Wednesday Medley for July 31

On Wheeler Peak in Great Basin National Park in Nevada

 It's Wednesday again, and time for the Wednesday Medley hosted by Terri at Your Friend from Florida!  This week's questions are based off World Ranger Day, which is being celebrated today, July 31. Why not head on over to Terri's and get the the questions to answer on your own blog?  

Here goes with the questions:

 1.  Is there a National Park near where you live?  

Not really.  The closest one is Acadia National Park in Maine, although now that I think about it, the Minuteman National Historical Park (also under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service), in Concord, Massachusetts is probably closer.  Here in New Hampshire we do have the White Mountain National Forest.  Oh, and my sister-in-law recently told me about the Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park in Cornish, NH.  That's about an hour and 15 minutes from us, as I have reason to know as my hubby was recently logging in Cornish.

2.  How many National Parks and which ones have you visited?  Is there one you would really like to visit?

 I have visited Acadia and Minuteman Parks.  I've also visited Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho and Great Basin National Park in Nevada.  I know that our daughter and son-in-law really want us to see Arches and Zion in Utah one day.  We will see.  My hubby and I hope to visit many National Parks when he retires.

Three grandkids have their Junior Ranger books checked by the Ranger at Great Basin National Park

Getting their badges (which they are proudly wearing, below)

Grampa and Elliott in a cave at Craters of the Moon National Monument

My hubby with our daughter Joanna in one of the lava fields at Craters of the Moon

3.  The Park Rangers are protectors of the environment, of the wildlife, and visitors in the parks.  Is there someone (human) in your life who you count on as a protector or are you someone's protector?

Certainly God is the greatest Protector one could ever have, and He is mine.  Humanly speaking, my husband is my protector. 

 Last summer, though, he had me send this photo to the Nevada grandkids (who are big into all things Ninja) with this subject line: "Where were my Ninja protectors when I needed them?"

Nope -- those black eyes didn't happen protecting me!  Strictly work-related.

4.  Have you ever had an up-close-and-personal experience with a wild animal that you can tell us about?

Decades ago, a raccoon, presumably rabid, was trying to get in our screen door.  (My son shot it.) I have had a bear cross the road in front of me several times while I was out walking.  And once, my daughter and I came upon a bear eating blackberries while we walked a wooded roadway.  Both of my daughters had a chipmunk that used to eat out of their hands.  Chickadees would do the same.

5.  It is certainly an honor to show value to this profession by giving them a day of remembrance.  What is another profession that you like to see honored by a "day" of their own?

You know, I really can't think of any.  This whole "National Day" concept has really shown me just how many are honored with a "day" of their own.

The Park Ranger has the kids help open the door at Lehman Caves in Great Basin National Park

 6.  On this last day of July, please tell us something about your week so far.

The week seems to be slipping right out from under me.  Wednesday already!  And I will be happy when this hot, hazy, humid weather breaks.

Sunset at Craters of the Moon in Idaho

Moonrise over Craters

  Happy Wednesday, all!