1 . National Parks: Made for You and Me

·While the term “national park” is associated with images of the American West, there are national park units in every. U. S. state and territory. Together they welcome about 300 million visitors each year and span some 85 million acres, almost 55 million of which are in Alaska.

·There are more than 400 sites in the National Park System, though that includes far more than what we traditionally think of as “parks”, such as parkways and rivers, Strictly speaking, there are 63 national parks (California has the most, with nine), but there are also national historic parks, national military parks, and other designations. A few are thoroughly unique. Among them: the White House.

·The National Park Service (NPS) oversees all 400+ of these sites. But rules about what you can and cannot do in national parks differ from site to site. Activities that are prohibited at national parks, such as hunting and fishing, are allowed on some national preserves. Many national parks allow the scattering of ashes (the Grand Canyon is a notable exception); though, like Hitchcock, you need to obtain NPS permission. The same goes for couples who wish to marry inside a national park.

·Additions to the National Park System generally require acts of Congress, but the president can name new national monuments. Of the 63 national parks, only one is named after a president: Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota.

·It was another president who created the NPS in 1916; Woodrow Wilson Parks that predate (早于) the NPS include Yosemite in California and Mount Rainier in Washington. But Yellowstone, which turned 150 this year, was the world’s first national park. Today, more than 100 countries have national parks and preserves. The largest by area is in Greenland, though 97 percent of the Galapagos Islands is a national park.

2 . Great European Cities

Paris is the capital and largest city of France, situated on River Seine. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is visited by more than eight million tourists every year. The most popular place for tourists is the Eiffel Tower, the famous symbol of Paris. One of the world’s largest art galleries, the Louvre, is also located in Paris. The city is also famous for its restaurants, cafes and theatres. About two-thirds of France’s artists and writers live in Paris.

Barcelona is the second largest city of Spain and is situated on the northeast coast, about five hundred kilometres east of the Spanish capital, Madrid. One of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks is the Church of Sagrada Familia (圣家族大教堂), which was designed by an architect called Antonio Gaudi. Gaudi worked on the project from 1882 until his death in 1926. The church hasn’t been finished yet!

Florence is an Italian city which won its fame because of the Renaissance (文艺复兴), a great artistic movement which began in the 1300s and lasted for three hundred years. During the Renaissance, some of the greatest painters of all time lived and worked in Florence. Many of Florence’s most beautiful paintings and sculptures were produced by great artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Florence is visited each year by about a million tourists who come to see the art galleries, churches and museums. The Uffizi Palace (乌菲兹美术馆) is the most famous art gallery in the city.

Athens, the capital of Greece, is known as the birthplace of western civilization. Two thousand four hundred years ago, it was the world’s most powerful city. Buildings such as the Parthenon (帕特农神庙) on the Acropolis (雅典卫城) Hill were built during this period. Greece’s best writers lived in ancient Athens. Their work has influenced other writers ever since.

4 . There are top four places to visit in the Monterey Peninsula, California, where there are so many activities and beautiful lookout spots.

This scenic place offers many activities, hotels, and restaurants. At Pebble Beach, one can go fishing, swimming, diving, surfing, picnicking, boating, and on the nature trails there’s bicycling and hiking. It is a picture that is perfect with a white sand beach and beautiful view of the ocean.

Regarded as the number one aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium has all kinds of interesting fish to see. Not only do they have strange fish but also other sea creatures too. They have very creative ways of displaying the fish; sharks are kept in a large glass looking tank. Admission (入场费) for adults is $ 34.95, children (13-17) $ 31.95, and children under 12 is $ 21.95．

Every year in October, the Monarch butterfly migrates to Monterey County to stay for the winter. This is actually called overwintering, and at this sanctuary (庇护所) these large numbers of butterflies gather together on the tree branches to keep warm. There are tens of thousands of them flying up and down; it’d be a sight worth seeing.

Being the largest state park in the area, Andrew Molera State Park offers many activities and natural views. The Big Sur, made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel, is within this park and is very beautiful. The park also offers camping, surfing, and hiking.

If you ever had the chance to go to Monterey County, California these are some of the places you’d like to see. Check them out for yourself at their websites below and see if they’ll be added to your travel wish list!

5 . Step back in time to experience the golden age of railroading. North America’s railroad museums and tourist lines provide affordable fun for the whole family! Plan your complete vacation with visits to these leading attractions. For information on advertising in this section, call Tom Vorel at 630-248-2299.

750 Depot Street

Located 60 minutes east of San Diego Ride on the San Diego Arizona Railway: the last trans-con link, completed in 1919 and built by sugar-magnate (巨头), John D. Spreckels.

Trains depart from the historic 1917 Campo Depot every Saturday and Sunday. Check our website for train’ schedules and tickets.

www. psrm.org     619-465-7776

17155 W. 44th Avene

There is something amazing about trains. The familiar whistle has always promised adventure. Experience it again with a visitor to the Colorado Railroad Museum, one of the top 10 railroad museums in the United States with one of the largest collections of narrow-gauge (轨距) equipment. The 15-acre rail yard also features a roundhouse restoration facility and renowned library. Train rides throughout the year. Group rates-and-programs available.

ColoradoRailroadMuseum.org   800-365-6263

810 S. Main St.

Lately, train watching around The Bridgeview B&B has been extremely exciting with motive power from BNSF. UP, KCS, CP, CN, CSX and Ferromex often leading, plus add NS units into the mix. and you have some amazing lashup (应急设备) possibilities! Trains entering or exiting Enola Yard pass right by our front porch. From the spacious decks and sitting room, you can watch the Susquehanna River, Blue Mountains and train action on Rockville Bridge! Plus, visit Hershey, Gettysburg, and PA Dutch Country! Comfortable rooms all with private baths, A/C, Wifi, and a tasty breakfast are included with your stay. Take a virtual tour on our website and check us out on Facebook for daily updates, pictures and guest comments.

www. bridgeviewbnb.com   717-957-2438

N6639 Dilly Lake Road

America’s Only Moving

BED& BREAKFAST DINNER TRAIN

The train departs Tuesday through Saturday evening at 5:30 pm year round. The train features a choice of a queen bed in our sleeper deluxe suites or a full size bed in our 1914 Pullman Private Car. Enjoy cocktails in the lounge and then move to the diner for a scrumptious 4-course chef prepared meal from our onboard kitchen. When the train returns to the station view the starlit sky while trading railroad tales with other passengers around our gas fire on the patio. Wake up to a hot breakfast buffet in the diner. See the world famous Mark Twain Zephyr at Trego Depot!

www. spoonertrainride.com   715-635-3200

8 . Scottish International Storytelling Festival

Saturday 18 October

Once Upon a Journey

National Museum of Scotland

11 am (5 hrs)

Free|5+

A day of storytelling journeys and performances at the National Museum. Join Captain Zeppo’s Submarine Adventures with Macastory, go on Magic Carpets and Story Safaris, and explore Scotland’s history for all ages with Andy Cannon’s Tales of a Grandson. Tickets for auditorium shows are on a first-come-first-served basis. Story Safaris and Magic Carpets have limited places and will require sign-up on the day.

Saturday 18 October

Travelling Tales

Scottish Storytelling Centre 2 pm(2 hrs)

£ 7. 5018+

Join storytellers and musicians Essie Stewart, Claire Hewitt, Alasdair Taylor and Alastair Davidson for an afternoon of traditional journey tales and songs. Young people from Badenoch Lochaber will also share their own stories in Gaelic and English inspired by the epic journeys of the Scottish travelers.

Saturday 18 October

Enlightenment Edinburgh

Meet at Mercat Cross beside St Giles Cathedral

2. 30 pm (1 hr 45 mins)

£ 11, £ 6 child |All ages

Journey through 18th-century Edinburgh. The population was small; the space they lived in was smaller. Yet from this tiny stage Edinburgh’s intellectual influence spread across the new world. Explore the mediaeval (中世纪的) Old Town to the Georgian New Town; hear about the lives of the men who fashioned new ideas: David Hume, Adam Smith. Walter Scott. James Hutton and many more.

Sunday 19 October

Natural Journeys

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

I pm(3 hrs)

Free |All ages

From Tea House to Tented Village, Gateway to Groves, and Yurts to Caravans, listen to nature’s expressive language through traditional stories and music. Journey between key locations in the beautiful Botanic Garden. There’s also The Lost Seasons, a special performance of music, story and step dance from some of Scotland’s leading traditional artists.