National Parks

chrisazimmer asked:

This is a compilation of pictures taken during our visit to Yellowstone National Park in June/July 2003. Included are pictures of mud volcanoes, many geysers from the Upper Geyser basin (including Old Faithful), the Old Faithful Inn, the upper and lower falls, and many other sights. It is truly one of the great natural wonders of the world! Please stop by and visit my blog: chriszimmer.blogspot.com

DARREL

Paul McIndoe asked:


When a survey last year asked the British public for their ideas for a national motto, the responses were typically British in their irony and wit. Suggestions such as ‘Unity in individuality’, ‘Smile! You’re on CCTV’ and ‘Mustn’t Grumble’ were just some of the phrases that the public supplied as their expressions of twenty-first century Britain.

If national mottos are anything to go by as a reflection of the country itself, Costa Rica’s ‘Pura Vida’ promises a lot indeed. Literally translated, ‘Pura Vida’ means ‘Pure Life’, and certainly seems to express very concisely exactly why Costa Rica has shot to fame in the tourism and Ecotourism industries in the past few years.

Home to twenty-six National Parks (and yet covering only a miniscule 0.1% of the world’s total landmass), Costa Rica has managed to protect almost a quarter of its national territory under government legislation - more than any other country in the world - making it a popular destination for the increasing numbers of Ecotourists looking to become more ‘one with nature’.
The National Parks themselves are not merely numerous, but also cater for lots of different type of holidaymaker, offering a wide-range of different natural attractions. Whether you wish to see a variety of different creatures in their natural habitats, like the turtle beaches, frog swamps and jaguar rainforests of Tortuguero National Park, or whether you wish to snorkel around beautiful coral and crumbling shipwrecks at Cahuita; Costa Rica has it all. From the mountains of Irazu, upon which you can view both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean at once (it really is possible!), to the Volcano at Arenal – one of the few places in the world where you’ll cross your fingers and actually hope for a volcanic eruption – the National Parks of Costa Rica offer something for everyone.

As if the vast array of natural sights weren’t enough, Costa Rica also offers a teeming metropolis in the form of its capital San Jose, a city rife with culture and history. Directly in the middle of Costa Rica, and therefore in easy distance of many of the great National Parks, San Jose is the centre of (human!) activity in the country. The city offers some more conventional tourist attractions, such as the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica, or National Theatre of Costa Rica, which has musical and dramatic performances throughout the week, as well as several museums, such as the Gold Museum, which showcases a number of gold artifacts from ancient civilisations. For those who are daunted by the prospect of camping with jaguars at the foot of active volcanoes, there are also many hotels in San Jose offering a safe haven from feline predators!

San Jose, then, offers not only the chance to study the history of this country from man’s perspective, but also serves as a great base for those who wish to ‘go wild’ and witness first-hand the natural history of the best-preserved country on the planet.



NICOLAS

AnythingGoesProd asked:

A video tour of Yosemite National Park. Shot in 2007.

LUCIANO

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


In general taking a vacation for many of us means visiting other countries. It is however possible to enjoy a relaxing vacation in a location that is closer to home. You will find that as nothing can compare to becoming one with nature there are lots of national parks which you can have your holiday in. Of these many national parks you might want to consider visiting Glacier National Park and staying at a Glacier National Park lodging.

To help you have a great time at this national park you will find many different types of lodgings. Each of these will have amenities which will fit well in your budget. Some of the Glacier National Park lodging will have executive style rooms, wet bars, solariums and other facilities.

There are also some lodgings which resemble hotels but on a scaled down size. All in all you will discover that you have a choice of roughly 20 to 30 different places where you can stay. These holiday lodgings will provide you with all of the needs that many people look for when they are going on holiday.

Of all of these holiday facilities you will find that the Lake McDonald Lodge is the most requested and highly popular Glacier National Park lodging.

To help you have a great time at this national park you will find many different types of lodgings. Each of these will have amenities which will fit well in your budget. Some of the Glacier National Park lodging will have executive style rooms, wet bars, solariums and other facilities.

You will need to see if the Glacier National Park lodging is one that you will be able to afford. This is vital as you will need to stay in these places while you are in the park. Once you have found the lodging which is most appropriate you will need to check out other facts.

These facts will be ones like how far away from food stores are the lodgings located. Additionally you will need to be able to reach the various sights with ease. since the main reason why people visit national and state parks is to see the various sights of interest that can be found it is best if the Glacier National Park lodging is not too far.

Now once you have found out all of this information you will need to see if there are any vacancies available. You should think about coordinating your vacation time along with that of the free days. By planning ahead with this fact in mind you will be able to choose which Glacier National Park lodging you are going to be staying in.



GALEN

amclean1124 asked:


Planning a getaway in Feb. Can you suggest a National Park?

RICK

DrBlizzardo asked:

Written directed and produced by Donald B. MacGowan; Narrated by Frank Burgess; Original Musical Score by Donald B. MacGowan Can you believe this? It’s absolutely outstanding and amazing! You can actually walk right up to flowing lava here; see a volcano erupt before your eyes and the molten rock pour into the sea. This has to be one of the four or five most exciting, amazing, wonderful, mystical experiences on earth…you must not miss this! Mauna Loa is active but not currently erupting …

MORRIS

MIKE SELVON asked:


If nature is going to be preserved, new national parks are going to be needed throughout the world. The good news is that these parks are being created on a yearly basis. They are designed for a number of reasons, ranging from the protection of ecosystems to the remembrance of historical accomplishments.

The newest of these national parks are found on extreme northern Labrador. Created in January 2005, the Torngat Mountains National Park Reserve is the baby of the Canadian National Parks system. This park is a gift of Inuit land consisting of two distinct landscapes: the gentle Georgian Plateau formed by receding glaciers, and the spectacular Torngat Mountains.

The mountains are amongst the most rugged in North America. Along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, a hiker would find an untamed coastline where cliffs seem to erupt 900 meters out of the sea, and fjords jutting up to 80 miles inland. Massive icebergs can sometimes be seen ferrying along the coast.

This 3100 square kilometer park does whatever it takes to make an explorer seem small while expressing the grandeur of nature at its most beautiful and dangerous.

If you are looking for a place to witness firsthand many ecosystems living together, the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado are an excellent example of a national park that has a bit of everything. While the dunes were designated a national monument in 1932, they were not officially labeled a national park until September, 2004.

This was done so that the surrounding areas could be protected. The dunes are tall and move at a very rapid rate. In fact, one dune has recently taken over a forest. Little green tips of tress can be seen coming out of the dunes.

Medano Creek is also a very appealing attraction to tourists, especially when the weather is hot. A refreshing swim in the stream is a relaxation not to be missed after a long hike. If you want to see one of the most beautiful national parks in the country, visit the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado.

The Canadian national park that has the distinction of being one of the most remote is the Ukkusiksalik National Park found in northern Nunavut. It can only be reached by plane making it also one of the most untouched national parks.

Previously inhabited by Inuits until the 1960’s, this twenty thousand plus square kilometer swath of land became an official national park in 2003.

For those ambitious adventurers willing to travel to this park, you’ll be rewarded with such features as reversing falls, 8 meter high tides, a 24 foot waterfall that freezes in the winter, and archaeological sites of previous Inuit inhabitants.

Also, nature abounds in this northern habitat with polar bears, seals, caribou, and over 100 different species of birds.

These are only a few of the new national parks that you can witness firsthand. Areas still untouched by man are difficult to find and disappearing quickly. If you would like to learn more about Canadian national parks and be a part of history in the making, visit www.pc.gc.ca. For American parks, stop by www.nps.gov to find more information.



MYLES

Alligator asked:


I am going to be hiking from Yosemite Valley to Sequoia National Park. Then from Sequoia National Park I need to somehow get to Las Vegas. What would be the easiest and least expensive way. Bus, Train, or renting a car. Also what city would I have to go to? Thanks

ENRIQUE

MIKE SELVON asked:


Not all national parks in Canada are cut from the same cloth. They are as diverse as the country is wide. From the east coast of Newfoundland to the farthest reaches of the Northwest Territories, you will find something for every taste and budget. There are too many to name all national parks in Canada but below are three popular ones you shouldn’t miss.

Cape Breton Highlands, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Driving along the Cabot Trail that skirts the rocky cliffs of the northern coast of Cape Breton, you feel like you stepped out of North America and into the Scottish Highlands. What you have to look forward to in this Canadian national park are breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, rolling green mountains, steep roads, deep valleys, and enough scenery to fill a photo album (or your digital memory card).

The Cape Breton Highlands are also home to several family-friendly trails and beaches, and is the location of the best public golf course in Canada, the Highland Links.

Of all national parks, the Cape Breton Highlands National Park should be seen to be appreciated. Please visit your national parks website for more information or check out the Parks Canada website.

Banff National Park, Banff, Alberta

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains along the border of Alberta and British Columbia just an hour and a half-drive from Calgary, you will find the first Canadian national park and the third of all national parks worldwide ever established.

This 6641 square kilometer (2564 square mile) park boasts some of the most impressive peaks of the Rockies (Castle Mountain), year-round refreshing hot springs, world class downhill skiing (Lake Louise), renowned glaciers (Columbia Icefield), and wildlife. This popular park is a must-see destination for anyone who enjoys skiing, hiking, or just relaxing.

All national parks in this area of Canada have the Rocky Mountains as the backdrop to their canvas but only this one can claim to be the first of all Canadian national parks. So be the first in your community to explore this great park and please visit your national parks website to plan your trip today.

Mount Revelstoke National Park, Revelstoke, British Columbia

Mount Revelstoke stands on the west side to the Rocky Mountains and is where you can find the world’s only inland temperate rainforest. Here you will see some of the oldest natural environments in the world.

Mount Revelstoke has three areas in its park that are named after their elevation: Rainforest, Snowforest, and No Forest. As you travel higher through the park, any rain that might be falling turns to snow.

The spectacular sight of ancient forests below from the highest point of the park is amazing to behold. Another wonderful sight are the giant cedar trees on the Giant Cedars Nature Trail, a half-kilometer path that has 500 year-old trees as thick as a car.

For more information, please visit your national parks website for Mount Revelstoke.

Visiting a Canadian national park is like visiting all national parks - it is a welcome refuge from the daily grind. We have only looked at a few of the many things to see in the broad and diverse land that is known as Canada.



SHELTON