Happy 100th Birthday National Parks #findyourpark

June 10, 2016 — #findyourpark, Joshua Tree, National Park Service, national parks, Tumacacori

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

2016 is a special year for the National Park Service in the US. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the service the American people are being gifted extra free admission days to discover our parks.  I am the lucky owner of a senior pass, which I purchased last year for $10.  It entitles me and a car full of my guests to visit the National Parks gratis for as long as I live.  This is, by far, my favorite benefit of being an American senior citizen.  The value of a visit to any of our majestic National Parks is incalculable.

The theme for this birthday year is Find Your Park.  My friend Eric treated me to a visit to Joshua Tree National Park last September.  We had a wonderful time and enjoyed the exotic scenery very much.  It was still hot a blazes up there, so our photo shoots consisted of running quickly back and forth to and from the car to snap some of the landscape for posterity.  One can easily see why it is known to rock climbers all over the world who flock to it as soon as the temperatures allow outside recreation without frying to a crisp.  It must be a fabulous place to hike, especially in the spring.  If you have a chance to discover this amazing gem of a park I highly recommend it.  I plan to return to discover more of the dramatic beauty of this place.

Tamacacori National Historic Park

Tamacacori National Historic Park

Tamacacori National Historic Park

Tamacacori National Historic Park

Very near our home in Tucson is a special park dedicated to history, Tumacacori National Historic Park.  I love to go there for any reason, but their educational programs are exceptional.  We attended a full moon lecture last fall at the mission park that was taught by a ranger.  She told us in great detail about Padre Kino and the history of the area and native peoples.  She was knowledgable about the never ending restoration work done to preserve the original structures.  We all learned new things about the history and culture of this region while taking a candle lantern tour around the grounds and inside the church.

The Centennial of the Park Service is indeed something in which we can take pride.  I hope all of the gentle readers will have a chance to find your park in 2016.  There is a very cool way to share your experience and those of others at findyourpark.com.  The extra free admission days around the country take place during the last two weeks of August, 2016.  If you are in vacation planning mode please consider taking advantage of this generous offer to Find Your Park.  Bon Voyage.