Continental Divide by Audrey Peterman along the road at Mount Rushmore National Memorial and kept a wary eye out for bears in Yosemite National Park as we (NAPSA)—Ten years ago, I started a journey with my husband that has led to some of the most extraordinary places in the country slept in the cab of our truck the and life-altering passion. Frank’s idea was to travel across the country and camp in the national parks. It wasn’t until we were midway across the country, that it dawned on me how these natural jewels are more than isolated wonders. As part of our National Park System, they represent 388 areas of unspoiled beauty, ancient artifacts and historic significance vital to our national identity. Along with the vast panoramas, we were amazed to find a legacy from our African-American ancestors and other people of color. In Biscayne National Park, we discovered the amazing story of Sir Lancelot Jones, descendant of a pioneering family, who resisted the blandishments of developers and sold his island to the National Park Service to be protected for posterity. Yet, during our maiden voyage to 14 national parks strung out across 12,000 miles, we saw only two other black people in the parks. I suppose we shouldn’t have cross-country journey was not only the scenery and history the parks hadto offer, but also kindred spirits. At a campground in Acadia National Park in Maine, the white family in the campsite nearby brought us firewood, and we sat around the campfire talking well into the night. At the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, a woman told Frank that she had come to the park once a year for the past 25 years and she intendedto con- dence to the contrary, in focus groups conducted by the National Park Service some years ago African Americans said they felt as though these special places did not relate to them. And the alarmed, fearful reaction of our friends and family when we announced our plans a decade ago bears this out. In fact, before we embarked on our trip, my husband’s mother, then in her mid-70s, promised to spend days and nights in prayer until we got back. Yet what we discovered on our The exciting physical journey was matched by an unexpected internal journey. The intimacy of the cab and the endlessly unwinding road awakened deeply buried memories from our childhood, and we learned more about each other andourselves than may have been possible under other circumstances. We saw great herds of wild bison and our first wolf among the world’s largest collection of geysers in Yellowstone National Park. We observed a family of mountain goats up close been surprised. Despite ample evi- night of our anniversary. Simply put, we became fans of the National Park System for life. Shortly after our journey ended in 1995, we began publishing the newsletter, Pickup & GO!, to get the word out and to promote the relevance of the parks to all Americans. We collaborated with groups such as the National Parks ConserThe national parks portray the nation’s diverse heritage, but sadly, people of color seldom visit these iconic sites. tinue for the rest of her life. vation Association (NPCA) and helped organize national conferences to bring members of communities of color, public land managers and environmental groups together to strategize about how to improverelationships. To my (admittedly) impatient eyes, even after ten years, issues of race, class, and privilege still continue to determine who “belongs” in the Great Outdoors. Numbers gathered by the Park Service suggest that attracting diverse visitors and employees remains an elusive goal. But it should be clear to anyone that this sterling legacy of a National Park System cannot be sustained if the fastest-growing demographic groups have no con- nection with it. Those of us who love the parks must spread the word. The National Park System is our collective natural heritage, it belongs to everyone, and all are invited to enjoy. More than ever, today Americans sorely need the inspiration from these timeless icons that show howeachracial group played a role in creating the America we enjoy in the 21st century. To subscribe to Pick up & GOI, please visit www.earthwiseproduc tionsinc.com/newsletter. him.
