Trips Remembered for a Lifetime - Time Out #482

Still munching on those cold turkey leftovers, along with re-heated mashed potatoes, and hot gravy, possibly with a couple of hard dinner rolls today?  

     Yes, me, too, faithful readers in Our Town and around Mother Earth via your personal electronic device. 

      So, what do I have for dessert for today? Traveling, of course, in order to burn off all those extra calories consumed during this extended multiday holiday.  

     Lots of choices, just where to travel? The list is certainly long, but always some of my leading candidates are one or more members (currently 431 units) of Our Country's extensive National Park System (NPS).

     Early in my childhood, my dear father, Col. C.H. Breedlove, continually instilled in me his love of Mother Nature. Mother Nature is in full display and in diversity, too, across the broad spectrum of the NPS, With so many units spanning our U.S.A. from "sea to shining sea", the only issue is what type of venue does one choose to visit; ocean, river, lake, mountain, forest, desert, cave, unusual land formations, historical, ethnic, etc?

Simply stated, the variety is all there for us to enjoy!  

     Yes, the iconic American tradition, the family vacation, is absolutely alive and well.

     Routinely, I will be viewing social media posts on the internet, and read about a family that is either inside a NPS unit, or have posted comments and photos of a recent visit to one or more NPS locations.  I cannot recall any experiences the visitors relate that are anything but extremely positive about their vacation adventures. NPS units usually provide all types of visitor goods and services, such as lodging, food outlets, available guides, fuel, gift shops, either as a government or private-operated business . .Also, because of the large numbers of NPS facilities, the American traveler may drive, take a bus, fly, or take a train, and then rent a vehicle, in order to travel from Point A to Point B, and enjoy one or more NPS units.

     And, who knows, after visiting an NPS location as a youth, or even as an adult, you may be inspired to become a NPS Ranger, and begin wearing the NPS iconic hat and shield badge?   

     Oh, well, just a thought.