Page 14 - AAA Central Penn – AAA Now! September/October 2015

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Magnificent National Parks
On the Trail to Authentic America
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Few countries in the world can measure up to
the United States’ impressive array of alluring travel destinations. American vacation possibilities reach from soft sand beaches along our Atlantic coast to the rugged Rocky Mountains range and from the lush rainforests of the Pacific Northwest to the sun-bleached deserts of the Great Southwest. This is America the Beautiful, after all, and you rarely have to travel far to witness a scene so spectacular that it literally takes your breath away.
Despite the magnetism of popular cities with their cosmopolitan cultural attractions, it is easily argued that America’s authentic beauty is most striking
in her dozens of national parks. The National Park Service safeguards more than 400 sites including parks, seashores, battlefields, monuments, and other locations or entities boasting historic, cultural and ecological significance. These treasured sites drew
a record number of visitors in 2014, and since the National Park Service will be celebrating its 100th anniversary on August 25, 2016 and throughout the year, why not join the national celebration!
Don’t let their popularity and growing attendance scare you away; there is plenty of open space for everyone at these inspiring destinations. Protected from the encroaching development of the outside world, these parks are about as close to unadulterated nature as you can get. The air is fresh, the wildlife is flourishing, and the dramatic scenery is unforgettable. From Yosemite’s El Capitan in California to Acadia’s Cadillac Mountain in Maine, each national park’s distinctive character and intrinsic charm create a crown of jewels spanning the U.S.A.
Let’s take a quick look at a few diverse Western national parks and recreation areas that deserve prominent positions on your must-see list:
The Grand Canyon: Even the most spectacular photos cannot do justice to this expansive and seemingly endless panorama of geologic grandeur. Unquestionably one of the world’s seven natural wonders, this masterpiece of erosion has been crafted for the better part of two billion years, about half
of Earth’s total life span. The mighty Colorado River continues to carve its 277-mile path along the base of the canyon, while the canyon’s flat top rims, one mile above, appear to play hide-and-seek with the clouds when viewed from their jagged edges or far below. The sheer immensity of this American icon is guaranteed to remind visitors just how small they really are.
Yellowstone National Park: The quintessential national park, Yellowstone is simply gorgeous and seemingly limitless with extensive remote areas to
which you can escape from the park’s more attended attractions. Most famous for Old Faithful and its other geysers and hot springs, this park also has expansive meadows and forests. Yellowstone is home to the country’s largest free-ranging herds of bison and elk as well as flourishing populations of wolves, grizzlies, antelope and moose.
Grand Teton National Park: Located directly south
of Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park is the less- crowded little brother with just as much allure. Boasting 12 glacier-carved summits, the incomparable Grand Teton mountain itself, and one of the most famous natural skylines in the United States, this park’s visitors will find themselves lost in a tranquil wilderness of rocky peaks, glistening lakes and sky-high forests. Keep your eyes and cameras on the lookout for the abundant – but sometimes elusive – wildlife including bear, moose, marmot and grouse. Fortunately, tranquil Jenny Lake is forever pleased to pose for panoramic photos.
Zion National Park: The towering white and red cliffs of Zion Canyon make up one of Utah’s most vibrant natural landscapes. As Zion’s elevations range from 3,666 - 8,726 feet, the park features a diversity
vistas, Rocky Mountain National Park is an archetypal wilderness. There are no touristy bells and whistles here, just a wealth of wildlife, with moose, big horn sheep and elk in an undeveloped playground for nature lovers. You can hike trails beneath Longs Peak, one of Colorado’s 58 formidable “Fourteeners” (peaks exceeding 14,000 feet), dance along pebbled streams, and enjoy a steaming cup of hot cocoa in the fresh morning air. It doesn’t get any more real than this!
Whether you arrive at these or other national parks in a private car, motorcycle, RV or a guided motorcoach tour, plan now to travel a trail to create magnificent memories!
of eco-zones where lush vegetation thrives and the majestic rock formations are set beside meadows of mesa-top wildflowers and hanging gardens.
Lake Powell: Part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Lake Powell is the country’s second- largest reservoir. About 1,960 miles of shoreline mark a sharp contrast against prominent red rock formations, vivid desert scenery and bluntly-cut canyons. Lake Powell is famous for its house- boating, but it is host to other potential aquatic activities, including scenic cruises that glide through the narrow sandstone turns of Antelope Canyon.
Rocky Mountain National Park: Offering some of the country’s best mountain
AMERICA’S MAGNIFICENT NATIONAL PARKS
Celebrating the 100-Year Anniversary of the National Parks Service
August 27 – September 11, 2016
HIGHLIGHTS:
Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon National Park, Las Vegas, Grand Teton National Park, Zion Canyon, Yellowstone, Cody, Deadwood
Join AAA Central Penn for a Special Presentation on November 4, 2015
2:00 p.m. – AAA Estelle Drive 6:00 p.m. – AAA Progress Avenue RSVP: 888-746-4566
For more information or reservations, contact your local AAA Central Penn office.
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