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