Finale
And finally, the last day of the trip. Started off the day at Pipe Spring National Monument, which was new to me, and ended with a glorious sunset in a favorite of favorites, Zion. Pipe Spring is a deeply unique park and one of a handful of units to have a working farm on it, complete with livestock. Beyond that, it interprets the history of the southern Paiute who inhabit the region, and the Mormon settlers that came to settle here and escape religious prosecution in the 19th century. The story details the cooperation and conflict that is a hallmark of the region. Such stories are vital to understanding the United States and how we can learn from our mistakes and build stronger communities for all. And what do I need to say about Zion? Although we only planned to drive through on our way to Vegas and our flights home, Patrick and I both can’t stand Vegas…so why rush through? We spent a fantastic and relaxing afternoon and early evening chasing the fading light through the canyon and marveling at the geological wonderland before us. What a perfect way to end a trip in which we had seen so much- with a day that encapsulated the trip with history and natural grandeur. And isn’t that what the very soul of the National Park Service is, too? Again, a day of perfect encapsulation and symbolism. When I started out on this trip, I was nervous as to what state I would find our National Parks in as they come under threat. What I’ve written during this trip certainly tells that story. What I found was heartening- people love their parks. People will speak up for their parks. People know that their parks tell the full story of the United States, from the bloody and brutal, to the grand and the naturally magnificent. This is engrained into our culture. National Parks are America in every sense of the word- they show what we are and they are part of what we believe what we should be. And what we should maintain and cherish and interpret. It’s going to take a lot more than this single administration of myopia to stop that. Keep fighting. Keep speaking up. These lands are your lands. These stories are your stories. And they always will be. If we keep fighting.
Finale
And finally, the last day of the trip. Started off the day at Pipe Spring National Monument, which was new to me, and ended with a glorious sunset in a favorite of favorites, Zion. Pipe Spring is a deeply unique park and one of a handful of units to have a working farm on it, complete with livestock. Beyond that, it interprets the history of the southern Paiute who inhabit the region, and the Mormon settlers that came to settle here and escape religious prosecution in the 19th century. The story details the cooperation and conflict that is a hallmark of the region. Such stories are vital to understanding the United States and how we can learn from our mistakes and build stronger communities for all. And what do I need to say about Zion? Although we only planned to drive through on our way to Vegas and our flights home, Patrick and I both can’t stand Vegas…so why rush through? We spent a fantastic and relaxing afternoon and early evening chasing the fading light through the canyon and marveling at the geological wonderland before us. What a perfect way to end a trip in which we had seen so much- with a day that encapsulated the trip with history and natural grandeur. And isn’t that what the very soul of the National Park Service is, too? Again, a day of perfect encapsulation and symbolism. When I started out on this trip, I was nervous as to what state I would find our National Parks in as they come under threat. What I’ve written during this trip certainly tells that story. What I found was heartening- people love their parks. People will speak up for their parks. People know that their parks tell the full story of the United States, from the bloody and brutal, to the grand and the naturally magnificent. This is engrained into our culture. National Parks are America in every sense of the word- they show what we are and they are part of what we believe what we should be. And what we should maintain and cherish and interpret. It’s going to take a lot more than this single administration of myopia to stop that. Keep fighting. Keep speaking up. These lands are your lands. These stories are your stories. And they always will be. If we keep fighting.