The Four Elements

There are a plethora of posts out there regarding some of the most amazingly places to visit. This post is intended to highlight the salient features of  some such amazing places we visited, that have been preserved as  National Parks in the United States. To make it interesting I figured we'd categorize each place under one of the 4 elements .. Fire, Water, Earth & Air. 

Fire:

The topmost on our list is of course Yellowstone. It is one of the most amazing places especially for someone that loves nature . Nature can be seen in all its glory throughout Yellowstone in its flora, fauna and topography. Yellowstone is one of the largest volcanoes  that reveals itself on the surface in menacing ways with mud pots, with nauseous toxic gases and fumaroles that hiss with acid vapor. It feels surreal standing there in the heart of this super volcano with its super heated pools of water steam vents and Geysers that attract visitors galore .  Hundreds sometimes 1000's of tremors shake Yellowstone every year. The volcano is alive and active with a massive cauldron of magma. Speculation abounds but no one knows for sure when it would erupt but meanwhile it shapes a unique wilderness populated by wildlife. Extreme forces and raging fires shape the Yellowstone . There are many things that make this place special.

The Yellowstone plateau sits in the Rocky Mountains  and the continental divide runs through the southwest side of the park. It has the largest high altitude lake in North America and the largest petrified forest.  This beautiful place boasts of many waterfalls  that can only be  experienced by trekking through the interior wilderness that I believe is not for the faint at heart. Its seemingly pristine wilderness is shaped everyday by the super volcano, that is Yellowstone.  Yellowstone also holds the unique & prestigious position of being the first National park. The park beckons me back.. and I would go, this time not for the nauseous gases, fumaroles or streaming hot pools but for the pristine wilderness and the path unexplored by any as Yellowstone has something new for everyone. 

 

Water:

Where there is fire there is a need for this element -Water. The biggest National Parks in the United States that boast miles upon miles of this element are in Southern of Florida and Virgin Islands. The reason I said National Parks (plural) instead of park is because there is a toss up between the Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park , Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida and the watery world of Virgin Islands Coral Reef Monument. 

 

The Everglades National Park is the largest sub tropical wilderness in the United states that boasts of rare and endangered species. It has been designated a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve and wetland of International importance, significant to all people of the world.

 

Within sight of downtown Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne National Park protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Here too is evidence of 10,000 years of human history, from pirates and shipwrecks to pineapple farmers and presidents. Outdoors enthusiasts can boat, snorkel, camp, watch wildlife... or simply relax in a rocking chair gazing out over the bay.

Almost 70 miles (112.9 km) west of Key West lies a cluster of seven islands, composed of coral reefs and sand, called the Dry Tortugas National Park. Along with the surrounding shoals and waters, they make up Dry Tortugas National Park. The area is known for its famous bird and marine life, its legends of pirates and sunken gold, and its military past. Parts of this island is protected from human intervention as sea turtle nesting sites. And if you are lucky you might just see these endangered reptiles.

Virgin Islands Coral Reef Monument includes federal submerged lands within the 3 mile belt off of the island of St. John. These waters support a diverse and complex system of coral reefs, and other ecosystems such as shoreline mangrove forests and sea grass beds that contribute to their health and survival.

Air:

One of the most important elements, that keeps every organism living and breathing is also responsible for shaping the topography of these beautiful National Parks in our list  The Badlands National Park" in South Dakota and "The Arches National Park" in Utah are wonderful examples of how this element shaped and continues to shape these vast landscapes with every passing day. Formed by the geologic features of deposition & erosion, of Sandstone and tiny Grains of sediments such as sand , silt and clay that have been cemented together in sedimentary rocks this landscape is ever changing. 

 

 

Land: 
Last but definitely not the least this is an essential element  for the sustenance of most of the species dwelling in this wonderful planet we all call home, is highlighted in the wonderful "Grand Canyon" in Arizona , Olympic National Park in Washington and Redwood National Park in Northern California . These three National parks are vastly different from each other yet showcasing the same thing.. how beautiful and diverse our planet is. 

Considered one of the natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon with its unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms decorate and overwhelm our senses as this powerful inspiring immense landscape. A few Million years ago, by the action of the tectonic plates the whole region was uplifted resulting in the high and relatively flat Colorado Plateau. The Colorado river began it downward journey eroding and widening the canyon for millions of years. The strength of this river is at play even today chiseling away at the exposed limestone. The exposed geologic strata of Schist  and limestone represent one of the most complete records of geological history that can be seen anywhere in the world.

Olympic National Park spanning a million acres is three parks in one. A land of beauty and variety with mountain vistas to meadows and rain forest to Ocean tide pools. The park encompasses within it  geology, climate, isolation and history. Its sheer size protects this relatively intact ecosystems making it a priceless living laboratory for both flora and fauna .

The Redwood National Park is home to the worlds tallest trees, the icons that inspire visions of primeval forests. These giant redwoods have  stood  around for thousands of years and watched time go by like no one else on this planet.. If only they could talk, we would have first hand account of everything that science is estimating of from centuries gone by. This park also supports vast prairies, river ways, woodlands and a rich mosaic of wildlife diversity.