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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, May 31-June 2, 2017 B-7 The Park Record From Nebraska, Mikah Meyer has visited 167 of the 417 National Park Service sites Ross Leonhart Vail Daily VAIL, Colo. — Mikah Meyer is a man of many missions. With one epic road trip, the avid traveler and national park enthusiast is breaking two world records on his way to seeing all 417 U.S. National Park Service sites in one trip. He estimates it will take him three years. “We get to live in the country with the most beautiful places as our public lands,” Meyer said from a parking lot in Ogden, Utah. “How could we be so fortunate and then not take advantage of it?” Meyer isn’t suggesting everyone go out and see them all in one trip like he is, but one of his messages is to encourage people of all ages across the country to find a park to explore. The National Park Service has launched its Find Your Park campaign, with its website featuring park locations by state (including Puerto Rico), activities, trails, swimming holes and more. “The idea is to not only share that the park system goes beyond the 59 well-recognized national parks, but also that people of underserved demographics are especially invited to come find their park,” said Meyer, originally from Lincoln, Nebraska. Personal goals Since starting his journey a little over a year ago, Meyer has gained support from the park service and others. But his initial reason for the trip was his father, who passed away at the age of 58. “It just flipped my world view as far as this idea that we’re taught about going to school, growing up, getting a job and retiring until we’re 80,” he remembered thinking as a 19-year-old. “I just realized that wasn’t the case for everyone, and realized that a lot of my peers didn’t know that as well.” Meyer decided that when he turned 30 he would do something “crazy” to help share the idea that time should be cherished. “Everybody thinks it’s crazy,” he said of his friends and family, “which I do, too, so that’s fine. But I think they also realize that I’m a determined, passionate person.” ‘Blown away’ When speaking with Meyer on May 11, he was 377 days into his journey with 167 national parks and monuments checked off the list, about one-third of the way through is adventure. He recently swung through the western part of Colorado to Dinosaur National Monument, one of the lesser known national attractions on the border of Colorado and Utah at the confluence of the Green and Yampa rivers. “I was there, you hear the name and you hear ‘monument,’ and you think it’s probably not that cool,” Meyer said. “I was so blown away just by hiking around it that I’m rearranging my schedule later this summer so I can come back and try to raft it.” It will be a minor pit stop for the man on his way to becoming the youngest ever to visit all 417 national sites, and the first to do it in one continuous trip. “Moments like that where you get to discover something that’s not part of our outdoor cultural knowledge — the way Yosemite and Grand Canyon are — it feels so cool,” he said over the phone, waiting for his oil to get changed before he went to a library to research. Meyer plans on being back in Colorado in September to finish off the eastern national sites. “So far, it’s been pretty wicked,” he said of Colorado. Trip notes While national parks are receiving more and more visitors each year, they are losing more and more funding. Planning this trip, Meyer’s biggest problem has been coming across website links that don’t work or old links that take you nowhere (including a rafting trip he was looking at in Colorado). It’s not the most ideal way to plan a trip, but Meyer said he’s “sympathetic to the fact that they’re trying to squeeze a lot of lemonade out of a small lemon.” His biggest “that’s it?” moment so far came at the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in Iowa. “I joked that this is basically like my grandmother’s town that I went to every year,” he said. “It’s essentially preserving smalltown Midwestern life to show Herbert Hoover’s childhood and what he grew up in.” Role model Since starting his journey — which is, more or less, on schedule — Meyer has garnered support from the LGBT community. Over a year ago, before starting his road trip, Meyer met his boyfriend — imagine telling someone you love that you’re leaving for three years. While loneliness was Meyer’s No. 1 fear, his boyfriend has helped ease that by joining him on parts of the trip. “There’s so much work to be done that even when he’s not here, I’m never lonely because I’m never bored,” he said. “I don’t have time to get bored.” With his father, the national parks and the LGBT community helping bring this dream to fruition, Meyer is enjoying sharing his experience with the world. “It’s been really cool as somebody who struggled to come out in a conservative state to now get to be that role model that I never had,” he said. And while it started with a personal goal of sharing a message with his friends and family, his trip has grown into something so much more. “What’s been really cool is to be able to change it in ways that is able to help a lot of other people,” Meyer said. Some of the pets at Nuzzles & Co. looking for love These animals are available to be seen at the Nuzzles & Co. Adoption Center and Rescue Ranch. Our Adoption Center is open Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located in the Tanger Outlets in Kimball Junction. Our Rescue Ranch is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 pm., and closed Sunday. The Rescue Ranch is located at 6466 N. Highview Road in Peoa. Bradley Ebenezer Peppy Luscia Bradley is a curious, outgoing 1year-old domestic longhair. This handsome brown tabby loves to play and be with people. He gets along well with cats, is easygoing, and is up for whatever — playing, lounging, etc. He doesn’t care, as long as he’s with you. Ebenezer is a friendly 6-year-old orange tabby domestic shorthair. He is gentle and loves to spend his days watching birds from a comfy window seat or snoozing on the couch. He gets along well with other cats. Ebenezer is just a sweet and easygoing cat. This handsome fellow is Peppy. He’s a 5-year-old domestic shorthair with very unique black and white markings. He’s a friendly, social guy who loves people and gets along well with other cats. Peppy is a sweet boy who can’t wait to find his forever home. Luscia is a stunning patch tabby domestic longhair. She’s about 1 year old, and she’s full of energy and love. Luscia is very affectionate and likes to spend time with people. She may do well in a home with other cats, too. This stunning girl is a big lovebug. 26 1990 2016 Committed To DEDI CA TE D T O PA RK CIT Y FO R 26 YEAR S (435) 649-8322 theteam@parkcitytitle.com 1670 Bonanza Drive • Park Record Building Introducing... 435-645-7139 www.marketatparkcity.com Please look for our insert in today’s paper! lizy michelle janelle DEER CREEK TITLE & INSURANCE Michelle Huggins Beano Griffon Turtle Liesl Beano is a 2-year-old Chihuahua mix who loves to play and go for walks. He gets along well with other dogs, loves people and doesn’t mind cats either. Beano would love a forever home with a family who loves the outdoors. He also loves to play in the grass. Griffon is an energetic, playful 18-month-old Chihuahua mix. He gets along well with other small dogs and likes spending time with people. Griffon enjoys going for walks and exploring the outdoors. This happy guy is looking for an active and loving forever home. Turtle is an energetic 3-year-old cattle dog mix. This intelligent dog is looking for an active forever home with a family that will exercise both his body and his mind. Turtle walks well on a leash and is working on his basic obedience training. Liesl is a friendly 2-year-old pit bull terrier mix who is looking for an active home where she can let loose and just have fun. She is a young, energetic girl who’s smart and loves to play. Liesl will need a confident owner who is willing to continue training with her. Wanted: Volunteers These organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to copyeditor@parkrecord.com. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words. Recycle Utah Recycle Utah, the primary recycling hub in Summit County for the last 25 years, is seeking volunteers. Get fresh air, burn calories and make your community cleaner and greener. Help is needed in the front office, the warehouse and with assisting with daily operations. Recycle Utah also relies on volunteers at special events such as its Harvest Fest and collection events. For information, contact Molly Brooks at outreach@recycleutah.org or 435-649-9698. to local women and children in need. Volunteers are needed to host small social gatherings as mini fundraisers for victims of domestic violence. The group’s mission is to provide aid for items outside the scope of what beneficiaries could otherwise provide. Beneficiaries include Peace House, the Children’s Justice Center and the Summit County Victim’s Assistant Program. Visit wasatchwomenade.org for details. To host an event, contact Jane Morrison at 435-645-8764 or wasatchwomenade@gmail.com. Summit Land Conservancy Summit Land Conservancy is an environmental nonprofit working to permanently protect the beloved open spaces in Summit County. You can see the results of the group’s work when you walk your dog in Round Valley, enjoy the Mid Mountain Trail or fly fish on the Weber River. Volunteers are needed to assist with biweekly recycling and join the Adopt an Easement program. To stay in the loop with other upcoming volunteer opportunities, sign up for the newsletter at wesaveland.org/get-involved/stay-informed. For information on current opportunities, contact caitlyn@wesaveland.org. Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter needs volunteers. Each Saturday, there are several shifts that support the front desk staff during open hours. Give museum tours, run the climbing wall, greet guests and more. Volunteers must enjoy working with the public and have a passion for the natural world. The EcoCenter also can use office support on weekdays. Call Gail Piccoli for information at 435-7978956 or gail.piccoli@usu.edu. Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District Basin Recreation is looking for volunteers with a passion for play to be Park Ambassadors. Park Ambassadors patrol the parks, interact with park users, report maintenance needs, assist with tournaments, promote park safety and encourage an overall positive use of public space. For details, visit www.basinrecreation.org or contact Angie Greenburg at 435-640-8476 or agreenburg@basinrecreation.org. Wasatch Womenade Wasatch Womenade is a nonprofit providing financial assistance Volunteer Drivers Wanted Summit County is looking for volunteers to drive senior citizens to their doctor appointments in Salt Lake City. Any interested individuals need to go through background and driving-record checks. They should expect to dedicate four to six hours on Tuesdays. Individuals interested in volunteering and any seniors interested in using the service should contact Heather Nalette, Summit County senior citizens coordinator, at 435-336-3014. For a full list of volunteer opportunities, visit parkrecord.com/volunteers. Confidence to close! 435.659.4407 dmichellehuggins@hotmail.com |