Information for writing the novel The Ruin came from many places, personal experiences over a 70 year lifetime, observations, watching and listening to rangers at national parks, monuments, and people who have made recreation of history their passion. One such person is my friend Stephan Zacharias. I became acquainted with him when he became a living history interpreter at the High Desert Museum here at Bend, Oregon. Stephan re-created historical figures such as John Day, Explorer Jim Bridger, John Beeson, an early advocate for civil rights for the Native Americans, and other Northwest figures. He also participated in fur trader encampments, and in between his presentations, he donned farmer garb and worked around the homestead doing chores including tanning deer hides etc.
In short, Steve did many of the things that my character Cliff does in his struggle to survive during his stay in the cliff dwelling in the Ruin. Thanks Stephan for showing me how to do some of those things. Well, now Stephan is on a leave from his current assignment at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia to play the part as a historical forest ranger at Denali National Park in Alaska. You can follow his adventure on Stephan's Blog by following the link on this blog. He posts photos almost every day of the wildlife and scenery up there. It is spectacular of course. Right now he is commenting on the hundreds of forest fires.
Thanks for your enthusiasm and keeping us in the loop Stephan.
Your friend,
Kenneth
Stephan's Alaskan Adventure
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