Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park in California sits in two different deserts, Colorado Desert and Mojave Desert. Joshua trees Tourists will find many Joshua trees in the west side of the park in the Mojave Desert. These unusual trees received their name form the Mormons, who, according to legend saw the limbs of the trees reaching upward to the sky as if they were praying. Like Joshua in the Bible, the trees guided the Mormons to the west. Joshua trees grow in a desert forest Though Joshua trees grow in the desert, they are found in the Queen Valley forest. The tallest Joshua tree in the park measures at forty feet high. Skull Rock Skull Rock is just one of the unusual rock formations at the park. Stop on the main east-west park road to see the rock and then hike the...
Read MoreCass Scenic Railroad State Park
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in Cass, West Virginia, was established as a state park in 1961. Riding the trains departing from the Cass Depot to old logging camps drew 23,000 people to the park when rides opened in 1963. A logging town since 1900 Cass, a logging town founded in 1900, was built by the West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company. Workers of the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Mill in Cass lived there. During the peak of the milling operation in 1908 to 1922, 2,500 – 3,000 people worked for the company. Twelve logging camps in the mountains received as many as ten carloads of food and supplies weekly. Logging industry in Cass dies The business was sold in 1943 and operated until 1960. Employees feared the town would die. Cass Scenic Railroad State...
Read MoreGrand Canyon National Park
If your family is planning a vacation to Arizona, one of the most beautiful parks in our country is located there. The Colorado River carved out a canyon 277 miles long and 18 miles wide that is called Grand Canyon National Park. When Theodore Roosevelt stood on the rim of the Grand Canyon in 1903, the sight filled him with awe. He said, “It is beyond comparison — beyond description; absolutely unparalleled throughout the wide world.” One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World The park was established in 1919 and 5,000,000 people visit it every year. It’s known as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The beautiful colors of Grand Canyon were captured in these photos. Ride a mule to see the Grand Canyon There are many ways to...
Read MoreBryce Canyon National Park
If you like looking at stars in the night sky, Bryce Canyon National Park is a wonderful place to visit. Because it’s one of the darkest places, visitors to the park can see about 7,500 stars without a telescope. The park offers astronomy programs. Bryce Canyon Paintbrush The Bryce Canyon Paintbrush is a beautiful, rare flower that only grows in southern Utah. “Hoodoos” The park was established in 1928. Located in Utah, it has 2,000,000 visitors each year to see the oddly shaped pillars of rock known as “Hoodoos.” These can be as short as your dad to as tall as a ten-story building. Things to do There are 50 miles of hiking trails in the park, as well as horseback rides, campgrounds, picnic areas, and ranger programs. There...
Read MoreYellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park may be the world’s most famous park, but it is definitely the oldest national park. It was established in 1872. 96% of the park is in Wyoming; the rest is in Idaho and Montana. Over 300 geysers and hot springs Yellowstone National Park is larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined. Over 3,600,000 visitors come every year to see over 300 geysers and hot springs. In fact there are more geysers and hot springs in the park than anywhere else on earth. Old Faithful The most famous geyser is Old Faithful, which erupts at intervals of 60 to 110 minutes. The geyser reaches a height of 106 to 184 feet and the eruptions last from one and half minutes to five minutes. Have your camera ready to snap an impressive photo like the one from...
Read MoreNavajo National Monument
Navajo National Monument invites visitors to go back to the days when Native Americans lived in cliff dwellings. Three monuments are all located in the Navajo Nation in Northeastern Arizona. 1250 to 1300 AD Long before the days of the Wild West, Native Americans lived in villages along cliff walls in Arizona. These cliff dwellings date from 1250 to 1300 AD, so these early Americans lived there over 700 years ago. Keet Seel The seventeen-mile round trip to Keet Seel, one of the three monuments, is made on foot or horseback. Advance reservations are required to this impressive village set on the side of a cliff. Soot from long-ago cooking fires still shows on adobe walls. There is evidence that original cave dwellers kept wild turkeys along the back of the...
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If it’s in the Bible, The Pirate Preacher knows the story. Monday nights he leads a “Jesus Study” in Moore Square, Raleigh, NC. Each Sunday you will find him in the park and at the bus station helping others enjoy the abundant life Jesus promised.
The Pirate Preacher helped launch Christian Devotions Ministries and is the former CEO of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, a Christian book publishing company. He’s also a “Blessed Selling” author and Writers’ Coach.
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Jehovah Jireh: The Incredible Provider — A super Hero Graphic Novel
