Sequoia & King’s Canyon National Park
by Sandra Merville Hart Sequoia National Park is the second oldest national park. It is located in the Sierra Nevada, which means “snowy mountain range” in Spanish. The California park was established in 1890. About 930,000 people visit each year to see the huge mountains, rugged foothills, canyons, caverns, and the world’s largest trees. Over 200 caves have been discovered in the parks. They are different from other caves in that these formed in marble. Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States but can’t be seen from park roads. The peaks of the Great Western Divide hide it from west side of the park. For the hearty climber, a day-long hide to the top of Alta Peak allows the hiker to see the top of Mount Whitney...
Read MoreKisatchie National Forest
Kisatchie National Forest spreads over 604,000 acres in five Ranger Districts. Louisiana’s only national forest is divided into six separate sections. Kisatchie were members of a Native American tribe The Kisatchie name comes from a Native Americans tribe called Kichai. Members of this tribe called themselves “Kitsatchie.” Bald cypress trees have knees Bald cypress trees thrive in this forest. One fun thing about bald cypresses is that these trees have “knees” that are a special kind of root. Needle-like leaves turn tan or orange in the autumn and fall early in the season. These giant trees grow to 120 feet tall and live up to 600 years. Pine trees scent the air. Groves of bald cypress trees, bayous, prairies, and gently rolling hills...
Read MoreTheodore Roosevelt National Park
If your family is planning a vacation to North Dakota, consider adding a visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Three very different sections in the park The park was first established as a memorial park in 1947 and renamed as a national park in 1978. Three completely different sections make up the park: the North Unit is near Watford City; The South Unit is near Medora; and Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch sits in the middle. The Maah Daah Hey Trail All three sections are connected by the Maah Daah Hey Trail, which in the Mandan Indian language means “an area that will be around for a long time.” This trail is 101 miles long. It connects with seven campgrounds. If you walk the trail, you may see horseback riders, hikers, and bicycle riders. Teddy...
Read MoreYosemite National Park
President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill to preserve Yosemite Valley and a grove of sequoia trees that he had never seen on June 10, 1864. The first tourists to Yosemite Valley traveled four to five days by carriage, horse, and foot from San Francisco. Yosemite known for beautiful waterfalls and sequoias Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 and has 3,700,000 visitors every year. The park is best known for its waterfalls, but also has ancient giant sequoias, vast wilderness, meadows, and valleys. Yosemite Falls is North America’s tallest waterfall At 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America. Melting snow feeds Yosemite Falls and it usually reaches its peak in late May. Giant Staircase The Merced River drops over...
Read MoreJoshua 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...
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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
