| By
Angela Ballard
Once a year I dig out my unfortunately underused passport
and flip through it. Some of the stamps are red, others a
blotchy blue and nearly all are positioned at odd angles.
But regardless of the lack of care with which these ink markings
were added to the dog-eared pages, each one summons a slew
of memories. The blank pages are quietly powerful as well.
They remind me that there are still many memories yet to be
made.
Like many people, I find myself traveling closer to home
these days. So, perhaps its time for me to use another passport;
one that encourages me to make discoveries here at home.
The handy, spiral bound, 6" by 3" Passport to Your National
Parks isn't new, and it certainly looks familiar. The
cover is navy blue and its gold lettering evokes feelings
of "official." Inside, 104-pages make it easy to learn about
and explore our National Parks and Monuments. Maps, logistical
information, illustrations and photographs encourage me to
visit places of great beauty and grandeur (like Yellowstone
and Yosemite) and of deep history (such as Independence Hall
and Gettysburg.) With my new, wholly American passport, I
can document travel memories and be inspired to get out there
and log some more.
"We got our first passport," says Joe Sobinovsky, former
PCTA Program Director, "over three years ago. It's made us
aware of America's more than 380 National Parks, Monuments
and Battlefields and it's served as an impetus for us to visit
as many as we can. Our oldest daughter enjoys looking at all
the different colored stamps (over 100 now) in her passport
and she has an amazing memory for what we did on our trips.
The passport is a great way to get the kids interested in
geography, history, wildlife and other subjects. But it wouldn't
be fair to say that the only reason we collect cancellation
stamps is for the kids. My wife and I enjoy 'park bagging'
as well because it's a great way for us to get away from our
normal routine."
The Passport to Your National Parks is divided into
regions, and within each region is space for the rubber stamp
"cancellations" Sobinovsky mentions above. These cancellations
are similar to those received on an international passport.
The cancellations record the name of the park and the date
visited. Being a hiker, I'm immediately drawn to the opportunity
to get "stamped" for trekking National Trails including the
Appalachian and Ice Age Trails and now the Pacific Crest Trail.
Fifteen new PCT rubber stamps have been dispatched to the
eight National Parks and Monuments through which the PCT passes.
You can find them in these locations' bookstores or visitors'
centers.
"Having a PCT stamp at each of the passport cancellation
stations in the eight National Parks and Monuments which contain
the PCT," says Sobinovsky, "is a way to increase recognition
of the PCT and help inform and educate park visitors about
our nationally significant trail."
The Passport Program is the work of Eastern National, a nonprofit
organization. All proceeds from the sale of passports are
donated to the National Parks Service. Passports are available
for $7.95 at www.eparks.com or 1-877-Nat Park. "Canceling"
the passport with the new PCT stamps is free of charge and
rich in memories.
Big thanks are due to Joe Sobinovsky and Gary Lee, PCTA member
and volunteer, for getting the PCT added to the passport program,
having the stamps made and sending the stamps to the appropriate
locations.
"Cancel" your "Passport" with Pacific Crest National
Scenic Trail stamps at the following locations:
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, CA
Devils Postpile National Monument, CA
Yosemite National Park, CA
Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA
Crater Lake National Park, OR
Mount Rainier National Park, WA
North Cascades National Park, WA
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