Most of his stories were from his time at Grand Canyon and involve people falling down cliff faces when they cut switchbacks or get too close to the edge of a cliff while either trying to peer over the edge or pose for pictures. He also worked at Olympic and Volcano Nat. Parks where the same sort of thing happens on a regular basis.

The most tragic ones I can recall came not from the FIL, but from the MIL, who moved to West Yellowstone after they split up. Both involved dogs going where they shouldn’t and attempts by owners to rescue them.

In one, the dog walked over a crusted over mud flat. When the owner went to get him, his greater weight caused him to break through the crust. He died from third degree burns over most of his body not long after being rescued. The dog was never actually injured. In the other, the dog dove into a hot pool and the owner tried to rescue him. The guy was rescued but, like the last guy, had third degree burns over his entire body. He died a few days later. The dog was never found. Apparently bodies (human and animal) that go into the hot pools simply dissolve from the heat and high acidity.

When there’s a sign that says “don’t go here”, don’t go there. If your dog goes there, get a smarter dog. Better yet, leave them at home.

Whatever you do, don’t put the baby in a backpack and walk close to the drop-off of a high waterfall.