Great Americans: A conversation with Harlan Kredit
Some of my best childhood memories are from summers in Yellowstone, where our families spent season after season together at Fishing Bridge. While my dad served as a law enforcement ranger, Harlan was the ranger naturalist, and together they were part of what made that place feel so special.
As a kid, I spent countless hours tagging along behind Harlan on interpretive walks and sitting through his evening programs. I was fascinated by the way he could tell a story and make every trail, animal, and geyser come alive. Looking back, I realize those moments helped shape the way I see Yellowstone and the natural world.
I also think about my dad and the friendship they shared through the years. They both dedicated so much of their lives to protecting and sharing one of the most incredible places on earth, each in their own way. I grew up listening to their stories, watching their passion for the park, and seeing the respect they had for one another.
Fishing Bridge will always feel like home because of people like Harlan and my dad. I’m grateful I got to grow up surrounded by their love for Yellowstone, and it’s wonderful to see Harlan still carrying that passion forward, inspiring others just as he inspired me all those years ago.
–Kristopher Colter Gale
A Ranger's Journal 