Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Tuesday Travels: Free Admission to America's National Parks

During the course of my travel-writing career, I've often been surprised to find that many of America's national parks, such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles Tennessee and North Carolina, charge no entrance fee. Well, this weekend, even those that do will be waiving such fees, according to the National Park Service. So, if you have the time, head to your nearest national park unit. For me, the closest one is lovely Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula. Of course, my favorite national park is Kentucky's Mammoth Cave, the inspiration for my first-to-be-completed and soon-to-be-revised novel. Although I wish I were headed there this weekend, I'm excited about my upcoming getaway to Saugatuck, a resort community alongside Lake Michigan, where the hubby and I will be venturing with some old friends of his.

Naturally, if you can't make it to a national park this weekend, you can always vie for the free annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass that Moon Travel Guides is giving away. As one of their authors, I'm sadly not eligible (sniff, sniff), but most of my blogalicious friends are, so good luck, everyone!

7 comments:

Becky said...

Thanks for the info! I'm entered!

Joshua McCune said...

Wait, how are you not eligible? Shouldn't you get a complimentary pass?

I think I've hit my National Park quota for the decade w/ Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, Mt. Rushmore, and The Badlands. All tres cool, but if I never see a camera again, I will consider my life fulfilled (cue curmudgeon remarks :)

Joshua McCune said...

Also, how come the travel guides decrease in size as one goes down the page? Is this a representation of chronological creation or coolness factor of listed location/activity?

Nonetheless, eye-catching.

Laura Martone said...

You're so welcome, Becky! Of course, I wish you lots of luck! After all, I know your family would surely use it... ;-)

Laura Martone said...

As for you, Baneypoo, I would expect nothing less from you! You are, if nothing else, a "faithful" curmudgeon. But, seriously, after seeing all those wondrous places, you're really tapped out?! Color me shocked. I'm, after all, one of those nerdy types who hopes to see all 392 of our national park units before I kick the bucket.

Re: the travel guides, hmm... I actually didn't plan the size decrease on purpose. Actually, they were just in chronological order, from most to least recent, which means the Florida Keys guide will soon go on top of the Michigan one. But now that I think about it... I kinda like the way they look - thanks, as always, for the compliment... even if it does make me blush. ;-)

R.R.Jones said...

Well it's a tad far away for me but it's an interesting deal anyway, lol.

Laura Martone said...

Oops, sorry, Reg. Guess it would be a bit of a commute for you, but then again, America's national parks are worth the trip! ;-)