Where to even begin? I am going to talk about the park first and then in the next post specifically talk about the Junior Ranger badge, because I wasn't entirely sure what to expect and was met with a vast historical crossroad. I knew about the John Brown revolt, but was entirely fuzzy on the … Continue reading Harpers Ferry NHP, pt 1
Flight 93 NM
We did manage to make it out the door for the last road trip of 2017. Because we were driving past it I decided it was time to stop at Flight 93 National Monument. I had avoided it previously but this year my kids did start asking about 9/11 and terrorism, the news cycle hasn't … Continue reading Flight 93 NM
New Year, Fresh Park?
My husband's job has a use it or lose it policy and this year he had a record 4 days left of leave which left him in the predicament of 11 days off in a row. Rough life, right? It was our initial plan to send the kids to winter camp at our local community … Continue reading New Year, Fresh Park?
Holiday Dreaming
For me National Parks are the purest form of American Idealism. Not that they aren't problematic too, like most ideals, but the idea that everyone should have access to something regardless of personal attributes or characteristics is something most of us can agree on. An exception to capitalism, where wealth does not give you any … Continue reading Holiday Dreaming
Junior Ranger Curriculum pt 1
As a home schooling family we are always on the look out for opportunities and experiences. To that end we participate in a secular home school group in our area. It's a neat setup, we rent an old catholic school building from the non-profit which currently owns it. We meet once a week for classes … Continue reading Junior Ranger Curriculum pt 1
Shop Your Parks For the Holidays, & Everyday!
In honor of Black Friday I thought I'd talk a little bit about shopping in the parks. As you may know if you are a park enthusiast all parks have trouble with funding. Much like our home budgets there is always a long list of things to be done and only so many dollars to … Continue reading Shop Your Parks For the Holidays, & Everyday!
Great Smoky Mountains NP Pt. 2
Great Smoky is a stand out park for a few different reasons, one of which is that the money was raised by LOCAL PEOPLE. When the federal government approved the creation of the park they refused to fund it. It was funded with local citizen donations, school children, from all walks of life, collecting nickels … Continue reading Great Smoky Mountains NP Pt. 2
Great Smoky Mountains NP pt 1
When planning our eclipse viewing I tried to keep a couple things front and center in my mind. 1) It could be cloudy and 2) The kids may find this monumentally unimpressive. To mitigate both of these concerns it was really important that the focal point of the trip have something great to visit in … Continue reading Great Smoky Mountains NP pt 1
Ford Theater NHS
While in DC visiting with my sister, my nephew really really wanted to go to the International Spy Museum. That sounded like fun and we all took the metro in and went. I posted what we were doing while eating burgers on the corner next to the spy museum and my intrepid friend posted "Hey … Continue reading Ford Theater NHS
Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS
Allegheny Portage Railroad is a result of Pennsylvania's desire to stay relevant in trade and an ingenious way to cross the Allegheny mountains before steam engines were powerful enough to make it through. With the rise of Canal trade after the completion of the Erie Canal, Pennsylvania scrambled to compete and shorten the 23 day … Continue reading Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS
Free Rangering 