That Certain '14 turned-Summer National Park Ranger chats with a young visitor and his family after presenting a program at her campfire talk Friday night. The summer position is a natural for an earth science graduate with a minor in education.
On Saturday morning we tagged along on one of the "hiking" days when her assignment is to spend most of her shift on the trails answering questions and offering insights to park visitors. (An aside- We met the parents of a Dartmouth '17 when we got back to the trailhead.) The 100-ish temperatures and altitude wore three of us down but That Certain '14, who has acclimated well, went out last night and finished seventh overall and second (?) among women in a very good time at a novel full-moonlight 10-k race.
Today we'll head out on another hike and then take in a minor league baseball matinee before taking the ranger and her ranger roommate out for dinner.
Here's a great quote That Certain '14 has on the blog she periodically updates:
"If you have not touched the rocky wall of a canyon. If you have not heard a rushing river pound over cobblestones. If you have not seen a native trout rise in a crystalline pool beneath a shattering riffle, or a golden eagle spread its wings and cover you in shadow. If you have not seen the tree line recede to the top of a bare crested mountain. If you have not looked into a pair of wild eyes and seen your own reflection. Please, for the good of your soul, travel west.”
― Daniel J. Rice
