In Pursuit of Wildness: Pinnacles National Park

Once upon a time, it was called Pinnacles National Monument, but today it is America’s newest national park. That’s where this story begins.

Graduating from San Jose State, getting married, and landing my first permanent job with the National Park Service all within one week was a miracle. “We’d like to offer you a job as an Administrative Assistant at Pinnacles National Monument.” I accepted without even knowing where it was located. I have always loved nature and the great outdoors, but my degree in business administration and management was pointing me toward a career in a big city. So this offer from the National Park Service was a dream come true.