This summer, I had the privilege of visiting Acadia National Park, which is made up of tiny bits of land in between small towns on several islands and peninsulas on Mount Desert Island, Maine. This was the 22^nd national park I’ve visited and its panoramic vistas and rocky, Atlantic shoreline did not disappoint.

With every national park I visit, I am reminded of how blessed we are to have these beautiful parts of our country preserved and kept wild forever so that everyone can come and enjoy the great outdoors. They play a key role in saving the habitats of many animals and native plant species, as well as keeping the fragile ecosystem from being destroyed by human endeavors.

In our national parks, you’ll find sun scorched deserts, craggy mountain peaks inhabited by mountain goats and big horn sheep, roaring oceans, pristine forests watched over by ancient redwoods towering into the heavens, and the forces of nature chiseling out canyons, lakes, and frigid glacial bays. Whether you’re visiting for the scenery, the hiking, the unfathomable array of stars sparking in the universe, or the encounters with animals, there is something everyone.

In my mind, the national parks are a cathedral, a safe haven, and an opportunity to reconnect my body, mind, and soul with our planet. I would encourage everyone to go to as many national parks as possible, especially the less visited ones, and find themselves again. Let the wilderness quiet your mind, restore your senses, and remind you of your place in this world we live in.