Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The most visited park in the United States every year is Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Part of this park is in Tennessee; the rest is located in North Carolina. The park was established in 1934 and has about 9,500,000 visitors every year. The park is considered the “Salamander Capital of the World.” The beautiful forest and over 2,000 miles of streams invite families to enjoy camping and hiking in the park. Those interested in fishing can try to catch brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout in the fishable streams inside the park. There are many horse trails for horseback riding. There are over 800 miles of hiking trails in the park. For an adventure hike, The Alum Cave Trail and Rocky Top are good choices. Pretty waterfall hikes...
Read MoreDenali National Park
Denali National Park is located in Alaska and is the home of Mount McKinley. At 20,320 feet, this is North America’s tallest peak. The park was established in 1917 and is about the size of Massachusetts. Denali Park Road The Denali Park Road, ninety-two miles long, is the only road in the park. The first fifteen miles leads to Savage River and is paved. There are many places to stop and take pictures. If it’s not cloudy, you can see the snowy Mount McKinley after driving nine miles on the park road. Tour buses Denali Park Road turns into a gravel road after the fifteen mile marker. Visitors can take shuttle buses, tour buses, or courtesy buses to go farther along the road. The tour buses include guides that share information about the park. Huskies...
Read MoreA Christmas Tradition: Birthday Cake for Jesus
Did you know … Celebrating Christmas by baking a birthday cake for Jesus is a tradition that dates back more than five hundred years. Some special treats were only served at the holidays. Excited children looked forward to Christmas every year. They received gifts, sang songs, and ate special treats. They didn’t eat cake often, so they loved to make a birthday cake for Jesus. The cakes often contained little gifts inside, such as marbles, coins, or small metal animals. After hearing the story of Jesus’ birth, the children ate their piece of cake and carefully searched for little treasures. The birthday cake had special meaning. The white cake represented Jesus’ sinless life. The icing was usually red as a reminder that Jesus died on the cross...
Read MoreEverglades National Park
Everglades National Park is the third largest park in the continental United States. The Everglades are made up of wetlands, a swamp, a lake, a prairie, a river, and grassland. The river is a very slow-moving river; it starts at Lake Okeechobee and empties into Florida Bay. The park was established in 1947. The Everglades provide 6,000,000 people living in Florida with drinking water. Before the area became a national park, Gladesmen lived there, surviving off the land by hunting and fishing. Airboats are propelled by gigantic fans. These types of boats are used in the Everglades because of shallow water and vegetation. There are many things to do in the park. Visitors may choose to camp. The park offers a tram tour. Canoe and kayak trails offer a great way to...
Read MoreA Grateful Nation Offers Thanks During the Revolutionary War
Did you know … General George Washington decided to spend the cold winter at Valley Forge. The army camped about twenty miles away from Philadelphia, which had been captured by England. Before ordering his soldiers to build cabins as protection against the cold, he gave a Thanksgiving Proclamation on December 17, 1777. He asked the army to thank God for a recent victory, which they did the next day. During the difficult winter, many men grew sick. Food supplies were so low that the soldiers went without meat for three or four days. A shortage of clothing meant that many couldn’t keep warm. France becomes our friend General Washington heard the wonderful news on May 2, 1778 – France decided to be a friend to the United States in the war against...
Read MoreArches National Park
Over 1,000,000 tourists visit the Arches National Park in Utah every year. They find the amazing natural sandstone arches. Over 2,000 beautiful arches Sandstone arches are large red rock semi-circles. Over 2,000 of these beautiful arches have been discovered inside the park. Some have crumbled over time and others may still be forming. Delicate Arch Delicate Arch is the park’s most famous arch. The opening under the arch is 64 feet in height. Some fun historical names for the arch are Cowboy’s Chaps and Old Maid’s Bloomers. A three-mile trail leads to Delicate Arch. The path passes Wolfe Ranch cabin. Ute Indians carved images (called petroglyphs) into a wall near the trail. Landscape Arch The largest arch is Landscape Arch, which has an...
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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
