Time Capsule - December 1990 - Christmas in Chile

     Twenty-five years ago, I spent my first Christmas away from home. I wasn't just in another city or state, I was in a foreign country - Chile. Since holidays are molded by the cultures that celebrate them, I noticed several similarities as well as differences in the ways in which the holidays were celebrated.
     The most obvious difference was that the holiday takes place in the summertime instead of the winter. Therefore, instead of typical North American traditions such as building snowmen, drinking hot chocolate, and wearing ugly Christmas sweaters, Chileans celebrate the holidays by going to the beach, having bar-b-ques, and going for hikes (paseos) through the countryside. Despite the difference in seasons, Chileans decorate fir trees, and Viejo Pasquero (Santa) still wears his full red winter suit - although I did see a Christmas card once with Santa stripped down to his red, fur swim trunks while sunbathing on the beach.

Me playing Viejo Pasquero

     Most Chileans didn't have their houses decked out in thousands of colorful lights, nor did they have huge blow-up figures covering their lawns. Instead, holiday decorations usually consisted of a small, decorated fir tree and maybe a nativity scene.
     Similar to my own experience, Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) was usually celebrated with a large family dinner - often a large fowl or lamb. Unlike in most North American families, the celebration typically lasts most of the night. At the stroke of midnight, the family members wish each other Feliz Navidad and give each other hugs. Then they adjourn to the living room where the tree is and open their gifts. Somehow, Viejo Pasquero visits all the homes right at midnight, so there is no need to wait until morning to see what he brought. Of course there aren't piles of gifts to open. Instead, most kids get one main gift from Santa, and a few other gifts from family members. The party then continues until about 3:00 or 4:00 am with music, food, drink, and dancing.
     Christmas Day is a day of rest after the late night party. Many Chileans attend a Christmas mass. Others head to the beach or on an excursion out to the countryside for a picnic.
     Typically, New Years is celebrated much the same way as Christmas, except without the gifts. Also, there are often fireworks from celebrations throughout the country on TV. I remember the delicious BBQ goat we ate on New Year's Day.

New Year's BBQ

     Although many Spanish-speaking countries celebrate Las Posadas or Three Kings Day (Jan. 6), I never noticed those celebrations going on in Chile. I'm sure some families must celebrate them, at least to some degree, but they weren't as big of a deal as they are in Spain and Mexico. However, Chileans did celebrate Dia de los Inocentes on Dec. 28. It is a day of pranks, similar to April Fools Day.
     Feliz Navidad! y Prospero Ano Nuevo!
   

Spotlight: Pennsylvania - Hershey's Chocolate World & Hersheypark

Spotlight: Hershey, Pennsylvania is sometimes called Chocolatetown, USA - the Sweetest Place on Earth. The town was named after its most famous business, the Hershey Chocolate Factory, and has tried to capitalize on that theme with various tourist attractions including: Hershey's Chocolate World, Hersheypark, Hersheypark Stadium, Hersheypark Arena, and the Hershey Museum.
     Hershey Chocolate World opened in 1973 to replace the Hershey chocolate plant tour which could no longer accommodate all the visitors. Current attractions include the Hershey's Chocolate Tour, Create-Your-Own Candy Bar, Hershey Trolley Works, Hershey's Chocolate Tasting Group Experience, and Hershey's Great Chocolate Factory Mystery in 4D, as well as various gift shops and stores. Additional Visitor Centers have opened up at other locations around the world including: Chicago, Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, Times Square, Dubai, Singapore, and Shanghai.

     Hershey Park opened in 1906 as a leisure park for employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company. Over the years it gradually added rides, including the first steel looping roller coaster on the East Coast. In 1970, the park was expanded and renovated to add new rides, and was renamed Hersheypark. Today, the park contains 110 acres, and hosts 70 rides and attractions including 13 roller coasters and ZOOAMERICA.

Location: Hershey's Chocolate World and Hersheypark are located at 251 Park Blvd., Hershey, PA.

Cost: Tickets to attractions at Hershey's Chocolate World can be bought individually or in various combo packages. Individual tickets for attractions range anywhere from $7.95-$15.95 per adult (13+), with discounts for children.
-  Hersheypark tickets currently cost $18.00 (3+) during the Christmas season.

Time: Hershey's Chocolate World opens at 9:00 am daily; closing times vary depending on month.
           Hersheypark hours vary depending on the season. During the summer, plan on spending a full day or two in Hershey, since there is plenty to do.

Description: The most popular attraction at Hershey Chocolate World is the Hershey's Chocolate Tour - probably because it is the only free attraction available. No tickets are needed, and guests get to watch the transformation of cocoa beans into chocolate bars. Since the factory is no longer open, the ride focuses more on the process used rather than the actual production. As a special bonus, each guest receives a free sample at the end.

     Another popular attraction is the Chocolate Tasting Group Experience. In this experience, visitors learn the proper methods of tasting the various types of chocolates in order to engage all the senses. It was without a doubt the most delicious degree we've earned.

     The attraction I was looking forward to the most was the Create Your Own Candy Bar experience. It allowed us to not only choose the ingredients, but also design the wrapper. It was fun, but I wish that they had more than a few options for each phase: type of chocolate, special ingredient, and wrapper design.

     With 13 roller coasters, Hersheypark is one of my favorite amusement parks I've ever visited. In only 5 hours, we rode about 11 awesome coasters (as thrilling or better than most of the ones at Six Flags Magic Mountain and Disneyland) and enjoyed several other attractions. The park is family friendly, with rides geared toward every age group. As each person enters the Park, they can measure themselves to see which category they are in. Rides are then posted with the demographics they serve so that guests don't have to wait in a long line only to find out that they can't go on the ride after all. We thoroughly enjoyed the Park and thought that the price was very reasonable - especially compared to the California parks we are accustomed to.

Rating: Hershey's Chocolate World - 4 stars (out of 5)
              Hersheypark - 5 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - Despite being located on the same lot, Hershey Chocolate World and Hersheypark are both independently owned and operated.
- Ironically, the Hershey Chocolate Factory is now closed, with most of the production taking place overseas. However, the tourist venues remain in Hershey.
- There are several special themed seasonal events, particularly for Halloween and Christmas.
- You can save $1.50 per ticket by purchasing your tickets online.
- Other special discounts are available, including a Hersheypark/Dutch Wonderland combo pack.
- Hersheypark is open seasonally. It opens on weekends starting in late April; opens daily in June, July, and August; is open on weekends again in September; and open during select weeks/weekends during the holiday season (from Halloween - New Years).
- During the summer, you can buy an all day pass or an evening pass to Hersheypark at a very reasonable rate. Since we were driving in from the other side of the state in the morning, we spent the afternoon at Hershey's Chocolate World, and the evening at the amusement park. This worked out great since most of the visitors to the park were school groups (early June) and began leaving soon after we went in. We had long lines for our first two rides, but were able to whiz through much shorter lines as the evening wore on.
- In addition to typical rides, Hersheypark has an accompanying water park, The Boardwalk, with water slides at no additional cost.
- Parking is $9/vehicle at Hersheypark (veer right). Parking at Hershey Chocolate World (veer left) is free for the first 3 hours, $15 for 3-5 hours, or $30 for an all day pass. There is a tram that can take you from the Hersheypark parking lot to Hershey Chocolate World on days when the park is open.

Nearby: Hershey Gardens, Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, The National Civil War Museum, Dutch Wonderland

Travel Tip #35 - Plan for Weather Delays

     To expand on one of my earlier tips about traveling during the holidays, you should just expect bad weather during the holidays. You've heard of Murphy's Law; well it seems to have double application during the holiday season. So, the best way to handle it is to just expect that there will be weather delays and plan for them. That way you can be prepared to handle the delays with minimal stress when they come. And if for some reason you are able to avoid the delays, then you can enjoy the extra time you hadn't planned on having.
     If you are travelling by air, you will want to buy your tickets way before any weather reports are available. Therefore, if you have to be wherever you are going by Day X, you should plan your itinerary so that you are there a day or two before Day X. That way, your vacation plans won't be "ruined" by the weather. Don't forget that the same applies for your return trip. Even if you are flying through airports where it doesn't snow, there is a very strong possibility that connecting flights coming from other areas of the country will be delayed. One Thanksgiving, we flew from Phoenix to L.A. to SLC before returning to Phoenix. On each leg of the trip we had a layover in Las Vegas. The weather was nice all weekend and it looked like we wouldn't have any trouble on our return flight. However, I remember spending most of the night in the Las Vegas airport because the plane that was supposed to take us to Phoenix was snowed in on the East coast. We arrived home at 6:00 am, and I had to be at work by 8:00 am. I don't think I was very effective at work that day.
     When you are traveling by car, keep an eye on weather reports for the next several days. That way if the weather looks like it will be bad on the day you had planned to travel, you can adjust your plans to leave either a day earlier or a day later depending on your schedule. Even if it looks like you will have several days of bad weather in a row, you can leave a day early and make the trip over two days. I clearly remember a Christmas vacation when we were traveling to Utah. Since we saw that the weather would be bad the day we were supposed to travel, we left a day earlier. The storm came a little early and hit hard once we reached Cedar City. We slowed down drastically, but the snow was so heavy that they closed I-15. We had to pull of the interstate in Fillmore for the night. Since we didn't know anyone in Fillmore, and the hotel was full, we found an all-night restaurant where we planned to spend the night with several dozen other stranded travelers. Luckily, when we called my parents, they knew someone who lived there; so we got to camp out on their living room floor for the night. We weren't prepared for this possibility, but we got lucky. It would be wise to have a backup plan if you know that such a possibility exists. Fortunately, we were able to make the remainder of the trip once the roads were plowed the next morning.
     Good luck traveling!

Spotlight: Pennsylvania - Washington Crossing Historic Park

Spotlight: Washington Crossing Historic Park lies along the Delaware River at the site where George Washington and the Continental Army crossed the river to launch a surprise attack on the Hessian troops that were holed up for the winter in the city of Trenton, New Jersey celebrating Christmas. During the campaign of 1776, the Continental Army had suffered defeat after defeat to the better trained and better armed British troops and their Hessian mercenaries. Morale among the troops had reached its lowest point, and it looked as if the American Revolution was doomed to fail. Soldiers were deserting every day, returning home rather than continuing what was looking to be a lost cause. The enlistments of many of those who remained would expire at year's end. General George Washington knew that if they went into winter quarters without a victory to buoy morale, there might not be an army left to command once spring rolled around. Therefore, he gambled the bulk of the army on a desperate plan that could either save the war effort or doom it to failure. The attack was launched on the night of Dec. 25-26, when Washington led 2,400 men across the river at McConkey's Ferry.
     The boats used for the crossing were a motley crew of vessels, including several large Durham boats used to carry pig iron down the Delaware. Before crossing, Washington gave a rousing speech to his men. The loaded boats began crossing the ice-choked river at 6:00 pm, under the cover of darkness. Conditions worsened as the night progressed, with sleet making visibility practically nil. The attack called for a three-pronged effort, with two divisions slated to attack Trenton from the south; but the weather forced the commanders of these divisions to abandon the effort. Washington was persistent, however, and successfully transported his troops to the other side. Although they planned to attack under the cover of darkness, the crossing, which included horses and cannon, took nine hours. The delays meant that they reached Trenton under the rays of the morning sun. Luckily, the Hessian troops were still hungover from their celebrations the night before, and Washington's troops were able to capture the entire garrison without a single casualty. The resounding victory reignited the fervor of the colonies, signaling a turning point in their war for independence.
      Today, a reenactment of Washington's crossing is performed every year on Christmas Day. Visitors can watch history in action as actors dressed in authentic uniforms recreate the historic crossing.

Location: Washington Crossing Historic Park is divided into two sections. The "lower park" is headquartered in the village of Washington Crossing at 1112 River Rd, Washington Crossing, PA 18977 at the intersection of Routes 32 & 532. (If you type the address into Google maps, it appears to be on the New Jersey side of the river, but it isn't.) The "upper park" is located 4 1/2 miles away in Solebury Township.

Delaware River at site of Crossing

Cost: Full dress rehearsal of reenactment: $8/adult, $4/child (5-11); Christmas Day reenactment - free;
- Historic Village tours are $6/person; Thompson-Neely House & Farmstead tours are $6/person; Bowman's Hill Tower - $6/person (click here for more information and discounts)

Time: 30 min. - 3 hours, depending on how much you want to see. Most sites are open from 10 am - 4 pm. The visitor's center is open until 5 pm. Visitors can explore the Historic Village until dusk.

Description: The Visitor's Center was completely renovated in 2012. It contains historic exhibits, an educational program, and a large auditorium for movies, concerts, and speaking engagements. Among the exhibits is an original letter written by George Washington while in the McConkey Ferry Inn. Visitors may also purchase tour tickets here.

Artifacts including original letter written by Washington

     The Village (Lower Park) includes the following buildings: McConkey Ferry Inn (built in 1790 to replace the original inn, of which only the basement and kitchen remain); the Mahlon K. Taylor House (an example of a rich merchant's home from the early 1800's); Taylorsville Houses (several 19th century buildings which include residences and small shops); the Hibbs House (it has served as the home/workshop of several tradesmen including a shoemaker, cooper, wheelwright, and carpenter); the Frye House and Blacksmith shop (living history demonstrations are conducted during special events throughout the year); the Durham Boat Barn (it houses the replica boats used in the annual Delaware crossing reenactments).

McConkey Ferry Inn

Blacksmith Shop

Durham boats

     Boman's Tower (Upper Park) rises 125 feet above the top of Bowman's Hill, offering a 14-mile view on a clear day. The Thompson-Neely House and Farmstead (Upper Park) served as a temporary regimental army hospital during the winter of 1776-77. Future president James Monroe convalesced here after being injured during the First Battle of Trenton. Also located on the grounds is Soldiers' Graves - a memorial cemetery for an unknown number of Revolutionary War soldiers who died during the December 1776 encampment.

Rating: 3 stars (out of 5) - Bear in mind that when we went the Visitor Center was under construction, and we never got to see the Upper Park.

Things You Should Know: - There is also a Washington Crossing State Park on the New Jersey side of the river. This is a separate park which we didn't have time to see.
- A full dress rehearsal of the crossing reenactment is held in mid-December. Along with the reenactment, visitors can participate in special colonial-era activities and demonstrations throughout the historic village. The Christmas Day reenactment will be held from Noon to 3:00. River crossings may be cancelled if conditions are deemed too dangerous for the participants.
- The painting of "Washington Crossing the Delaware" is a full sized digital copy of Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze's original from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Bowman's Tower was built in the 1930's to commemorate what may have been a lookout post for Washington's troops. No such tower existed in Washington's day.
- We drove around for about 45 minutes trying to find the Upper Park, but never did (thanks to Miss Taken); so make sure you get good directions.

Nearby: Washington Crossing State Park (NJ), Trenton Battle Monument (NJ), Lake Luxembourg, Churchville Park

Trenton Battle Monument

Travel Tip #34 - Learn some of the history about the places you are visiting

     When I was 16, my family went on a cross-country road trip covering 25 states and 2 countries in 5 weeks. On that trip, I developed a love for both travel and history that has stayed with me throughout my life. My love for one has reinforced my love for the other, and vice versa. Because I love history, I want to travel to places where important historical events took place. And because I love to travel, I continue to learn and strengthen my appreciation for history.
     I can trace my love for both back to that 1988 trip. Up until that point, I had only been in 4 states - all in the southwest. That trip introduced me to new horizons, environments, architecture, and helped me connect what I'd been learning in school to the real world. One reason was that I had just finished taking U.S. History in school, so I had just learned about many of the places we were visiting. The other was that my father was also a Social Studies teacher. Everywhere we went, he was able to add a few interesting details about whatever we were seeing. Traveling around the country with your family 24/7 for five weeks might sound like torture to some people, but I absolutely loved it.
     When it came time to choose a major in college, I chose History Secondary Education. I am a strong believer in the statement, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." (George Santayana, Spanish philosopher) The only way to remember the past is to make learning a lifelong pursuit. Just because I'm no longer a student doesn't mean I've stopped learning. In fact, I may have learned more as a teacher than I ever did as a student. Whenever I go on a trip, I try to learn more about the places I'm visiting. Not only does it make my vacation more interesting, it helps me understand the world around me a little better.
     Have fun learning on your next vacation!

Travel Tip #33 - Take a map with you on Road Trips

     In today's world, most people rely on technology for just about everything. Tools like maps are being replaced by the GPS on smartphones. In most cases, this is fine. Unfortunately, although technology is supposed to solve many of our headaches, it is often the cause of several headaches. Smart phones may work fine in urban areas, but when you are driving through rural areas, coverage is often spotty. This can cause major problems if you have an emergency out in the middle of nowhere. Having a reliable map in such a situation can be the difference between life and death. I realize that this is an extreme example, but even in normal situations, having access to a map or atlas can save you a major headache.
     For example, a few years ago, as we were driving through rural Pennsylvania, we were relying on the GPS to get us to Gettysburg. It was during this trip that my wife's GPS earned the nickname Miss Taken. Miss Taken got us on the wrong highway, driving the wrong direction. She then proceeded to give instructions like, "In 500 yards, turn right." However, there was a huge field to the right without a single street in sight. She would then chastise us for not following her instructions. It was extremely frustrating. I finally pulled over and found the atlas. I figured out where we were, where we were going, and the best route to get there. By turning off Miss Taken, and following the atlas we were able to make it to Gettysburg exactly at 10:30, barely in time for our 10:30 am tour. Unfortunately, this wasn't the only time Miss Taken led us astray on that trip.
     I realize that most of the time, your smart phone's GPS will work just fine. As problems are fixed, they become continually more accurate. We replaced Miss Taken with a new GPS, which has been much more reliable. Still, whenever you are going to be traveling long distances over unfamiliar terrain, it is wise to have a physical map that can't disappear due to a dead battery or technology glitch. Good luck on your travels.

Spotlight: Pennsylvania - Amish Country

Spotlight: The Amish are one of the most conservative religions in the world. The Amish are a group of traditionalist Christian church fellowships who broke away from the Swiss Anabaptists in 1693 under the leadership of Jakob Ammann. In the early 1700's, many Amish and Mennonite groups emigrated to upper Pennsylvania, where they eventually settled Lancaster County. From there, they spread to other settlements, most notably in Ohio and Indiana. The Old Order Amish continue to live as their ancestors did, valuing the traditional rural lifestyle that is passed on from generation to generation. Some of the most obvious aspects that distinguish the Amish from modern society include: speaking Pennsylvania German (sometimes called "Pennsylvania Dutch"), wearing homemade plain dress, eschewing modern technology including automobiles, TV, radio, telephones, computers, and power-line electricity, as well as adopting a policy of nonresistance (which prohibits them from serving in the armed forces). Despite all the restrictions, the number of Amish in North America grows annually. Members must choose to be baptized after they reach adulthood. Those who do not conform to the stringent community expectations must repent or face the consequences - excommunication or shunning.
     In 1954, the play "Plain and Fancy" became a smash hit on Broadway. In many ways, it introduced modern day society to the "oddities" of the simple life practiced by the Amish. Tourism ballooned from 25,000 annual visitors to more than 2,000,000 by the end of the decade as millions of tourists flocked to Lancaster County in order to see this "peculiar" way of life for themselves. Unfortunately, the area wasn't ready for such an influx of tourists, and many of the visitors ignored the rules of common decency by invading the privacy of the Amish by trampling through their fields and staring in kitchen windows in their search for anything Amish. Recognizing a great need, restaurateur Adolph Neuber purchased the 25-acre "Amish farm and house" next to his restaurant and opened it to the public in 1955 so that visitors could gain a proper and authentic understanding of the Amish people while still respecting their privacy. Today, as you travel through Lancaster County, it isn't difficult to spot these modern-day Amish traveling around town by horse and buggy, just like their ancestors have done for centuries.

Amish Farm and House

     The Strasburg Rail Road opened on June 9, 1832. The railroad began losing steam in the early 20th century with the advent of the electric trolley. The two world wars kept it running until mid-century. In 1958, it was purchased by a group of 24 stockholders who wished to preserve its rich history. On Jan. 4, 1959, the first passenger train in forty years departed from Strasburg Station, beginning a new era in the history of America's oldest shortline railroad.

Location: The Amish Farm and House is located on the eastern edge of Lancaster at 2395 Covered Bridge Drive, Lancaster. The Strasburg Rail Road is located just east of Strasburg at 301 Gap Rd, Ronks. Miller's Smorgasbord Restaurant is located at 2811 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks.

Cost: The Amish Farm and House Tour - $9.25/adult (12-59), $6.25/child (5-11), $8.25/senior (60+)
- The Amish Farm Countryside Bus Tour - $20.95/adult (12+), $13.95/child, $4.95/toddler (0-4)
- The Strasburg Rail Road Day Pass - $18.00/adult (12+), $12.50/child (3-11); special event trains cost extra

Time: - The Amish Farm and House is open 9am - 5 pm daily. Allow 1-3 hours.
- The regular Strasburg Rail Road tours are about 45 minutes long and leave on the hour - usually 12:00, 1:00, and 2:00 except when they have extended summer and holiday hours.

Description: The Amish Farm and House tour is a minimum of 45 minutes. The tour teaches guests about the basics of Amish religious beliefs as well as shows them the details of daily life. Guests explore the house which includes the Front Room (which is used for worship services whenever the family's turn comes up in the rotation), the kitchen, and the bedrooms. The House was built in 1805, and was opened for tours 60 years ago. Although the tour guides are not Amish, they have all lived in Lancaster County most of their lives and are very knowledgeable about Amish culture. In addition to the house, visitors can go on a self tour of the grounds, which include a variety of animals and equipment that would be common on your typical Amish farm, as well as a few unauthentic playground attractions for tourists. Guests can also interact with resident artisans who introduce guests to many of the essential skills needed to keep a farm running smoothly. Included in the tour is the one-room Amish schoolhouse, where visitors can gain a greater appreciation of how and what Amish children are taught by interacting with a former Amish school mistress.

Amish bedroom (boy)

Amish Kitchen

Amish scooters

 

     The Strasburg Rail Road is the oldest shortline railroad in America. It was refurbished in 1959 as a passenger train (rather than freight) with an eye toward historical tourism rather than travel. The regular tour takes a short ride through Amish country, stops for passengers to get out and stretch their legs, then returns at the same relaxed pace. We did see the largest turkey farm in the U.S. as we passed by. We weren't around for any of the special events, but I assume they are more interesting. We were on a tight schedule, so we didn't tour the museum.

     Miller's Smorgasbord Restaurant opened in 1929 so that Anna Miller could serve passing truckers chicken and waffles while her husband repaired their rigs. The restaurant has grown in popularity as it retains its hometown quality, baking all their menu items from scratch. The most popular (and expensive) dining option is the smorgasbord (all-you-can-eat buffet). The food was absolutely delicious, which might explain why we saw Chuck Norris coming in as we were going out. They also have an interesting gift shop.

Rating: The Amish Farm and House - 4 stars
     The Strasburg Rail Road - 2 1/2+ stars (with a potential for higher for special events and/or some of the "fun extras" - see below)
     Miller's Smorgasbord Restaurant - 4 1/2 stars

Things You Should Know: - You can also purchase the premium package which includes the house, farm, and countryside bus tour at a discounted price.
- A variety of buggy rides, attractions and tours of Amish Country can be found at this website.
- Thomas the Train and Percy make periodic visits to Strasburg Station. Click here for more info.
- Other special events at Strasburg Rail Road include: The Great Train Robbery, Vintage Base Ball Day, Easter Bunny Train, The Rolling Antique Auto Event, Steampunk unLimited, Christmas Tree Train, Santa's Paradise Express, and The Night Before Christmas Train.
- Strasburg Rail Road is closed in January and runs on a limited schedule most of the year, so check the schedule before going to make sure that you arrive at the right time.
- Some "fun extras" for younger children at Strasburg Station include: Cranky Cars, Pint-Sized Pufferbelly trains, and a Pump Car.
- You can buy a combo ticket which includes a ride on the train as well as admission to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (across the street) for an additional $3 for adults and 50 cents more for children.

Nearby: Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster County Central Park, Choo Choo Barn, National Christmas Center

Travel Tip #32 - Leave no Trace

     When I was a Boy Scout, one of my scout leaders taught us the following mantra, "Take only pictures. Leave only footprints. Kill only time." My family and I have visited most of the national parks in the West. In my visits, we have often signed up our daughters in Junior Ranger programs. In those programs, they learned a similar philosophy, "Leave no trace." What does is mean to leave no trace, and why is it important?
     Take only pictures. When you are visiting a national park or monument (and most state parks), it is illegal to take souvenirs since everything in the park is protected. You might wonder what harm there is in taking a pretty rock, a shell, or a piece of petrified wood as a memento of your visit. Unfortunately, with millions of visitors to these parks every year, what would happen if everyone took just one little memento? The idea of national and state parks is to preserve the beauties and treasures found there for future generations. Take as many pictures as you want, but leave everything else.
     Leave only footprints. This was the original motto of early conservationists. Yet, like many slogans and mottos, this motto needed some revision. The original intent of the slogan was to impress upon our minds the importance of not littering or leaving markings behind (ie. initials carved or painted on natural objects). The last thing we want is our national parks to start looking like our downtown neighborhoods. However, with millions of visitors to national and state parks every year, there are tens of thousands of pairs of feet treading through the parks every day. You've probably seen what dozens of footsteps can do to spots on your lawn. Multiply that by thousands and you can get an idea of the potential damage careless visitors can do to the environments in our parks. Leave no trace means staying on established trails so that our footprints don't add to the problem.
     Kill only time. Once again, it is illegal to kill plants and animals inside national and state parks. Each living organism plays its own role in the natural ecosystem. Park rangers learned this the hard way a century ago when they actually sponsored drives to kill predators. Several species were driven to the brink of extinction through these efforts. Others were completely wiped out in certain areas of the country. It was only after the fact that they realized their mistake as the ecosystems were thrown completely out of balance. Herbivores, whose populations had been kept in check by the predators, began spreading like wildfire, which then put a strain on many local plant species. This resulted in famines which killed off many of the animals the rangers had originally hoped to protect. Long term studies have determined that when man interferes with the environment, it usually has a negative impact.
     As you travel this beautiful nation of ours, teach your kids the importance of "Leave no trace." Our future generations will thank you for it.