husband's work. In this book she relates her memories of the first couple years, which lead to staying in this area for more than half her one-hundred years.
March 17, 2019
Lovely memoir of how Etta Koch adapted herself and her family to pioneer life in the newly created Big Bend National Park in 1944.
May 6, 2024
Lovely enjoyable stories of growing up / raising family in big bend.
August 31, 2025
Fascinating insight into the Big Bend National Park's beginnings in the 1940's.
May 31, 2007
Based on journals and letters written in 1944-46, this memoir tells the story of a young mother accompanying her filmmaker husband to the newly created Big Bend National Park. Originally from the city, she faces raising her family in an old rock house without plumbing or electricity, while her husband is away on photography expeditions for many months at a time.
Places to visit: The Basin, Lost Mine Trail, Persimmon Gap, Santa Elena Canyon, Hot Springs in Big Bend National Park; Study Butte.
for more, see: www.texasmountaintrail.com/read
Places to visit: The Basin, Lost Mine Trail, Persimmon Gap, Santa Elena Canyon, Hot Springs in Big Bend National Park; Study Butte.
for more, see: www.texasmountaintrail.com/read
August 9, 2019
This is a fabulous read, a first person account of several years when she lived in Big Bend Nat'l Park with her girls and husband. Quite often he was off on jobs. Wonderful stories, great perspective of early Big Bend. You'll recognize a lot of the scenery and locations, if you've been there. A real treasure!
May 6, 2012
After visiting Big Bend, I wanted to read some of the memoirs that were on sale at the Park entrance. I wish I had read it before the trip, but on the other hand, I am better able to visualize the places she describes.
June 21, 2008
I learned what life was like during the developement of Big Bend National Park.
July 22, 2008
a must-read for anyone who loves Big Bend and West Texas!!
July 23, 2008
I read this right when I got back from a trip to Big Bend. I was amazed how this woman lived and raised her young family in the rugged desert so far from civilization in the 1940s.
February 11, 2014
Liked learning about the "history" of Big Bend National Park and a family learning to enjoy the beauty of the area.
May 24, 2015
I spent a week in Big Bend a few years ago, which made reading this book all the more meaningful and interesting. I loved the stories of the family adjusting to life in a remote national park.
September 17, 2019
What a Great Big Bend Memoir!
I truly enjoyed the life of Etta Koch and her family while living in and falling in love with Big Bend.
I truly enjoyed the life of Etta Koch and her family while living in and falling in love with Big Bend.
July 30, 2016
Fun. Gave me an idea of what it must have been like for my parents to live there.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews