Stay Home but Stay Inspired

When “shelter in place” restrictions begin to lift, the desire to move about after so many weeks of confinement will quickly follow.

Many of us long for the time when we can be back in nature again. National parks offer a chance for us to decompress and get back to our roots – reconnecting with the land.

Until that time, some of the world’s most beautiful places can also be seen in our own backyard. As this past Wednesday was Earth Day, l thought to concentrate this week’s newsletter on some of the amazing National Parks we are so fortunate to have. I know you will want to get out and explore Nature at its grandest……

We are still staying home, however, let’s stay inspired. Happy Earth Day! America the beautiful!

Armchair Travel with Backroads

Did You Know?

Yellowstone National Park is the world’s oldest national park, having been created by Congress in 1872 when Ulysses S. Grant was president. It covers 2,221,773 acres in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming with national forests surrounding its borders.

UNESCO World Heritage

Among the 63 national parks in the United States, 13 are also World Heritage sites. A few—Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite—have the spectacular landscapes, unique biodiversity, and cultural significance to make them clear contenders for the double crown, while others are less obvious choices such as Everglades National Park.

What does it take to be a World Heritage site? According to UNESCO, there are 10 criteria for natural and cultural sites – a site must meet at least one of the criteria. Qualifications range from “a masterpiece of human creative genius” and “exceptional natural beauty”. Read on to discover the baker’s dozen of these elite parks and a few of the reasons they gained their UNESCO distinction on the National Parks Service website.

“Guard it well, for it is far more precious than money…once destroyed, nature’s beauty cannot be repurchased at any price.” – ANSEL ADAMS

National Parks for Kids

With over 400 national parks spread across America, the National Park Foundation is encouraging the young and old to connect with the land around us. In a time where going to parks seems like a distant memory, appreciating these incredible spaces is now more important than ever.

America’s best classroom – the National Park Foundation has created a guide to help teach the younger generation about these one of kind locations from home.

Take a glimpse at the guide and start your adventure from home.

A park ranger for almost 20 years, Park Ranger John has created a personal blog dedicated to providing National Park travel tips and recipes.

Famous to Bar Harbor, Maine near Acadia National Park, blueberry pie is always a nice treat after a camping trip. A mouth-watering homemade delicious blueberry pie will warm your heart from the first bite.

Happy Hour

Drink of the Week: IPA Moscow Mule Cocktail

• 1 1/2 oz Reyka Vodka
• 2 oz Ginger Beer
• 2 oz Bell’s Hopslam IPA
• 3/4 oz Lime Juice
• Lime Wheel Garnish and sprig of fresh mint
• Ice

Even in the midst of a pandemic, we still believe that travel makes life richer, no matter where you are.