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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.