How about making an effort to visit a national park this year. It’s a great way to rebuild your appreciation of our country. We have three great national parks in our own state and a couple of others within a day’s drive.

One of my favorites is Olympic National Park. It’s a day’s drive away but will take you to our coast, and inside the park offers a unique experience.

The Rain Forest is unique and a bit scary with the moss hanging from the trees.

Allow time to go into the Rain Forest for at least a couple of miles. Quite often you will run into elk and deer.

My son Paul hiked 20 miles into the moss covered trees.

I have only been into the forest about two miles. It is scary and will stick with you forever.

Probably our least known and appreciated park is North Cascades National Park. It is somewhat limited in attracting visitors because the highway is only open six or seven months a year.

Plan on being turned away from November or December because of heavy snow.

The highway through the park might be closed until April and sometimes May. The snow gets very deep. But hit it right and you are in for a visual delight.

The high mountains will be snow-capped and rivers and lakes will add their beauty.

I would say that hiking is a must. Several well-maintained trails will take you into the interior of the park.

The third national park in the state is Rainier National Park.

There’s a 5-mile hike I’ve taken a couple of times that will place you on the side of the mountain. You can be in snow at times and the spring flowers are beautiful. Take good hiking shoes and a light jacket.

Glacier National Park in Montana is within a day’s drive. You’ll be at high altitude, so warm clothing during most months is a necessity.

There again, high mountains, streams and the “Going to the Sun Highway” will be long remembered. Take advantage of the hiking trails. You could even run into grizzly bears, but follow instructions from park rangers on how to deal with encounters.

You could add Yellowstone National Park to the list of close parks. I have made it in a day, but there’s so much to see and do along the route, it’s best to give it a couple of days.

Going to our National Parks is one resolution you will be happy you made and kept.