Our National Parks - Your American Heritage

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”
Haida Indian Saying

Ownership has its privileges, as they say. And you, my friends, are owners of our national parks (assuming you are an American citizen, and if you are not, you still get to enjoy them). When I was a boy, my family took a long trip west and hit several of our national parks. At the time, it did not mean all that much to me other than taking the family car on a long trip one summer. We went to Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon. We also stopped at a few other interesting places along the way. I remember thoroughly enjoying it, but the magnitude of what I was experiencing escaped me at the time. Looking back now, I realize that it was a life changing trip for me. It was the beginning of a love for the outdoors that has been my theme for most of my years (and that has been a whole lot of years!).Thanks Mom and Dad for exposing me to something that changed my life.

I have wanted to write a column on the national parks for some time, but I kept procrastinating about it. The recent Ken Burns special on PBS put it right in front of my face and it was a message I could not ignore. We have talked about taking our grandchildren to some of the parks, but can never seem to get our calendars synchronized. Everybody is so stinking busy…but that is beside the point. A few weeks ago I sat down the watch the Ken Burns series - The National Parks – America’s Best Idea – and was moved in a very special way. The six part series was well done (is anything by Ken Burns not?) and really told the story of how the park system came together. It was a long hard road and the battles were fought by some very courageous and determined folks. When things got tough, they kept at it. Many of the struggles occurred over decades and through various Presidents. They fought the good fight, never gave up, and good things happened. Really good things…lots of really good things. If you have not seen this program yet, make it a priority to watch it and if you feel really motivated, buy your own copy when it comes out. You can even host your own National Park Parties…you will be the talk of the neighborhood. But, most importantly, watch this show!

This series really inspired me to fight the good fight in our conversation efforts. It reminded me that we must take the long view and stay the course, even if the benefits might not occur until after our lifetime. We can study how the heroes of yesteryear did the right thing and because of their courage and discipline we have a number of natural resources that we enjoy because of their efforts. Thanks so much to those heroes – past, present, and future. May all of us pitch in and do what we can to make a difference. Future generations will thank us.

I am also going to suggest that you add to your “Bucket List” visiting the National Parks. As an owner, you really do have an obligation and you won’t be sorry. To help you get going, I am going to suggest you visit three national parks and here are my top choices – Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado), Olympic National Park (Washington), and Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee). I happen to know the best ways in and the best places to go and if you send me an e-mail, I will give you my tips. There is no shortage of national parks to visit and there are plenty of things to do while you are there (plenty of fly fishing opportunities among other things). Take your significant other, take your kids, take your grandkids, take a few friends, but don’t delay. You will be glad that you did. It is part of our American heritage.

John Muir was quoted as saying, “the clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness.” I think I agree with him. I would imagine that you might too. I hope so. You think about that…TL