EXPLORE A NATIONAL FOREST ON NATIONAL GET OUTDOORS DAY On National Get Outdoors Day Many people in the U.S. and across the world have a national park trip on their travel bucket list. While Zion, Yellowstone, and the Great Smoky Mountains are all awesome locales, outdoor enthusiasts often overlook a resource that is less busy, less expensive, and usually right in their backyard: national forests. All but 10 states have a national forest (or more than one!), so if your home state doesn’t have one, it is very likely a neighboring state does! And there is no better time to hike, bike, forage for mushrooms or berries, or camp at a nearby national forest than this month. The tree-filled landscape will provide shade and help you beat the summer heat, and to further incentivize visitors, the U.S. Forest Service (the organization that oversees the national forests) is offering a fee-free day on Saturday, June 12, in honor of National Get Outdoors Day! While parking and day-use fees to access national forests tend to be relatively modest, fee-free days open up the opportunity to all visitors. The U.S. Forest Service has a great interactive map tool that prospective park-goers can use to learn more about the forests in their area, amenities and activities, and accessibility. Visit FS.fed.us/ivm to access the map and see what is near your hometown!
• El Yunque National Forest: Located in Puerto Rico, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the United States. • Tongass National Forest: Spanning 16.7 million acres and several islands across Southeast Alaska, the Tongass is the country’s largest national forest. • Salmon-Challis National Forest: This Idaho forest is the largest contiguous wilderness area in the lower 48 and contains the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. • Cibola National Forest and Grassland: Spread across north- central New Mexico, west Texas, and Oklahoma, this forest and grassland area is notable for its diverse ecosystems and wildlife. The Sky Islands portion of the park is also home to over 200 rare plant and animal species.
If you are dreaming up travel plans beyond your state’s border, consider visiting these notable U.S. national forests.
CHOCOLATE BEER CUPCAKES
Ingredients
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• 1 large egg, room temperature • 1/3 cup sour cream For the buttercream: • 1/3 cup peanuts (unsalted or salted) • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
For the cupcakes: • 3/4 cup beer
• 1 stick unsalted butter • 6 tbsp cocoa powder • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 1 cup granulated sugar • 1 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups powdered sugar • 2 tbsp peanut butter • 1–2 tbsp milk
directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 12-cup cupcake pan with paper liners and set aside. 2. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring beer and butter to a boil and stir. Remove from heat, then add cocoa powder and mix. 3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. 4. Pour butter and beer mixture into dry ingredients and mix. Add egg and sour cream and mix together thoroughly. 5. Scoop cupcake batter into lined cupcake tin, filling each cup about two- thirds full. Bake for 15–17 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack before decorating.
To make the buttercream: 1.
Using a mortar and pestle (or a food processor), break down peanuts into small bits. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together butter, powdered sugar, peanut butter, and milk. Start on low speed and gradually increase to high.
2.
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PARK PICNIC PRIDE
3. Once the ingredients are mixed and smooth, scoop into a piping bag with Wilton tip No. 12. Frost each cupcake and sprinkle each with peanut bits. Serve and enjoy!
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