“National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.” Wallace Stegner, 1983
Me at Zion National Park, Utah (photo credit: S. Wiencek)
For this week’s photo challenge, Ann-Christine invites us to pick our own theme. I am pleased to show my enthusiasm for the National Park system here in the United States and choose “Pick a Park” as my theme. I have visited many of them across the nation, from Acadia National Park in Maine when I was a preschooler to Pinnacles National Park in California, which was designated a National Park rather than a National Monument in January 2013, the year before I visited. I have also visited a number of other nationally preserved sites – monuments, shores, riverways, caves…but not battlefields. I have participated in citizen science finding fossils at Badlands National Park; gone spelunking at Mammoth Cave, Carlsbad Caverns, and Wind Cave; witnessed geothermal activity at Yellowstone and Hawaii Volcanoes; rode a horse through Bryce Canyon; sailed around the Apostle Islands; camped in the Canyon of the Ancients; picnicked at Capital Reefs; hiked around the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains; and taken pictures at all those sites. And that’s just a small sampling of ways to interact with these astonishing Earth displays. Perhaps you may be planning a visit to one of our Parks yourself to do an activity I’ve never even tried!
“The American way of life consists of something that goes greatly beyond the mere obtaining of the necessities of existence. If it means anything, it means that America presents to its citizens an opportunity to grow mentally and spiritually, as well as physically. The National Park System and the work of the National Park Service constitute one of the Federal Government’s important contributions to that opportunity. Together they make it possible for all Americans–millions of them at first-hand–to enjoy unspoiled the great scenic places of the Nation…. The National Park System also provides, through areas that are significant in history and prehistory, a physical as well as spiritual linking of present-day Americans with the past of their country.”
Newton B. Drury, NPS Director, 1940-1951
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Pinnacles National Park, California
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin
Dinosaur National Monument, Utah
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Wisconsin
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado
Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Hovenweep National Monument, Utah
Bears Ears National Monument, Utah
Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, Colorado
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
scillagrace 
Wonderful places!
They truly are! Thanks for your visit!
What a great topic! It is one that is near and dear to my heart. Your photos are spectacular and illustrate the great variety of parks we are are fortunate to have here in the U.S. Thanks for taking me to some of the parks I was never able to see in person!
Thanks – they are such a treasure and deserve to be shared, protected, and enjoyed. I’m glad you enjoyed my souvenirs!
An excellent choice of subject for the challenge Priscilla. I’m amazed at the number of parks you’ve visited. Personally I’ve only done some of the best-known and have been stunned at their beauty every time. I agree that the National Parks are among out greatest treasures and preserving them one of our finest achievements. Thanks for the reminder of how important they are – biggest, smallest and every single one in between.
Thanks, Tina. There are so many to enjoy. I left out Death Valley, I realized – one of the most surprising. Met a ranger there who walked across the USA and wrote a book about it. A really colorful fellow!
Excellent, Priscilla! Many beautiful memories and treasures to go back to. I was very sad when Trump put them at risk and denied their value. So happy if you now get them recognized again and can preserve them for the future. I haven’t been to the US, but have visited many of our own National Parks. Treasures they are.
Thanks, Ann-Christine! Yes, we must do all we can to ensure their protection in perpetuity. Maybe some day you will visit one of our Parks! 🙂
Maybe someday…
Great collection of images and, as Leya noted, many beautiful memories, I am sure!
Yours is a great idea to feature some of the many national parks that are truly a treasure for our nation. You have given me the germ of an idea for my post. I will avoid the specific topic of national parks, but I will admit that many of my images will be close to, if not within some of our national parks.
Oh, good, Johnbo! We need to appreciate, support, and share our enthusiasm to keep these treasures safe and thriving.
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Thanks for taking us along. Wonderful photos!
My pleasure! Thanks!
WOW. You ‘bin around! I LOVE national parks. Save Bears Ears (and all the rest)!
Amen!
Wow! You’ve been to a lot of parks and monuments. I liked that picture of you in the beginning. You look so happy! 😁
Hiking to Angel’s Landing is a special thrill. The beauty, the grandeur, it’s definitely a WOW experience! 🙂
Wonderful ! our national parks here in the Uk are beautiful too.
I would love to visit one of yours and host you at one of ours! 🙂
What fun that would be !
🙂