Inside the Ranger Station: First Summer at Curlew Lake State Park

What does it take to finally pursue your dream after 15 years of waiting?

Joe Giampietri spent a decade and a half working in grocery stores, always knowing he wanted something else. This summer, he's living his dream—his first season as the park ranger at Curlew Lake State Park.

Located just 20 miles from the Canadian border in Ferry County, Curlew Lake is one of Washington's most remote state parks. It's the kind of place where rangers stay for decades—since 1958, only four people have held Joe's position. Now Joe's joining that legacy, and he's figuring out why they stay so long.

In this conversation, Joe shares his journey from a summer at Yellowstone as a teenager to grocery store management to finally becoming a ranger. We discuss what it's like managing 80 campsites with a three-person crew, why the "closed for winter" signs are misleading (ice fishermen, take note), and what makes this corner of Washington special—from 50-million-year-old fossils to tiger muskie fishing. Joe also reveals his plans for winter snowshoe programs and why campsite #36 has the best view in the park.

Ready to discover a corner of Washington most people drive past? Listen now to meet the ranger who's been waiting 15 years to show it to you.