You saw the movie (well, mini-series), now get the book.  And a DVD of the mini-series and the original soundtrack.
The book, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, is companion piece to the mini-series, but is also capable of standing on its own merits.  It is a captivating visual reminder of the very best that we have to offer.  Ken Burns is a marvelous storyteller, and he has captured the essence of who we are as a society in the series and book.  In his introduction he speaks about the park system, “for the first time in human history, land–great …read more

In 1848 the First Woman’s Right Convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York, as five women organized a meeting to protest the laws and customs that discriminated against women.  Thus began the crusade for equality and suffrage.  While those determined, courageous women are long gone, a visit to Seneca Falls today will still allow you to come face to face with their images at the Women’s Rights National Park.
You’ll get to “meet” the women via a group of bronze figures created by sculptor Lloyd Lily.  The figures include Elizabeth Cady Stanton (who was one of the authors of the …read more

Master of the documentary film, Ken Burns, launches another fabulous mini-series on PBS.  If you’ve been a fan of any of his previous work (Baseball, The Civil War, The War), you’ll won’t want to miss “National Parks: America’s Best Idea,”  This 12 hours series is shown in 2-hour segments starting Sunday, September 27th at 8 pm.
Mary McNamara, entertainment writer at the LA Times, offers a review of the series, and it sounds like we can expect some pretty impressive photography.  It looks to be another winner for Burns!
I visited woefully few of the National Parks, getting the ones close …read more

Enjoy viewing the sights and the  colorful gardens around the Netherlands Carillon, on the Virginia shore of the Potomac River.  This spot borders the northern end of Arlington National Cemetery (adjacent to the US Marine Corps War Memorial), and overlooks the District of Columbia.
Among thousands of tulips on the grounds, along with lots of other flowers,  is a bell tower — a carillon — that was a gift to our country from the Netherlands.  There are 50 bells in the carillon, the largest about 7 feet in diameter and weighing in and over 12,000 pounds, and the smallest measuring …read more

If you enjoy using our National Parks, help your kids appreciate these national treasures by getting them involved in the Junior Ranger Essay Contest sponsored by the National Park Foundation.
Students aged 9 to 12 are asked to answer the question:
Why are our national parks important to you and what is your best idea to protect our parks for the future.
Essays must be no more than words in length, and must be submitted by May 1st, 2009.  Read the judging criteria and other details, as well as submit your entry online.
First Prize is a $1,000 Visa gift card and the …read more

Location: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens at Anacostia Park Destination: Washington, DC  Country: United States Year Taken: 2007
Photographer: Jon Rochetti Blog: The DC Traveler
 
After the Civil War, W.B. Shaw, purchased a 37-acre farm in the marshlands on the edge of the Washington, DC.  On the land, Shaw grew over 60 varieties of water lilies.
Purchased by the Federal Government in 1938, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is the only National Park to grow and display cultivated aquatic plants.
Besides the many varieties of lilies and aquatic flowers that bloom all summer, over 150 …read more

 
Location: Eleanor C. Laurence park in Fairfax County  Destination: Northern Virginia Country: United States Year Taken: 2008
Photographer: Jon Rochetti Blog: The DC Traveler
A friendly deer checking out the hikers and bikers along one of Northern Virginia’s many hiking trails.
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