From Bear Dens to the Oval Office True Stories from 38 years managing national parks.

From Bear Dens to the Oval Office is a collection of true stories relating to national park operations involving wildlife management, search and rescue, amusing visitor incidents and staff recollections, land conservation, and special projects to expand or improve the national parks. During the course of his career, the author met or hosted numerous dignitaries including President Clinton, President Obama (and the First Family), the Emperor and Empress of Japan, Pope John Paul II, and Members of Congress. Stories are organized by park assignments and are told in a conversational tone. Many of the stories are illustrated with photos from the author's photo library of more than 100,000 slides and digital photographs taken during his 38 years working in America's national parks.

Sheridan Steele retired from the National Park Service in 2015 after 38 years working in seven different national parks around the United States. His last assignment was Acadia National Park in Maine where he was superintendent for 12 years. He also served as superintendent of Saint Croix Island International Historic Site, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area, and Fort Scott National Historic Site and deputy superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park. He began his NPS career at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. During those 38 years working with the National Park Service, he paid special attention to land conservation, youth engagement in nature, promoting a quality visitor experience in the parks and improving gateway community relations. He has been married to Barb, a registered nurse, for 48 years. Together they have two children and two grandchildren and seven granddogs, all now residing in Colorado. They have visited numerous national parks in the US and around the world.