What you learn on a 6,000-mile trip across America

To the Editor

Travelling across our country on a 6,000 mile journey by car, can be very educational. Driving past our ancient Ozark Mountains and north to Saint Joseph, Missouri, (birthplace of the Pony Express) history comes to life. You can follow the Missouri River to the source, Three Forks, Montana, or the Mississippi River sources, Lake Itaska, Minnesota. You can still see the deep ruts, left by the covered wagons heading west, or follow the Lewis and Clark Trail. Driving through the Missouri River Valley on our modern interstate highways, I think of my father travelling on the slow train, to the Dakotas, seeking employment in the wheat fields. In the early 1900s that must have been a slow journey. Today young men still go to North Dakota, working in the oil industry, extracting oil from that same area, using a process called "fracking." A common sight today is seeing hundreds of wind turbines, working, making use of the constant wind that blows in the Dakotas. Heading west from Fargo, North Dakota, you see the cattle ranches in Montana, home of the Angus beef. Stunning scenery greets you as you travel along the Yellowstone River, fall colors mixed in with the dark green firs, Ponderosa pines and Lodgepole pines. Near the Montana border, in Dickinson, North Dakota, lies the Teddy Roosevelt National Park, a two hour tour of colorful canyons, and the North Dakota Badlands. President Teddy Roosevelt, one of the founders of the National Park Service, and John Muir's vision, helped expand the National Park Service. The year, 2016, marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. After passing through the golden wheat fields of eastern Washington,, we enter the Wenatchee Valley of Washington. Wenatchee Valley produces those endless orchards growing those Washington State apples, Gala, and the new variety, Honey Crisp. Leavenworth, Washington, a small Bavarian village, surrounded by mountains, offers a three weekend octoberfest. This colorful town has outstanding scenery, fall colors of sunset blaze orange with a sprinkling of yellow from the willow trees with a backdrop of dark green pines. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington's outdoor gem, glistens with its snow-capped mountain. Arriving at our west coast destination, the Pacific Ocean, you see a landmark Mount Hood. Mount Hood seems to point the way to Oregon's Historic Highway along the Columbia River Gorge. An unforgettable experience is a 35 mile highway with 77 waterfalls, some visible by road and others require a short hike. The world famous Multnomah Falls, a 600 ft. falls is a great climax to end this wonderful tour. The Columbia River and the Bonneville Dam gives you an opportunity to watch the salmon swim up river. Going south from the Columbia River, you enter the towns of Bend and Redmond, Oregon. In the Three Sisters Mountains, we experienced our first snowfall on Oct. 11, average snowfall, 300 inches, this past winter only 80 inches.

In Redmond, Mr. Peterson spent 17 years collecting rocks and building castles, monuments and patriotic displays, and developed an outstanding tourist attraction. On a clear day we saw the crown jewel of National Parks, Oregon's' Crater lake, a 6,000 ft. deep fresh water lake with an incredible blue color in a setting that remains in your memory. After two days stay in Newport on the coast Highway 101, I understand why the Oregon Coast is considered a most beautiful coast. The rugged coast with picturesque lighthouses, rock formations, and a place where the forest meets the sea, sand dunes, and a fascinating Oregon coast aquarium. The whale watching and the outstanding seafood restaurants add to my decision to make Oregon another favorite state. On our return trip we spent some time in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. A two hour tour of Temple Square, the home of the Mormon Temple, Morman Tabernacle, and the amazing north visitor center, meeting four young missionary guides from China, Africa, Italy and Microniesa. I have only three adjectives. Impressive! Beautiful! And Spiritual! At the end of this 6,000 mile journey, I feel like I learned a lot about geography, geology, modern farming, new energy sources, history, climate change, global warming, and the need to protect and preserve our beautiful national parks. They are our parks, taxpayers are providing the funds. Let us enjoy and protect .

Flavian Halter

Poplar Bluff, MO