3 National Parks That Are Worth the Detour DITCH THE TOURIST TRAPS Meet Hannah, Our New Kennel Tech! A Working Mom With a Small Zoo at Home
Whenever you hear a friend or family member say they’re going to take a road trip to visit some of America’s most beautiful national parks, they usually plan to visit the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains, or Yosemite. These national parks consistently attract millions of visitors every year, but they’re far from the only must-see national parks in the country. There are 429 protected national sites within the U.S., and 63 of those have obtained the official “national park” designation in their names. (The other labels are battlefields, historic sites, monuments, recreation areas, etc.) If you want to experience the beauty of America without the crowds, consider visiting these destinations during your next vacation! CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA Often referred to as the Galapagos of North America, the Channel Islands are a unique area off the coast of Southern California. While visiting, you can expect to see seals, island foxes, and over 2,000 other plant and animal species, with 145 found nowhere else on Earth . You can reach the mainland visitor center in Ventura by car, but the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats or private boats. Make reservations in advance. CUYAHOGA NATIONAL PARK, OHIO If you want a unique experience, visit Cuyahoga National Park. Like many other national parks, you can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and photography while exploring the park’s 33,000 acres. You can admire many of the 1,000 species of plants and animals throughout your exploration, but if you want to get the full experience, hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA Exploring a cave might not be your first thought when considering national parks, but Wind Cave is a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s one of the longest and most complex caves in the world and has many unique features, such as frostwork, cave popcorn, and boxwork, creating unique sights with every step. Once you head back outside, a beautiful mixed-grass prairie, home to bison, prairie dogs, and more, will greet you.
Animals are a major part of Hannah Woods’ life.
We welcomed Hannah as a kennel technician in March. She is training to become a veterinary technician, assisting our doctors with surgeries and administering medications. When this working mother of four goes home after work, she tends to even more animals! “I have a small zoo of my own,” Hannah says. She specifically means seven dogs, eight rescue cats, two turkeys, two ducks, and an adopted horse. “My kids made me a sign for Mother’s Day: ‘I have four kids and a small zoo’. I know what chaos is!” The mare has proven to be gentle, easy to ride, and comes running to a whistle. “We haven’t had any of the issues with her that the previous owners had.” Hannah grew up in Texas but spent summers as a teenager with her mother’s family in Cedaredge, where she enjoyed barrel racing and other gymkhana events. She moved here permanently in 2009 to raise her kids, now 11 to 16. Hannah co- founded a nonprofit animal rescue organization about 12 years ago and worked for a while at the local animal shelter. Asked what part of her job she enjoys most, Hannah says, “I love all of it. It’s a really great place to work and I enjoy learning as much as I possibly can.” Hannah looks forward to meeting all of the animals that come into the clinic. She has especially bonded with a lively border collie puppy who has melted her heart. As Hannah learns the ropes at our clinic, we are excited to see her take on a larger role in caring for our patients and clients.
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