My Dad taught me to love our public lands. When I was preschool age, gasoline was ten cents a gallon. So two summers in a row, Dad drove me, Mom and my grandparents across the country, stopping at many national parks along the way.
I don’t remember much about those trips. I remember:
- I ate an ice cream cone in a parking lot with a view of Mount Rushmore.
- I climbed down a ladder into an ancient dwelling at Mesa Verde, with help. The rungs were too far apart for my little legs.
- I filled an entire tablet with drawings of mountains as we approached the Rockies
- I got pecked by a jay in the Arizona desert
- I fed Oreos to the burros in Yellowstone (disclaimer: don’t feed the wildlife, that’s bad)
- I watched hummingbirds sip nectar as my dad rode off on a trail ride into the mountains, leaving me to keep my pregnant mother company until he returned.
But more than anything, I remember Dad. Dad helping me down the ladder, Dad soothing my boo-boo from that nasty birdy, Dad teaching me to see the beauty all around us.
After my sister came along, we’d all take walks along the beach near our home at Gateway National Recreation Area. Dad, who had a doctorate in Biology and was a college professor, taught us to identify razor clams, limpets and such. He showed us how to turn over horseshoe crabs so they could get back to the ocean. He taught us that the stinky seaweed washing up was a good sign that NY harbor was recovering from its polluted state.
When I started this blog, Dad became my biggest fan. He sent me e-mails after he read each post. He offered encouragement and little tidbits of information about some of the flora and fauna I’d photographed. He gave me ideas for other places to visit.
Sadly, Dad passed away at the end of July. I miss him dearly and will be forever grateful for all he taught me.
Hope you’re having an epic road trip, wherever you are. See you on the other side, Dad.
A beautiful tribute to your dad.
Thanks, Vivienne. I appreciate your kind words
Sorry for your loss.
Thank you
You are welcome.
Your Dad enjoyed and encouraged this blog, so when you post in the future you will honouring his memory. My thoughts are with you today.
Thanks Mr. P. My heart is heavy and I’ve had to take a step back from my job to help Mom for the time being. I’d thought to let the blog expire, but you’re right, Dad wouldn’t want me to give it up. I’ll find a way to continue it. I appreciate your kind words.
Take your time, wait until it feels right. Your Dad loved you for who you are, and your blog is part of who you are. I’m sure he’d be pleased for you to carry on when you feel able. Take care, my friend.
Hi T! I love your tribute to your dad in this blog. I can appreciate your mutual love for our national parks. I consider them our inheritance. I came of age at Gateway National Recreation Area, hence my screen name Riis Waters. Much love to you during this season of profoundly missing your dad. He taught you well.
Thanks for your kind words, Sarah. Glad I can respond to you here, my IG friend
May peace be with you. He sounds like a terrific guy.
Thank you, Tom. He was.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Sounds as though there’s a little bit of your dad in all of these posts about public lands.
Thank you, Ken. I suppose there is.
So sorry for your loss T. A great tribute to your father for sure. I am sure he is still exploring. Stay well. Allan
Thank you Allan. I hope so. Having worked with the Jesuits for his entire career, he never stopped trying to learn new things. Now his knowledge should be infinite.
Lovely tribute to your Dad and a look at why you do this blog. Wonderful!
Thank you, my friend.
What a wonderful tribute to your dad. I am sorry for your loss. You were lucky to have such a dad and to have so many great memories. It sounds like so much of him is still alive in you!
Thank you Betty! He will live on through our memories.
My condolences, Theresa. I’m sure this is a difficult time for you and your family. How wonderful that your dad brought this joy into your life.
Thanks, Eilene. It is difficult.
I’m sorry for your loss.
Thanks, Bill
So sorry for your loss. A beautiful tribute for a beautiful person. May he Rest In Peace.
Thank you, Andrew.
My thoughts are with you!
Thank you, Pit.
Oh what great memories of those feelings and places! Even if you didn’t remember all the details you got those feelings there. That’s so great he did all that with you guys road trips have the best mementoes and polaroids 🙂 I’m sorry about your loss though, it is super tough, the missing part is hard, but your National Park memories sound amazing and glad he was able to see some of your posts, sharing in the love of National Parks. Sending you good vibes.
Thanks, my friend.
What a wonderful tribute to your Dad. It’s great that you had a Dad that introduced you to nature and had such knowledge to share with you, along with him fully supporting your interests and letting you know he admired what you do. I’m sorry for your loss and grateful for your precious memories.
Thanks, Katelon. He was a great Dad. And grandpa too.
What a lovely and loving tribute to your dad. I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this glimpse of him with us. Best, Babsje
Thank you, Babsje
What a beautiful tribute. So sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Diana.
This brought tears. He sounds like an extraordinary person and I’m glad you had each other, and am also so very sorry for your loss.
He was, Tracy. Thanks so much.
My deepest sympathies. Such a loss for you and your family. Take care, Mel
Thank you, Mel.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your dad sounds like a fantastic father and an amazing human being. Sending prayers for peace during this difficult time.
Thanks for your prayers, my friend. He was amazing.
What an eloquent and fitting tribute to your Dad, Theresa. You still make him proud!
Thanks, Don. I hope so.
My deepest condolences on the loss of your Dad.
Thank you.
Your dad sounds like a wonderful father, and your account of him reminds me of my father. My dad was a geologist, and retired when I was 6. This left him free to take me exploring in the nearby mountains any time I wasn’t booked up with school or other activities. He loved the outdoors and loved teaching me about what he could see in the rocks. I’m sorry for your loss.
Thanks Ruth, I guess we were lucky to have such great Dads
My condolences, Theresa. You are your dad’s legacy, and through your blog you are passing along his love for our public lands to a wider audience and keeping his memory alive. It’s no wonder he was proud of you!
Aww thanks Chet for your kind words.
So sorry for your loss. Glad you have such wonderful memories with your dad. 😊
Such a very lovely and loving tribute to your dear Dad.
Thanks so much!
Thanks Irene. Me too!
Condolences, Theresa. thanks for the beautiful memories. I think I know the ladder at Mesa Verde!!
Thanks Michael! I had to ask Dad a few years ago where I would have memories of climbing one like that from and he confirmed we’d been to Mesa Verde on one of those trips.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful tribute to your dad!
Thanks for your kind words
You have so many wonderful memories of your father. Keep them close to your heart.
Thank you. I shall
My thoughts are with you Theresa. Your dad left you with a precious heritage. –Curt
Thanks Curt. He did.
Though I haven’t met him, they say the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. So, in a way, I’ve come to know him through you. I pray you will have enough strength during this transitional time.
Thanks, Matt.