The wonders of America

To the Editor:

While traveling through many states in our country, a thought struck me.

I remember reading about a group of people who were wanting to change our national anthem to a different song. The song, "America, the Beautiful," was mentioned. I certainly would not be in favor of changing our traditional "Star-Spangled Banner." If it is ever changed, I think, "America, the Beautiful," would be appropriate.

Anyone who has seen the rugged beauty of the Na Pali Coast and the myriad of colors in Waimea Canyon on the Paradise Island of Kauai, would certainly agree we live in a beautiful country.

The grandeur of Yosemite Falls, the picture perfect Yosemite Valley, the ancient, towering giant Sequoia trees, the scenic coastal Highway One along the Pacific Ocean are California's best display of natural beauty.

Utah and Arizona have the breathtaking Grand Canyon, the Red Rocks of Sedona, and colorful rock formations of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. Colorado and Wyoming display nature at its best with the Rocky Mountain Range, the tall stately snow-capped Grand Tetons with the often photographed Snake River in the foreground. Yellowstone National Park has a wide variety of nature's wonders with geysers, waterfalls, canyons and wild animals.

The Northwest has unmatched falls, scenic rivers and volcanic lakes with stunning beauty. The Black Hills of South Dakota and the man-made rock carvings of our great presidents on Mt. Rushmore are a photographer's dream. Even the start nakedness of the eroded hills of the Badlands have a unique beauty.

Our own Midwest has many natural wonders. The springs and caves of Missouri and Arkansas Ozarks are good examples. The often missed Ozarks of Southern Illinois have natural wonders in Giant City State Park and the Garden of the Gods natural area.

Natures artwork is displayed so beautifully in Blanchard Springs Caverns, deep beneath the earth's crust in the Arkansas Ozarks.

Anyone who has floated the Current River, Eleven Points or Jack's Fork Rivers would agree that the Ozarks offer some fine scenery.

Take a ride on the Maid of the Mist boat at Niagra Falls, drive the highway through the Adirondacks and Catskill Mountains and you have seen the New York has to offer.

The Green Mountains and White Mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire offer the best in fall colors. Mount Washington is a natural phenomenon with changing weather patterns with high velocity winds, very low temperatures and snow anytime of the year.

Lighthouses and sail boats add to the natural beauty of the bays along the east coastline in the New England States.

Acadia National Park is a real treasure with mountains, picturesque rocky shores, sandy beaches and the beautiful blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. One of the best scenic drives in America, the Blue Ridge Parkway is only matched by the scenic beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. The blue-green waters and the pure white sands of the emerald coast of Florida are only matched by the Caribbean Sea.

Now, add all the scenic sights you have seen, and you have a great picture in your mind of "America, the Beautiful."

With all the ugliness we are experiencing today, in our country, example: poverty, hunger, joblessness, economic decline, political disagreement, terrorism, we need to paint a pretty picture in our minds.

Flavian Halter

Poplar Bluff, Mo.