So when I was conducting an interview ("Library collection features national parks," East Oregonian, June 2, 2009) about the upcoming opening reception of National Parks of the West, a new collection that opens at the Pendleton Public Library on Thursday, it was all I could do to stay in the moment.
"Most of them are truly national treasures," said Betty Klepper, who donated funding for the project. As I talked to her I thought about my own introduction to the National Park Service, but more important, my re-introduction.
Growing up in California, I'd gone to the Redwoods many times, Redwood National Park wasn't established until 1968, so more than likely my first official visit to a national park was Crater Lake. While I thought it was pretty, as a kid I was more interested in playing with my cousins.
As an adult, I remember flying back from Arizona and the pilot said something about looking out the right window and you could see the Grand Canyon. Well, I could have had I been seated on that side of the plane. So, when John and I went to Arizona the following year during Spring Training, we planned a day trip to the Grand Canyon.
When I walked to the retaining wall and looked over the vast expanse of spectacular rock formations and erosion I was nearly moved to tears. My first thought was, "Why didn't my parents ever bring me here?" However, in retrospect, I'm glad they didn't because I probably would have had the attitude of "been there done that" and missed the beauty that was there.
As much as I enjoyed the experience at the Grand Canyon as an adult, my favorite visit to a national park so far has been Arches National Park. Although, part of that could be because that's when John and I discovered Moab, Utah -- which is a whole different blog.
Anyway, back to the Grand Canyon. I'm almost hesitant to post any photos, because they don't do it justice. The last time we went to the Phoenix area, our friends, Mark and Teri Briley, met us there. We cruised up to the Grand Canyon and stayed overnight at accommodations in the park.
Mark and I even got up before the daybreak to watch sunrise over the Grand Canyon. That was pretty cool. No one really thought I'd get up that early. I actually set two alarms and had a wake-up call.
Another really cool experience was at Carlsbad Caverns - again another blog entry.
Oh yeah, and I've been back to Crater Lake as an adult. And other than getting stopped by the park ranger (I did not steal the pic-a-nic basket) for speeding, it was a very cool experience.
There is no greater treasure than our national parks ... and I felt the same way as you about the Grand Canyon
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