#2 Grand Canyon National Park

With a depth of one mile and a width of 10 miles, Grand Canyon National Park is considered to be one of the natural wonders of the world. Located in Arizona, more than 5 million people tour this awe-inspiring park each year. It was granted national park status in 1919.

There is a fee for entering the park—$25 per vehicle and $12 for those on foot, bicycle, or motorcycle—and is good for seven days. There are lodges located within the park that provide a beautiful view of the canyon, and there are hotels available on the road that leads to the park. If you are planning a visit and want to stay in one of the lodges, reserve your room at least a year in advance as they fill up quickly. Another option for visiting the park is to take the Grand Canyon Railway out of Williams, Arizona.

We visited the Grand Canyon in May 2010. It was quite windy and cold in the evenings. We weren't expecting this and had to buy sweatshirts and windbreakers in the gift shop. That twenty-dollar sweatshirt was one of the most comfortable I've ever worn; I still own it and wear it when and if it ever gets cold enough in Florida to need it.

There are two specific destinations within the park from which tours begin, museums and restaurants are located, and trails descend—the South Rim and the North Rim. The South Rim is open to visitors all year long who can participate in ranger programs, visit museums and bookstores, watch a video about the Grand Canyon, take an audio tour using your phone and points of interest along a driving trail, walk the Rim Trail, backpack down into the canyon, go whitewater rafting on the Colorado River, take a mule trip, rent a bike, ride the lodge tour shuttle which stops at various points of interest with breathtaking views and information boards. View this map of the South Rim.

One of the signs we encountered said, "What goes down, must come up." Big deal, you say? Even a short hike down into the canyon turned into quite the cardiovascular workout for us as we made our way back to the top. The trails are well marked, though a bit treacherous at times. They are definitely not jogging trails.

The North Rim operates on a somewhat different schedule: mid-May through mid-October. Ranger programs are available here as well, as are a visitors' center, day hikes, mule trips, and scenic drives. View this map of the North Rim.

On the west side of the park, actually outside of the park, is the Grand Canyon Skywalk. This is a sky bridge created by the Hualapai Tribe. It is a cantilever that juts out from the rim, 4000 feet above the Grand Canyon floor. Watch this video about the Skywalk. (Consider viewing in full screen to avoid any potentially offensive ads in the margins.) A permit and a ticket must be purchased. There is also the need for a $15 bus ride to take visitors from the parking lot to the Skywalk. Be sure to check all information and requirements before visiting.

CREATION VIEWPOINT: The Grand Canyon, according to the National Park Service and most, if not all, evolutionists, was formed over billions of years. However, creationists believe there is irrefutable proof found in the walls of the canyons—layering, fossils, rocks—that it was created by a great flood, the flood we see in Genesis.

If you are interested in learning more about the Grand Canyon from a creationist view, consider purchasing Grand Canyon: A Different View by Tom Vail, a canyon river guide. This book is for sale through Answers in Genesis.

It is said that the Grand Canyon contains five of the seven life zones and three of the four desert types in North America. Because of this, there is great diversity in the species of plant and animal that live there. There are more than 1500 plants species, 89 mammal species, 355 bird species, 47 reptile species, 9 amphibian species, and 17 fish species. Visit the Animals of the Grand Canyon page to read about those present. Be sure to choose from a variety of species listed on the left, including crustaceans, insects, mammals, birds, and mollusks, as well as plants. Learn about the wildlife safety standards that are in place in the park.

National Parks of the United States

As we begin our journey into the national parks of the United States, let's begin with a history of the National Park Service. As early as 1872, Congress designated a piece of land as a national park. This piece of land was located in the territories (not yet states) of Montana and Wyoming—Yellowstone. It was henceforth under the protection of the United States government so that its beauty could remain "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people."

President Theodore Roosevelt, during his term in office from 1901 to 1909, established five more national parks: Crater Lake, Wind Cave, Sullys Hill, Mesa Verde, and Platt. Some of these have been redesignated and are no longer national parks. Roosevelt also signed the Antiquities Act of June 8, 1906. This act would allow future generations to designate historic landmarks, structures, and other objects as national monuments.

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the act that created the National Park Service under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior. The mission of the Department of the Interior reads: "...protects and manages the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities."

The mission of the National Park Service reads: "The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world."

Today, there are 401 national parks. They exist in every state and in Washington, D.C.; Guam; Puerto Rico; the Virgin Islands; and American Samoa. These 401 national parks cover 84,000,000 acres of land and 4,500,000 acres of water (oceans, lakes, and reservoirs). In addition to the parks, there are 77 national monuments. As of 2008, there were 27,000 historic structures and more than 2400 historic landmarks. The smallest national park is Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Park in PA which is just 0.2 acres. The largest is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in AK which is 13.2 million acres.

The current director of the National Park Service is Jon Jarvis. He has served in this capacity since 2009. Nearly 28,000 people are employed by the National Park Service with another 2.5 million volunteers.

Our national parks are visited by roughly 300,000,000 people per year. Most national parks have a wide variety of activities year-round. Camping is available in many parks as well. Some parks take reservations for camping, but others are first-come, first-served. Find a park through the National Park Service and then click "Plan Your Visit" to find out about the operating hours, fees, reservations, and things to do.

Spend some time researching the National Park Service website, even if you aren't planning a trip. Consider using the website for supplemental material if you homeschool. With tabs like "Discovery History" and "Explore Nature," you're sure to find information that will interest your whole family. Choose a park and do some "Distance Learning."

The 10 most popular national parks are as follows:

1. Great Smoky Mountain National Park
2. Grand Canyon National Park
3. Yosemite National Park
4. Yellowstone National Park
5. Olympic National Park
6. Rocky Mountain National Park
7. Zion National Park
8. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
9. Grand Teton National Park
10. Acadia National Park

The series, National Parks of the United States, will begin with these 10 most popular destinations. If you aren't sure where each of these is located, be sure to check back to find out. There is most likely a national park within driving distance of where you live (maybe not one of these, but there is certainly another). Plan a trip. Enjoy a day off!

Summer Series: The 50 States - Arizona

ARIZONA

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Today, we will learn about the 48th state admitted to the union - Arizona.  It is located in the southwestern United States and shares a corner with Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.  You can even stand in all four states at one time if you travel to "Four Corners" where lies a granite and brass pad on which is inscribed the names of the four states.  Four Corners is situated in Navajo Nation, a region of Arizona that is dedicated to the Navajo Indian Tribe.  There are 22 federally recognized Native American tribes and communities living in Arizona today such as the Hopi, Yavapai-Prescott, Yavapai-Apache, Hualapai, Havasupai, and the Tohono O'odham.  The name, Arizona, has at least three proposed origins, all from various Indian languages.  One is the word "arizuma" from the Aztec language meaning "silver-bearing."  The word "Aleh-zone" means small spring and comes from the Tohono O'odham language.  The other possibility is that it comes from the Pima Indian word, "Ali shonak" which means small spring, as well.

The postal abbreviation for Arizona is AZ.  It will be a challenge to remember the abbreviations for all of the states that start with A and M, especially, since there are so many.  Let's review: Alabama is AL, Alaska is AK, and Arizona is AZ.

Arizona's state flag is seen below.  The lower half is blue, and the upper half is divided into 13 yellow and red segments (6 yellow, 7 red).  The copper-colored star in the center is representative of Arizona being the largest producer of copper in the U.S.  Blue and yellow are the colors of Arizona, and red and yellow are the colors of the Spanish Conquistadores of Coronado who came to Arizona in the mid 1500s.  The flag was adopted on February 17, 1917.

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The area of land that became New Mexico and Arizona was ceded (given up) to the U.S. by Mexico in 1848 as a result of the Treaty of Hidalgo after the Mexican-American War.  The Gadsden Purchase, which was finalized in 1854, added a bit more land below the Gila River in the New Mexico Territory. Arizona became a territory in its own right in 1863 when the New Mexico territory was divided, and Arizona became a state on February 14, 1912.  (What holiday is this?)

Arizona's capital is Phoenix.  It is believed that a man named Darrell Duppa suggested a new city would rise "phoenix-like" from the ruins of a previous civilization.  (Why did he say this?  Research the origin of Phoenix.)

Arizona's state motto is "God enriches." To figure out what the state nickname is, decipher the code on the activity sheet after you are finished reading.  The state bird is the Cactus wren, and the flower is the Saguaro Cactus Blossom.  This flower is protected, so harming it in any way is illegal.  The flower blooms in May and June and only survives 18 hours during which time it is pollinated by bats and moths.  The state tree of Arizona is the Palo Verde.

The Arizona Ridgenose Rattlesnake is the state reptile, and the Arizona Tree Frog is the state amphibian.  There have been many dinosaur fossils found in Arizona including Coelophysis and Dilophosaurus, but the state fossil is petrified wood.  The Petrified Forest is located in northeastern Arizona and is run by the National Park Service.  Arizona possesses a plethora of parks and sites of interest, making it a superb vacation destination.  

One of the most amazing sites in Arizona (in my opinion) and one of the seven wonders of the natural world is the Grand Canyon.  It is 277 miles long and 18 miles wide and one mile deep in spots.  There are a number of lodging facilities on the rim of the Canyon.  TIP: If you are planning a vacation and desire to stay in one of these lodges, plan at least one year out as they fill up fast.  There are places to stay a little further out that are nice as well.  Plan to take a jacket in the evening, as the wind makes it chilly.  At different points along the rim, there are paths leading down into the Canyon.  Just remember, whatever goes down must come up.

Sedona is a small but extremely beautiful town less than two hours drive from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  It is well worth the visit.  I think I enjoyed it more than the Canyon.  As you drive to Sedona, you drive through a canyon with tall rock formations towering above you, and the rocks are a vibrant red.

 Other sites of interest are Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park which is one of the most widely photographed areas in the U.S. with its crimson mesas and sandstone formations.  Prescott is a town replete with Victorian homes and old saloons of a bygone era.  There is a real Wild West feel in Prescott.  Bisbee, Arizona, is home to Copper Queen Mine where, in a century of mining, $6.1 billion (1975 valuation) worth of copper has been extracted.  The mine closed in 1975 but is open for tours nowadays.  The Painted Desert is found in Arizona as is Tombstone, famous for the gunfight at the OK Corral.  (Who was involved in this fight, and how long did it last?)

Half of the Hoover Dam is located in Arizona (the other half in Nevada).  If you travel east on the Hoover Dam Access Road from Nevada, you cross the state line in the middle of the Dam.  In 2010, a bypass road was created to avoid the traffic jams that were caused by tourists driving, pedestrians walking, and regular traffic including semi-trucks.  Learn about the history and tour options here.

Hoover Dam Bypass - under construction

Hoover Dam from top of parking garage

Some famous Arizonans are Cochise, an Apache Indian Chief who attacked soldiers, starting a 10-year war with settlers in the region in 1862.  Geronimo was another Apache Chief who surrendered to U.S. troops in 1886 after years of war.  Linda Ronstadt is a singer who was popular in the 1970s.  Also popular in the '70s was Lynda Carter who played Wonder Woman on TV.  Kerri Strug is a gymnast from Tucson who won a gold medal in the 1996 Olympic Games.  (Who else can you find?)

The weather in Arizona is quite varied.  There is desert, and there are mountains; so there is heat, and there is snow.  The record high temperature for Arizona of 128 degrees Fahrenheit was set on June 29, 1994.  The record low was -40 degrees Fahrenheit, set on January 7, 1971.

Download the code activity sheet.

I have found a wide variety of resources about Arizona at ChristianBook.com.  I am an affiliate, so I will provide the links to their website for the products; but most, if not all, can be found elsewhere.

Arizona Big Activity Book, Grades K-5 By Gallopade International This BIG activity book has a wide range of reproducible activities that will entice any child to learn more about their state! Activities touch on history, geography, people, places, fictional characters, animals, holidays, festivals, legends, lore and much, much more! Reproducible. Available for all 50 states! Grades K-5; ages 6-12.      $9.19.

Arizona Coloring Book, Grades PreK-3 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International This coloring book is loaded with value. Original art of Arizona characters and scenes add fun to education. 24 pages. Grades PreK-3.  $3.95.

Arizona Jeopardy, Grades 3-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Modeled after the popular TV game show; features "categories" like state History, Geography, Exploration, People, Statehood, State Attractions, and lots more. Each category lists educational and entertaining answers-the student gives the correct question. Includes approximately 30 categories and 150 Q & A. Kids love the Jeopardy style format! Reproducible. Available for all 50 states! Grades 3-8; ages 8-14.  $7.79.

Arizona State History In a Nutshell - PDF Download [Download] By Cyndi Kinney & Judy Trout / Knowledge Box Central Get to know your home state! Comprehensive state history lapbook resources from Knowledge Box Central are designed so that children of all ages can study together. Explore state symbols, songs and landmarks, famous people, geographical regions, timelines of historical events, and more. The included state-specific study guide provides background information, history, and other factual information; this study guide is the same for both lapbook (Grades K-8) and lapbook journal (Grades 6-12) students, so that the parent only needs to go over the information once. This lapbook includes a list of all the supplies needed if following the included base guide. Blackline masters are provided for students to cut out and paste into their lapbook, while a photo of a finished lapbook provides a visual example. This Lapbook is structured for use with K-8th Grade Students. Get started on your lapbook immediately with this PDF Download.  $4.39.

Arizona Wildlife By Independent Publishers Group Arizona Wildlife, An Introduction to Familiar Species, is a must-have reference guide for beginners and experts alike. Whether you are on a nature hike or taking a stroll in your neighborhood, you will want to take along a copy of this indispensable guide. The Pocket Naturalist series is an introduction to common plants and animals and natural phenomena. Each pocket-sized, folding guide highlights up to 150 species and most feature a map identifying prominent sanctuaries and outstanding natural attractions. Each is laminated for durability. (31/2 X 81/4 folded, opens to 22 X 81/4, color illustrations, map)  $5.36.

Explore Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest with Noah Justice: Episode 3 DVD, Awesome Science Series By New Leaf Publishing Group Traveling is even better when you discover the evidence of biblical history and truth along the way! Hosted by 14-year-old, homeschooled, Noah Justice, his fresh approach to science and the Bible will get you more excited about the truth with each episode of Awesome Science. 30 minutes on DVD. Kids & Teens. Explore Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest (Awesome Science Episode 3) will discuss the wonders of two of Arizona's most famous geologic sites.  $11.99.

Explore Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest with Noah Justice: Episode 3 Study Guide, Awesome Science Series By Master Books This study guide accompanies the sold-separately Explore Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest with Noah Justice Episode 3 DVD. A variety of follow-up activities are provided, including word-bank sentence-completions, discussion questions, bonus activities, true/false, and other exercises. Some brief content reminders are also included. 34 pages, magazine style binding.  $3.49.

Explore the Grand Canyon with Noah Justice: Episode 1 DVD, Awesome Science Series By New Leaf Publishing Group Traveling is even better when you discover the evidence of biblical history and truth along the way! Hosted by 14-year-old, homeschooled, Noah Justice, his fresh approach to science and the Bible will get you more excited about the truth with each episode of Awesome Science. 30 minutes on DVD. Kids & Teens. Explore the Grand Canyon (Awesome Science Episode 1) will discuss: How the Grand Canyon was cut in just days, not millions of years How its massive layers show evidence of being laid down in less than a year The Biblical record can be trusted as Earth's history book.  $11.99.

Explore The Grand Canyon with Noah Justice: Episode 1 Study Guide, Awesome Science Series By Master Books This study guide accompanies the sold-separately Explore the Grand Canyon with Noah Justice Episode 1 DVD. A variety of follow-up activities are provided, including word-bank sentence-completions, discussion questions, bonus activities, true/false, and other exercises. Some brief content reminders are also included. 34 pages, magazine style binding. $3.49.

Geronimo: Wolf of the Warpath By Ralph Moody / Sterling Publishing When the Mexicans first took the Apaches as slaves, they made a grave mistake in more ways than one. Hounded by men who could track them, kill, outwit, and quickly escape, the Mexicans moved farther and farther away from the Apache villages, only to find them coming just as close. Geronimo grew up as the grandson of a chief, a boy who would hunt and practice his skills all day. A legendary man who was feared and respected, Geronimo defeated and eluded the soldiers of two nations for more than 25 years. 184 pages, softcover. $5.99.  For ages 12-15.

Grand Canyon: Testimony to the Biblical Account of Earth's History DVD By Dr. Andrew Snelling / Answers In Genesis Grand Canyon offers some of the most breathtaking vistas in the world, but did the tiny Colorado River really carve this massive feature? Evolutionary thinking about Grand Canyon requires the passage of millions of years. Dr. Andrew Snelling uses diagrams, beautiful photographs of the canyon, and his first-hand knowledge to dismantle this story. Using the biblical flood as his starting point, he shows how Grand Canyon bears testimony to rapid erosion as a result of the waters left behind by the global flood. This DVD is suitable for adults and teens. Approx. 72 minutes. $9.99.

The Hoover Dam: The Story of Hard Times, Tough People and the Taming of a Wild River By Elizabeth Mann / Firefly Books LTD They called the river the Red Bull. Desert silt gave the Colorado its distinctive color, but it was its power and unpredictability that made its fierce reputation. Speeding down from the high Rockies, the Colorado would flood without warning, wiping out any farmer foolish enough to settle near its banks. But what if the Red Bull could be tamed? Farmlands irrigated by the Colorado's waters could bloom in the desert. Cities electrified by the Colorado's power could grow and prosper. The Hoover Dam grew from this dream and with it much of the modern American west. Built in the middle of The Great Depression, the Hoover Dam was set in an unforgiving landscape whose climate defied habitation much less intense, backbreaking physical labor. Yet, during those hard times and in that desolate place, there rose an extraordinarily sophisticated feat of modern engineering. The Hoover Dam is the dramatic story of the danger, suffering, courage and genius that went into the building of one of America's most famous landmarks. $20.66.

A Possum's Wild West and the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral By Jamey M. Long / Tate Publishing Young Children's Book $7.19.