(Chorus) When you see me at the trailhead, Join my guided walk (x3) If you wanna learn a thing or two, Join my guided walk (x3) As if there's nothing else to do, Join my guided walk (x3) I got interpretation down and a few good stops, So my friends, follow me, and we'll make it to the top. I'm a nice girl, with a cool hat I'm a ranger. See my name tag? If you would come with me, I'll show you habitat And some wildlife and scat. Don't touch that! The kangaroo rat, as an example Seeks shelter from a burrow so it won't get trampled. It leaps erratically, sporadically To automatically leave the many dangers of being seen. It stuffs its cheeks with hundreds of blackbrush seeds. It gets its water from the food that it eats. It comes out at night when the sun is gone. Have you learned something new? 'Cause it's time to move on! (Chorus) I'm an intern, but y'all knew that. I'll be the boss soon, bigger than a bobcat. Now just ahead is a riparian zone Where the rain washes thru on its way to the Colora- Doe. A deer. A real mule deer! Ray. A drop of golden sun for this situation. In the desert the conditions are harsh, But they're perfect if you think of the formation of an arch! Eight inches is all we got Right here last year, that's not a whole lot. Let me be clear...I mean eight inches of rain Which isn't much if you're a plant that is trying to remain the same. Two-whip-whip-one-yep-three. How many of these arches can you see? There's a few to the north, a few to the south and Some to the west; there are over two-thousand! The juniper here, it adapts to the drought By pruning itself; weak branches are out. Ah, ah--staying alive You do what you gotta if you wanna survive! (Chorus) Here's some sandstone, with a lot of holes Cracks and crevices--habitat goals. The collared lizard is cold-blooded So it might sun itself on a rock that's rutted. Its bright colors make it easily seen So it's gotta look out for its predators that are starving They will swoop and they'll dive on down And make a meal outta him unless he can't be found. And what better place to, uh, take cover Than a shady little space with your significant other? So go find that place where you're safe and secure, 'Cause it's gonna be a hot and stifling summer! (Chorus)

It's the rapping ranger coming at you again With tales of human history and of the people within The park is Pecos, New Mexico, NHP The story starts with a pueblo and it ends with you and me Long ago the Cicuye were 2000 strong While living in a hilltop pueblo situated along The foothills of a mountain range, with the mesa and the plains And a corridor essential to the ancient routes of trade The pueblo people traveled from the valley to the west And the tribes from the plains traveled to the highest crest And they met up in the middle at the pueblo Cicuye Which began the blend of cultures that’s so evident today Glorieta, Glorieta There is nowhere better for an Ancient band to settle in the west A climate so inviting and a pathway fit for trade The pueblo on the hill…they had it made Skip ahead a century, when Spain was on a mission Seeking silver, seeking gold, seeking all the finest riches In a new world full of unfamiliar terrain That they would spend years trying hard to conquer and claim But then they came across a settlement on top of hill The people living off the land, but very powerful still Cause their location was impeccable, overlooking everything Way of life respectable, with balance and harmony The newcomers thought that they would settle beside The people they would call the Pecos, and believe me they tried But when they built a mission church and brought a new way of livin’ The Pecos resisted, defending their traditions (Chorus) Now when the Santa Fe Trail came thru that corridor That had served as an east to west trading route before Men from Missouri came thru, and what’s more Soldiers had a battle here during the Civil War Once the war was over, trade resumed along the trail But eventually it yielded to the power of the rail An intercontinental railroad took the stage As the nation jumped into the industrial age Then came the mother road, route 66 Connecting Chicago to Los Angeles And more recently the interstate came on thru History in the making…that includes you! Ancient routes of trade The trail of Santa Fe It was the railway, and Route 66, and Now, it’s the interstate (x2) Glorieta, Glorieta There is nowhere better To open up the world to newer quests A climate so inviting and a pathway of exchange Glorieta…the gateway to the Plains.

Please accept my apology For astute terminology But the Buffalo's a total geologic anomaly Karst topography affects the comprehensive ecology So we've all gotta act responsibly For good water quality Specific atmospheric circumstances and gravity Bring precipitation to the ground incredibly rapidly And in karstic regions percolation happens quite passively When the water filters underground and into a cavity Hydraulic pressure, infiltration, dissolution Subterranean passageways that allow redistribution Of the chemicals and sediments and other pollutants Right back into our waterways...where's the solution? In the watershed, the power's ours To take care of the Buffalo River Protect the land that feeds the water We can do it when we're in it together.

It really is a shame that a river proclaimed To be the first, would be defamed Simply with a name etching deep in the grain on the Side of a rocky outcropping or the depths of a cave And what a stain… But who's to blame? We all wanna be a legend A household name But let me tell you, notoriety is not the same game So if it's fame that you're after, ascertain fame But don't sacrifice the earth's inherent beauty in vain (x2) Chorus: Why do some people insist upon leaving Marks of their presence with no rhyme or reason? Wouldn't our parklands be perfect, if even We started listening more than we're speaking? Bridge: We all wanna be a legend A household name But let me tell you, notoriety is not the same game So if it's fame that you're after, ascertain fame But don't sacrifice the earth's inherent beauty in vain (Chorus)

Prevention, personal safety, preparedness It's your prerogative Protect your people and property properly It's your prerogative. Welcome to the Buffalo! How is your day? Do you have a plan for how to see the waterway? Visitors ask how long it takes to drive across the park And then we tell them it's a pretty long ride. This is a linear park. It follows a river. There are a lot of miles between there and hither. 135, to be specific From Boxley downstream to Buffalo City. Highway 7, 43, and 74 This is the web of roads that you need to know 14, 65, 4-1-2 Grab a map; please help us help you! (BRIDGE) We're glad that you're considering the Buffalo, But before you go, you have got to know Preventative, precautionary measures should be taken To have a safe and memorable family vacation. (CHORUS) Prevention, personal safety, preparedness It's your prerogative Protect your people and property properly It's your prerogative Please plan and prepare before you Try to get somewhere Do your research; take your time And you will be just fine. Our campgrounds are first-come, first-served Except for Buffalo Point, part of which can be reserved Sites are relatively primitive with limited amenities, But that's alright; that's why you left the city! Certain trails and river trips are meant for beginners So if you're new to this, stick to those, and you'll be a winner. Terrain here is mountainous with high rock ledges. For the love of Stephen Mather, stay away from cliff edges! Please…bring…water and snacks. The hike is no fun if you can't make it back. Never overexert yourself or overwork yourself Or else you could hurt yourself, and we don't want that! Cell phone coverage is slim to none, So don't rely at all on calling anyone. Hike with a buddy, stay on the trail, And if it gets too strenuous, BAIL. BRIDGE CHORUS The wilderness is rugged. It's no place for rookies Leaving breadcrumb trails and dropping cookies. Pack out every bit of waste, And leave no trace, To preserve unimpaired this sacred place. The upper river dries in the summertime So the floating traffic moves on down the line From Ponca down to Pruitt and Tyler Bend On to Dillard's Ferry all the way…to the end. A wild river inherently has a couple obstructions That can threaten a paddler, causing quite a production So even if you are skilled, and even if you can swim, Wear your PFD so you can paddle again. And one more thing before I let you go It's a great big problem that continues to grow. When you see a wild creature like a bear or an otter, For Pete's sake, guys…don't be a bother! Let the elk graze! Let the turkey gobble! Let the bats fly, and the hogs squabble. Let the eagle soar! Let the deer stare! Let the coyote howl, and you stay over there. CHORUS