Celebrate the National Parks!

In April, my husband and I traveled to the East Coast to visit family in New York and Pennsylvania.  While we were there, we went to a number of historic sites, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt's home in Hyde Park, Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill, Vanderbilt Mansion, and the battlefield at Gettysburg.  We were lucky that the week we visited was National Park Week and admission costs were waived, but even if we did pay, the National Parks are truly one of the greatest gems of the United States and well worth the cost of admission.

This year, the National Park Service (NPS) marks its 100th birthday.  That's right--the National Parks have been around for 100 years since President Woodrow Wilson signed on August 25, 1916 the act that allows the federal government to preserve scenic areas, parks, and monuments so that present and future generations can enjoy the wonders of this country.  I'm sure you've probably heard of the more well known places managed by the National Park Service.  Besides the places I've already mentioned, there's the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and the Statue of Liberty, among many others.

In the Inland Northwest, we're fortunate to live within driving distance of some of the nicest National Parks.  In Washington State, we have Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic, in addition to historic sites like Fort Vancouver and the Whitman Mission.  In other nearby states there's Glacier (MT), Grand Teton (WY), and Crater Lake (OR), not to mention Yellowstone (ID, MT, WY).

Summer is just around the corner, and perhaps you're thinking about where to go with your sweetie or your family.  If I may make a suggestion, why not consider going to a National Park or another historic site managed by the NPS?  You'll have lots of fun, and you'll have memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Wishing you a great National Park Service experience from the perch.