Maybe it’s because the state of the current economy has everyone cutting back. Maybe it’s because there were three fee-free weekends this summer. Or, maybe it’s that the fever pitch of endless news streams and twitter feeds has people looking to get back to the basics, but U.S. National Parks are on par for their most-visited year ever.
Forgive me because I’m about to state something obvious, but to me it bears mentioning in thanks: America’s had a lot of great ideas over its history, but establishing its national parks is up there among the best of them. I’ve been to parks all over the country, and to say the landscapes these parks protect is spectacular is an understatement. These landscapes are stunners, they’re mouth-openers, they shake you up and turn your brain inside-out, they remind you that the world is as weird as it is wonderful, they get into your dreams and stay there, and they comfort you during indoorsy, work-filled days.
As a surly highschooler who was absolutely too cool for everything (or so I thought), I remember sitting with my sister on the edge of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. We’d gotten tired of following my parents all day, and at the moment, had somehow escaped. Sitting there in that crazy landscape, looking out at that vast, vast natural thing--soon all our parent-related complaints tapered off. “Woah.” We kept saying. “Woah.” (Have you been? If so, then you know what I’m talking about. If not, go and you’ll see what I mean. When you see something as huge, and dramatic, and sublime as the Grand Canyon, what else is there to say, but “woah”?)
From moose to mule deer, dall sheep to dall porpoise, colorful reef creatures to chattering chipmunks, I’ve encountered all sorts of rare and wonderful animals in national parks. I’ve seen all types of weather and extremes (contrast the existential emptiness of Death Valley to the lush, life-crawling affirmation that is Redwoods—and those are just in the same state).
As a kid, I’ve sat around fires roasting marshmallows (Shenandoah) and as an adult, I’ve sat around fires sipping Bailey’s-spiked coffee (Yosemite). I’ve slept in the backcountry with no one around for miles, and in campgrounds where you can hear the breathing of the campers in the tent next to you. I’ve walked through hot lava flows (Hawaii Volcanoes) and cool autumn tundra (Denali), had my Cliff Bar stolen by a squirrel (Zion), gotten a bit too close to a cuddly cactus (Joshua Tree), and lulled to sleep by coyote cries (Arches).
So I’m happy to see that Americans are up and out there and enjoying them, our National Parks. Just please tread lightly.
What are some of your favorite national park memories?
Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member MilwVon.
Comments
Sep 22, 2009
Sunset in the Badlands, the bats in Carlsbad Caverns, and the most determined raccoon I've come across in Big Basin. I agree. I love the parks!
Oct 01, 2009
While growing up in Utah we were fortunate enough to visit Zions, Bryce, Tetons, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon numerous times. I was never "too cool" for it. I enjoyed and appreciated it all from the get go. I got to see the lava flow on the big island up close and personal as well.
I saw Yosemite and Sequoia for the first time about 4 years ago. WOW! Had no idea what I'd been missing. Emerging from the "tunnel" to see El Capitan, Bridal Veil Falls, and Half Dome all at once was a religious experience! Pictures do not come close to the real thing.
I never tire of seeing our National Parks! What a treasure! It's good to know that more people are experiencing them now.
Cheers!