Was it like the Sinnott Memorial in the sense that you could capitalize on a person’s first view and try to interpret in some of those same ways?
Very much so. It was just a natural. Invariably, questions popped into their minds. It was an excellent opportunity to answer questions, meet their needs. It was a spontaneous kind of thing. You didn’t have to approach them- they approached you. Or just by picking up on their reactions you could go ahead and respond to their responses. It was really, I thought from that aspect, a very valuable place to be. But, as I say, it was controversial and some people just didn’t like it at all.
Were there waysides out there, or were you pretty much just by yourself?
By yourself. There were not restroom facilities or anything of that nature. You were just out there, and some days it would be somewhat cold and you were out there in the elements. You had a car, and that was about the extent of it. But, once again, it’s how you look at it. Seizing the natural opportunity out there to be effective in what you’re doing.
Was there some regret about having that North House ranger station taken away as soon as you started the service?
Well, it did enter my mind. I looked at it this way. The North House was there, but it hadn’t been used in my summers there, so it was no great loss (5). If it had been used by us, or by any other staff, I could say, yeah, gee, that didn’t make much sense. But it was never was used and consequently I didn’t give it a second thought.
