Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Traveling into the Ozarks of Missouri, I came to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, a place defined not by mountains or monuments, but my water.
Here the landscape is shaped by two rivers: The Current River and the Jacks Fork River, both fed by some of the largest natural springs in the country. The water is clear, cold and constant as it moves through forested hills.
Before it was protected, this region faced increasing pressure from development that could have altered the rivers and their natural flow. Recognizing what was at risk, the area was established in 1964 by Congress as the first national park unit created specifically to protect a river system.
Unlike many parks set aside for dramatic views or singular landmarks, this one was created to preserve something more fluid, an ecosystem that depends on movement.
Read More From Nancy
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
While many people associate the story of flight with Kitty Hawk, it was here in Dayton that the real work of invention took place. The famous flight may have occurred on the sandy dunes of North Carolina, but the ideas, experiments, calculations and engineering that made it possible were born in Ohio. The Dayton Aviation Heritage National […]
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
At the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, I saw not just the resting place of a president, but also the beginning of his life. Located in the small town of West Branch, Iowa, the site preserves the humble Quaker community where Herbert Hoover was born in 1874. Hoover’s grave site one a quiet hillside overlooking […]
Niobrara National Scenic River
Some National Park sites are immersive, day-long explorations. Others are quick stops, places we discover while driving through an area without the luxury of lingering. But even on those shorter visits, I will always stop at the visitor center. I want to understand why this land is protected. What happened here? What story is layered beneath […]
