National Treasures (by Sunshine)

Big Thicket National Preserve, TX

Most people have, at one time or another, complained about what the national government isn’t doing for us or what we are not getting from our tax dollars. It is easy to feel slighted by a system we feel we don’t have enough say in or that reports millions of dollars are being sent to foreign lands for relief from their disasters when we see suffering in our own towns. One aspect of our national system that has become much more present and clear for me is the wealth of resources we have in our national wildlife refuges, forests, monuments, seashores, and estuary reserves. I feel knowledgeable about national parks because I have been to many of them. What I didn’t realize until this trip was how many other areas are set aside as national recreation lands and what they provide. Wisconsin doesn’t have nearly as many of these areas as we have experienced traveling along the gulf coast. What I am in awe of is how few people utilize these areas. This is great for those of us who like to take the road less traveled and avoid crowds of tourists. Before this trip I thought of national forests and wildlife refuges as somewhat interesting but not really destinations. My whole view has changed. I’ve discovered most of them have very up-to-date visitor centers with free exhibits, brochures, picnic areas, and restrooms. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful (free stickers and coloring books for kids). They are clean and have spacious parking areas. They have well maintained trails with good maps and signage. I’ve done a 180 on these places and now see them as destinations rather than something to check out if you happen to be near one with nothing else to do. I’m happy our government has set these areas aside for protection and will remember them next time I start feeling slighted about where my tax money is going.