Celebrate National Parks - America’s Best Idea
I have to be honest; I am feeling un-inspired as I sit down to write this entry. I’m tired, sore and drained of all my creative juices due to the typical stresses of work, monthly bill paying, winter’s-end yard work and massive spring-cleaning on top of the never-ending weekly house chores. Ugh is about all I have energy or mind to write. Then I glance over at the familiar stack of mail next to my computer – always there and eagerly awaiting my attention just like an ignored puppy nipping at my heels when I notice what is on top of my “paper puppy” - a National Park Foundation letter that now opened and read, brightens my blah disposition and inspires me. 
“More than a century ago, President Woodrow Wilson signed an act that would preserve and protect our Nation’s natural, cultural and historic treasures as a part of the United States National Park Service. As a result, today, all Americans for all time can visit over 400 national parks and share in this priceless legacy.”
As I read that paragraph, wonderful memories, visions and lessons learned in national parks immediately flood my mind. I have visited a multitude of these national treasures over the years and whether it was an historic place such as Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site or a magnificent natural wonder such as Mount Rainier National Park, I have never been disappointed and always humbled - even amazed by what each revealed to me about this country.
Emerging from my delightful trip down memory lane, I no longer feeling blah. Instead, I’m smiling and thinking to myself – it’s been too long since I’ve experienced the thrill of discovering a national gem and turn my attention to planning my next national park exploration.
Just as the letter closes with an invitation to celebrate National Park Week, April 20-28 - I invite you to do the same – go on an adventure of discovery in a national park – it will chase away the ‘blahs’ and be good for your mind and spirit!
I’m going to visit Big Bend National Park, located along the Texas-Mexico border. It preserves the largest tracts of Chihuahuan Desert in the United States - 1,252 square miles of land, making it larger than the state of Rhode Island and as the National Parks Foundation website describes it, the perfect solitude. I CAN’T WAIT!
If you’re not sure where to go, the National Parks Foundation has a campaign, “Find Your Park”, a great site for not only information but also inspiration and ideas on where to go and what to try. findyourpark.com and encuentratuparque.com. #FindYourPark, #EncuentraTuParque