|
We wish everyone a very happy 4th of July and hope that you get to spend the holiday relaxing and enjoying the day with friends and family. For today's email we thought it would be fun to share our favorite outdoor places in America as they're one of America's greatest treasures and their protection is what inspired us to start ODP in the first place. Keep reading to find out Monica, Miro, and our superstar intern Rae's most cherished spots and how we would spend an ideal day there.
Because of the holiday, we will be doing shorter posts for the rest of the week so we can spend some time with our own families, but we'll be back to our regular coverage bright and early Monday morning!
|
|
 Forests
|
|
|
Blue Ridge Overlook, Wintergreen Mountain Photo: Monica Medina
|
|
Monica: A HIke in Blue Ridge's George Washington National Forest
I began to love the mountains well into adulthood. As a kid growing up in Atlanta, summers to me meant the beach and as an adult, I just kept repeating the familiar. Until one year when our family vacation had to be totally re-arranged because of my husband's work - he had to stay behind. So my kids and I decided to try some lesser-known spots closer to home. Which led us to visit Wintergreen Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. I could not get enough. The views from 3500 feet up give me a sense of serenity (not my natural state!) and awe. I never tire of those mountains -- this is what it means to see purple mountain majesty! The colors, the sunsets, the fresh air, the smell of the woods, the rustle of the breeze through the leaves in the trees, the gurgling of a small mountain stream -- these treats for the senses never disappoint. We now visit often.
At first, I would drag my kids hiking on a small segment of the Old Appalachian Trail, which is easy even for a family. But now my kids are busy so it is mostly me and our dogs, Sophie and Sadie, and sometimes my husband. We love the lookout where our dogs are sitting below -- it is affectionately known in our house as "Dad's Thinking Spot" -- which is the name someone gave it with a sign on one of the trees. It's Mom's thinking spot too. And whenever we are there I visit it and sit for a spell, and think about how lucky I am to be able to soak in this view.
|
|
 Land
|
|
Miro: Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes National Seashore is about an hour drive north of San Francisco but its stunning views, cool lingering fog, and diverse pristine ecosystems make it a world away from the big city. What I find most special about Point Reyes is that you can hike from majestic redwoods to rolling pastureland (with grazing cows!) and end at the beach to experience tide pools teeming with life. Aside from Point Reyes being a great viewing spot for grey whales and elephant seals it's also home to tule elk which are a species found only in California. From August to October you can readily view the elk and hear the males bugling through the mist, it's magical!
I grew up going to these beaches and breathing in the crisp, salty, and woodsy air when I first get out of the car is still one of my favorite things. My ideal day here would include a hike along the Bolinas Ridge Trail, followed by lunch and fresh oysters (get the bbq with garlic butter too!) by the water at the Marshall Store and I'd end by dipping my toes in the chilly water at Drake's Beach. Make sure you bring a jacket on your trip and swing by one of the numerous dairies in the area to pick up some delicious cheeses to enjoy when you get home!
|
|
|
Photo Cred: Kurt Bardella (who doesn't eat oysters but is kind enough to indulge my love of them)
|
|
 Oceans
|
|
Rae: Dry Tortugas National Park
About 70 nautical miles off the coast of Key West is the Dry Tortugas National Park! It is probably one of the most remote parks in the country but is definitely worth the trip. Crystal clear waters surround the 100-square mile park that is mainly comprised of small islands and home to Fort Jefferson. In fact, less than 1% of the park is actually dry land, most of it is below the surface! This is one of the few national parks created to protect marine! If you are looking for a great place to scuba dive or snorkel, look no further--the Dry Tortugas is home to amazing shipwrecks and immaculate marine life. As a coral fanatic & lover, an ideal day there for me would be to scuba dive! I’d visit some of my favorite dive sites like the ‘Windjammer’ and take a lunch break at the Fort. I feel like there is never enough time in the day, so I’d definitely spend most of it trying to explore the reefs (if not the fort)! I would also love to spend the night and camp at Fort Jefferson. How often can you truly have a night sky away from the ‘glow’ of urban sprawls?
|
|
 Animals
|
|
|
Monica: Whale Watching Anywhere
I could not choose just one place so here is my other choice. As anyone who reads ODP often can probably tell, I love whales -- these ocean giants just fascinate me. I have dragged my family whale watching so many times they cannot count them all. Friends too. There is nothing in nature that is quite as magnificent as the sight of a whale breaching -- they are so big and so beautiful. I have been lucky enough to both see and hear whales. I have heard humpbacks singing in Hawaii -- singing so loud that our boat (which was small) was vibrating from the sound! I have also seen Orcas in Puget Sound, which is amazing because that pod of whales is now down to a very few. On my bucket list is seeing grey whales and their calves in Mexico.
Some of the most rewarding work I did at NOAA involved whale conservation. I worked to conserve North Atlantic Right Whales from ship strikes in Boston and Charleston harbors by getting international approval for a reporting system so all ships entering those harbors would be on the lookout for and report any sightings of whales so as to minimize encounters with vessel traffic. The North Atlantic Right Whale really needs our help now -- that population has suffered may ship strikes in recent years even with our reporting system. I also was the U.S. Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission for several years, where we worked on issues like noise pollution and climate change and their impacts on whales. I hope that my work will help to ensure that my kids and their kids will continue to enjoy whales for the foreseeable future!
|
|
 People
|
|
Team Pick: Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration
It's estimated that 30-40% of Americans can trace a relative back to Ellis Island and aside from familial ties, we recommend that everyone takes the time to visit this important museum -- in person if possible, but otherwise you can take this virtual tour. In addition to being a gorgeous building and having beautifully-maintained grounds perfect for picnicking (and beating the crowds at the concessions stand), the museum serves as an important reminder that America is a country of immigrants. From 1892 to 1924, Ellis Island was America's largest and most active immigration station, where over 12 million immigrants were processed and began their new life in America. The exhibits offer candid insights into the experience of pursuing the American Dream and reinforces the sense that our country has only been made better by those who came here wanting to build a better life (a lesson that cannot be forgotten, especially now).
A trip to Ellis Island from either lower Manhattan or Liberty Park in New Jersey, with time to enjoy the grounds and see the museum, takes a full day so we recommend packing a picnic, buying tickets ahead of time, and wearing comfortable shoes. We also recommend that you take one of the ranger-guided tours when you get there to get a quick orientation of the park before you explore the museum. One final pro tip: give your feet a rest and enjoy of the several films offered in the theater.
|
|
|
|
