I got this comment on last night’s post:
Such a lovely photo, Dinata! 🙂 If you don’t mind me asking, what kind of book are you working on? Hope you’re having a lovely week!
~ Anna
I have been so deeply involved with Big Creek for months, no years, that it seems everyone must know. But I have new followers on my blog who have not read it all already. I think that answering that question will serve to clarify for me too. Again.
My full (current) title is:
Big Creek
A Closer Look at a National Park
as Told by Campground Hosts
in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Yep, I copied that right off my Word document.

Andy and I live in our motorhome and for two months most years in the spring or summer, we volunteer in the national park. As campground hosts, we hang around the campground to help campers, hikers, and day visitors. We remind them to follow the important rules, such as paying for a campsite and not leaving food out to attract bears into the campground. They give us park two-way radios so we can call for a ranger or an ambulance when necessary.
So, the book is about our experience in Big Creek, one of the ten campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I kept a daily log and took pictures of events, people, rangers, flowers, the creek, and what we heard on the park radio. It was a real eye opener.

I always considered national parks as a place of natural beauty and strange landscapes. A place of peace, tranquility, and wildlife. I was never aware of all the stuff going on all the time in a national park until I spent a good amount of time there. I had read some books by park rangers, but they did not give the sense of how much and how often. Their accounts were of the most memorable rescues and adventures. My goal is to show the wide variety of events occurring one after the other every day in the park. I include enough details of our personal encounters with park visitors, rangers, and maintenance staff to give a real sense of what it is like. I have also added some information about the park and its operation.
I have posted hundreds of photos on my Big Creek Journal blog. It also contains the unedited daily logs for 2015.
Is that more than you asked for Anna?
What an interesting person you are and what an interesting post. I am glad that you somehow found me. I have not been to a lot of National Parks, just Acadia, Sedona and Grand Canyon. I had an opportunity to drive on the Great Smokey Mountain thru way. One of the most breath taking scenic roads in the world. I look forward to reading more of your posts and hope you will consider linking your posts to the Senior Salon you would be a great asset.
LikeLike
I did try to link, but that is a mystery to me. I clicked on the frog, but didn’t get anything else to do. I’ll keep trying, but I don’t understand what to do.
LikeLike
Thank you, Anna. I had the same. Question myself. Lovely experience, Dinata, and I’m sure the book will be fascinating
LikeLike
Of course I find it fascinating, but i hope to also get it well written. Thanks for the confidence!
LikeLike
This is so lovely, Dinata! I am really looking forward to buying your book when it is finished! Thank you so much for your post! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing about your book, Dinata. Looking forward to reading your book in the near future 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Heena. I sure hope I get it out there in the near future!
LikeLike
Thank you for reading from my blog. I’ve read your latest posts. Goodness, you have such grand experiences, places, and events to write about! And you’re taking photos, too! My grandfather had a career in the Department of the Interior, which made him one of the first ones to establish wildlife refuges in parts of the country. But, heck, I like nature, anyway. The photos you display are, well, picturesque. And what you describe comes across with clarity and comprehension (sorry, the writing teacher coming out in me) as well as insight. Your Grand Ole Opry night can’t help but put me in mind of my younger brother who directs the theatre now where the Grand Ole Opry began. Thanks again! I look to learning more.
LikeLike
Wow, we went to the Ryman a few years back. My thought was that it is only fitting that it is in a former church. I’m sure that I am going to enjoy getting to know you through your blog too!
LikeLike
The reply may have been too much for some, but to a newcomer it is perfect! Thank you for finding me and allowing me to find you. Looking forward to reading more!
LikeLike
Nice to meet you! I’m glad Anna asked the question; I should have thought to put something like that in since I’ve been following (and getting followed in return) a lot more blogs recently.
LikeLike