R.I.P. Rangers ?
Posted by skyblu on May 14, 2007
A QUICK SAD NOTE
I just saw a report in Yellowstone Park News about a virtual tour of Yellowstone Park. It noted that there was now a way to have a GPS gizmo in your car for “less than $50.” That’s just barely true. The price is $49.99 and the correct link to the site is Here.
The gizmo plays music and shows pictures and talks about the places on a map that are displayed on a touch screen. I’m not surprised that this is now available – I am surprised it took this long to get here.
There is a suggestion in the post that there will now be no need for rangers. I’d hate to see that, and I’d hate to think that a static spiel will attract customers to this venture. But, since we do love our recreation on a platter, and since it might keep the kids quiet, and since this is easy for the affluent, I suppose that it will become just another commercial money factory surrounding Yellowstone.
If you see a ranger in Yellowstone – take its picture. This vanishing breed will soon need the archival record that your photos can provide.
Steve Winden said
I am sorry to think that people would ever believe that this “gizmo” will replace a park ranger or even tour guide companies. It is meant to be a tool to provide information to visitors that are looking for an alternative way from current methods. The future? Yes it is! Unfortunately there are not enough rangers/tour guides to guide each tourist, and not every tourist wants to spend all day with them or have to go at their pace. I am simply filling the void for a need I saw as I walked and toured the park as a tourist. Hopefully you can join my customers in their praise of the tour/delivery and ease of use. Quite honestly I am astounded by the positive feedback from my customers. I never dreamed that the information provided would touch all demographics and age groups from 10 to 100. Steve