Connections
May 27, 2011

I'm not big on materialism, but I was thankful for the glimpse of the exact same make, model, and color of car that my Grandfather owned while I drove to work this morning. It was a tangible link to memories of joy, humor, grace, suffering, and peace associated with him. After a decade of his passing, I find myself missing him today. Maybe you have had a similar experience?

This morning’s drive prompted me to write about National Park Service Interpreters who lead guided hikes, education programs, and present evening and campfire programs. Interpreters act as a conduit between visitors and the resource visitors are experiencing. They take tangible objects and help provide opportunities for visitors to form their own emotional or intellectual connections and meanings to a park. While Interpreters do provide valuable information about hiking trails, lodging, and restroom locations, they help visitors foster connections to Glacier National Park and other parks.

Because meanings and connections are different for every person, they may not always align, nor should they. How many of you can look at a tangible item and make a connection with that item to a park? I have a friend who retired his hiking boots yet still holds on to them because he is reminded of his backpacking trip to Cosley Lake every time he glances at them. He is reminded of the challenge and struggle to ford turbulent streams to get to his destination and the solitude he experienced once accomplishing the feat. Others may have an entirely different view about the boot and the connections made. Some might prefer to retire them because they were ill-fitting and brought them pain and torturous blisters on that same trail; why hold on to that when it would be logical to just buy better fitting boots? The wolf is another great example of a tangible object making connections. For some, the wolf is a dominant predator that kills livestock and game animals unnecessarily, creating economic and sustainable hardships for people who rely on ranching and hunting. Conversely, others may look at the wolf as an import and competing part of an ecosystem and the sight or sound of one stirs emotions of power and wildness.

This morning I made a connection to my Grandfather through a car. Think about your first visit to Glacier National Park. What connections did you make when you were here? How important are those connections to you now?