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| Big Bend National Park, TX |
I am writing today from sunny Myrtle Beach State Park. I have been to all of the Gulf Coast states in the last several weeks as well as Georgia and South Carolina. While my memory is fresh, I decided to jot down my top 5 memories of my trip so far. In no particular order:
- Floating above a coral reef at Key Largo. As my body surged up and down with two foot swells, I looked down on the beauty of marine life and felt connected to the sea and to the universe.
- The space shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center. When the curtain opened to unveil the space shuttle Atlantis, my heart leaped with wonder at this technological marvel that so influenced my path as a youth.
- EPCOT at Disney World. Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow was better than I thought it would be. It was a mature reflection on technology and the nations of the world. I felt a greater appreciation of the world at large.
- Body Boarding. I caught some great waves on my body board at Galveston, Texas, Miami Beach, and then Myrtle Beach. It wasn't until Myrtle Beach that I was able to ride wave after wave for distances of up to 20 yards.
- National Parks. Big Bend in Texas, Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, and the Everglades in Florida all opened my eyes to huge spaces and natural beauty. I am not generally in favor of federalizing all important sites. Many of my favorites sites are run by state governments (Myrtle Beach and John Pennekamp Coral Reef to name a few.) But since we have a national park system, I acknowledge that there really are some gems being protected by it. The park rangers I have talked to have all been gracious and informative. Three cheers to the ranger who was our guide through the streets of New Orleans (at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park) -- he brought the history of New Orleans alive.
Nathan
