Lincoln Boyhood Home National Memorial, IN

What will I do at each Park?

A visit to any National Park would not be complete without doing something. Yes, something! And not just sitting on a bench being mesmerized by a hand-held electronic device. Unless, of course, it is a digital camera (are there any cameras still using film?) being prepped to take photos of your visit. So, get to it. Partake in swimming, kayaking, climbing, viewing a video in the Visitor Center, or hiking to ruins. The opportunities are exhaustive in each park and across the 423 parks. On this page is a list of all those park units and the main activities of which I intend to experience. No bench sitting for me… I want to be in the starting line-up.

Do you see activities which look familiar from your past visits? Or make a mental note to try some of these in future travels. And do not forget to drum up a conversation with one or more park rangers along your way. They are dedicated to making every visitor feel welcome and comfortable. They are the best source of knowledge for each unit. Be sure to ask questions.

Alaska to Arizona

From the cold, snowy land of caribou and polar bears (yes, Alaska is visited by the big, white fury giants) to the desert lands of the Saguaro Cactus. Cannot get much more extreme across America.

Beautiful California

California boasts the most park units within a single state. From Spanish missionaries, to World War II history, to the timeless leisurely workings of water and wind across the landscape, California is a cultural and natural hotspot for park enthusiasts.

An Ageless Argument

The Sierra Nevadas, no question! There is Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia.

Oh yeah, well I say it is the Rockies, with Glacier, Grand Tetons, and Rocky Mountain.

So, which mountain range is the most beautiful, the most majestic? Let us agree this is a fruitless debate. They are both the ultimate eye candy, beyond compare. For those who have hiked and/or camped in these great masses of rocks the answer is simple; a proverbial tie.

Now that’s a hike

It begins at Katahdin, Maine (see Maine section), and ends at Springer Mountain in Georgia. Or is it the other way around? The famous AT, the Appalachian Trial, extends for 2,200 miles. My agenda for the Quest includes only a small portion of the AT. Kudos to those who have hiked the entire length.

Abraham Lincoln

One of the greatest Presidents in our country’s history. This section image alone lists six park units dedicated to Honest Abe’s life. He was born in Kentucky, grew to be a man in Indiana, and settled in Illinois. Along with Fort Larned (built in 1860-1861), Mill Springs (a Civil War battle), and Camp Nelson (established in 1863 as a recruiting station and supply base), Lincoln’s existence and soul are well represented across the NPS.

Let Freedom Ring

Harriet Tubman, Fort McHenry, Thomas Stone, John Adams, Antietam, Bunker Hill, and African-Americans in Boston are glorious exemplars for the struggle to win and maintain the most sacred of rights for men and women; Freedom.

Sea to Shining Sea

The distance between Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to Astoria, Oregon (Lewis and Clark NHP) is 3,181 miles, as the asphalt lays flat. In between are myriad park units, telling the story of America’s heritage. Pick any of the sites listed to the left, and make plans to stop and visit. When wandering across Voyageurs in the summer, the state bird will enthusiastically welcome you; have your Deep Woods at the ready.

It stands not silently

The Gateway Arch. One of our country’s most emblematic symbols of the fortitude and courageous nature of Americans over the decades. When Lewis and Clark headed up the Missouri River to begin their quest of finding a navigable route to the Pacific Ocean, little did they know the magnitude of what they had unleashed. Onward-Ho!

Today the Arch continues to speak to those who desire to step out of their comfort zone and try new adventures.

An Ancient Heritage

The city dwellers who called the area known as New Mexico and Colorado their home; who were they? Ancestral Puebloans and their cultures may live on in today’s Hopi, Zuni, Acoma, and Taos Pueblos. Forever a mystery as to why they vanished around 1200 AD.

Freedom For All

The entrance to New York City harbor greeted millions during the heyday of immigration to America. First viewed, never forgotten, was the Lady, standing resolute to welcome those who wanted a new life. She stands at a height of 305 feet, a fitting beacon for a new destination.

Courage on Display

One indelible characteristic found in Americans is the drive for accomplishment, against all odds. How else does one explain the victory of the Wright Brothers in conquering flight? One cannot forget Lewis and Clark fighting their way across the wilderness and mountains to reach the Pacific Ocean. And maybe the most important event in America’s history, a group of men, classified as traitors by England, forging an alliance in Philadelphia to start a new country.

The American Revolution

Can you identify the six parks shown in this section image that have a connection to the war which led to the founding of these United States of America?

Boots on the Ground

Between Texas and Utah there are enough hiking opportunities in the two states’ National Parks to keep one occupied for months. Zion NP is one of the cornerstone gems of the NPS with Angels Landing and The Narrows, followed closely by Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Guadalupe. Be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat, and take plenty of water.

The Nation’s Civil War

One has to look no further than the Commonwealth of Virginia to learn much of the five year conflict between the States. Walk the Sunken Road at Fredericksburg National Military Park, tour the village buildings at Appomattox which witnessed the end of the war, and stand at “The Crater” in Petersburg National Battlefield.

Washington, D.C.

Our nation’s Capitol proudly displays its memorials, honoring those individuals who have given so much for freedom and the pursuit of equality among all citizens.

Yellowstone was First

In 1872, President Grant designated Yellowstone as the first national park for America. Many consider “Wonderland” (its original nickname) to still be the crown jewel of the National Park System, which is high praise considering other majestic parks such as Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, Denali, and Glacier have rightfully taken their place in the upper tier of nature’s wonders in our country.