This last winter we took a trip out west visiting millions of acres of land that I along with many others own. Our public lands are owned by all of us and are preserved for our use and the use of future generations. With this being the 100 year anniversary of the Park Service we should all be thankful for the preservation of these lands which are preserved as wilderness, recreation, historic, places for wildlife, places for human life, as well as many others.

The preservation of these lands allows folks like me, who are a member of the american public, to visit vistas that would not be accessible in private ownership. The trip we took last winter made me think about this even more. We visited Pipe Springs, a historic site, that educated us about human history. We used a campground at Glen Canyon, a place that allows boating, a motorized activity to flourish. We spent lots of time in Death Valley, camping in the back country using 4 wheel drive access. We drove through Lake Mead Recreation area, another area devoted to those in love with power boats. We stopped at Walnut Canyon and learned about ancient human history of the southwest. We looked in awe at the vistas of the Painted Desert in the evening sun. We hiked with our dogs in Petrified Forest being thrilled by the immense petrified logs and were mystified by the ancient rock art. We spent time looking for birds at the Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge which also allows hunters to pursue their interests.

Though I do not agree with all the uses, they all take place with my blessing. All these lands would not be available where they not public for which we have our federal government to be thankful for the foresight in this preservation.

During this Park Service centennial I hope you visited one of the many Park Service units of which there are more than 400. If you have not, do it now and look at the views, expand what you know and again be thankful for these areas of preservation and recreation.