Jack and his family just returned from an amazing two week adventure ALL over Alaska.  His parents love the great outdoors and both Jack and his brother, Simon, spend many hours in the exploring all that nature has to offer.   Maybe the National Park Service has a future ranger-in-training on their hands!  On their visit to Denali, the family was fortunate to have clear skies and the breathtaking view of Denali!

Interestingly, in my own hometown of Colorado Springs, our city's founder's home, Glen Eyrie, literally means "Valley of the Eagle."  General William Jackson Palmer's "castle" still offers regular tours, tea, overnight stays and retreats while enjoying a glimpse into his history.  Below are images from a book that I wrote in partnership with the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum on General Palmer.  The book can be downloaded free of charge by clicking on the following link.

Walking a bridge is one of my favorite things to do on any trip.  Two years ago, our family was able to put the check mark on the bucket list for the Golden Gate Bridge.  We had seen it several years earlier on a previous trip, but this was the year for the walk.  Public transportation makes getting to the visitors center and entrance to the bridge very accessible.  We visited in July, and the iconic International Orange columns were shrouded in the regular fog of the bay area.  The details of the bridge were the most captivating to me followed by the view (although limited) of the city behind us.  Fort Point lies directly below at the SF entrance.  When the bridge opened in May of 1937, its 4,200 foot suspension span was the longest in the world.  Today, it is the ninth longest suspension bridge.  The bridge is an American icon and year after year my students love learning about it.

This past week, our fifth grade students were fortunate enough to spend the afternoon with Mike and Sharon Guli of Guli Productions.  Mike and Sharon are experts on period clothing and are captivating in the classroom with students presenting period dress and etiquette.  

In honor of Patriot's Day, I am choosing to post Moffat's visit to Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts.  Happy National Parks Week Day Two.  

My daughter and I were in Boston several years ago to cheer my college roommate on as she ran the Boston Marathon. As a traveler who wants to see and experience it all, we took the train up to Concord one afternoon to visit Minute Man National Historical Park.  For as much as I wanted to visit during all the weekend activities, we were unable to but were able to visit on Monday.

Due to the tight train schedule, my daughter and I took turns jogging to cross the bridge to make it to the visitors center before it closed.  I felt like we were doing our own miniature amazing race.  We were able to make it to the visitor's center where my daughter was able to turn in her junior ranger packet and receive her badge.  

We were able to take a slightly more leisurely pace as we walked back into town to catch the train. I still would have like more time.  What struck me as we walked back was that we were walking in a space that the start for the fight for our country's freedom began.  It was a little overwhelming to think about.  Along the way, the flowers that were beginning to bloom were a reminder of a new start.

I thought it would be fitting to start off National Park week with photos from the National Mall and Memorials in Washington DC.  These two photos were taken at the Jefferson Memorial.  The photo above is taken from the steps looking north across Tidal Basin towards the Washington Monument. As always, I enjoy meeting the rangers that are on duty during our visit.  They are always very helpful and informative.  One of my treats for my classroom is the Junior Ranger Badge.

I have no memory of going to a National Park as a child.  Now, it is something I treasure.  The NPS's Junior Ranger program is an engaging way to encourage learning during an adventure.  Please take the time to expose your young children to the amazingly rich sites our country has to offer!