Pinnacles National Park
On a trip to California to teach, Erin and I carved out time for a hike at Pinnacles National Park. These small windows of exploration enrich our journeys to teach.
We didn’t know what to expect. Pinnacles isn’t one of the big-name parks. Pinnacles rise from the rolling hills of central California. The dramatic rock formations began millions of years ago when volcanic eruptions created a larger volcanic field. Movement along the San Andreas Fault slowly carried these remnants to their present location.
This National Park’s protection began in 1908 when Theodore Roosevelt designated Pinnacles as a national monument, recognizing its unusual volcanic formations. More than a century later in 2013, it was redesignated as a national park, preserving its 26,000 acres for future generations.
I’ve come to treasure the habit of adding a trail or a National Park stop into our teaching travels. Stepping into open air, or into a place layered with history, keeps our work grounded and our lives balanced between purpose and exploration
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