National parks honor beauty, culture, history

And this week, every national park is offering free admission

From sea to shining sea, America is home to breathtaking vistas, glorious mountain ranges and pristine desert spaces. Nestled throughout our 50 states are protected spaces of beauty and wonder — and this week, they are free to the public.

Now through Sunday, the National Park Service is celebrating National Park Week, offering free admittance to visitors at the 117 national parks that normally charge an entrance fee.

And in Arizona, that list is especially amazing: The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Canyon National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Montezuma Castle National Monument, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Petrified Forest National Park, Pipe Spring National Monument, Saguaro National Park, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Tonto National Monument, Tumacacori National Historic Park, Tuzigoot National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Wupatki National Monument.

One could, in theory, plan a trip to another part of our state and take in a couple of parks over a quick two- or three-day trip.

California is also home to an awesome array of parks — Cabrillo National Monument, Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lava Beds National Monument, Muir Woods National Monument, Pinnacles National Park, San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Whiskeytown National Recreational Area and Yosemite National Park.

Cabrillo is an easy drive away in San Diego, or one could head north and take in Joshua Tree.

The National Park system celebrates our nation’s heritage, culture, diversity and its inherent beauty. Arizona and California are exceptional examples of our nation’s glorious splendor, from the depths of the Grand Canyon to the majesty of Sierra Nevada mountains in Yosemite.

And this week, Americans have the opportunity to check them out, free of charge.

Load the family up into the car and head off on a magical trip through our nation’s parks — it’s an adventure of a lifetime!

DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS OR NOT?

I personally think everyone’s tax returns are private.

No one’s business what your income is unless you’re buying a home etc then you disclose income, but not your tax return. But why does anyone have to disclose their income whether it be a private citizen or a government official like a president?

Everyone should know when you’re known to have money you have to file taxes or the IRS will be after you.

So even though I didn’t like Obama I didn’t think he needed to and same with Trump.

I really hope the city rethinks cutting the budget from the Yuma Visitors Bureau. In the last six years, YVB has brought Yuma forward. They have published a No. 1 magazine, we are seeing more in statewide publications (AAA, Arizona Highways, Arizona Home and Gardens, Sunset and Southwest Living), and the YVB location at the Quartermaster Depot is a great location for visitors coming to Yuma.

As a nonprofit organization, we joined the YVB and have been very pleased with the benefits and the connection we have with the community.

Linda and the staff have been working hard to promote Yuma and are doing a great job.

I just read a letter to the editor where I am not sure to laugh it off or not. I choose not. Tax returns; Birth certificates. Doesn’t anyone see that everything that was done to Obama is now being done to Trump? No one stood up for an objective and workable environment to benefit Americans. Now Donald knows how President Obama felt. Obama was not perfect, but, we haven’t had a perfect president; EVER. Whatever in the screwed-up world we live did “they” forget. Oh yeah; it’s greed. But GOP’rs you keep up your good work. Too bad you can dish it out but not take it.

In 1906, Henry Ford’s first massproduced car sold for $500. In 1908, the 22 horsepower, 4 cylinder Model T Ford tore up the road with a speed of 20 mph.

Today, we have successfully sent a spacecraft to the moon, mars and the distant dwarf planet Pluto. A spacecraft has entered into orbit around Jupiter after a five-year, 1.7 billion mile journey traveling at 165,000 mph.

From the Model T’s 20 mph to the Jupiter trip of 165,000 mph, all in my lifetime. What will the next 100 years accomplish?

All aboard! I wish I could be there!

Now more than ever it is imperative that Congress authorizes a 9-11 style commission to investigate Russia and all of its machinations and interference in our government. Currently both houses of Congress are floundering in their investigation of Russia; Congress has many other important issues to deal with. Russia attacked us and may still be engaged in attacking all aspects of our government and business. Only an independent commission can get these attacks analyzed, and then provide us with the answers that we need to inoculate ourselves from further attacks. Please let our Senators Flake and McCain know that you want answers to the Russian attack. The sooner we get unbiased information, the sooner we can move forward to protect ourselves.