Rosanne McHenry lives in Auburn, California. Her home is next to the American River Canyon in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Her books have won multiple awards including the Next Generation Indie Book Awards as a Gold Medal Finalist, Gold Medal Winner with the International Book Awards, Gold Winner with the American Legacy Book Awards, and Silver Winner with the Non- Fiction Author's Association. Rosanne has also appeared in numerous documentaries, podcasts, news and radio programs.
Rosanne has worked as a National Park Ranger and a California State Park Ranger in many different locations over the years, including the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Mt. Rainier National Park, Auburn State Recreation Area, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, and Death Valley National Park, among others.
Often, her job was like The Lone Ranger as she worked in remote river canyons encountering all kinds of wildlife, including the two-legged kind. And she never knew what might happen next!
Her time spent on camping trips with her family as a child gave her a tremendous love for the outdoors, as well as a deep understanding of how important it is to protect our natural resources.
Trip Tales: From Family Camping to Life as a Ranger talks about how her childhood experiences shaped her decision to become a park ranger, and her first assignments working for the U.S. National Park Service in California and Washington. The stories are engaging and fun to read.
Her second book: Tales From a Rogue Ranger, talks about her truly wild experiences as a California State Park Ranger at Folsom Lake and Auburn State Recreation Area. Does anyone REALLY know what a park ranger does? It's quite different from what you might think. The stories in this book speak to the comedy and tragedy of being a park ranger, a job that is nothing like you might imagine. From drug busts and drunken brawls to teen romance on display, from an attack goose to pot bellied pigs on the loose, you can enjoy a fascinating, first-hand look into a true ranger experience.
“Being a park ranger gave me a unique opportunity to talk to people about our natural world, and to instill a deep sense of stewardship in each person I met. This beautiful planet, our Earth, is our shared heritage, and we all play an important role in protecting it.”
Author Interview:
Q: What are the funniest, best chapters in Trip Tales?
A: The Stolen Picnic table and The Magic Pond seem to be the all-time favorites. The Stolen Picnic Table is about how my father was always frustrated with arriving too late to get a picnic table at a park. So, he bought his own table and we brought this to a park. But when we packed up to leave, we saw a line of people rushing towards us, with everyone racing to claim the prized table for themselves. There was a lot of confusion and a park ranger was called to the scene. My dad threw the picnic table into the back of the truck ... and we raced away from the scene in a panic!
The Magic Pond story is about the time I discovered that all of nature waits for us to be quiet and still before coming out into the open. I was mesmerized by a crystal cool, clear, rainwater pond deep in the emerald forest. I sat there, captivated by the silent beauty of this scene. As I sat transfixed, the whole world began to emerge. Fish leaped out of the water, deer materialized from between the trees, a mother duck and baby ducklings paddled right past me, an otter swam by as daylight turned to dusk ... it was magical. I wondered to myself: Is this what nature really looks like? We miss so much of life as we crash along at high speed. We so rarely see the world right in front of us.
Q: Who is the audience for this book?
A: Everyone and anyone who loves nature, who longs for the joy of outdoor adventure, who finds excitement and thrills in the beauty of our natural world. Any anyone who loves to laugh out loud!
What are the favorite stories in Tales From a Rogue Ranger?
There are many favorites, but the ones readers seem to get the biggest kick out of are Wild Goose Chase, The Forgotten Pig, Attack of the Killer Caterpillars, Love on the Rocks, Critter Tales, and Last Chance Outhouse. Every story will capture your heart!
Why the title "Rogue Ranger"?
Because a park ranger has to be intrepid to survive in this job. Every day brings new challenges and adventures, and you never know what can happen next. A park ranger has to be bold to protect and defend the wide open spaces under their care.
What will be your next book?
"Travels With Gus" all about the wild and crazy adventures with my husband and children in our cantankerous little truck camper named Gus. Gus rambled down the road with a strong spirit of adventure. Built way back in 1977 with the words "EZ Ryder" emblazoned on his side, Gus took us on adventures all over the West. He is still out on the road today! The stories will make you laugh out loud.
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