Unofficial start of SUMMER!

Tomorrow is the Friday before Memorial Day. Memorial Day was originally created to pay tribute to and remember those who put their lives on the line so we can all enjoy the freedoms we have in the United States of America. Let's all stop to remember that on Monday.

Memorial Day in the last generation or two has become more of the unoffical start of summer - 3 weeks shy of the summer solstice which really makes that beginning. The Friday before, brings lots of people out after the long winter and dreary wet spring to begin that early start to summer even earlier.

The beginning of summer also marks the start of camping, hiking, climbing, barbque, vacation and a host of other "seasons" we hold precious in the times of good and warm weather. Many of those activities take us to the many state and national parks for picnics and day activities with family and friend - in addition to those listed above.

Starved Rock State Park in Illinois is about an hour to the north of my residence. I don't get there as often as I like. A couple of years ago, my wife and I celebrated our anniversary there and took a hike in the morning after staying a night at their popular lodge. We walked back to the bottom of the falls in St. Louis Canyon. A short hike of a little over a mile each way. Near the falls, I found a large sandstone rock - about as large in diameter as a large dining room table and about 3 inches high. It was a pretty cool rock and looked like a good place to lean to take a short rest. As I walked over to it I became aware of some etchings in the rock. Yes, it had been graffitied with peoples initials. I was heartbroken. Our parks are for everyone and are a pretty fragile part of our eco system. Please if you visit these places leave them better than you found them. The rock is pictured in the gallery below.

The outdoor code is a good thing to read and remember. Have your kids read and remember it too.

Outdoor Code (created by the Boy Scouts of America:
As an American, I will do my best to -

Be clean in my outdoor manners.
I will treat the outdoors as a heritage.
I will take care of it for myself and others
I will keep my trash and garbage out of lakes, streams, fields, woods, and roadways.
Be careful with fire.
I will prevent wildfire.
I will build my fires only where they are appropriate.
When I have finished using a fire, I will make sure it is cold out.
I will leave a clean fire ring, or remove all evidence of my fire.
Be considerate in the outdoors.
I will treat public and private property with respect.
I will use low-impact methods of hiking and camping.
and

Be conservation minded
I will learn how to practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife, and energy.
I will urge others to do the same.


Leave no Trace principles are also good to follow - http://www.lnt.org/

Enjoy my short gallery of park images and enjoy your summer!


National and State Parks - Images by Alan Look