Parks and Recreation

I have spent weeks and weeks trying to figure out HOW in the world to make my article go along with the “country music” theme this issue. Could I maybe interview someone in the business who had worked really hard to be fit and stay fit while on the road? Could I maybe go the opposite way and try to find someone in the business who has always struggled with staying fit on the road and maybe do a sort of reverse interview, where they could ask me for advice? So I decided to give Gloria a call. We talked for a while about how she enjoyed my last article on getting our kids outside playing and active rather than sitting on the computer or playing video games all day, and about feeding them healthy food rather than filling them full of junk food because it’s easier for us. Anyway she wanted me to sort of do a “followup” on that and tie it in with things we can do with our families involving this beautiful “country” that we are blessed to live in. (See how that ties in!)

Well, any of you who have children growing up in today’s world realize that the disadvantage of having the world at our  ngertips via the Internet, is that our children do not get to experience the great things about our country that some of us did when we were kids. When I was a little girl we spent every summer taking a camping trip. We didn’t just go to a hotel — we experienced our lakes, rivers, hiking trails —and much more.

So I’ve done some of the leg work for you and looked up our top three national parks and what there is to see and do there. First of all, the number one national park is Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. It’s obvious what there is to see there, but for only 25 dollars you can enter the park and then hike, walk, bike. You can take mule rides or go white-water rafting. Not to mention the amazing scenery.

The second best park is Yellowstone Park in Wyoming. You will need to plan at least a week-long vacation to get through all there is to see at Yellowstone. There are all kinds of wildlife roaming around in this beautiful park, also plenty to do—rafting, hiking, camping,  fishing, etc.

The third one that I found is actually a small one, but I liked it because of all there is to do, not only inside the park but outside as well. It’s Acadia National Park in Maine. Maine on its own is such a beautiful place to visit; this park offers not only the fun and exercise of hiking through the woods, but also fun in the sun on the beach. Then when you run out of things to do in the park, you can venture out to the seaside villages and do some shopping or eat some lobster-flavored ice cream. This is also only about 20 dollars to park and a 12 dollar entrance fee.

I realize that this article is very different than my normal fitness angle, but I want everyone to understand that being well and healthy is NOT just being a gym rat who is there all the time, knows all the machines, and takes all of the classes offered. It is about getting out and enjoying life and the beauty that God has created in us and all around us—not to mention the time and memories you will create and cherish with your family forever.

I am so glad that Gloria and I had this conversation because as I did the research, I was reminded of how big and creative our God is and how much He really must love us to give us this beauty.