Possibly The Best (Cutest) Apology Letter Ever
August 22, 2017 3:22 PM Subscribe
As someone who has worked in a national park, but not as a ranger, that's so fucking great to see. Parents in the park I worked in made you lose faith in humanity so often.
posted by RolandOfEld at 3:30 PM on August 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by RolandOfEld at 3:30 PM on August 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
Lovely! Thank you for sharing that. It made me smile. Good job, big person who helped little person write the note!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:37 PM on August 22, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:37 PM on August 22, 2017 [7 favorites]
In the national park just down the road, people take the rocks.
The best apology letters in the park system, though, come to Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.
posted by LeLiLo at 3:41 PM on August 22, 2017 [16 favorites]
The best apology letters in the park system, though, come to Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.
posted by LeLiLo at 3:41 PM on August 22, 2017 [16 favorites]
Green Hope Essences blue
(Not cynic-ist!)
posted by chavenet at 3:45 PM on August 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
(Not cynic-ist!)
posted by chavenet at 3:45 PM on August 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
Not only do they take the rocks from ANP...years ago they took ALL the anemone from Aneome Cave. I helped build a trail down to it in the 70's, but I think the park has removed it now.
posted by lobstah at 3:50 PM on August 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by lobstah at 3:50 PM on August 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
That is so nice. Really made my day.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:51 PM on August 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:51 PM on August 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
That's a damn nice hat.
posted by turbid dahlia at 3:52 PM on August 22, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by turbid dahlia at 3:52 PM on August 22, 2017 [9 favorites]
Personally, I was charmed by the way every single word was underlined. That there is a sincere apology.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 3:58 PM on August 22, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by WalkerWestridge at 3:58 PM on August 22, 2017 [11 favorites]
I like to imagine that the family was tormented by the wrathful spirits of the trees until they returned their guilty burden filled with fear and trembling.
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:04 PM on August 22, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:04 PM on August 22, 2017 [23 favorites]
....Bless me Mefi, for I was tempted and almost sinned...I almost took a sequoia cone from yosemite last year. I picked it up while on a hike in the Mariposa Grove; I ultimately did put it back down on the ground a little further along, but I confess that my intent was to take it home and keep it.
Dear Park Ranger Mefites: I'm sorry.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:16 PM on August 22, 2017 [5 favorites]
Dear Park Ranger Mefites: I'm sorry.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:16 PM on August 22, 2017 [5 favorites]
That is some A+ parenting, right there.
You can't see it because the signature is tucked into the hat band but that letter ends [name redacted] Age 28.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 4:20 PM on August 22, 2017 [5 favorites]
You can't see it because the signature is tucked into the hat band but that letter ends [name redacted] Age 28.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 4:20 PM on August 22, 2017 [5 favorites]
“Anyone who takes a rock from Acadia, they’re going to pay the price,” he warned.
That price can range from a warning to a federal misdemeanor, which carries a maximum fine of $5,000 and six months in jail. A dozen people have been cited so far this year, with fines typically $75 to $100, officials said.
I think I might have spotted the problem...
posted by madajb at 4:52 PM on August 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
That price can range from a warning to a federal misdemeanor, which carries a maximum fine of $5,000 and six months in jail. A dozen people have been cited so far this year, with fines typically $75 to $100, officials said.
I think I might have spotted the problem...
posted by madajb at 4:52 PM on August 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
[ENLARGE]
Damned Instagram.
Try this direct link.
posted by madajb at 4:56 PM on August 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
Damned Instagram.
Try this direct link.
posted by madajb at 4:56 PM on August 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
When I was a kid, I visited the Acropolis and pocketed a small rock--possibly a chunk of marble-- as a keepsake. I must have known I was doing a bad thing because I always remembered exactly where on the site I found it. It sat in my jewelry box and I felt guilty every time I saw it. Roughly 25 years later, I visited the Acropolis again and returned the rock to its original location. It felt good.
posted by carmicha at 4:56 PM on August 22, 2017 [82 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 4:56 PM on August 22, 2017 [82 favorites]
That's a damn nice hat.
Hell yes.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:03 PM on August 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Hell yes.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:03 PM on August 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Getting your very own Smokey Bear hat is possibly one of the best things about being a park ranger.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 5:11 PM on August 22, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 5:11 PM on August 22, 2017 [7 favorites]
I thought you were a GSV.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 5:16 PM on August 22, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by ActingTheGoat at 5:16 PM on August 22, 2017 [5 favorites]
Y'all, I've grown cynical, because all I could think is that was an amazing way to publicize that company, on whose letterhead the letter is written. In other words, I don't believe a word of it.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 5:32 PM on August 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 5:32 PM on August 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
I like to imagine that the family was tormented by the wrathful spirits of the trees until they returned their guilty burden filled with fear and trembling.
Ents never forget
posted by littlesq at 5:32 PM on August 22, 2017 [5 favorites]
Ents never forget
posted by littlesq at 5:32 PM on August 22, 2017 [5 favorites]
They probably saw that Brady Bunch episode where Greg took the tiki idol.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 5:49 PM on August 22, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 5:49 PM on August 22, 2017 [7 favorites]
omg thanks for this because i've been in a total ftw mood all week <3
posted by entropicamericana at 5:50 PM on August 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by entropicamericana at 5:50 PM on August 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Oh, I'm not a park ranger! But I've worked with them enough to know that they cherish those hats.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 6:23 PM on August 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 6:23 PM on August 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm pretty sure the only rock I took as a kid that was supposed to be left alone was a chunk of the white zone curb at the arrivals level of JFK that had fallen apart. Sometime later, I also picked up a laminated cheat sheet (listing violations and their Vehicle Code section) for the traffic officers at SFO that had fallen on the ground and added it to my collection. I guess I have some airports to apologize to now.
posted by zachlipton at 6:29 PM on August 22, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 6:29 PM on August 22, 2017 [4 favorites]
The hat is cool. The leather band on the hat is really cool.
posted by AugustWest at 6:41 PM on August 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by AugustWest at 6:41 PM on August 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
That's a damn nice hat.
Can anyone identify it? ME WANTS
posted by wenestvedt at 7:52 PM on August 22, 2017
Can anyone identify it? ME WANTS
posted by wenestvedt at 7:52 PM on August 22, 2017
OMFG YOU GUYZ, I THINK THESE IS THEM:
http://www.strattonhats.com
summer hat, $91
winter felt hat, $141
posted by wenestvedt at 7:55 PM on August 22, 2017 [7 favorites]
http://www.strattonhats.com
summer hat, $91
winter felt hat, $141
posted by wenestvedt at 7:55 PM on August 22, 2017 [7 favorites]
A coworker and I hiked a few miles of Sequoia a few weeks back. We were completely gobsmacked, looking up at the trees. I kept taking vertical panoramas of them. I took an awesome one that ran up one tree and backward over my head.
At one point my friend said "Whew,
smells like something died nearby." I agreed, but I've been in enough woods that dead animal stank isn't that remarkable.
It wasn't until we were hiking back out the way we came that we realized that we were so busy looking up that we had walked right past a GIANT MOUNTAIN LION CORPSE without seeing it. Thing was big as me and right by the side of the trail. I don't know if that's more of a testimony to the majesty of that forest or my own obliviousness. Probably a combo. But let the lesson be that those trees rule, so don't take the cones.
posted by middleclasstool at 8:01 PM on August 22, 2017 [13 favorites]
At one point my friend said "Whew,
smells like something died nearby." I agreed, but I've been in enough woods that dead animal stank isn't that remarkable.
It wasn't until we were hiking back out the way we came that we realized that we were so busy looking up that we had walked right past a GIANT MOUNTAIN LION CORPSE without seeing it. Thing was big as me and right by the side of the trail. I don't know if that's more of a testimony to the majesty of that forest or my own obliviousness. Probably a combo. But let the lesson be that those trees rule, so don't take the cones.
posted by middleclasstool at 8:01 PM on August 22, 2017 [13 favorites]
Also, this is only tangentially related because park rangers, but I found out last weekend at the St. Louis arch that if you wear one of those Smokey RESIST shirts to a national landmark, you will delight the fuck out of some park rangers
posted by middleclasstool at 8:04 PM on August 22, 2017 [44 favorites]
posted by middleclasstool at 8:04 PM on August 22, 2017 [44 favorites]
I grew up in Acadia (well... 1/10th of a mile from the closest NPS marker). I have a collection of drift wood, rounded rocks from pounding surf, random shells, and well... some of these things are 40 year old pieces of my childhood. I don't know that I'd ever take something again, but - I also don't see me sending part of my memory back. I'm sure some aren't from NPS land - but at this point, I couldn't and don't think that I could segment which piece was from exactly where - I just know what they represent to me.
And amazingly, after likely 40 years of washing in some cases - a fair number of rocks still have what I consider the smell of the shore.
posted by Nanukthedog at 9:37 PM on August 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
And amazingly, after likely 40 years of washing in some cases - a fair number of rocks still have what I consider the smell of the shore.
posted by Nanukthedog at 9:37 PM on August 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
... years ago they took ALL the anemone from Aneome Cave. I helped build a trail down to it in the 70's, but I think the park has removed it now.
To protect the cave, the park has taken away all the signs that once pointed it out, and removed any mention of it from the park maps. The trail still is there, though, and in good shape; the first short section of it even is a paved walkway now.
posted by LeLiLo at 10:32 PM on August 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
To protect the cave, the park has taken away all the signs that once pointed it out, and removed any mention of it from the park maps. The trail still is there, though, and in good shape; the first short section of it even is a paved walkway now.
posted by LeLiLo at 10:32 PM on August 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
This kind of thing happens at Volcanoes National Park as well, complete with Pele curse.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:47 PM on August 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:47 PM on August 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
I thought you were a GSV.
I think it's pretty clear from the available literature that a GSV could wear a hat if it felt like it. It might look a little unusual but are you going to stand and point/laugh at a GSV?
posted by *becca* at 3:12 AM on August 23, 2017 [4 favorites]
I think it's pretty clear from the available literature that a GSV could wear a hat if it felt like it. It might look a little unusual but are you going to stand and point/laugh at a GSV?
posted by *becca* at 3:12 AM on August 23, 2017 [4 favorites]
That is some A+ parenting, right there. (Or non-parent teaching.)
Yes. I suppose. But
1. It depends on the manner and degree of punishment that precipitated that kid writing an official apology on company stationery.
2. Compared to just keeping the pine cone and never doing it again (or see 1), how much extra environmental damage was caused by packaging a pine cone and shipping it from New Hampshire to California?
posted by pracowity at 3:53 AM on August 23, 2017
Yes. I suppose. But
1. It depends on the manner and degree of punishment that precipitated that kid writing an official apology on company stationery.
2. Compared to just keeping the pine cone and never doing it again (or see 1), how much extra environmental damage was caused by packaging a pine cone and shipping it from New Hampshire to California?
posted by pracowity at 3:53 AM on August 23, 2017
Having been to Zion and Rocky Mt. National Parks recently and seeing the hoards of visitors (some who are not on their best behavior), I have a deep appreciation of the incredible patience the Rangers possess. So anything they do to help preserve the park is okey dokey by me.
posted by jabo at 9:01 AM on August 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by jabo at 9:01 AM on August 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
Personally, I was charmed by the way every single word was underlined. That there is a sincere apology.
I imagine that when the kid was done writing the letter, his parents told him: "And now you underline all those words that you think are very important!"
posted by sour cream at 9:22 AM on August 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
I imagine that when the kid was done writing the letter, his parents told him: "And now you underline all those words that you think are very important!"
posted by sour cream at 9:22 AM on August 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
I always thought the Park Rangers were great people when I went to many of our National Parks.
I don't really do that anymore, since we had the Littlest Naberius. Out of fear, mainly. Fear that she will destroy our beautiful parks as she destroys all things in their time. She draws the curtain on the play of nature. She eats up the works of man. Especially now that she's teething and likes to chew on them.
posted by Naberius at 9:42 AM on August 23, 2017 [2 favorites]
I don't really do that anymore, since we had the Littlest Naberius. Out of fear, mainly. Fear that she will destroy our beautiful parks as she destroys all things in their time. She draws the curtain on the play of nature. She eats up the works of man. Especially now that she's teething and likes to chew on them.
posted by Naberius at 9:42 AM on August 23, 2017 [2 favorites]
I see a couple of folks referring to company letterhead/stationery. Given that it looks like cardstock, and there's a line there "The Arbor Garden in autumn" that reads like a picture caption, I was assuming this was a postcard sold or given away by the company in question.
posted by Four Ds at 9:49 AM on August 23, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Four Ds at 9:49 AM on August 23, 2017 [2 favorites]
Oh, I'm not a park ranger! But I've worked with them enough to know that they cherish those hats.
Wait, why do park rangers need the services or presence of what appears to be a rather cheeky starship/mind? This goes much deeper than we thought, doesn't it?
Oooooh, crap. Ok, ok, I'll confess! Don't send the knife missiles and drones! I still pick up beach glass and shiny rocks all the time! I'll put the rocks back but I'm keeping the glass.
posted by loquacious at 10:46 AM on August 23, 2017 [2 favorites]
Wait, why do park rangers need the services or presence of what appears to be a rather cheeky starship/mind? This goes much deeper than we thought, doesn't it?
Oooooh, crap. Ok, ok, I'll confess! Don't send the knife missiles and drones! I still pick up beach glass and shiny rocks all the time! I'll put the rocks back but I'm keeping the glass.
posted by loquacious at 10:46 AM on August 23, 2017 [2 favorites]
I was at Schoodic Point, in Acadia National Park, once, and a ranger came up to tell people to get away from the edge, where the waves break in an impressive way. He was plenty pissed off. I talked to him, and he told me that, if someone goes in the water there, they won't do anything but call the Coast Guard to recover the body. A couple of years later, a few people were swept away by a wave, although in a part of the park on the island, not the mainland.
Out of respect for this ranger and his righteous wrath, I promise not to take any rocks if I am ever back there.
posted by thelonius at 11:03 AM on August 23, 2017
Out of respect for this ranger and his righteous wrath, I promise not to take any rocks if I am ever back there.
posted by thelonius at 11:03 AM on August 23, 2017
Yeah, 75% chance that's a giveaway postcard, with the caption.
Probably, since the body of the letter was clearly written in an adult hand different from that of the salutation and closing, the adult told the kid to go ahead and underline it all.
posted by praemunire at 11:24 AM on August 23, 2017
Probably, since the body of the letter was clearly written in an adult hand different from that of the salutation and closing, the adult told the kid to go ahead and underline it all.
posted by praemunire at 11:24 AM on August 23, 2017
Wait, why do park rangers need the services or presence of what appears to be a rather cheeky starship/mind?
Mostly they don't need any help, but sometimes there are special circumstances.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 3:18 PM on August 23, 2017 [3 favorites]
Mostly they don't need any help, but sometimes there are special circumstances.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 3:18 PM on August 23, 2017 [3 favorites]
This kind of thing happens at Volcanoes National Park as well, complete with Pele curse.
So I was trying to find a good picture of the exhibits theyhave had where they've got had cases of these things with the letters attached, because I always thought it was kind of, well, self-serving crap. Apparently now they're all like "what curse? Who the hell even started this?!?" Uh huh.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 4:05 PM on August 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
So I was trying to find a good picture of the exhibits they
posted by Ogre Lawless at 4:05 PM on August 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
I don't really do that anymore, since we had the Littlest Naberius. Out of fear, mainly. Fear that she will destroy our beautiful parks as she destroys all things in their time. She draws the curtain on the play of nature. She eats up the works of man. Especially now that she's teething and likes to chew on them.
millenials really are destroying everything
posted by palomar at 6:32 PM on August 23, 2017
millenials really are destroying everything
posted by palomar at 6:32 PM on August 23, 2017
jabo: "Having been to Zion and Rocky Mt. National Parks recently and seeing the hoards of visitors (some who are not on their best behavior), I have a deep appreciation of the incredible patience the Rangers possess. So anything they do to help preserve the park is okey dokey by me."
I work in a Class A Provincial Park. The blatant rule breaking I see on a daily basis just going about my duties drives me crazy: Yes your dogs have to be on a leash. Yes even if other dogs are off leash. Yes even if your dog is an Obedience Trial Champion. Yes even if you clean up after your dog. No you can't smoke on the trails during a fire ban; not while walking along the side of the road either. Yes the signs saying stay on the trails to avoid killing flowers that take 20 years to bloom apply to photographers; people with dogs (even if they are off leash); picnickers; wedding parties; people who don't speak english; and even people who are "only going a couple steps". Yes even taking berries/mushrooms is prohibited. No you aren't allowed to cut branches from the trees in your campsite for a fire PS: we are currently under a fire ban .
Add on top the annoying complaining: yes there is no cell service sign is serious; yes there are no lockers at the beach; yes it sucks there is a fire ban every year; yes the emergency gas service the lodge provides is expensive (and we lose money with every service); sorry, we don't control the wildlife. I couldn't imagine being a Ranger and I worked tech support for over a decade.
posted by Mitheral at 8:50 PM on August 23, 2017 [4 favorites]
I work in a Class A Provincial Park. The blatant rule breaking I see on a daily basis just going about my duties drives me crazy: Yes your dogs have to be on a leash. Yes even if other dogs are off leash. Yes even if your dog is an Obedience Trial Champion. Yes even if you clean up after your dog. No you can't smoke on the trails during a fire ban; not while walking along the side of the road either. Yes the signs saying stay on the trails to avoid killing flowers that take 20 years to bloom apply to photographers; people with dogs (even if they are off leash); picnickers; wedding parties; people who don't speak english; and even people who are "only going a couple steps". Yes even taking berries/mushrooms is prohibited. No you aren't allowed to cut branches from the trees in your campsite for a fire PS: we are currently under a fire ban .
Add on top the annoying complaining: yes there is no cell service sign is serious; yes there are no lockers at the beach; yes it sucks there is a fire ban every year; yes the emergency gas service the lodge provides is expensive (and we lose money with every service); sorry, we don't control the wildlife. I couldn't imagine being a Ranger and I worked tech support for over a decade.
posted by Mitheral at 8:50 PM on August 23, 2017 [4 favorites]
My US history teacher spent quite a bit in Italy. One of the many, many things he did there was getting a job at the colliseum - his duties were to wake up before down, get a bucket of rocks, and walk around the grounds just trowing them aimlessly. People really, really like to collect lil things. When he told the story in class, I was a bit affronted, I immediately felt bad for all the people who thought they had a piece of history but in reality were carrying something meaningless. He responded that around 4 million people visit a year, and if everyone had a real rock there'd be no building left standing.
posted by FirstMateKate at 1:49 PM on August 24, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by FirstMateKate at 1:49 PM on August 24, 2017 [7 favorites]
I think the Mods should each get one of those sweet hats.
posted by wenestvedt at 5:46 PM on August 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by wenestvedt at 5:46 PM on August 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
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