This is the story of how a young man fell in love with the beauty and mystery of the desert and translated that love into a career as ranger protecting that desert.

Vic Maris began his career with California State Parks, working at Red Rock Canyon in 1974. He served throughout the State during his 30-year career working as a park ranger, supervising ranger, and superintendent. His favorite job was working as Superintendent of the Mojave Sector, protecting seven parks including Red Rock Canyon State Park. Vic has always been fascinated by the night sky. When he retired from State Parks, he founded Stellarvue, a telescope company that has been making world-class refractors for 27 years.   In his spare time, Vic has been writing a book about his 60-year love affair with Red Rock Canyon State Park.