RANGE LIFE

The latest from Colorado novelist Peter Heller dances with the wolves of Yellowstone National Park

BY BART SCHANEMAN

Peter Heller is nothing if not consistent. In interviews going back more than a decade to the publication of his first best-selling novel, The Dog Stars, the Denverbased author has described his writing process the same way. He says he starts with a line that captures his attention, then “lets it rip.”

For his latest novel The Last Ranger, published July 25 via Knopf, Heller begins with this sentence: “The night of the buffalo it rained.” And it rips from there.

“As I wrote, it became apparent that I was in Yellowstone, in the Lamar Valley,” says Heller, who got his start as an adventure journalist with outlets like National Geographic, Men’s Journal and Outside. He went on to discover that his protagonist was an enforcement ranger in the park who was dealing with an accident. This method of writing his way into a story, rather than plotting it out beforehand, allows Heller to “bump into” what’s in his heart — and what’s concerning him at the moment.

What was concerning the novelist as he wrote The Last Ranger was the “American Serengeti” of the Lamar Valley, the wolves in Yellowstone, and what they represent to the characters of the novel. He also explores what the wolves mean to the broader ecosystem of the American West and the conflicts they symbolize.

Heller developed his passion for the region while on assignment with Condé Nast Traveler a few years ago to report on the Yellowstone wolves. He went out in late September, which he calls “a heartbreakingly beautiful time of year to be there.”

He recalls seeing the Lamar Valley’s river and meadows, its trees and rimrock, its elk and deer, its foxes and bison. “Then we got to where we could set up spotting scopes, and I saw wolves at the edge of the trees, watching the herds,” Heller says. “It just did something to me. I felt that wildness along my skin. It was really a visceral feeling.”

‘CAMPFIRE STORYTELLER’

For the next five days, he went back to watch the wolves in their rendezvous spot, where the pups play, and where the pack returns with food in the morning after a night of hunting. “I was completely smitten,” Heller says. He’s gone back in the fall several more times, where he hikes and fishes for cutthroat trout in those creeks, sometimes downstream from a grizzly bear. It’s a nice way to do research, and those details are richly layered into The Last Ranger

As for plot, the book is mainly about ranger Ren

Hopper trying to figure out who’s trying to kill his friend, a wolf researcher. (He has an idea, but let’s not spoil the fun here.) It’s also about Hopper breaking up fights at campsites, stopping moron tourists from getting trampled to death by moose, and the other usual duties of someone working in the heart of one of America’s most controversially managed national parks.

But the novel is a lot more than a thriller, and Heller rightly chafes at the characterization, because he’s not writing genre fiction.

“I’m an old campfire storyteller,” he says. “I’m really more interested in the music of the language than anything else. Yet as a campfire storyteller, you want people on the edge of their seats. It’s fun. Stuff is bound to happen. My education as a storyteller demands that things will happen, and they always do.”

When it comes to the characters populating his beautifully written works, Heller says he is fascinated by people who achieve a flow state by attaining mastery of their craft — whether it’s a painter or a fisherman or a ranger.

“The activity carries them, and they’re performing at the highest level in a relaxed way, which I think is always stunning,” he says. “So I guess it’s no coincidence that I write about people who are very passionate about whatever their job is.”

That brings us back to Heller’s own process, which shares similarities with many of his characters.

“Everything I pursue is about finding flow,” he says. “Getting into flow on a regular basis is how we attain mastery. I find that when I get up early and work and write, that ends up being the best part of my day, because that’s the place where I’m guaranteed to disappear. I forget my name. I forget that I’m a human being. I forget everything. I’m transported.”

ON THE PAGE: The Last Ranger reading and signing with Peter Heller. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, Boulder Book Store, 1107 Pearl St., Boulder.

EVERY WEDNSDAY BOULDER BLUEGRASS JAM

FRI. 8/11 - 8:00PM

PETER KARP BAND

SAT. 8/12 - 7:00PM

PINE TOP PERKINS BENEFIT WITH BOB MARGOLIN

MON. 8/14 - 8:00PM

MY SON THE HURRICANE

TUE. 8/15 - 8:00PM WILL EVANS (OF BAREFOOT TRUTH)

SAT. 8/19 - 9:00PM

SQUEAKY FEET

SUN. 8/20 - 7:00PM

GARRETT LEBEAU, JAY STILES AKA CRYSTAL FINGER: SOUTH AUSTIN BLUES REVUE

THU. 8/24 - 7:00PM

CLAY ROSE SINGER SONGWRITER

FRI. 8/25 - 8:00PM

TERESA STORCH BAND WITH MACKENZIE RAE

SAT. 8/26 - 7:00PM

COLLAPSING STARTS AND DECHEN HAWK

THU. 9/7 - 7:00PM

TROUBANDOURS WITH RAMAYA SOSKIN FEATURING BETH PRESTON & HUNTER STONE

SAT. 9/9 - 7:30PM

SETH GLIER

MON. 9/11 - 7:00PM

AMY LEVERE & WILL SEXTON

THU. 9/14 - 8:00PM

ANTONIO LOPEZ BAND & LAURIE DAMERON

SAT. 9/16 - 6:00PM

K9’S, COWBOYS & COCKTAILS FUNDRAISER

TUE. 9/19 - 6:30PM

MOJOMAMMA LIVE BROADCAST ON 88.5 KGNU

Tickets at RMPtix.com

4747 Pearl Suite V3A

Dj Open Deck Competition

7-11 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, DV8 Distillery, 2480 49th St., Boulder. Free

Looking to mix it up on the 1s and 2s?

Sign up for one of three DJ competitions hosted by DV8 Distillery for a chance to win four paid gigs at “Boulder’s only queer bar and event space.” Throwdowns take place across the next three Thursdays in August. Sign up at bit.ly/OpenDeckBW 11

Art Show And Sale Special Event

5-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11 and noon-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun., Aug. 12-13, First United Methodist Church of Lafayette, 1255 Centaur Village Drive. Free

From landscapes and still life to wildlife and portraiture, you’ll find it all during this annual art show and sale at First United Methodist Church of Lafayette. Come for the opening reception on Aug. 11 and explore works by local artists working primarily in oil paint during this three-day BoCo art extravaganza.

GIRLS’ NIGHT ON THE ROCK WALL

6-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, Apex Center, 13150 W. 72nd Ave., Arvada. $15

Head to the Apex Center in Arvada for a night of rock-wall climbing that’s just for the ladies. Ages 5-8 climb from 6-7 p.m.; ages 9-17 from 7-8 p.m.; and ages 18+ from 8-9 p.m. Registration is limited, so reserve your spot now at bit.ly/GirlsClimbBW 14

THE LUCAS SHOW - IMPROV COMEDY NIGHT

8-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, Pat’s Tap Craft Beer Hall, 1611 Coalton Road, Superior. Free

“Yes, and...” is the name of the game on Aug. 11, when the Superior Improv Co. hosts a night of on-the-cuff hilarity. Get ready for “an Armando-like improv comedy show inspired by the misadventures of a man called Lucas,” along with a great selection of brews at Pat’s Tap Craft Beer Hall.

10-13

COLORADO BRAZIL FEST

6:30 p.m. Thurs.-Fri., Aug. 10-13, Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. $20

Boulder Samba School invites you to the Dairy Arts Center for a celebration of Brazilian music, dance and food during Colorado Brazil Fest 2023. This cultural blowout features five shows by some of the country’s top performers — from samba to bossa nova, axé to choro, and points in between.

11-13

ROCKY MOUNTAIN FOLKS FESTIVAL

Fri.-Sun., Aug. 11-13, Planet Bluegrass, 500 W Main St., Lyons. $90 (single-day pass)

One of Boulder County’s most anticipated music events of the year returns with another lineup of performances from the leading folk-music artists of the moment at Planet Bluegrass. This year’s lineup features can’t-miss acts like Charley Crockett, Shovels & Rope, The Tallest Man on Earth and many more.

BIZARRE CAT BAZAAR

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, 80 E. 2nd St., Nederland. Free

Looking for the purr-fect way to spend your Saturday? Head to downtown Nederland for the first Bizarre Cat Bazaar. Pay your respects to Ned’s historical Cat Mayor Fred for a fur-forward day of live music from local bands like Los Cheesies (in feline regalia, obviously) plus The Cattastic Cat Costume Contest, craft vendors and a 33-foot butterfly slide and pool.

12

DEMOLITION DERBY

4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. $25

BoCo, start your engines! The Boulder County Fair Demolition Derby invites you to experience the high-octane action during this evening of “carcrashing, engine-revving, dirt-flying fun.” The multi-heat demo derby will feature fill-size stock cars, trucks, ’90s-and-newer models and more.

BOULDER

Street Soccer Classic Tournament

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, August 13, Boulder Farmers Market, 13th St. Free

Are you ready for some fútbol? The Boulder Street Soccer Classic is a one-day tournament featuring youth and adult brackets, with teams competing five-on-five on small street courts for a chance at the glory of being crowned the first BSSC Champion. Registration is closed, but you can go cheer on the action during this community event in downtown Boulder. 13

Community Cuddles

3:30-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, Valmont Park, Valmont Road and Airport Road, Boulder. $25

Sometimes we all need a hug. That’s the idea behind Community Cuddles, promoting “a culture of authentic connection based on full honest consent” by “letting our common need for safe, non-sexual touch create connection.” Get in on the cuddle puddle at bit.ly/CuddleBW.

Little Creatures Exhibition Opening

4-6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14 Canyon Gallery at Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder. Free

Boulder Public Library welcomes you to the opening of the newest exhibition in the Canyon Gallery inside its mainbranch location downtown. Join worldrenowned entomologist Dr. Sammy Ramsey for an up-close look at the insect world — featuring photography, video and education on our interdependent relationship with these remarkable organisms.

COMMUNITY KIRTAN, MEDITATION AND SATSANG

6:15-8:15 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14, Eldorado Mountain Yoga Ashram, 2875 County Road 67, Boulder. $15

In the mood for a little Monday mindfulness? Make your way to Eldorado Mountain Yoga Ashram for an evening of kirtan, meditation and satsang (Q&A). Participants will practice silent meditation, sing various Sanskrit and Tibetan mantras and gain wisdom from upper-level teachers. All experience levels welcome.

Public Notice

The La Luna Community Coop will submit an application to the Colorado Division o Housing (DOH). The purpose of this application is to request $1,360,000 to develop 34 homes for purchase at 704 E. Cleveland Street. The request of funding from DOH is to benefit persons with low and moderate incomes b increasing the availability of affordable housing in Lafayette. It is not the intent to cause displacement from any existing housing; however, if persons are displace d from their existing residences reasonable housing alternatives shall be offered.

All interested persons are encouraged to contact the applicant for further information.

Written comments should be sent to 704 E. Cleveland Street 80403 or email president@lalunacommunitycoop.com and will be forwarded to DOH for consideration during the application process.

Members of the public may request a public meeting and should arrange a request with the Applicant. Applicant shall post notice of meeting (Date, Time, and Location) to ensure other members of the public are aware of meeting. If reasonable accommodations are needed for persons attending the public meeting, please contact the Applicant.

Legal Notice No.

First Publication: July 28 th , 2023

Last Publication: July 28 th , 2023

Publisher: The Daily Camera