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Wednesday, August 17, 2016

The problems of today, can be corrected by enjoyably educating our leaders of tomorrow!!

Every day we hear about climate change, over filled landfills, deforestation, and hundreds of other issues.  If you read the news, the people are divided, and the we seem to be losing our battle to protect our planet.  

The majority of our leaders, and voters, already have made up their minds.  The greed for money and power will always win, unless we can educate our children, to love and cherish their world, today.  It may be too late for my generation, but my children show promise.  

The problems of today, can be corrected by enjoyably educating our leaders of tomorrow.

We can teach them to love life, by loving Nature, and the world around them.  If we make the message fun and unforgettable today, we will undoubtedly see the marvelous results tomorrow.  

All four of my children have a love for Nature, and it has come from our tradition of setting up camp for one to two weeks a year, in one or two of our National Parks.  

If you were to ask them; "What is your favorite thing to do?"  

They would reply; "Go camping or go to Disneyland." 

My dream is to create a hybrid.  Not by building a theme park inside a National Park, but to open the mind of a young child enough for them to enjoy Nature, just as my children do.  

I want children who have never been camping, to read this book, and start begging their parents to take them.  And if camping it is out of their budget, then hopefully I have created the proper setting for them to feel as if they have already been.

Hopefully soon I will have a team of writers to help me on this project.  I see the possibilities, and I fear that I alone will not perfectly accomplish this much needed task.  

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Heroes with Hammers, and Trains that Speed, to the Great Smoky Mountains with Johnny Appleseed


Heroes with Hammers, and Trains that Speed, 

to the Great Smoky Mountains
with Johnny Appleseed

The Adventures of a Jr. Ranger

Book #2


Monday, August 15, 2016

Why Paul Bunyan in Yosemite? The Adventures of a Jr Ranger

Who has not heard of Paul Bunyan?  The truth is MILLIONS!!  With a major connection to immigrants here in the U.S. I have come across the majority (Like 99.9%) who have no idea of this major part of U.S. culture.  The same goes with John Henry and almost all the other U.S. Folklore.  

The story of Paul Bunyan has been told, over and over, in the exact same way.  I for one, am a huge fan, ever since I was a child.  I was always sad how people treated him, in the end.  He just went off alone, to the west.  Some say Alaska, others say Washington or Oregon, but as the decades have past, I decided to reintroduce him in the High Sierras of California.  Not that he has always been there, but as a place he was assigned by modern government in order to keep him close and safe.

"Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite" is my idea of how to continue his story and legacy.  I was already working on the National Park Series as "The Adventures of a Jr. Ranger" until it dawned on me that if the story is fiction, set on experiences and feelings I had as a child, I needed to include folklore as well.  Especially as a way to keep U.S. folklore alive with the major influx of immigrants and new Citizens today.  I figured it would also add excitement to an already great adventure.   

In this book, Paul Bunyan does not have his ax in hand constantly.  He does not even use it the way he did decades ago, paving a way through the forests for the Pioneers.  He does still have his blue ox Babe, who has gone missing in the beginning of the story.  Found after witnesses film him ramming into the Hetch Hetchy dam.  I wonder why?

National Park Series Book #1


During the series, John Henry is the adoptive father of Lucy and Lucas Fern, grandchildren of John Henry's wife Talitha Fern.  They begin in Yosemite and travel to the different National Parks, including the Grand Canyon, Zions and Capital Reef, the Great Smoky Mountains, the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland, Snowdonia National Park in Great Britain, Elk Island in Russia, Thousand Islands in Canada and more.  All including local Folklore making friends with our own.  One great big team on a special mission uniting the world and much more

Lucy and Lucy Fern are my own creations,  children who have been gifted with the task of uniting the folk heroes and who each has a special connection to Nature unlike any that has ever been seen in the history of the World.  Paul Bunyan, John Henry, Johnny Appleseed, and many more folk heroes, will solve the mysteries of the Earth and it's inhabitants, who (the majority) have lost almost all interest.  

It has been an awesome experience, writing this story and working with many different children and friends and family, to bring it to life.  I have already met children who love the first two books The tiny Life of Lucas Fern and Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite.  

Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite introduces Paul Jr. the son of Paul Bunyan and also son of the Giant Princess Bébinn from Ireland, who lives under the protection of the Celtic government near Wicklow Mountains National Park.  Leading towards a plot that bring our family and team to Ireland and other parts of Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, South America,  and more.    

Paul Bunyan and the others will follow the Fern's in their quest to bring healing and hope to our Amazing Planet, and home.  

It is educational, amusing, reflective and fun.  I hope all who read it, enjoy it.  And if you encounter errors, please let me know in order for me to correct them. 


Saturday, August 13, 2016

The Adventures of Jr Ranger Magazine!! The Adventures of a Jr Ranger

Just when I thought, I had enough.  My kids are excellent at brain storming.  Like usual they could not go to sleep before midnight last night, so I just talked them to sleep.  

Anyways, during this funny midnight chat, we came up with The Adventures of a Jr. Ranger Magazine.  We would have families sign up and submit different types of stories as a Jr. Ranger, or about a trip to a National Park, for us to publish.  We would send them a copy of their story published with a picture they submit.  And a free copy of the first book.

We could include State Parks and other places.  

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Friday, August 12, 2016

It's Mt. Whitney all over again! The Adventures of a Jr Ranger

It is interesting, how we commit ourselves to a project that appears golden, even perfect! Then we arrive at basecamp and realize the battle has just begun.

Several years ago, I made a sixty plus mile backpacking trip, from Sequoia National Park to Mt. Whitney Portal.  

It was beautiful, and HARD.  

The actual trail would take eight days, if we did not cross Pants Pass (Somewhere near Mt. Kaweah), with over fifteen kids under eighteen years old, including myself.  I was sixteen. 

We had a terrible time, fighting drought conditions, and heat, but it was still a memory I will never forget.  Almost getting killed twice, by a fallen tree, and a huge rock slide on the north side of Pants Pass, as we needed rope to get down safely with the smaller kids. (A long exciting story)

Our group felt invincible after climbing Pants Pass successfully, until we hit the last few miles to the summit of Mt. Whitney.  

It took everything we had to get our names in the register on the summit, eat a late lunch, and make it down to camp before it was too dark. Some of the adults and kids, did not make it to the top.  

Today I feel like I just made it past Pants Pass again, with this first Adventure of a Jr Ranger book #1.  But self-publishing is a lot of hard work, like having to make it to the summit of Mt Whitney this next week. 

When I step back and look at the forty books I planned out, it feels endless. 

One thing you learn, backpacking up these steep, steep trails, is to keep one foot in front of the other, and try to enjoy the journey the best you can.  

I hope I have enough success with Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite, to find someone to help.  If I could afford an assistant, I would sail past my goal of twelve books a year.      

Right now I am Mr. Mom, working a full time job from home, while completing this book.  As much as I love to have the company of my Four children on Summer break, I found it is much easier when they are in school. 



As soon as I secure this families, peace of mind, financially.  I will be able to enjoy the summers with the kids, even more.     

What would Walt Disney do? The Adventures of a Jr Ranger

Over the years, I do not remember a visit to a National Park, without taking home a inexpensive souvenir.  

As a tradition with my own children, we have allowed them to choose something to help them remember their National Park experience.

We usually start off with the book section, looking to expand our small 500+ book library (mostly children's books), and usually the same exact books are available, as the year before, and in almost every National Park we have visited, from Yosemite, Death Valley, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, Zions, Bryce, you name it. 

Books about bears or deer, for children under five.  A National Geographic magazine for Kids that covers all National Parks in General, and has never appealed to my own children.  

We have two boys, ages 16 and 15. Two girls, ages 12 and 10.  They all love to read, but they usually end up with a t-shirt or a collection of rocks (also identical at all National Park gift stores)  

I know the National Park has a private company handle all of the sales of merchandise, but it did not make sense that they would not have anything original, except a private line of very expensive ($200+) blankets and clothing.  

It was probably during my 2014 visit to Yosemite, that I started thinking of a way to make souvenirs more attractive for kids, and put more money in the hands of the National Parks.  

I came up with this Jr. Ranger series starring Lucy and Lucas Fern, and friendly animals who share names with some of the local National Park folklore, like shouting Elmer in Yosemite.  

Recently I was completing the first draft of The Grizzly Tree in Yosemite, when I realized that I had one of those what would Jesus do moments, except it was a, 'What would Walt Disney do?' Obviously I do not see him as Jesus, but I do see him as a genius.

Immediately I had an idea pop into my head, as I could hear my children watching the Disney Legends DVD right in the other room. The famous Disney ballad of Paul Bunyan.  

Then it hit me. My story was fiction, but I needed to make the fiction, much more obvious, avoiding confusion, with even the smallest of children.  At least the ones old enough to read and understand. 

I went full throttle Paul Bunyan fiction in the title, changing it to Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite, immediately making it clear, that the story was fiction.  

Then the flood of memories began, from times I went camping as a child, and I would actually picture Paul Bunyan hiding in the trees. 

Since I had this wonderful idea, I have put in over a three hundred hours of research, covering up to 40 different folk heroes, from USA, IRELAND, ENDLAND, all through Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and back.  

I have re-written 80% of the story, over close to four hundred hours, including parts of the second, and third books.  

I came to the conclusion that I could never match something Disney could do, and if the job were to be done the way I envisioned, it would need to be looked over by Disney (Obviously Impossible), yet it would create a much more exciting outcome for children who may feel bored when visiting a National Park, and do not have the creativity to imagine the things I did as a child.  

As I complete this first book, I have come as close as possible to matching the work (at least in words) that Disney MIGHT do.  
Then again, I may be way off, since they probably have 100 people who could do this better than I.  

I am excited to be part of this project.  I have made it educational, while feeling a little suspense and a lot of excitement for boys and girls.  Motivating them to become a Jr. Rangers, love the National Parks, connect with the Native American Culture of the Park, and to be thankful to the service Rangers, Workers and volunteers that help keep these parks accessible to the public.  



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About the Author

Born in 1976 

I am Derek Ryan Jensen, born Derek James Bush, in Redwood City, California.  At the age of four, I was placed in the foster care of a family member who changed my name to Derek Ryan Bolingbroke.  I spent most of my childhood years in Granada Hills, California, moving to live with another family member before my fifteenth birthday.  My name was changed back to Derek James Bush.  

(Family drama, full of lots of interesting twists and turns - not included in this Bio)

When I turned eighteen, to prepare to serve a Church mission, the Church asked that I return my name to what was on the Church records, so I returned to Derek Ryan Bolingbroke.  

Are you dizzy yet?

I ended up living in the Dominican Republic for seven years (between mission and work) as Derek Ryan Bolingbroke, married and had two children there. 

In 2006, I was working two jobs, and found many barriers my name changing had caused, including being approved for a home loan.  I spoke to a lawyer and realized my legal name was still Derek James Bush, and I have never met my Father.  I still don't know who he is, or if I have any brothers and sisters on his side.  

In total, my wife and I have two boys and four girls. 

Anyways, in order to have my credit report fixed, I needed to officially change my name in a court. My grandfather asked me to take his name.  I felt honored to be part of an actual family chain.  So here I am Derek Ryan Jensen.

A cool note.  Just on my Grandfathers side, I am a direct descendant of the Kings of England.  I will post the genealogy in a future post.  Kind of cool, but I am guessing there are many, many more people just as related.  

I have worked since I was fifteen, assistant in construction, then many other jobs to survive until now. I started small company in order to supplement income, while living in Santa Clarita from 2006-2015.  

In 2015 we moved to Payson, Utah in order to keep our heads above water financially, and to work on publishing a few books I began many years before.  

The Adventures of a Jr Ranger, is a combination of two ideas I began a few years ago, but never had the time until now.    







Thursday, August 11, 2016

Jr. Ranger Book Series Planning Phase 9 The Adventures of a Jr Ranger

July 14, 2016

Finally, we made our second trip to Yosemite, this time to spend an entire week (7 nights) camping in Lower Pines, right next to the river.  It was amazing, with the greatest view of Half Dome.

Going to sleep every night, listening to the sound of the wind rushing through the trees, was like a dream.  The best $20 a night, I ever spent.

We had brand new tents from Costco, and an amazing air mattress to keep us as comfortable as possible.  Actually I am a backpacker, and love to sleep as close to nature (sometimes) as I can.  I have had great nights on a $10 pad from Walmart, and also horrible nights.

Tip: Remember when camping in tents, to find the flattest place possible to set up your tents and beds, or you will slide down the hill, all night long.

As a native from California, I usually drive from Santa Clarita, through Bakersfield, then Fresno. Then we travel through Oakhurst, and Sugar Pine (the railroad and train ride, is awesome there).  Only this year, we live in Payson, and it took us 10 hours to drive there.  To be truthful, I enjoyed the drive, and the roads were very nice, and cared for.

My first day was amazing, as I took notes and thought of places for Paul Bunyan to hide and live as a Giant.  Everything fit so perfectly.

The next few days, we looked at the Jr Ranger program (My children have all been Jr Rangers since they were tiny.) It was not much different than when they participated, the few times before.


Here is one of my favorite pictures, taken on top of Glacier Point.

The seven nights went by too quickly.  I was able to finally omplete all of the missing gaps, in the story.  $140 (total) for the campsite, and $245 (total) for the gas.  

I wrote this book, hoping to motivate kids to love Nature and our National Parks, also to become Jr. Rangers, taking pride in the world around them.  Picking up trash that someone else dropped. Not because they were told, only because they want to help keep this world a cleaner place.  

I can't tell you how many times I have been picking up trash with my children and see others begin to follow our example.  That is another reason that the Jr Ranger is as cool as ever.  My boys are almost Eagle Scouts, and I love the fact that they take pride in setting the example.  


Amazing views are everywhere.  In the top picture, you can see the glacier where Paul Bunyan lives (In the book)









Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Jr. Ranger Book Series Planning Phase 8 The Adventures of a Jr Ranger

June 27, 2016

By now the story was beginning to take hold, I finished writing and ended up on a train in the Great Smoky Mountains with ideas flowing faster than I could remember.  I took notes like crazy and ended up gaining a full understanding of the importance of the lives of John Henry, Casey Jones, Johnny Appleseed, and others from Ireland, England all the way to India.

This National Park Jr. Ranger Series has been one of the more exciting things that I have done.  I have been visiting National Parks ever since I was a child, and I would have loved it, if this kind of book was available.  I was also a big fan of folk heroes and it would be great if our children knew more about them. That is where these books can be a grand slam!

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Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite FINISHED!!!

I am excited to say that I have sent the manuscript and final draft of the cover for Paul Bunyan & Me in Yosemite The Adventures of a Jr. Ranger (Book #1) to over fifteen different literary agents, looking for possible representation.  I have had a few conversations with different leaders of the National Parks and Conservation Groups, who are very interested in the success of this series.

A few pages at the end of the book, have crossword puzzles, and trivia, made for Jr. travelers, seeking amusement during the long drive that usually comes with almost all National Park visits, and may possibly be the main reason for my starting this series.  The stores did not have a great selection of
helpful souvenirs, to help with road trips.

I am working to review and complete book two in the series, where Lucas and Lucy both arrive with their family, at The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and have a very interesting adventure with Johnny Appleseed.  I am waiting for approval of the title and we may be ready in a little less than a month on this one.

All of the chapters of book three are finished also, as they are sent to Yellowstone, due to publish in October.  We are traveling through seasons, so the Great Smoky Mountains will be during fall and Yellowstone is during winter.  Both parks have amazing programs during those times, that not many people are aware of.

So far by the end of book two, we will have visited two National Parks with the help of four different folk heroes, including the President of the United States. Two of the folk heroes are a secret (in a way).  Not hard to discover, but exciting when they arrive in the story.

Our group does travel by train, eventually.  Also folk heroes from other countries will be appearing, as they seek the help of the Ferns and their small army of folk hero friends, to establish the Jr. Ranger Program and resolve problems with in their own National Parks.

Here is the final draft of the cover of the book.  I will post the entire book, in a few days, as soon as I have a few answers from the copyright office.    









Sunday, August 7, 2016

Elmer and friends!! The Adventures of a Jr Ranger

Okay!! I posted the entire book, less the crossword puzzles and a few drawings and pictures that are in the book, during the chapters.  

You can find it under my blog called The tiny Life of Lucas Fern, organized in chapters. 

It was fun to finally publish one of the hundreds of stories I have told my kids, over the years.  I have also been adding a fun portion of a tradition in Yosemite that many visitors (usually campers) have, as the sun is setting in Yosemite Valley.



Just as people are returning to their campsites and finishing up with dinner, or roasting marsh mellows over the campfire, people begin to shout for Elmer.  It is alarming for a child the first time they hear it, then it becomes exciting.  Just the thought that you can scream at the top of your lungs, the name of a person, nobody has ever met.  

At least according to the three different stories I have heard over the years.  

This first story, an old family member told me during a family reunion.  It was the story of an old man named Elmer, who had a cart full of fresh fruit, fish, and vegetables.  This was told even back before WWII when this person was just a teenager.  

People would shout his name, in order to get his attention.

A different story was that of a young boy, who was lost, during the sixties or so.  His parents began calling his name, and the campers all began calling for him as well.  It did not take long for him to finally return home.  

The third is the story I made up for my own children, since the truth is almost impossible to find.  I tell them the story of Elmer the bear cub, who was separated from his mother.  The bear cub ran across a few children playing in the river, building a small dam out of rocks, creating a little pool of water to swim in.  

They named the bear cub Elmer, and spent all afternoon playing games, and feeding the cute cub.  When the night came, Elmer's mother was still missing.  

That night the children all gathered together and slept out under the stars, with Elmer the bear cub, hoping his mother would return to find him. 

In the morning Elmer was gone! From that day forward, these children returned to Yosemite every year, looking for Elmer, calling his name as the sun went down. 

As you can see, Yosemite can be a magical place, especially for those who can resist the desire to watch television, listen to music, use their electronic devices, and whatever else you can do when you are back in the city, or at home.  

Try and find a spot, all alone, preferably along the river, where nobody can disturb you.  Set out a blanket, to relax and listen to the music and the message Mother Nature has in store for you.  It may take a while to purge the big city out of your mind and system, but for those of you who can hear it.  Her message is magical.



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Copyright © 2016 Derek Ryan Jensen.  All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system - except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper - without permission in writing from the publisher
Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved.


Saturday, August 6, 2016

Yosemite Camping Part #1 The Adventures of a Jr Ranger

July 14, 2016

Our vacation to Yosemite National Park, finally happened on this date.  We did not go home until July 21.  It was amazing.  The weather was perfect, 80's during the day and in the 50's at night.

My family loves to sleep in tents, so we took two new tents from Costco and some nice air mattresses, several chairs, and everything else that made the trip perfect.

Well, almost.  I forgot my shoes.  I packed the van in sandals, and everything else.  I had not worn my regular shoes in a few days, so they were out of sight and out of mind.  Our hike to the top of Half Dome was obviously cancelled.

I was able to get by without any major issues at all.

My boys and I have a tradition when we camp, that keeps us closer to nature.  We bring a biodegradable soap and shampoo, and only bathe in the river.  The water is freezing the first day, but if you can fight through the chill, you will be able to enjoy an entire week of morning and evening trips to the river.   It feels great while you are outside all day long.

Here is a picture we took while were there.

The Adventures of a Jr Ranger
Merced River Yosemite Valley




















This is a picture taken from the bridge that is between the pines campgrounds.  We usually stay in Lower Pines when we go.  The camp host is a great guy and does a great job keeping people in line.  If the people do not put food away properly, it is guaranteed that a bear will make a visit to the campground, and you will be hearing some very noisy campers, trying to scare it away.

One year we saw a bear right outside our camp, eating an entire bag of pancake mix.  The sad thing is, is that they become fearless of humans, then aggressive.  Eventually the Rangers are forced to put them down in order to protect the public.  

Another thing that I have added to the Jr Ranger Series, is the trash issue in Yosemite.  There are many issues, but I have decided to mention two.  

The first is the missing clip issue, on the large green dumpsters the campers and visitors, use to dump their trash.  If they don’t put the clip back at night, a bear could climb in and be trapped and killed in the morning, when the garbage truck comes to take the trash.  

The second is the Landfill issue in Yosemite.  The Landfills in, and near Yosemite Valley are filling up faster and faster, causing the trash companies to travel farther and farther to get rid of the trash.  I dedicated a fun portion of this first book, into finding solutions, especially this solution.  

If you ever have a chance to camp, or visit Yosemite, bring a bike, and float down the river.  You will never forget these moments, ever, for the rest of your life.  

I have written this first book, as if you are actually camping with me and my family in Yosemite.  I plan on posting the entire book, here on my blog, as soon as I feel comfortable with the results, possibly tomorrow or Monday.  

Cross your fingers.   




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Copyright © 2016 Derek Ryan Jensen.  All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system - except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper - without permission in writing from the publisher
Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved.

Jr. Ranger Book Series Planning Phase 7

June 10, 2016

The Grizzly Tree in Yosemite, was going to be the name of the first book in the Jr. Ranger Series, at one point.



This was one of my semi-boring ideas, based before the folk hero idea.  The story begins with the family arriving in Yosemite, at the Mariposa grove (Closed until Summer 2017), and John Fern (the adoptive Father of Lucas Fern) is anxious to test Lucas and his newly acquired control over the L.U.C.A. gene (Last Universal Common Ancestor).  

Originally the story was about Lucas having this unexplainable gift to bring plants back to life, or make them more fruitful, with an additional gift to communicate with them.

 His twin sister Lucy has a similar gift, but with animals.  Just a few weeks ago, an article was published about the L.U.C.A


I was excited, since the initials were very close to both Lucas and Lucy, and gave me an amazing scientific way to introduce their gifts.  

As I was explaining,  the book begins as the family arrives in the Mariposa Grove, home of some of the largest trees on earth.  I chose to use the Grizzly Giant, as the tree that would have an impact on Lucas to begin the series.  

Lucas is able to connect, communicate, and understand this amazing Gigantic tree, that is over two thousand years old.  

Here is a picture of it, and it does not do it any justice.  In person, this is one of the greatest trees to ever stand.  Borrowed from wikipedia.  

Anyways, that is why I was going to call the first book.  The Grizzly Tree in Yosemite.  It literally changes the course of Lucas's life, as he is given an additional gift of growing taller, almost as tall as the great Paul Bunyan.  




Copyright © 2016 Derek Ryan Jensen.  All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system - except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper - without permission in writing from the publisher
Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved.





Jr. Ranger Book Series Planning Phase 6

May 25, 2016

With the two legal battles, still consuming my days (non-book related and non-criminal), I was struggling to manage anything productive.  I did manage to work Paul Bunyan into the first Jr. Ranger story in Yosemite.  His hiding place is near an old favorite backpacking place of mine.  

I had a great time remembering, all of those experiences, a few miles beyond the Little Yosemite Valley, sliding down a natural waterslide created by the Merced river, draining from the freezing glaciers above.  Spending many nights, keeping watch over our backpacks and food, so the bears would not get to them.  

A few miles back, made the perfect place for Paul Bunyan to reside, undiscovered.  I can’t wait for you to read this book.  It is 99% finished today, and I will post it sometime tomorrow or Monday, depending on how fast I can finish this breakdown of the writing and creative process.  

Today I was watching my little ten-year-old girl, one of a few Little Miss Payson 2016 girls, who were in the Santaquin Harvest days’ parade.  It was cute.  My fifteen-year-old son was also playing the trumpet for the Payson High School Band.  That was great too.  

I have used all four of my children in the art, and in the personalities, of Lucas and Lucy Fern, so it will be fun to add some of these adventures to future books.


Well, as I said, I was able to place Paul Bunyan in the Yosemite Jr. Ranger book.  I also was able to add his shadow, in sort of a fun "Hidden Mickey" way, on the cover, as well as finally fix the title of the book.  I sent in for the Copyright May 25 as dated above, when these changes took place.  Also the smaller head for Lucas, with blue eyes.  Now Lucy and Lucas have a mixture of all four of my kids, , and they blue eyes are from me.  

See Paul Bunyan?






Copyright © 2016 Derek Ryan Jensen.  All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system - except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper - without permission in writing from the publisher
Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved.


The Yosemite Jr. Ranger Song The Adventures of a Jr Ranger

August 6, 2016

This is actually a song I wrote, two days ago.  I needed a song for Lucy to have written during her
stay in Yosemite.  Written as I listened to the song from Disney's animated Paul Bunyan, I had her write this song for the Jr. Ranger's called The Yosemite Jr. Ranger Song, and if you sing it to the Disney tune, it works much better.  I have a cousin who can write something different to match, if ever needed.

        The Yosemite Jr. Ranger Song


Yosemite’s the place where the trees grow tall,  full of Glaciers and 

Waterfalls too!


Where the Jr. Rangers roam,  cleaning mother nature’s home,  

because bears think that s’mores are yummy too!


There’s a fen on the hill,  and a river that’s chill,  for the people to 

swim if they dare.


Cause the water is cold,  only fun for the bold,  and we Jr. Rangers try 

not to stare.

        Chorus:

        Hey all - - - hey all - - - We’re Rangers - - - Jr. Rangers!  

       We have fun, high and low,
                           as we learn how things grow,   

       finding birds up above,
                           and small creatures to love.


       Hey all - - - hey all - - - We’re Rangers - - - Jr. Rangers!   









Copyright © 2016 Derek Ryan Jensen.  All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system - except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper - without permission in writing from the publisher
Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved.



Jr. Ranger Book Series Planning Phase 5 The Adventures of a Jr Ranger

April 22, 2016

Our family was becoming excited for our week long camping trip in Yosemite.  We had reservations July 14th for 7 nights in Lower Pines Campground, #12.  It had been over two years since our last family vacation and we were anxious to get away from life for a while. 

The kids were still in school and I just found out that my Copyright on Lucas and Lucy Fern, including the Tiny Life of Lucas Fern was still not ready, so I decided to complete the editing and get something published as soon as I could, to protect the story. 

I had already sent the manuscript to over ten different agents, with only one answer, and small unacceptable offer, and I was worried that one of them might try something illegal. 

I rushed and used Create Space to publish The Tiny Life of Lucas Fern "Born Tiny, Born Blue, Big Ears, and Big Feet Too!!"  It is a beginning story of Lucas, but I plan on making a few changes, now that this Jr. Ranger series, with folk heroes, has changed everything. 

I can keep most of the story, but I was never able to have it properly edited, or criticized. 

Anyways.  Finally, on April 22, I was able to have a great part of the story set up from Lucas and Lucy, arriving in Yosemite, all the way to Smoky Mountain National Park with Johnny Appleseed.  And the progress on the cover was much better as you can see below. 

One of my younger children was smart enough to investigate the origins of Johnny Appleseed, learning that he never really lived anywhere around the Smoky Mountains.  I had to explain that many of these folk heroes, were wonderers, and could have ended up anywhere. 


I have been faithful in keeping them close to where they originally ended up, during the end of their individual stories.   

One of the greatest parts in this Jr Ranger series, will be the Native American connection to each National Park.  

As of April 22, 2016, I was still unsure of the folk hero I was going to use in my first book, beginning in Yosemite.  The reason I chose Yosemite to begin the Jr. Ranger series, is not because it was the first, National Park.  Actually it was NOT the first.  It was the first to ever start a Jr Ranger type program, called the Yosemite Junior Nature School, that children were invited to attend.


This picture I added many more trees, giving a closer feel to Yosemite Valley.  But still the mountain tops here missing trees.

The Adventures of a Jr Ranger


Here I added the trees to the mountain tops and gave a little more definition to Half Dome, than I wanted.  My kids seemed to like it more, so I just left it.





Copyright © 2016 Derek Ryan Jensen.  All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system - except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper - without permission in writing from the publisher
Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved.

Jr. Ranger Book Series Planning Phase 4 The Adventures of a Jr Ranger

April 14, 2016

After a long night I was able to to fix the trees a little, and the famous landmark, known as Half Dome. As you can see when you compare picture #1 with picture #2.  Later I decided that we needed many more trees and a little work on Lucas's head.  Plus the title was still wrong.

Picture #1                                                      Picture #2


Lucas Fern and Lucy Fern
The Adventures of a Jr Ranger




















www.lucasfern.com

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009654812050

https://twitter.com/SoyLucasFern

Copyright © 2016 Derek Ryan Jensen.  All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system - except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper - without permission in writing from the publisher
Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved.

Jr. Ranger Book Series Planning Phase 3

April 13, 2016

I stopped looking for an Agent to represent The Tiny Life of Lucas Fern book #1, due to the fact that almost every company I spoke to, told me that I would not have a chance in today's market, as the unknown author. The nobody!!

Oh well. Life is not easy, running an eBay business, playing Mr. Mom, helping at Church, helping with homework, Legal Battles on two fronts (Non Book related), family member dental issues with no insurance and a very tight budget.  You get the picture. 

At this point, school was almost out and my oldest daughter was celebrating her birthday.  This was when I was sent the color version of the book cover.  It was not very good, and Half Dome was non existent.  I was still not sure if I was going to make the Jr. Ranger Series a Fiction Series, or a true story about my own children as they became Jr. Rangers over the years.

My friend from Serbia emailed me the draft, after I sent him several other revisions.  The colors were perfect, and so were Lucas and Lucy (the two kids in the cover) only the mountains were not the way I needed them.  As you can see below.  

The trees were not even close to the trees in Yosemite Valley, and I was already doubting the title of the book.  I really wanted to keep The Tiny Life of Lucas Fern as a separate Series, showing his journey from a 4 inch baby, to a giant, not even close to Paul Bunyan.

I sent my friend the agreed upon payment, for his services at this point, then started working on fixing the book cover myself, leaving him to finish other project he had waiting.  
Along with setting up the Chapters and creating the outline for the series, traveling all the way to National Parks in Ireland and Japan, I did not sleep until I completed the vision I had in my head, of what I wanted this first book in such an important series,  to look like.







Copyright © 2016 Derek Ryan Jensen.  All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system - except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper - without permission in writing from the publisher
Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved.