When I was in my 20s, I took a job as a park ranger at a state park.

It was the perfect job for me at the time. I loved When I was in my 20s, I took a job as a park ranger at a state park.

It was the perfect job for me at the time.

I loved working outdoors.

Every day presented new challenges, and I got to work alone.

On days when I'd get my work done early, I would find a beautiful spot somewhere in the park and just read or listen to music. It was therapeutic.

I had just gone through a tough year. School wiped me out and I had just broken up with my long-term

girlfriend. I needed an escape, and the park provided it. While working during the day was amazing.

The night shift at the park wasn't

as relaxing. Do you know how uncomfortable the night can make even the most comfortable

spaces in your house feel? Well, the pitch black of Mother Nature is like that feeling

on steroids. The absolute worst place to sit during the night shift was the North End Watchtower.

Everyone who worked there called it the Centennial, because it was massive and looked out across

the whole forest that made up the park. It was tall, just over 100 feet above the ground,

and made of old pine that seemed to retain the scent as if it had been cut the day before.

It was basically like a little cabin on top of really tall stilts.

However, inside wasn't exactly a luxury box.

The wall that faced the forest was one large window that gave pretty breathtaking views, but was

also really good at giving you feelings of vertigo.

Inside, there was relatively meager furniture.

There were just two chairs, one for sitting in good weather, and one insulated for bad weather,

an old desk, and a single bare light bulb overhead, and a small fan to help keep you cool.

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