With poignancy, I also remember the last letter I received from her, just a day before she died at 85 in 1993.

I remember the last time I saw Petey, when I visited her after she moved to Fortuna to be once again among the big trees. During those years, she was “Petey” to me as she continued to be my literary sage, my inspiration and truly supportive friend.

Our friendship continued through my years at Sunset Magazine, where Petey also worked, and then through backpacking solo through Europe for six months in my 20s, and then finally settling into a career writing about wine and raising a family. We stayed in contact throughout my high school and college years, where I majored in journalism. I knew she spent early morning hours before school writing her books and, like her, I knew I wanted to be a writer from a young age. When I was a 7th grade student at Fillmore Junior High School in 1966-67, I knew Petey as Miss Harriet Weaver-the enthusiastic teacher who inspired in me a great love of California’s nature, geographical diversity and history. Petey’s contributions as a school teacher, author and ranger gained her the recognition of being listed in “Who’s Who in the History of California Women.” The exhibit showcased the uniform of Harriet Weaver, the first female California State Park Ranger. If only Petey was still alive in 2010 when the California State Parks year-long exhibit, 'A Most Glorious Heritage: The Grandeur and History of California State Parks' was held at the California State Capitol Museum in Sacramento. Capturing her memories, Petey wrote a 404-page autobiography, Me and the Mother Tree about her 20 years working at what was the beginning of the California State Park System. Tonight, my daughter, Erika, who also loves Big Basin, told me that the park’s 329-feet-tall Mother Tree of the Forest, which Petey is referring to in her memoir’s title, is miraculously still standing after this huge lightning fire.Īlthough Petey was prohibited from becoming a full-time ranger during her tenure with the park service from 1929 to 1950-because the job was thought to be only suitable for men-she is credited as the first woman to break the gender barrier and pave the way for women who finally entered full-time service in the 1970s.

Frosty by Harriet E. Weaver