National State Parks Wave Fees for Three Weekends This Summer
On three weekends this summer, the National Park Service will offer fee-free weekends to encourage economy-challenged families to visit the parks. Isn’t that pretty much all of us?
The fee-free dates are:
- June 20 and 21
- July 18 and 19
- August 15 and 16
The government, wisely, expects most people to stay close to home this year. They’re hoping that by offering vacationers free access to our gorgeous National Parks, more people will plug money into their local economy. I’m trying! I’m trying! Maybe you should talk to my husband, he keeps interrupting my flow.
This goes back to what I’ve been personally harping on for two forevers: Support your local restaurants, stores, car dealers, venues of entertainment, etc. When we keep money in our community, we all benefit. I feel a bit of a rant coming. Oh yeah, here it comes!!
In my own town, Owensboro, Kentucky – we happen to lie right across the river from a larger town in Indiana, Evansville. They’ve got the traffic, more malls, more stores, more restaurants, the clicks, the whistles, etc. So they pull in the younger crowd like Starbucks pulls in yours truly. Then, these same young people will wonder why there aren’t any jobs to be found in Owensboro, or why one of our restaurants goes out of business.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t ever venture out – in fact my husband and I love traveling around Kentucky trying different restaurants, meeting new people, seeing different attractions. But we spend the majority of our money in our own great town – the town with BBQ on its breath and walking on its mind. I swear, this town loves to walk – we have walking trails and parks everywhere you look.
Even though we had a terrible experience at our local Cracker Barrel a week ago (our cat, Alexa could make better mashed potatoes and her Fancy Feast would probably taste better than the meatloaf) – but local restaurants and stores are kind of like family. They mess up, you give them another chance. Besides, this was a first strike out for them – they’re usually excellent hitters. Our Applebee’s, Tumbleweed, O’Charley’s, TGI Friday’s, Panera Bread, Tokyo’s, and Ole South BBQ never take their eyes off of the ball. I believe I’ll thank Panarea Bread around lunchtime.
Speaking of supporting your local economy, I’m sure I’ve told you about my greatest accomplishment: I’m keeping three Starbucks going in Owensboro. Could that have something to do with my husband telling me that I walk and talk too fast?
Honey, I can’t help it, caffeine flows through my veins!
It’s funny, workers at each one recognize me and pretty much know my favorite drinks. I had to break in a newbie yesterday at the Starbucks in my beloved Kroger, though. When we were walking toward the door, my daughter and I noticed a new worker in a green apron. Rookie! Fortunately, I’m glad to say he made the team. My youngest daughter, who I’ve raised right, said that her Vanilla Bean Frap was the best one ever. Now, that could be because she’s a girl and the rookie was a boy… but I’m giving her the benefit of the doubt here. Even though the young rookie looked like a Halle Berry and Denzel Washington collaboration.
My girl wouldn’t let that interfere with a caffeine evaluation! Right???
I just went from National Parks to the economy to bad meatloaf to Starbucks. It’s the whole caffeine in the blood thing, sorry. *Takes another gulp of coffee
All 147 National Park Service locations that charge entry fees will waive them for June 20 and 21, July 18 and 19, and August 15 and 16. These fees normally range from $3 to $25.
For information on Kentucky State Parks, please visit their website. We have 52 beautiful state parks in our state – make a point of seeing each and every one. I’m going to begin a series of posts that’ll highlight and celebrate our State Parks. I’ll try to crank out several a day, to get in as many as possible.
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The picture at the top of the article is from Old Fort Harrod State Park in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. The Lincoln Marriage Temple (pictured on the right) shelters the original log cabin where Abraham Lincoln’s parents were married in 1806!
The Mansion Museum houses Civil War artifacts, a gun display, Native American artifacts and a collection of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia.
The history buff in me is beyond excited right now! I’m especially fascinated with the Civil War era. Abraham Lincoln is one of my biggest non-Biblical heroes – He and Harriet Tubman are are at the top of my list. Old Fort Harrod is definitely a place I can never get enough of.
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