"O beautiful, for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain..."
I have an addiction - to National Parks. All of them. I love them. Cannons, forts, rivers, rocks, battlements, mountain, old houses, wooden markers: all of them. I am lucky enough to live in a country that has such an extensive, fascinating, and varied system of historical parks, battlefields, memorials, recreation areas, monuments, and scenic rivers and trails. I always had a passing appreciation for the wonder of the parks-- but in 1993 that changed. I was at the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona and a wonderful ranger there was taking the time to explain the area and the park to my mom and I. He also showed me what would soon become a constant traveling companion of mine for future trips. The National Parks Passport. So, take a minute and let me show you my favorite parks and maybe spark an interest (or begin an addiction) in you.
Grand Canyon National Park
I am lucky enough to have been able to visit the Grand Canyon twice when I lived in Arizona. Both times I was simply overwhelmed. It may sound cliche, in fact you may think the Grand Canyon itself a cliche. Well, it's not. It is simply the most spectacular thing I have ever seen anywhere in the world. I quite happily just sat an looked at it for the longest time, and then I only moved to go to a different spot to ponder it some more. If you haven't been to the Grand Canyon, I cannot urge you strongly enough to make sure that it is on your "To See" list.- National Parks Service site for the Grand Canyon National Park
- Wikipedia entry for the Grand Canyon National Park
Over the Edge : Death in Grand Canyon
Over the Edge : Death in Grand Canyon
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Gettysburg National Military Park
I visited Gettysburg National Battlefield while seeing friends on "that" side of Pennsylvania. I will go back. I was mesmerized by all that it stood for and all that I was seeing. And, I don't think I got to see the whole battlefield, as I spent a great deal of time in the cemetery. All the states involved have monuments there and it's something to see. If you like battlefields, this one is a winner.- National Parks Service site for the Gettysburg National Military Park
- Wikipedia entry for the Gettysburg National Military Park
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Fort McHenry is the fort that flew the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the "Star Spangled Banner". I stopped here while I was working in the Baltimore area (I told you already, I take my Parks passport with me whenever I am on the road for just such an opportunity!) and did I ever luck out. It was near the end of the day and I was the only person in the viewing of the short documentary on the fort that they show you before you enter the grounds. At the end of the movie an instrumental version of "The Star Spangled Banner" began to play as a wall of curtains was opening. To my surprise the curtains opened out onto a view of the fort grounds and the most magnificent, hugest American flag I have ever seen. I stood and faced that flag with my hand over my heart as the national anthem finished and it literally brought a tear to my eye.- National Parks Service site for the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
- Wikipedia entry for the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Dry Tortugas National Park
I go to Key West, Florida as often as I can, once or twice a year when I'm lucky. On all of those trips, I kept meaning to go to the Dry Tortugas National Park, but it took me about 5 years to actually make it. Despite the "dry" in the name, the park is only reached by boat or plane. It's 70 miles west, across the ocean from Key West. It is also the home of Fort Jefferson. One of Fort Jefferson's most famous prisoners was Dr. Samuel Mudd, the doctor convicted of conspiracy in the murder of President Abraham Lincoln for setting the leg of John Wilkes Booth. The good doctor was able to secure his release from the prison due to his heroic efforts to render aid during a yellow fever outbreak among the prisoners in the fort.- National Parks Service site for the Dry Tortugas National Park
- Wikipedia entry for the Dry Tortugas National Park
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
While stying with friends who live in a northern Atlanta, Georgia suburb, we decided to visit Kennesaw Mountain. While they may not like parks as much as I do, they liked cannons, so off we went on our road trip. Keenesaw Mountain is a beautiful place, it's hard to believe it's a battlefield.The one thing we kept remarking on as we ascended the mountain was that the battle there took place in late June/early July. In the south's heat. The soldiers were in full uniform (wool ones) and they hauled cannons up that mountain. It gave you pause for thought at the dedication to purpose that those men had.- National Parks Service site for the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
- Wikipedia entry for the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Books About National Parks Available From Amazon
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
The Johnstown Flood National Memorial was another park I got to visit while traveling for work. Having grown up in the Midwest, I had a vague idea of what the flood was and what had happened. But, the museum was so much more that I could have hoped for! they have a magnificent scale model int eh center of the visitor center with flashing lights to follow along with the written explanation that walks the visitor through the series of events. And, the exhibits in the museum are so well done. A definite favorite and a great learning experience.- National Parks Service site for the Johnstown Flood National Memorial
- Wikipedia entry for the Johnstown Flood National Memorial
This is a view from what remains of the breast of the dam today looking toward the buildings in the far background (the white area on the hillside), where once the clubhouse sat at the water's edge.
Harry S. Truman National Historic Park
I admit it: I wanted to go to this site because it was in Missouri. I am a fan of the television show M*A*SH*, and can't count how many times I heard Colonel Potter talk about his home state. But, once I was there, all that was forgotten. I found myself moving back in time. The museum is so well done and the exhibits captivated me. The site I visited is the Truman Home (Wallace House) in Independence; you can also visit the Truman Family Farm in Grandview, Missouri. All in all, a must see if you are ever in the area, and it is a gorgeous area of the country.- National Parks Service site for the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site
- Wikipedia entry for the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site
Andersonville National Historic Site
Andersonville is the site of the prisoner of war camp in Sumter County, Georgia; known in it's day as Fort Sumter. The fort itself is notorious for the number of prisoners that died there and the deplorable conditions in which they were kept. The park service has done a magnificent job with markers and information to give you the feel for what you are seeing and the scope of what it once was. At his site there is also the Andersonville National Cemetery. The cemetery was established to give a place of honor in death for those who died in service to our country - the first buried there (starting in February 1864) were those who died in the nearby Andersonville. Walking the grounds of this park was a sobering and somber experience - you could almost feel the history around you.- National Parks Service site for the Andersonville National Historic Site
- Wikipedia entry for the Andersonville National Historic Site
Andersonville - The DVD
Andersonville
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List Price: $14.98
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Petrified Forest National Park
As I said in the beginning of this page - it was a visit to the Petrified Forest that solidified my love for National Parks. It was a really cold December day, even though we were still in Arizona, the desert there gets snow and it was magnificent. The ranger in the Visitor Center was so knowledgeable and friendly and eager to answer all of our questions. Even after being fortified with all of his information, I wasn't prepared for the sheer beauty of those petrified trees. Breathtaking.- National Parks Service site for the Petrified Forest National Park
- Wikipedia entry for the Petrified Forest National Park
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
My visit to the fort at St. Augustine (Castillo de San Marcos) could not have been timed more perfectly. We set off for the fort early in the day and got there just as they were doing a re-enactment type opening of the fort and raising of the flag. Characters in full costume were all about and it was simply delightful. And, this was a most surprising and educational fort. To see how they utilized the natural materials available to them, to learn the importance of this site. When I think of "forts" they are to be brick or log and there certainly shouldn't be palm trees there. But, amidst all of that, the Castillo had some seriously impressive cannons - which are part of the reason for their winning record, I assume. The entire town of St. Augustine is rich with history and beauty, the fort is a delightful capstone to that.- National Parks Service site for the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- Wikipedia entry for the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
More Books About National Parks Available From Amazon
The Parks At A Glance:
Click On A Park Name To Go Directly To That Park's Information:
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Gettysburg National Military Park
- Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
- Dry Tortugas National Park
- Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
- Johnstown Flood National Memorial
- Harry S. Truman National Historic Park
- Andersonville National Historic Site
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- Acknowledgements
National Parks Guest Book
Which National Parks have you been to? Which was your favorite? Do you have any park visits planned soon? Please leave me a note about them, I would love to hear. And, thanks for visiting my page.
EverythingMouse wrote...
Another exceptional lens. I think my favorite National Park has to be the Grand Canyon
Posted July 05, 2009
whitemoss wrote...
What a wonderful lens! I live in the Lake District National Park in the UK- don't know if anyone has made a lens yet about UK National Parks but its a great thought- must check!
Posted July 05, 2009
BusyQueen wrote...
Hi GypsyPirate, what a beautiful lens about National Parks, and great photos.
Posted June 28, 2009
RosieBee wrote
I'd like to add to your list...I just came back from my summer road trip--visited Glacier National Park, Montana (camped here for five wonderful days); Waterton National Park, Alberta, Canada; Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming; Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah; and Zion National Park, Utah. All awesome places! Another awesome park is Crater Lake National Park, Oregon (I camped there a number of years ago) absolutely gorgeous there! Thanks to you, I'm on my way to visit the Petrified Forest NP since it's in my own backyard.
Posted June 12, 2009
Pengwen wrote...
Dry Tortugas National Parkis one of my favorites. The Grand Canyon is a must see before you die thing. Pictures don't do it justice.I haven't been to Gettysburg National Military Park is one place I like to go.This lens is well thought out nice layout with words and pictures it flows evenly with good information.
Posted June 05, 2009
Teddi14 wrote...
Nice lens. I visited Gettysburg as a teenager. Don't remember too much but it was interesting for what I do remember.
Posted May 29, 2009
In Acknowledgement, With Gratitude:
I want to take this opportunity to thank Glen for his hard work on the lens about Bulleted and Ordered Lists. I used it to help me create my Table Of Contents module. If I can do it, so can you ~~ with Glen's help, of course!-
Bulleted and Ordered Lists
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You can easily make bulleted or numbered lists in the Text List module. Too easy! But if you want more control and more of a say on how the information is presented you'll need to learn to use three HTML tags. Lets say you want to display a list in...
The Best Squidoo Lenses
My Ten Favorite National Parks is now a part of the new The Isle of Squid website. Isle Of Squid is a directory of the best lenses on Squidoo.com.
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by GypsyPirate
I'm a parrothead from the NorthCoast, ready to share my view on the world...
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