America the Beautiful

For so long I have dreamt of traveling the world: Australia, Fiji, Italy, Greece, China, Africa...everywhere! But today I realized something... there are SO many beautiful, amazing wonders right here in the United States. I started exploring the National Parks website and realized how many fabulous places there are all around me. Especially since we have so many connections to people around the nation. We live in Utah, I grew up in Ohio, Christopher grew up in Montana, served his mission in Colorado, and our families are in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, California, Arizona & Tennessee.

Since Memorial Day is approaching, I feel even more grateful for the beauty of America because of the men and women who sacrificed their lives for me to live in this nation. My freedom, liberty and right to the pursuit of happiness have instilled in me a new goal. Everywhere I go, I want to take advantage of as many National Park locations as I can. I want learn more about America, I want to see all that our nation has to offer. I have the desire to explore both well-known and hidden wonders.

I dedicate the 2010-2011 year to visiting and capturing the beauty of the United States of America...from sea to shining sea.

Places I would love to go: (many of them have "National Park" after the name & ones with a star I have been to when I was younger, but I want to go again)



UTAH

• Arches


• Zion


• Canyonlands


• Dinosaur


• Lake Powell

CALIFORNIA

• Alcatraz Island


• San Francisco Maritime


• Golden Gate Bridge


• Fort Point


• Channel Islands


• Kings Canyon

NEVADA

• Lake Mead

• Great Basin

• Death Valley

• Red Rocks

ARIZONA

• Grand Canyon*


• Havasupai


• Montezuma Castle


• Navajo Monument


• Sunset Crater Volcano

COLORADO

• Black Canyon


• Mesa Verde


• Rocky Mountain Park


• Colorado Monument

NEW MEXICO

• Aztec Ruins


• White Sands Monument


• El Mapais Monument


• Four Corners

MONTANA

• Bighorn Canyon


• Glacier Park


• Lewis & Clark Trail

WYOMING

• Yellowstone


• Grand Teton

CONNECTICUT

Appalachian Trail

MASSACHUSETTS

• Cape Cod Seashore*


• Boston Harbor Islands


• Wild & Scenic River

MICHIGAN

• Pictured Rocks Lakeshore

OHIO

• Put N' Bay*


• National Aviation Heritage


• Hopewell Culture

PENNSYLVANIA

• Gettysburg*


• Valley Forge*

NEW YORK

• Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty


• Gateway Recreation


• Niagara Falls*

MARYLAND

• Antietam*


• Star Spangled Banner Trail


• Washington DC Memorials*

TENNESSEE

• Big South Fork River


• Great Smoky Mountains

ILLINOIS

• Trail of Tears


• Nauvoo*

INDIANA

• Indiana Dunes Lakeshore

WISCONSIN

• Apostle Islands


• Ice Age Scenic Trail

...ok. Maybe it will take me more than a year. But I just get so excited when I think of all the amazing places America has to offer! (If you have been to any of these places, or have other places you would recommend, please share!)

& Oh, America- you really are beautiful.