Category: National Park

Visiting Channel Islands National Park-California

“That was a great day!” Announces the tousled haired young man. He claims a chair on the boat, preparing to leave Channel Islands National Park. “It was a hellah great day!” Agrees the young man in the backwards hat. The group settle into the row behind us. They take turns visiting the downstairs snack counter,…
Seminole Rest National Historic Site-Florida

National Park designations can be confusing. There are 16 different designations and as we learn upon arriving at Seminole Rest, there are sites within sites. As we acquire our Canaveral National Seashore, Eldora, stamp, the Park Ranger asks if we stamped our book at Seminole Rest. Though I thoroughly researched the seashore, this additional park…
Visiting Canaveral National Seashore-Florida

Large branches, adorned in bright green foliage, stretch across the trail, in Canaveral National Seashore. The trees look as if they desire to create a work of art. Our attention is focused on the beauty of the silent, still, trail. Then we hear the sound. Grunt-grunt-snort. Grunt-grunt-snort. We make eye contact, turn around, and power-walk…
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site-Pennsylvania

For those on a quest to visit National Park Sites, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, is a day-trip,from Philadelphia.First, we stop at the Visitors’ Center to acquire a stamp. We’re the only visitors at the moment, and the ranger is nice enough to run the park’s movie just for us. We make it an added…
Biscayne National Park-Florida

Our boat gently bounces over the turquoise, National Park water. If your eyes need a dose of the Caribbean, without the Caribbean travel, Biscayne National Park will quench your vision. Biscayne National Park is one of the United States’ natural water parks. Though there is land, the park is mainly comprised of water. The Dante…
Everglades National Park-Shark Valley

The walkers observe us hungrily, as the Shark Valley Tram, in Everglades National Park, makes its way back to the visitors’ center. I imagine at the start of the day, ambition and motivation, convinced them the loop is an easy saunter. Reaching the tower, the view incites oohhs and aahhs, until reality sets in. After…
Big Cypress National Preserve-Florida

“Stay right there, I have to get the book,” directs Park Ranger Maggie, at Big Cypress National Preserve. The book is where Park Rangers record the “quote of the day.” I don’t inquire if all National Park sites have a quote of the day book, or just Big Cypress. I am too excited. Entering the…
Lafayette-History and Cultural Tour

Lafayette, Louisiana, is steeped in history. Growing up and continuing to live in the North East, Tri-State area, I am immersed in the United States’ past. Narratives of the Revolutionary War and the start of the United States, percolate in my brain. This foundation now gives me a thirst, to learn about history beyond my…
Historic Jamestowne Site-Virginia

When initially planning a Williamsburg, Virginia trip, many people aren’t aware that there are two Jamestown sites, the Historic Jamestowne Site, and the Jamestown Settlement. Often, visitors must choose between one or the other. Fortunately we visit both. The first order of business at Historic Jamestowne, is to stamp our National Park Passport book. The…