Every national park has its own unique spirit and will impact visitors in different ways. Redwood National and State Parks? They will change you–almost down to the core of your being. My 21-year-old daughter and I visited recently for book research and to try out our new camper van. As I stared up at the … Read More
New National Park Novels are on the way! You guys ROCK! You made this happen by . . . Purchasing Requesting Reviewing and Recommending my most recent book, When Stone Wings Fly, and my three other national park novels. My publisher took notice. And because you made your voices heard (loudly!), I’ve been given a … Read More
The National Park Service was established on August 25, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act. Now, 106 years later, our nation’s park rangers are still going strong. It was a huge honor for me to wear the green and gray uniform when I worked for the NPS back in the… well, a … Read More
The entire year of 2021 seemed crazy and unpredictable, but millions of people still looked for solace in nature, leading to some seriously crowded national parks. Are you curious which ones were the busiest? Which were the least visited? You might be able to avoid the crowds this summer, if you’re willing to trek to … Read More
Let’s imagine you’re sneaking away to a cabin for a weekend of reading novels, including Karen Barnett’s new Smoky Mountains novel, When Stone Wings Fly. Ahhh, nice!!! Now, enter the Hello Weekend Giveaway and make it the coziest weekend ever!(Sorry, cabin not included!) Entry form below. “Hello Weekend Giveaway” items include: Tote bag, a paperback … Read More
Nashville, TN. Present Day Four years of college and she was back to juggling plates? This was not how she pictured her life at twenty-seven. Kieran swung a purse over her shoulder and made for the diner’s rear door. “Can you use me on the breakfast shift, Ash? I need some hours.” Her friend, the … Read More
As an author who has written a novel set at Mount Rainier National Park (and a former ranger there, too), readers often ask me for suggestions on visiting one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful parks. As I mentioned in my post about Yellowstone, these requests can be challenging. Everyone has different interests and goals … Read More
When readers learn that I spent several years working as a park ranger, I tend to get a lot of questions. “Where did you work? Was it the best job ever? How did you become a park ranger? What was it like?” I typically nod and agree, it was a dream job. But like any … Read More
Are you visiting Yellowstone this year? As an author who has written about the park, people often ask me for help planning their Yellowstone vacations. It can be a challenge since we’re all so different. Do you prefer camping or luxury hotels? Eating from a cooler or in a restaurant? Hiking or viewpoints? Every visitor … Read More
Since it’s common knowledge that I’m a complete and utter national park geek, readers often ask me which parks I most want to visit. That’s when my head begins to spin. There are 63 National Parks to choose from, and the NPS actually has 423 sites that it cares for. Like many of you, I … Read More