Wednesday Medley: Rangers & Dangers

This is a World Day this week, not just National.

Click HERE to join Terri and the others as we answer questions about parks and wild things.

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WORLD RANGER DAY – July 31

“A park ranger is a protector. You protect the land from the people, the people from the land, the people from each other and the people from themselves."  Kurt Caswell (author/writer)

As I only know one Park Ranger personally, I will give a Big Shout Out to Garland who works at state parks in South Texas near San Antonio.

1.  Is there a National Park near where you live?  

Yes, just south of us near Natchitoches, Louisiana, known as one of the most beautiful small towns in America, is the Cane River Creole National Historical Park.  We visited the old plantations that make up this park several years ago, but I couldn't find any of my pictures.  There is so much fascinating history in this state!

The following quote is from the website:

"The Cane River region is home to a unique culture; the Creoles. Generations of the same families of owners and workers, enslaved and tenant, lived on these lands for over 200 years. The park tells their stories and preserves the cultural landscape of Oakland and Magnolia Plantations, two of the most intact Creole cotton plantations in the United States."

2.  How many National Parks and which ones have you visited?  Is there one you would really like to visit?

I have no idea how many there are, but I counted having visited at least nine.

In California we visited Yosemite, Red Wood and Big Sur (not sure it's a National Park).

In New Mexico we've seen Carlsbad and Bandelier.

Others are Great Smokey Mountain NP, 

Grand Canyon, and Glacier Bay in Alaska from a ship.  Other than the one mentioned above nearest us, we have also driven through parts of the Kisatchie National Forest in our state many times.

I don't know of any particular park I would choose to see at this time.

3.  The Park Rangers are protectors of the environment, of the wildlife, and visitors in the parks.  Is there someone (human) in your life who you count on as a protector or are you someone's protector?

My human protector is my husband and he has done a wonderful job of it for almost 54 years!  In fact, he brought me the most beautiful bunch of red rose buds Tuesday evening.

4.  Have you ever had an up-close-and-personal experience with a wild animal that you can tell us about?

Only a opossum that gave me quite a start once.

5.  It is certainly an honor to show value to this profession by giving them a day of remembrance.  What is another profession that you like to see honored by a "day" of their own?

Ryan Farms Produce - Dixie, LA

This took some thought, but I decided based on my enjoyment of and the short availability of watermelons, and the heat in which a southern farmer has to work, I would like to see a National Watermelon Growers Day.  It should be set in late July.

6.  On this last day of July, please tell us something about your week so far.

Monday was my volunteer work day as receptionist at our church.  It was quiet and I got some reading done between a few phone calls.

Tuesday I participated in a Tucson Art Academy Online Webinar on how to work with paint values.  I also tried a new healthy and perfectly legal cookie recipe.  They turned out pretty good but not very sweet.  They will at least help satisfy our after-dinner need for something more.

Thursday, I am looking forward to having a couple friends over for afternoon tea.  I may even share one of my cookies.

Have a great rest of your week and be nice to a Park Ranger.