Author Information

 

Sharon Randolph is the author of the four volume series “Connecting Us to the Sun.” Her story is included in “A View Inside Glacier National Park 100 Years, 100 Stories.” She received her Master of Social Work degree with an emphasis in community development from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Sharon began traveling from Minnesota during her early years to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Canada’s Mountain National Parks in 1958, later moving to West Glacier in 1991, and north of Polebridge in 1996. The research and writing of the series took her on a 17-year journey. She was the Student Development Coordinator at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Montana for 23 years.

 The past seems more real by touching what is left behind, seeing pictures providing windows to the past, and learning the names on the landscape providing for early stories. Sharon enjoys the discovery and adventure of researching during winter months and experiencing these areas the remainder months. The slides in her classes and programs capture glimpses into the past of the early traveler experiences of struggles, hard work and big dreams.

 Sharon has taught the following twelve-hour classes through the Senior Institute at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Montana:

-Glacier National Park: Transcending Time (2010 to 2016) A historical exploration of connections travelers experienced crossing geographic landscapes, building of states, developing communities, and creating Glacier National Park.

-Canadian Rockies: Our Neighbors to the North (2017 to 2018) Explores the parks of Banff, Glacier (B.C.), Jasper, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke, and Yoho. Attention is given to adventures of early exploration, settlement, and tourism along with the effects of world history events on the Parks.

-Early Travelers to Regions of Yellowstone, Glacier, Canada’s Mountain National Parks (2019 to 2020) Follows the footprints of early travelers on the landscape along routes altered little through time. Exploring the influence of Indigenous and more who created many of these trails. These regions are united in their connections and similarities while maintaining their own identity.

 Sharon has provided the following programs in various locations such as libraries, community lectures, Falls Theatre in Waterton, Assisted Living Homes, Elderhostel, and was the kick off speaker for the Great Northern Railway Historical Society National Convention in East Glacier during the Glacier National Park Centennial in 2010. She began giving programs throughout the summer on Glacier/Waterton at Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier in 2015.

-Neighbors of My Past-Sharon gives a program in first person reminiscing about early days with a tour of Glacier National Park/Waterton Lakes National Park communities. (60 minutes)

-Wild Stories of Early Travelers Journeying to Glacier and Waterton-Explores early traveler stories as they journey to the wilderness of what will later become Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. These travelers include Indigenous, explorers, prospectors, and homesteaders as they experienced the wilds of the Northern Rockies by foot and horseback. (60 minutes)

-The Northern Rockies Adventure: Embracing the Unknown by Foot, Horse, Rail, and Auto-Honors the connections travelers had on their journey as they build a railroad, small communities, and a national park. (75 minutes)

 -Canada’s Mountain National Parks: A Celebration of Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation in 2017-Journey with early travelers to Banff, Glacier (B.C.), Jasper, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke, and Yoho experiencing diverse adventures of exploration, settlement, and tourism. (75 minutes)

-Early Footprints to the Areas of Yellowstone, Glacier, and Canada’s Mountain National Parks-Journey with early travelers on the landscape of these beautiful regions where traces are seen in old camps, deep rutted trails, waterways, train tracks, communities, and more. (90 minutes)

-Author’s Journey-This program has been provided to English classes at Columbia Falls High School. Sharon shares her story of writing the four volume book series “Connecting Us to the Sun” from idea development, research, writing, going to print, and promotion. This includes the inspiration to write, challenges along the way, and special experiences on the continuing journey. (60 minutes)

 Sharon enjoys offering all of the classes and programs. Cost is minimal to cover travel expenses. Sharon will travel April to mid-October to avoid winter driving conditions. She encourages you to email her at trailstomontana@gmail.com for more information and she looks forward to hearing from you. 

 

 


Sharon Randolph
PO Box 2971
Columbia Falls, MT 59912