Lost in the debate over whether or not the government can run anything right is the glaringly obvious: our National Park System is absolutely fantastic. My family and I had the chance to explore many parks in the West last summer, including Grand Canyon, Bandelier, Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce, Devil’s Tower and Mount Rushmore. The natural beauty, cultural and historical preservation, and customer service made the entire trip a great joy.
But back home in East Tennessee we have one of the finest national parks of all: Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Today dignitaries and politicians from both political parties – and both states straddling the Smokies – came to celebrate the Park’s 75th anniversary.
In appropriate fashion, the Smokies’ most famous resident – Dolly Parton – sang a fitting tribute.
Ken Burns calls our national park system “America’s Best Idea.” It’s certainly one of them. When I think of the government doing things right, I think of the national parks, with dedicated rangers who serve millions of people a year.
Happy Birthday to the Smokies!