How can all of this be accomplished in a few pages? Please, read on, and find out for yourself. The short time in which you journey through, "Now This is God's Country: A Closer Look at National Parks", will be the best moments of your life.

The idea of a national park was considered over a century ago. In the late 1800's, a conservationist by the name of John Muir led a fight to conserve beautiful areas like Yosemite Valley and Yellowstone. He presented the land to Congress in various ways. As a result of his avid persuasions, displays of photographs, descriptions, and paintings, Congress and President Ulysses S. Grant accepted Muir's proposal to make Yellowstone the first national park, in 1872.Thanks to the continued, conservational efforts of John Muir, the citizens of the world are currently enjoying the beauty that this Country has to offer.

Many people have the belief that Yellowstone was the first national park. They are right on this fact, but Yellowstone wasn't the first area of land that was reserved for conservation. In 1864, President Abe Lincoln signed a grant which gave the sequoias of Marisopa Grove to California. Marisopa Grove is located on the southern end of the Yosemite Valley. This acreage of land was established as a park, but it wasn't designated as a national park until 1890; this was merely eighteen years after Yellowstone was established in 1872.

As is obvious by the efforts of political leaders whose hearts were in the outdoors, national parks were started in order to protect the wonders of the land. These leaders gave people the chance to experience the beauty of God's, glorious earth. Today the United States is a proud conserver of over 130 parks, reserves, and monuments. National parks account for fifty-one, of the 130, conserved regions of land. Thanks to the continued efforts of today's political leaders, the national parks of the United States should live on for generations to come.
Like all topics, the topic of national parks has its unknowns. One of them is Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This national park was named after the most environmentally oriented President, in recent, Presidential history. In 1883, Teddy Roosevelt traveled to the North Dakota Badlands, which is where the park is located. Because of his love for the outdoors, Roosevelt spent much of his time in the North Dakota wilderness; he even had his own ranch. The park wasn't established until 1978-many years after Roosevelt's death.

Landscape attractions in the park consist of desert badlands, rolling meadows of prairie grass, and the amazing, natural phenomenon: smoldering coal seams. Once these seams of coal ignite, they can burn for years. This burning of the coal results in smoke seeping out of the ground, which results in an excellent tourist attraction. This North Dakotan national park is home to numerous species of wildlife. Bison, deer, elk, pronghorn, and even wild horses are some of the larger species that dwell in this park. Teddy Roosevelt National Park supplies over 160 miles of backland trails which can be explored by hiking and biking, as well as by horse-back.

The longest of these trails is Maah Daah Hey Trail. It is 120 miles of pure enjoyment; however, some areas of the trail can be a little difficult to traverse. Even the shortest visit to this park would explain why Teddy Roosevelt loved this land so much. The land is rugged, wild, and seemingly untouched by the effects of human intervention. Teddy Roosevelt NP is a relic to North Dakota, not only because it is named after a former President, but also because of the exquisiteness that it preserves.
Yet another of those unknown facts is the Teddy Roosevelt Elk. It so happens that Olympic National Park was almost entitled Elk National Park because it is home to the largest, unmanaged elk herd in the lower forty-eight states.

These wondrous animals were named after Teddy Roosevelt because of his love for nature and desire of conservation. In 1909, Mr. Roosevelt set aside the Olympic area, which is in Washington State, for the protection of these animals. There are currently several thousand of these elk and as was said before, Roosevelt Elk are mainly located in Olympic National Park, but they can be seen as far south as Redwood National Park, which is in the middle California. Ranging in herds of 15-100, these animals are thriving in number. They are larger in size as compared to the Rocky Mountain Elk; however, Roosevelt Elk are more skittish around humans than other types of elk that roam the Country. Despite their being skittish, they can easily be spotted by taking a scenic drive through the park.

On the other hand, those who desire a closer look will face a more difficult challenge. Although their appearance varies little from other elk, one feels as though they are looking at a different breed of animal simply because of the name which these animals have.
The state of Montana wouldn't be what it is today if Glacier National Park wasn't established. Thanks to the efforts of George Bird Grinnell, a 19th century magazine publisher and cofounder of the Audubon Society, Glacier National Park was established in 1910. Located in the St. Mary region of northern Montana, part of Glacier National Park extends into Canada.

This extension was named Waterton Lakes National Park. In the early 1930's, these two parks joined together and gained the title of Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park. Shortly following the parks opening, Glacier Park Lodge was built. The Lodge opened in 1913, and it soon proved to be an excellent tourist attraction. In the lobby area, there were huge columns which reached to the high ceilings. These columns were hewn out of Douglas firs, giving the Lodge a rugged, woodsy look. Glacier National Park was advertised as the "Switzerland of America", because of the beautiful scenery.

For a short time after the parks establishment, the Great Northern Railway was a mode of transport for tourists who visited Glacier. The railway took the people to all luxury hotels, chalets, and campsites. However, due to the extreme winter climate of northern Montana, Glacier has a rather short tourist season. These small numbers of winter tourists caused the park managers to soon realize that the Great Northern Railway was unable to continue operating year-round. Eventually the Great Northern Railway became a seasonal tourist transport for Glacier National Park. This is the summary of Glaciers history. Once one knows what transpired in the past, it helps one to better appreciate what they see today.
As can be inferred by the name, Glacier National Park was named for the fifty-plus glaciers that dwell in its mountains.

The argument is made that the mountains of the park are a result of the supposed Ice Age. It is also said that the current glaciers are remnant proof that the Ice Age was a true occurrence. This story has some questionable areas; regardless or its truth, the wonder of glacier formation still exists. Glacier is also home to more than sixty mammal species. These animals consist of deer, elk, moose, wolves, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, cougars, wolverines, and grizzlies. It is highly possible for one to see many of these species, if they are willing to spend time in the wild. On the other hand, if a person were to take a hike through the park, it would be wise for them to bring a companion, for Glacier is the proud possessor of the highest concentration of grizzlies (about 200 in the 1,013,572 acres of the park) in the lower forty-eight states.

An unexpected, grizzly encounter could have the potential to be dangerous if the right measures aren't taken. Nonetheless, seeing all of these animals in the shadows of the glorious mountains is an encounter of a lifetime. The climate of Glacier is definitely something to reckon with. Summer temperatures range from 30F-90F; these temps allow for some comfortable times while traveling the park. These temperatures also permit the blooming of beauty to arise in the park. With its 1,250+ plant species, Glacier can explicitly show the many hews of creation's colors.

The park is a breathtaking sight during the months from late spring to early fall, but once winter sets in a different look forms. Although the glistening of the snow-covered mountainsides during a peaceful sunset can offer a lovely view, the temperatures and depths of snow would discourage all hopes of enjoyment. With temperatures in the -40'sF, and snow accumulations in the vicinity of 45 feet, this national park's winter season is not for the weak or cold-blooded. For some, the crisp, crackling air can give a feeling of rejuvenation, but for others, spending time in these kinds of temperatures would be nothing short of insanity. Despite its varying weather, the grandeur of its peaks represents the true majesty of God's beautiful Creation. Glacier National Park definitely deserves the title it has been given as, "The Crown of America".

Yellowstone National Park is where it all began; however, with it being the first national park, it was difficult to know what to do with it. Frederick L. Olmstead, the designer of Central Park, believed that the land should be left as it was. For five years Nathaniel Langford served as the parks superintendent, but he didn't receive any pay for his job. Since no one had any previous knowledge on how to maintain a national park, there were no designated park rangers. This allowed for tourists to do as they pleased while visiting. Without any regulations, tourists began to vandalize and destroy the land for their own benefit.

Langford's successor, Philetus Norris, was able to get an appropriation of ten-thousand dollars for the development of the land. He spent a majority of the money on poorly made roadways, leaving a feeble amount for the money's original purpose. Over the years the park saw many superintendents, but none of them contributed any sort of conservational improvement to Yellowstone. Dramatic improvements weren't made until Teddy Roosevelt's first Presidential term; this was thirty-plus years since Yellowstone was established. It wasn't long after these improvements when Yellowstone became what people see today. Today, Yellowstone is one of the most popular national parks, and rightly so.

Yellowstone National Park is home to countless, natural wonders. At Mammoth Hot Springs deposits of calcium carbonate rise to the surface and forms travertine terraces. The calcium carbonate comes from the limestone that gets dissolved by the hot springs. The most well-known of Yellowstone's attractions are the geysers and mud-pots. Old Faithful geyser is the trademark geyser of Yellowstone. It erupts every 75 to 80 minutes. Geysers are steam vents for water that is boiling below the surface. These boiling pockets of water are heated by molten lava.

The lava is much closer to the earth's surface than usual. Yellowstone's lava is just two miles below the ground; whereas in other areas, it is fifteen miles below the ground. Steamboat Geyser is the world's tallest geyser. Spewing steam to a height of 400ft., it is three times the size of Old Faithful, but it only erupts every few years. The mud-pots are also heated by the boiling water, but they are made of acidic gases that have dissolved the rocks and clay. These are solely the geological wonders of the park; Yellowstone is also the proud owner of beautiful scenery. The grand mountains and forests of Yellowstone help demonstrate why the park was first established so many years ago.

Just a few miles west of Yellowstone are the Grand Tetons. Grand Teton National Park is a spectacle of true beauty and majesty. This forty mile strip of land consists entirely of jagged, rocky mountains which reach their pinnacles to the sky; these mountains are called Teton Range. The three major peaks are in a four mile span called the Cathedral Group. All three summits reach heights in excess of 12,000 feet. These peaks are entitled: Grand Teton, Mount Owen, and Teewinot Mountain.

Grand Teton stands the highest at a towering elevation of 13,770 feet. Although the summits of these mountains all reach above 12,000 feet, the rest of Teton Range averages around 8,000 feet. While this is still a grand height, it seems even higher because of the geography of the land. Teton Range doesn't possess any foothills; therefore, the rolling meadows lead right into a sudden increase in gradient. This stark change from flatland to mountainous terrain makes the grandeur of Teton Range ever so evident.

Grand Teton National Park is also part of the National Elk Refuge. The National Elk Refuge is a home for more than 7,000 elk. This is approximately half of the Jackson Hole elk herd; which ranges throughout Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Migratory herds of 200+ elk filter down from the mountains in order to spend the cold, hard winters in the protection of the lower elevations. The National Elk Refuge serves an excellent purpose by giving the elk a means of year-round survival. With its many, avid supporters, the Refuge should continue to provide a haven to all of the animals that live inside of its borders.

Like all national parks, Grand Teton offers numerous ways to view the land. Instead of soaking up the beauty from roads and parking lots, why not take a little hike or climb? Grand Tetons offers over 230 miles of hiking trails, and by looking at the mountains, you can just imagine all of the climbing opportunities. Furthermore, it is said the only the most spectacular views can be witnessed by hikers. For those who are a little less adventurous, yet still like to be close to nature, there are numerous campgrounds and lodges that can provide and excellent getaway for those who simply seek some rest and relaxation. Despite all of these different ways to spend time in Grand Teton National Park, most of its visitors are people who are simply just passing through.

These passer-through tourists account for approximately two-thirds of the park's 3.5 million annual visitors. Nonetheless, the recreational and scenic opportunities of this park are unreal. The Grand Tetons may not contain as many hiking trails, camp sites, lodges, or climbing expeditions as other national parks, but the views and experiences gained in the time spent in its chattels will be far better than many other parks can boast.

Grand Canyon National Park possesses beauty and history beyond comprehension. In 1869 and 1871, the first systematic explorations of the Grand Canyon were conducted by Major John Wesley Powell. However, the first official expedition was conducted in 1880. Clarence Dutton was the leader of this outfit, which was the first geological survey. As a result of the explorations made by Powell, Dutton, and many other men, approximately 2,700 archeological sites have been located in the depths of the Grand Canyon. When President Theodore Roosevelt visited the Canyon in 1903, he immediately began a move for its conservation. Finally being established as a national park in 1919, the Grand Canyon became one of the most visited national parks in the Country. The Canyon now receives nearly five million annual visitors. This colossal number helps demonstrate the attraction to the Canyon's magnificence.

Countless people are aware of the grand waterway known as the Colorado River. The Colorado River is the main waterway of the Grand Canyon. The beginning of the Colorado is in Wyoming, and out of its 1,700 mile total length, only 277 of those miles flow through the Grand Canyon. From beginning to end of those 277 miles, the River drops a total of 1,900 feet. The amount of daily sediment which runs through this 277 mile segment is, approximately, 40,000 tons.

Besides being the main waterway of the Canyon, the Colorado River is also a choice favorite among white-water rafters. There are parts of the River that would deliver a peaceful boat-ride, but the sections of white-water are some of the roughest waters that can be navigated in a raft; they score a ten on the one to ten white-water rafting, difficulty scale. Although areas of its waters are powerful and swift, not a single person could deny the beauty possessed by the Colorado River as it flows through the gorges and canyons of Grand Canyon National Park.

None would argue the awesome wonder of Grand Canyon National Park, but there are varying beliefs on its formation. The two main beliefs are those of Creationists and Evolutionists. Those who put their faith in evolution would fervently argue that the Grand Canyon is 1.7 billion years old. They would also say that the Canyon was formed from the constant erosion caused by the Colorado River. This supposed 1.7 billion years of erosion, resulted in the Grand Canyon as we know it today. Another hypothesis that would be stated by evolutionists is that the sediment layers of the Canyon walls are between 570 million to 1.7 billion years old. These arguments are nothing more than faith based. Due to their disbelief and distrust in God, evolutionists put their faith in their hypotheses.

There is also the standpoint of the Creationists: they belief that the Grand Canyon was formed in a matter of days. One who puts his faith in Creation would tell you that the Canyon is a result of a world-wide flood. This flood took place just a few thousand years ago. In the Bible, Genesis chapter seven explains how the waters covered the earth. If 277 miles of the Colorado River can daily move 40,000 tons of sediment, then it wouldn't be too big of a stretch to believe that a world-wide, mountain covering flood, could remove enough sediment from the surface of the earth to form the Grand Canyon. Also, there is a man by the name of Dr. Kent Hovind who believes that the formation of the sediment layers in the Canyon walls can be scientifically proven.

He explains how different sediments have different densities. If a cup of gravelly dirt were to be poured into a glass of water, the different sediments in the dirt, if given a few hours, would separate into various layers. The heavier sediments would be at the bottom; whereas the lighter sediments would be at the top. This would explain the sediment layers of the Grand Canyon.

However, the beliefs of Creationists and Evolutionists are both based on faith. Creation may appear have more proof than evolution, but neither belief can be stated as fact.
Despite the varying theories and beliefs, the Grand Canyon will always be a spectacle of beauty. This park is a sincere relic of the American West. Whatever your personal convictions may be, they do not detract from the splendor, majesty, and superb glory, of Grand Canyon National Park.

With Yosemite Valley once referred to as the, "grandest of all the special temples of nature", Yosemite National Park is home to many, naturally wonderful spectacles of beauty that can't be found anywhere else on Earth. Some of these beauties manifest themselves in the form of mountains. Half-Dome is an exposed cliff which reaches a height of 2,000 feet-it looks just like its name. Cathedral Rocks are another of Yosemite's rocky gems. They raise above Yosemite Valley with the grandeur of a great cathedral, thence their title. Then there is the trademark of Yosemite: the sheer rock wall known as El Capitan. It rises a vertical 7,569 feet above the valley floor. With Cathedral Rocks and El Capitan standing tall on either side of Yosemite Valley, they form the "Gates of the Valley". When one stands at the entrance of this gate, they come to realize the true meaning of magnificence. Nothing more could add to this beauty than the huge waterfalls.

Out of the thirteen waterfalls in Yosemite National Park, three of them rank among the five highest in the world. These three are: Yosemite Falls, Setinel Falls, and Ribbon Fall. Yosemite is number one at a height of 2,425 feet, second place goes to Setinel, with a drop of 2,000 feet, and lastly is Ribbon, from top to bottom it measures 1,612 feet. To find a view on God's, glorious earth, which could compare to the view of these waterfalls, would be a futile task.

The southern tip of Yosemite National Park connects with Marisopa Grove. Marisopa Grove is a forest kingdom which houses the largest trees in the world. Giant Sequoias, Dogwoods, Redwoods, Sugar Pines, and other trees, stretch their limbs in this conserved forest. The relic of Marisopa Sequoias is Grizzly Giant. This 2,700 year-old tree stands 209 feet above the forest floor. In its old age it represents the durability and grandeur of the world's tallest trees. The towering trees, splendid waterfalls, and rugged mountains, form the most beautiful park of the American West: Yosemite National Park.

With many of its rolling peaks standing above 6,000 feet, and mist rising from its depths, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the greatest spectacle of the Eastern States. It is the most extensive area of forest, in the United States, to be untouched by loggers. Its escape from loggers and its 1,630 species of flora, give this national park the true meaning of a wild, rugged land untouched by man. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a sanctuary for a collage of wildlife. Red wolves, wild boars, black bears, bobcats, and other mammals, freely roam this lush haven. This park also holds 800 miles of woodland trails, many of which belong to the Appalachian Trail. The Great Smokies are a magnificent, heavenly piece of the Appalachian chain, resulting in them being unofficially, yet commonly referred to as, "The Rockies of the East".

Whether you're in the "Eastern Rockies", or on the western plains, the Country's national parks can be viewed in many ways; one popular way is by train. The two major railways that run through many of the national parks are Amtrak and the American Orient Express. Amtrak has numerous rails that run through the West. One of the more famous trains is the Empire Builder. The Empire Builder rides the rails of the once existent Great Northern Railway. It starts in Chicago and gradually works its way up through the northern states, ending in either Seattle or Portland. Amtrak has a partnership with the National Park Service called Trails & Rails.

The purpose of this partnership is for the benefit of Amtrak passengers. It is a program which provides educational opportunities on the natural and cultural history of America and promotes an appreciation of nature. One of the national parks that can be viewed from the comfort of the Empire's railcars is Glacier National Park. The best way to enjoy the scenery is by sitting in the Empire's Sightseer Lounge. Riding the rails in the Empire Builder is one of the best ways to enjoy a delightfully scenic train ride.

The American Orient Express has been around for decades. When national parks were first started, the American Orient Express was the main mode of getting to the parks. In the past twenty years this railway has undergone some major renovations. The cars have been structurally and internally redesigned and repainted. This rail-line is one of the best, possible ways to experience the American West. The American Orient Express travels through Rocky Mountain National Park, Zion National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park, as well as many others. It also visits the historic site: Promontory Point. With its supreme service and elegant travel facilities, the American Orient Express is the first class of train travel.

Another way to view national parks is by foot. Hikers and climbers flock to America's national parks. But they don't visit just any park; they go to the best parks. Hikers who are looking for a good challenge should try visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The Badlands of this park can be a beast to traverse. Some of the rockier, mountainous national parks can also provide a good challenge. Places such as Rocky Mountain National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offer some great views and tough trails. However, for the less adventurous hiker, each national park offers a series of shorter, easier trails.

Some of these trails only take a day to hike. For those who desire explicitly spectacular scenery and untouched wildness, Yosemite is one of the best. Two of climber's favorites, because of their rugged challenge: El Capitan and Half Dome. These vertical walls of rock take days to climb. Climbers must use cliff-side beds for their nights in the suspended air. Those who would like to test their skills before attacking these rocky monsters, should try their hand at climbing El Capitan's little, eastern brother, the sheer wall of Appalachian rock known as Seneca Rocks. Seneca Rocks is located in the Appalachians of West Virginia. It is also a vertical climb, but it isn't nearly as tall. Still, climbing up its 1,000+ foot face can be quite an experience. Whether you're hanging from El Capitan or trudging through woodland forests, nothing is better than viewing national parks in their raw form.

Despite the efforts of the U.S. Forest Service, national parks have been transformed into something other than places where one can view the raw, untouched land. The purpose of these parks is to serve as places where people can observe nature at it's finest. National parks now seem to have taken the title of real estate properties that people enjoy merely for recreation. This is all well and good, but their recreational endeavors are beginning to have an effect on the land. If people are allowed to continue in their delirious forms of entertainment, then the beauty and grandeur of the high peaks and flowing meadows will become the rural version of suburbia.

Enjoying the parks for recreation is far from unlawful, but measures need to be taken in order to restrict people from taking things to the excessive. For example; in 1980, a General Management Plan was adopted for Yosemite National Park. The purpose of this plan was to lower the amount of urban development in the park. In 1989, a report was given on the progress of this plan. The report revealed that after nine years, many of the plan's goals had not yet been met. During this same time, the government spent $76 million on water lines, sewer systems, and other such things that were being installed in Yosemite. This is far from conserving the land.

New steps need to be taken in order for the national parks of the world to be in existence for generations to come. People need to gather together and lend their services in restoring national parks to their original form. Recreation doesn't have to be eliminated, but it does need to be conservatively controlled. Allowing people to devastate the land by littering up campsites, building numerous sewer systems, erecting large resorts, and constructing new roads, should be brought to a halt. If the right steps aren't taken, the goal and purpose of national parks will be extinguished.
National parks represent the true majesty of the earth. The towering peaks and lush meadows show the wonders of nature. All of these parks are rejuvenating places. To stand in the presence of their natural wonders is genuinely inspiring. As the great Theodore Roosevelt once said:

"Defenders of the short-sighted men who in their greed and selfishness will, if permitted, rob our country of half its charm by their reckless extermination of all useful and beautiful wild things sometimes seek to champion themselves by saying 'the game belongs to the people.' So it does; and not merely to the people now alive, but to the unborn people. The 'greatest good for the greatest number' applies to the number within the womb of time, compared to which those now alive form but an insignificant fraction. Our duty to the whole, including the unborn generations, bids us restrain an unprincipled present-day minority from wasting the heritage of these unborn generations. The movement for the conservation of wild life and the larger movement for the conservation of all our natural resources are essentially democratic in spirit, purpose, and method."

Your journey has now come to an end. Were these previous moments the best moments of your life? Maybe you are someone who has previous knowledge of many of the things which were discussed in this report; however, there is always room to gain more knowledge. Nature's assets need to be treated with a humble respect for their origin. To live our lives destroying these natural wonders which God has placed on this earth, would be an act of poor stewardship. God has designated us human beings to be the caretakers of the earth. John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt, John Wesley Powell, and others, all lived up to this designation. Let us do the same, not only for our benefit, but for the sole purpose of glorifying God, and being faithful stewards. Whoever you may be, and whatever your beliefs, living life in the presence of such glorious splendor carries with it a feeling of sincere thankfulness to the One who has placed such grandeur in this Country.