Unexpected Journeys

At the start of a trip to a national park or related site, you are prepared for what you think might happen, but as everyone can attest, the journey you actually take is often unexpected. These unplanned events that you have no control over give you new insight into the world around you. This accidental beginning is a necessary one. The family trip, group activity, or impromptu stop will warrant your participation regardless of how you might feel about it initially. It may not be apparent right away, but you will grow from the experience and learn something completely different.

Paths Traveled

Parks provide visitors with all types of ways to interact with their surroundings. Sometimes we choose a well-worn trail and other times we choose less traveled path.

Arches National Park, 2008, Nicole Berns

Medicine Bow National Forest near Rocky Mountain National Park, 2011, Liz Schuman Carlson

White Sands National Monument, 2001, Dave Schneider

Yellowstone National Park, 2014, National Park Service

South Seas Route at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, 2015, Kayla Hemesath

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, 2014, Michael Szoenyi

Yellowstone National Park, 2009, Tracy Donner

Yosemite National Park, 1989, Leisl Carr Childers

Bryce Canyon National Park, 1998, Linda Kleinhesselink

Sidekicks

We rarely travel to parks alone. Often we have a sidekick with us, a person who enjoys sharing our adventures or experiences. They could be our brother or sister, friend or parent.

Corpus Christi near the USS Lexington National Historic Landmark, 2011, Alanna Lemay

White Sands National Monument, 2001, Dave Schneider

Mesa Verde National Park, 2015, Leiah Luense

Yellowstone National Park, 2009, Tracy Donner

Black Hills National Forest near Mount Rushmore National Memorial, 2004, Tom Purcell

Mount Rainier National Park, 2014, Linda Kleinhesselink

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, 2001, Dave Schneider

Custer State Park near Mount Rushmore National Memorial, 2004, Tom Purcell

Homer, Alaska, near Kenai Fjords National Park, 2014, Taylor Ross

Yosemite National Park, 1978, Leisl Carr Childers

Rocky Mountain National Park, 2005, Linda Kleinhesselink

South Seas Route at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, 2015, Kayla Hemesath

Bringing People Together

Parks are places that bring multiple people together for family vacations, weekend holidays, and educational tours. No matter the reason, they provide places for us to gather together.