The Brilliance of the National Park System

I had not thought much about it before this trip of many National Park visits.  I had always just accepted that the National Parks were a good idea.  But the last few visits have convinced me of the brilliance of the idea.

John Muir was quite the visionary.  He recognized that Yosemite was a special place, and his conversations with President Roosevelt must have been convincing.  And thank goodness they were.  I cannot imagine what Yosemite would look like if it had not been protected; or Yellowstone or any of the other parks.  Has the Park Service done everything right?  Of course not.  But because of their oversight, sequoia trees and bristlecone pines still exist; everyone can experience the beauty of Yellowstone, Arches, and the Great Smoky Mountains; and areas of our country have been protected from decimation for all to enjoy.

I am proud of our nation for its National Park System. We need to support it so that future generations can experience the beauty we have experienced over the years.