Happy 101 years to the Grand Canyon National Park!
President Teddy Roosevelt urged Americans to protect this great canyon, “What you can do is keep it for your children, your children’s children, and for all who come after you, as one of the great sights which every American should see.”
For more information on this park, check out a previous blog by clicking here.
If you visit Las Vegas or Arizona, take the time and check out this grand national park! Definitely worth the time and journey!
I just finished reading Wishtree written by Katherine Applegate. Fantastic book! I’m not surprised as I loved The One and Only Ivan also authored by Katherine Applegate.
In this novel, the author uses nature to tackle prejudice through the most beautiful use of words.
Red is the neighborhood oak tree that people place their wishes onto via a tie and cloth once a year. Red and his animal buddies have seen a lot over the years. In fact, Red has 216 rings on him.
I love the voice the author gives Red and his buddies to help out a new family to the area and grant a wish. As I read this book, I felt the oak tree’s feelings and wanted to give him a wish that I could grant.
“But sometimes things happen that aren’t so good. When they occur, I’ve learned that there’s not much you can do except stand tall and reach deep.”
― Katherine Applegate, Wishtree
After finishing the book, I stared at my own oak tree for some time wondering about his thoughts, memories, and wishes.
Highly recommend picking up this quick, but really beautiful read!
Happy birthday to Charles Dickens! This great novelist was born today in 1812.
He brought us with some of the most memorable fictional characters of all times and known as one of the greatest novelist of the Victorian Era.
My personal favorite Dickens classics is A Tale of Two Cities. I remember vividly reading this book in high school (many years ago) and struck by his use of the language and words. In particular, I love his opening! The images, the pace, the words just ring magic.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
― Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
To celebrate his birthday, pick up one his classics and enjoy it! Maybe enjoy it with a cup a tea!
On this February day, I sit distracted by thinking about bison jams. Yes, I said bison jams.
Last summer, we visited Yellowstone National Park and experienced (more than once) bison jams. If you ever visit this national park (while I highly recommend), you are bound to encounter this unique situation along on the park roads. It is literally what the name suggests – a bison (or many) strolling along the road causing traffic to pause or stop for some time.
These large animals will walk in front of your car, next to the car, or behind your car. They don’t have watches, so do not care about their pace or time of the day. They might play follow the leader or might butt heads. They might pause for a bite to eat next the road. They might even sit down for a nap.
Bison are amazing creatures. One of my favorites! American male bison weigh around 2,000 pounds! Also, did you know that these huge mammals can run up to 35 mph? I wrote a previous blog about bison last year that you can read here if you’re interested in more bison information.
As I sit at my computer here, I keep picturing those bison jams from last summer. It’s a really amazing experience to have such a mammoth creature stroll by your car.
You can hear them breathe and snort. Our children could not believe these animals surrounded all these cars and just kept on their hike down the road.
I wonder what these animals think seeing all these cars with people inside holding some rectangle gadgets by the windows. I wonder if the bison like the paved roads or miss the entire area being unpaved. I wonder what bison dream about.
Back from my wonderings and dreams, go check out these unique visitor experiences in Yellowstone National Park. Trust me, it will stick with you beyond the moment.
