As a small child, Cyndy grew up camping with her family in the nearby Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky. Her early years were filled with exploring the woods, often imagining herself as Daniel Boone stealthily looking for game with her slingshot. In summer, the canvas tent and camping gear was always at hand for a weekend adventure.
As a teenager, her family began traveling farther afield in a bread truck her father converted. Her father’s goal was to take the family camping through every state. When the family made it to Florida, she enjoyed the beach but felt it was missing some wilderness and solitude. Ten years later, Cyndy moved to Florida and soon discovered the Real Florida.
Cyndy landed in Tampa and fell in love with the place. She found Hillsborough River State Park and immediately became a volunteer. Before long she became a part-time employee there renting canoes and selling pool tickets, tees, hotdogs and enjoying the visitors and the fresh air. Then Cyndy was offered a part-time job at Ybor City Museum State Park. There she was immersed in the local history and the amazing volunteers that kept their history alive. She was hooked. She was determined to become a Ranger.
During her career, Cyndy worked at 4 more Florida state parks: Sebastian Inlet, Little Manatee River, St. Joseph Peninsula and Rainbow Springs. Beach, scrub, river or springs; she’s loved them all. 32 years later, Cyndy still enjoys the diversity of the daily work. Her favorite part of the job is helping visitors with planning their Real Florida visit.
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