Biscayne National Park

The final National Park we stopped at today was Biscayne National Underwater Park that is south of Miami. We learned that Biscayne is held up as a triumph of the late '60's environmental movement. Big-money Miamians trying to build an oil refinery and shipping channel were fought off by a "rag-tag" group of activists including an African American fishing guide whose family owned some of the barrier islands that dot the park. The ranger said the park is a monument to what grass-roots environmentalism can achieve. It reminded us of the many people in Ken Burns' PBS Documentary on National Parks who worked so hard to make sure to preserve beautiful spots in our country for future generations. When I saw these beautiful parks today, I am so thankful for their passion.