This year (2016), the U.S. National Park System celebrates its 100 year anniversary. The National Park Service was created by an act signed by President Woodrow Wilson on August 25, 1916. Yellowstone National Park was established by an Act signed by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, as the nation’s first national park. I have visited many of the National Park sites over the years and have always felt a deep attachment to each place; I always feel that I just saw the most beautiful place in the world and then I visit the next park and feel the same all over again. I am in awe of the amazing beauty of the landscapes and know that only God could have created such beauty and diversity. I have also been inspired by the historical events that have occurred in many of the sites. It is a wonderful way to learn about U.S. history.
I truly pray that our country’s leaders will always fight to protect these parks, monuments, and historical sites. Now that I am retired, I would like to visit and photograph all 59 of our National Parks. The U.S. National Park System has 411 units, 59 of which are designated as National Parks. I will also try to visit as many of the other sites, but I will use the park designations as my primarily travel goal. While I have visited several National Parks, I have not photographed them all. As I learn more about the parks, I realize that many of them are quite difficult and/or expensive to reach. I hope NOT to let that stop me!!
Arches (May 2013 and April 2016)
Carlsbad Caverns (February 2018)
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (May 2016)