How Not to Get Bit by a Giant Rattlesnake by Rosanne S. McHenry

 

Tales From a Rogue Ranger is full of stories that speak to the comedy and tragedy of being a park ranger: a job that is nothing like you might imagine. Set against the stunning backdrop of California's American River Canyon, this is an engaging and wildly unusual read about the untamed life of a woman ranger. From a miner riding a mule to a young man lost in the system, these tales show the kaleidoscope of characters a park ranger encounters, giving the reader a fascinating look into a true ranger experience. Readers will laugh out loud, cry tears of sadness, and feel the greatest joy as they revel in this amazing book!

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How Not to Get Bit by a Giant Rattlesnake

As a park ranger I often warned park visitors to be careful on the trail: “Watch out for critters, especially reptiles, as they are out this time of year. Watch where you put your hands and feet at all times. Bring plenty of water and a first aid kit. Always tell someone where you plan to go.” Visitors nodded in agreement and went outside with watchful eyes. If I’d only followed my own advice that day … I was a park ranger in Death Valley National Park. It was a very hot day. Springtime temperatures can easily climb over 110 degrees and sometimes the only way to escape the heat was to go to a higher elevation. I headed to the upper Monarch Canyon area. Situated 1000 feet above the valley floor, it offered relief from the oppressive temperatures below. Days of persistent heat had fried my brain, and I foolishly forgot to tell anyone where I was going. I parked my truck and walked down Monarch Mine trail towards the spring. It felt great to be outside in comfortable temperatures. I strode confidently down the canyon, past the old mining ruins, marveling at the beauty of the place. I was surrounded by steep canyon walls of tortured metamorphic rock.

I reached the overlook above the springs and perched on a knob of rock, contemplating the stark beauty around me. It was getting late in the afternoon as the sun fell toward the horizon, casting its long rays across the rocky landscape. I’d better start heading back, I thought to myself, as I gathered up my things and headed up the trail. Evening shadows darkened the canyon walls and floor, making it harder to see the trail. I was looking down, deep in thought, not really paying attention to the path in front of me. Then suddenly, I heard it: a deep buzzing sound echoing off the canyon walls. It sounded eerily alien and somewhere nearby. I looked up and saw it: a huge, coiled rattlesnake! It was only a few feet away, in a stack of boulders. It violently shook its rattled tail, warning me to back away. It was enormous, at least three feet tall, weaving its head and tail back and forth. 

“Get back or I’ll strike!” it seemed to say.

I obeyed and leaped back several feet, yelping in alarm. That snake could have struck me dead, but it chose to warn me instead.

“Thank you, my brother,” I said softly, as I gave it a wide berth and stumbled up the trail back to my truck. I could have been killed, and no one would have known where to look for me. I was in a remote area, miles away from the main park road. It could have been days before someone found me. I remembered the advice I had given to others: “Watch out for critters, and let people know where you’re going.” Hmm… good advice to follow, Ranger Rose!

 

About the Author

Rosanne S. McHenry has worked as both a U.S. National Park Ranger and a California State Park Ranger. Her ranger experiences include the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Mount Rainier National Park, the Auburn State Recreation Area, Folsom Lake, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, and Death Valley National Park, among others. In her latest book, Tales From a Rogue Ranger, McHenry shares her experiences about the rough and tumble life of a patrol ranger near Auburn, California. A park ranger’s job is nothing like you might imagine! Set against the stunning backdrop of California’s American River Canyon, this is an engaging and wildly unusual read about the untamed life of a woman ranger.

McHenry, who also wrote Trip Tales: From Family Camping to Life as a Ranger, currently lives and works in Auburn, California, with her husband. The beautiful American River Canyon is adjacent to their home in the Sierra Nevada Foothills.

You can follow the author at:

Website: https://triptalesbook.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066900574228

Instagram: @askrangerrose https://www.instagram.com/AskRangerRose/