Our National Parks: America's Serengeti

Bears, Bison, Wolves, Moose, Elk Safely Visible

We were a happy crew touring Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, posing here at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in 2006.

Happiest day, beloved Joy Train Rider! Bless you! I love you! I affirm you are doing well.

Since I learned this decade that we live in a “vibrational world,” all life being energy, and all energy attracting its likeness, I have maintained an almost supernatural high. It’s easy for me to do it on a consistent basis as a result of awakening to the power of nature, in Acadia National Park many years ago. Seeing the vast expanse of nature as it existed before man tried to shape it in our own flawed image, I came back to urban America with such reverence for the Earth that I’d say a silent prayer of thanksgiving and apology to the grass when I had to walk across it. I still live in that feeling almost 30 years later.

The grass is my friend; the birds, flowers, insects are my friends. The mountains are my unfailing champions; the sun rises in greeting to me and all the world. Every experience is a lesson that I label neither “good” or “bad.” Whatever happens my obligation is to remain confident in the benevolence of the universe towards me and all life.

I felt it necessary to share that perspective today because I know that so many people are floundering. As a person who upholds the sanctity of the Earth and the rights of all to live upon her in freedom and celebration, I could share the grave misgivings that conservationists have about what will happen to our public lands and waters under an administration that negates their value and demonstrates a willingness to destroy all in pursuit of a dollar.

But I know it will do me no good to project negativity into the future. I am instead holding on to my belief in the goodness of humans and our ability to change once we know what’s at stake. I sincerely believe America is degraded by the fact that so many millions of our people have no true concept of what our country is or how we got here. I have found so many answers in the National Park System that I’m determined to keep sharing it with as many people as I can, in expectation that we will eventually wake up and say, “Enough.”

WE THE PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER TO SHAPE OUR LIVES AND OUR COUNTRY, IF WE ONLY KNEW. We start by recognizing that and beginning to control our own minds, to feed it only the positive and to join with others in taking positive actions that stop the heinous in its tracks.

On our Joy Trip today I’m taking us into the wild heart of America where our birthright is protected in the national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and historic sites. When my friend since childhood raved about her trip to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the incredible amount of wildlife she saw, I didn’t feel even a little wistful because the wildlife I see in our national parks make me feel just as awed and satisfied. Plus, it’s so much closer.

So here we are in Yellowstone National Park, which at 4,468.4 square miles is FOURTEEN TIMES AS BIG AS NEW YORK CITY, which is 300.46 square miles. Literally, NYC could fit into this one park 14 times! Yellowstone is also home to HALF OF ALL THE GEYSERS ON PLANET EARTH!

See that elk carcass over there in the river? Let’s stop here for a moment and watch what happens.

A flock of ravens are feasting on the carcass. Ooh! A black wolf! It’s loping across the meadow, tongue hanging out as it moves through the sagebrush, clearly heading for breakfast.

Even bear cubs and all wildlife will see huge changes in their conservation and habitat if proposals from the incoming administration are enacted.