Extended preview to PBS’ “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” by Ken Burns
Happy Thanksgiving, America!
We are at this time of the year when families gather, old friends reestablish connections, and each of us offer our thanks for the many blessings that we enjoy in this country. This Thanksgiving, let’s all be thankful for the U.S. National Parks and remember with gratitude the people who worked hard in their time so that we and our children can enjoy these incredibly beautiful places today.
Acclaimed film director Ken Burns calls the creation and conservation of these parks “America’s Best Idea.” National Parks are an American invention, a triumph of democracy and freedom – the collective aspiration of a people to preserve our national heritage for future generations.
And yet, these American parks which are among the most beautiful places on this planet wouldn’t be here today, without the effort of selfless individuals who fell in love with nature and fought hard to preserve these sanctuaries. Men and women like the naturalist John Muir, US president Theodore Roosevelt, Captain Charles Young, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and photographer George Masa. Without these heroes and heroines, and thousands of ordinary people from all walks of life who worked hard to establish these parks, none of these will be here today. This Thanksgiving 2009, let’s include our National Parks among the many things we should all be thankful about to honor their memories.
Below are some of the most spectacular photographs taken inside the national parks. Enjoy, and again, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Lower Falls, Yellowstone River at the Yellowstone National Park. Photo by v1ctory_1s_m1ne on Flickr.
Mirror Lake at the Yosemite National Park. Photo by Patrick Smith Photography on Flickr
The Lower Falls – Yosemite Falls at the Yosemite National Park. Photo by Patrick Smith Photography on Flickr.
Sunset at the Grand Canyon National Park. Photo by anadelmann on Flickr.
Acadia National Park, Maine. Photo by Greg from Maine on Flickr
Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Photo by Jerry Jaynes on Flickr
Denali National Park, Alaska. Photo by champy1013 on Flickr.
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado. Photo by Mike Jones Photo on Flickr.
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