Meet John Lauretig | Retired & Rock climber, President of 501 c 3 Friends of Joshua Tree

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Lauretig and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, how do you think about risk?
For 25 years I worked as a Federal Law Enforcement officer for the Deportment of the Interior and after 911 the Transpiration Security Administration.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After Volunteering the Student Conservation Association I decided to work for the National Park Service. So I returned to Cleveland OH to receive more training, Emergency Medical Technician & Park Ranger Law Enforcement. My first Park job was Black Canyon of the Gunnison N.M. in Colorado from there Acadia N.P. , Canyonlands N.P. , Haleakala N.P. then Joshua Tree N.P. in 2000. During my Park service career the most enjoyable was when I could help a park visitor understand what they were seeing or experiencing in the park. If they left with a better understanding of our beautiful Park than I felt like I did my job. I did not enjoy the 2AM callouts to deal with late night party’s in the park. Visiting our National Parks should be fun & enjoyable for all, not a place to party all night long.
Shortly after that 911 happened and I felt I needed to respond to the call to protect America so I joined The Federal Air Marshall Service. I flew on domestic airlines for about 9 years & 1 million miles.
I needed a cover story to talk to people on the airplane and I always wanted to be a Rock & Roll star so Johnny Victor took to air. I always enjoyed music so it was seamless to play a rock & Roll star. I also took to crocheting ( one needle) to increase layers to my cover story. I think I made 500 hats.
This life style started taking it’s toll on me and I always knew I wanted to retire as a Park Ranger so in 2011 I returned to Joshua Tree N.P. to finish out my career in 2014.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I think I would stay right at home in Joshua Tree CA. There is plenty to do and i wouldn’t want to eat up all of our time driving around. I might start with visiting some of the great art we have here in the High Desert, Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum, Simi Dabah Sculpture Foundation, The Kellogg Doolittle Residence. We could hunt for the hidden rabbit or or find the Large hands. Then we would go to some of the fantastic local artist, Steven L. Rieman, Don McPherson, Janis Commentz. A stop at the Glass Outhouse gallery & Joshua Tree Art Gallery (JTAG)
My friend loves music so I would check out the local venues to see who was in town, Pappy & Harriets ,Spaghetti Western or the Giant Rock Meeting Room. Some of the off the beatn path places could have a great local show or local favorites’ going on that week, Maso Menos, The Palms, The Frontier.
Number one place for dinner would La Copine, best menu and chef in the high desert. I would also hit the 29 Palms Inn and the Tiny Pony for some more good grub. For a quick on the road grab n go Roadrunner in Joshua Tree.
My friend also has a sweet tooth so we would have to do the bakery tour. Starting in 29 Palms with the Campbell Hill which has never disappointed. Moving on the new place would be Sky High Pie is starting to expand the sweet’s selection. Luna Sourdough has a strong showing of baked goods. Finishing off with the Dez for more treats.
The best is for last … a visit to Joshua Tree N.P. I would start with a hike up Ryan Mountain, 3 miles round trip & spectacular views from the summit. Another “off the books” adventure would be the Chasm of Doom, only real locals can find. A day of rock climbing would be a must, from top roping to lead climb and fun repelle’s.
I would take a spin on some of the dirt & 4wheel drive roads in the area. Maybe the back road to Big Bear for lunch by the lake. The view from Eureka peak is also worth the drive.
No tour would be complete without a taste visit to the Joshua Tree Brewery & the Joshua Tree Distillery.
I also enjoy the farm’s markets here for local crafts & fresh food.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So I was living in Cleveland in the late 80’s when I was fired from all three of my jobs in the same month. I was listening to college radio when they had a PSA on about volunteering with the National Parks thru the Student Conservation Association. I said “What the Heck” I’m not doing anything now. That’s where my journey into the National Park Service / Federal government started. My parents took our family on many road trips across the country growing up, I remember visiting Mesa Verde, Rocky Mountain N.P. My favorite memory is a visit to Badlands N.P. under a full moon, I felt like I was on a different planet. Those memories stuck with me.
Later on my Father & I hiked the Grand Canyon , South rim to North rim and return. Wonderful memories.

Website: https://www.friendsofjosh.org/ https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm

Instagram: Joshuatreefriends hambamit

Facebook: Friend of Joshua Tree

Image Credits
all mine