Posted on 08/27/2016 6:27:47 PM PDT by jazusamo
They’re having a birthday-- and it's a big one. The National Park Service turns 100 on Aug. 25 and parks around the country are celebrating the milestone.
Starting Thursday, entrance to the 124 parks that usually charge admission is free through Sunday (Aug. 28). Throughout the nation, special events at over 400 parks will celebrate the centennial.
From birthday cakes and cupcakes to special classes and programs, most parks have something special planned.
National parks may be synonymous with camping and hiking today but Americans haven't always been able to enjoy these protected lands.
The story of the national parks started in 1872 with the creation of the first park, Yellowstone National Park, with the Yellowstone Act. The land was saved from private development when President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act into law, March 1, 1872.
Thanks, in part, to the stunning nature photography of William Henry Jackson, official photographer of the United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the Western Territories, 2.2 million acres became the world’s first national park. Known for its geysers, hot springs and bison herd, Yellowstone was the beginning of what was to become the National Park Service in 1916.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Keeps attention away from the National Park Service (and Bureau Of Land Management) not being constitutional.
I have been watching National Parks Series on TV...Breathtaking beauty .
It inspired me to look up and post pictures from some of the parks on the FReepathon thread.
They are National Treasures
Yes, they are National Treasures.
I’ve visited a couple in the East and quite a few in the West but wish I could have visited more.
Of course! By all means available, keep LAND out of the hands of The American People!
I have TOTALLY mixed feelings on this stuff. Yes, I want BEAUTY preserved, but...see comment above.
Me, too....I have been exploring the Adiromdacks in New York on the internet.
I got the $10 senior pass after reading an article written by someone who hates $10 senior passes. So in essence, every day is a free day for me.
I feel much the same but there’s a big difference between National Parks and BLM/USFS land, the latter should be abolished in my view.
Stating the obvious will get you hate mail. I am driven mad by the consistent “bending of the knee” to the Federal government that the States engage in. There is no fight left, we are a conquered Republic, taken over by a foreign government that has broken the treaty called the US Constitution.
After years and years of the same ole same ole Florida vacations, We traveled cross country in our SUV out west to see the grand canyon earlier this year. We had a blast. Took in the petrified Forrest and meteor crater on the way. In flagstaff I fulfilled a dream of mine by visiting the Lowell observatory. I had brought my own scope with us so had the added bonus of observing with my own instrument. The canyon is spectacular. Headed south and visited tombstone then back east to white sands NM. Last but not least was Carlsbad Caverns. The elevator was down and the trip back up nearly killed us all. Kinda forgot about that little elevation thing. As we headed back east to Georgia we all agreed we had the best spring break ever. This is a beautiful land that we have.
That senior pass is one of the best buy tips my sis-inlaw ever gave my spouse. We’ve been to many of the National Parks in the western states. Get to skip thru many lines as well.
[Snip] Harry Yount is credited with being the father of the ranger service, as well as the first national park ranger. Yount was wounded in the leg in a skirmish just before the Battle of Pea Ridge began on March 6, 1862, and taken prisoner by the Confederates. As a captive, he was marched more than 90 miles (140 km) to Fort Smith in his bare feet on cold, wet roads, and was held there as a POW for 28 days before his release in a prisoner exchange. Yount believed that “it was a pity to kill off the buffaloes, which were here in immense numbers, but it was the only way to get rid of the Indians, as the buffalo were their main source of subsistence.” I need to go to the Judge Parker Court House today and ask about the Trail of Tears and Mr. Yount.
For those of us that have reached age 62, a lifetime park pass can be had for just ten dollars. Admission to the parks with this pass, along with your passengers, is free, for life.
I can live with that. :)
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