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Backpacker Magazine – September 2010

Ranger Confidential: Secrets of the National Park Rangers

True tales from the front lines--and behind the scenes--of America's national parks.

by: Andrea Lankford

PAGE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Ranger Confidential: Secrets of the Park Rangers (Frank Stockton)
Ranger Confidential: Secrets of the Park Rangers (Frank Stockton)
Ranger Confidential: Secrets of the Park Rangers (Frank Stockton)
Ranger Confidential: Secrets of the Park Rangers (Frank Stockton)

YOU WILL WANT TO QUIT
Many rangers find a way to rekindle their old idealism--others just grow more surly as federal retirement inches closer. Me? At first, I loved being a park ranger, but by the end of my career something had gotten out of whack. Death haunted me. The Grand Canyon scared me. In the end, I tossed my federal retirement to the wind and threw all of my ranger uniforms into a Dumpster. This last act broke the ranger code, but it was incredibly therapeutic. My time with the NPS had immeasurably enriched my life, yet it was time to cut the cord. I had to move on.

But I kept the Stetson.

Andrea Lankford is the author of Ranger Confidential: Living, Working and Dying in the National Parks ($17; falcon.com). For more of Lankford’s behind-the-scenes tales, including her national park ghost stories, go to andrealankford.com.
PAGE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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READERS COMMENTS

Star
T.e.l
Mar 01, 2013

Cheese face? More like old old pizza!

Star
T.e.l
Mar 01, 2013

Cheese face? More like old old pizza!

Star
T.e.l
Mar 01, 2013

Cheese face? More like old old pizza!

Star
she knows who
Feb 28, 2013

I’m afraid that if you think that Andrea Langford gives a “behind the scenes” look at ranger careers you are sorely mistaken. Ms. Langford is no longer a ranger because she couldn’t handle the realities of rangering. A closer look at the profession, however, will reveal that the service is full of many competent people who LOVE their jobs and who remain dedicated to their chosen field. Among those ranks, Langford is NOT respected. Good riddance and I’m glad she found a parasitic way to make a living out of portraying a career she personally couldn’t handle.

Star
margare greene
Feb 28, 2013

total bs from a liberal lezbo who chucked it all in from the horrors of the forest life yeah right total lies supported by friends and hipsters wanting more cash for a simple job

Star
margare greene
Feb 28, 2013

total bs from a liberal lezbo who chucked it all in from the horrors of the forest life yeah right total lies supported by friends and hipsters wanting more cash for a simple job

Star
tanya sims
Feb 28, 2013

"she thinks anyone who wasnt a ranger is an idiot . plus she acts as if she's some super hot action figure" thats right! but shes got the face of an aged cheese! total loooooser!!!!!!!!!!!

belind calcone
Nov 04, 2012

her facebook page does make it seem as if they dont live together and seems like she thinks anyone who wasnt a ranger is an idiot . plus she acts as if she's some super hot action figure,lol

belind calcone
Nov 04, 2012

her facebook page does make it seem as if they dont live together and seems like she thinks anyone who wasnt a ranger is an idiot . plus she acts as if she's some super hot action figure,lol

rhonda
Nov 02, 2012

who cares if their gay the book stinks an printed on bad paper

charles
Nov 02, 2012

yeah book of bs by a lib

charles
Nov 02, 2012

yeah book of bs by a lib

trudy
Nov 01, 2012

yeah i've heard the same

haunted
Nov 01, 2012

yeah fake she's got a girlfriend

cathy
Nov 01, 2012

its a fake marriage theyre both gay

cathy
Nov 01, 2012

its a fake marriage theyre both gay

cathy
Nov 01, 2012

its a fake marriage theyre both gay

cathy
Nov 01, 2012

its a fake marriage theyre both gay

cathy
Nov 01, 2012

its a fake marriage theyre both gay

cathy
Nov 01, 2012

its a fake marriage theyre both gay

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