Mt. Rainier National Park: A Winter Wonderland

Winter is coming – and that means visitors can once again enjoy the winter activities in Washington’s national parks. For instance, here are some of the places in Mt. Rainier National Park people can go to during the winter:

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Crystal Mountain summit

Atop Crystal Mountain, there are sweeping mountain views that tourists can enjoy while filling themselves with delectable food from the Summit House restaurant. Even the ride to the top in the Mt. Rainier Gondola is a great experience on its own.

Paradise snow play area

Families visiting the national park can bring the kids to the well-known snow play area at Paradise. There, people of any age can have fun sledding down the slope as squeals and laughter fill the cold air.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area

For nature lovers, there are daily winter-feeding activities in Oak Creek Wildlife Area. The place is actually one of the best locations in the entire U.S. for elk watching. Additionally, bighorn sheep are also fed at the nearby Cleman Mountain Feeding site.

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Mount Tahoma Trails or White Pass

Those looking for more physical activities can head to Mount Tahoma Trails as there is expansive space for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and skate skiing. An alternative location for these recreations is the White Pass Nordic Center.

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On The Defensive: How Michael Pinckney Has Leveled Up His Game

The University of Miami Hurricanes’ football team has yet to lose a game this season. They have won all six games, so far, boosting their chances of winning their first-ever Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship.

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The team’s offense has been good, with quarterback Malik Rosier orchestrating the offense like a well-oiled machine. Miami’s rushers and receivers have given the team an average of four touchdowns per game.

On the other end, the defense has been terrific, particularly in late-game situations. The defense is led by linebacker Michael Pinckney, who has already racked up nine tackles on his way to two conference Linebacker of the Week awards and a Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week recognition.

Even during his high school years, Pinckney was already turning heads with his skills and potential to be an all-world defender. A Miami native, he had dreamt of playing for the Hurricanes and had committed to the university while he was still in the ninth grade.

In his first season for the team in 2016, he surpassed the high standards that fans and analysts had for him, with some already considering him as one of the nation’s best linebackers.

This year, he has improved even more because of two things. Firstly, he plays with a chip on his shoulder because of so many people outside the city of Miami doubting the Hurricanes’ status as one of the best college football teams in the U.S. Secondly, he has built a strong relationship with his teammates and staff, because he understands what he is supposed to do and has earned the trust of everyone around him with his commitment to fulfilling his defensive duties.

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Patrick Dwyer is a Miami-based financial advisor who loves watching the Hurricanes’ football and basketball teams. See more news and updates about University of Miami’s sports programs by following this Twitter page.

Top 5 Reasons to See the Beauty of Yosemite

Local and foreign travelers marvel at the grandeur that is Yosemite. Families and groups of friends drive and hike miles just to witness its beauty. From its towering waterfalls to the elegance of its wildlife, Yosemite is not a place to miss.

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The Yosemite Valley Floor Tour: Not a fan of hiking? No problem. This tour lets individuals enjoy nature without having to feel exhausted from all the walking and hiking. A two-hour open-air tram tour introduces the park to its visitors in an excellent way. The tour is perfect for those who would want to relax.
Waterfalls: With five waterfalls measuring to a thousand feet or more to boast of, Yosemite gives its visitors choices of trails to see them. From easy hikes to challenging ones, travelers can decide which path to take to see a specific waterfall. With melted snow from the mountain, they’re best to see during late spring.
Starry skies: At night, Yosemite lets travelers see the wonders of the skies through guided astronomy walks, and nighttime bike tours. These tours are offered during the summer.
Wildlife: Spotting animals in Yosemite won’t be a surprise as there are over 400 species present in the park, including reptiles, fish, amphibians, mammals, and birds.

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Camping: Living among the wildlife and experiencing the beauty of nature through the sound of the falls and the sparkle of the stars are among the reasons why camping in Yosemite is quite an experience. Whether camping with a bunch of people or wanting to spend a cozy night with just a few friends, Yosemite will never disappoint.
Dwyer and Associates advocates the preservation of the planet through conservation of national parks. For more articles on the grandeur of national parks, click here.

Photography and National Parks: A Perfect Union

National parks in the United States have been a staple destination of nature and wildlife photographers for over a century. A huge part of the appeal is that national parks are protected and preserved, and so they stay pristine and as close as they can to when they first came to existence.

Image source: jasonsavagephotography.com

Climate change, sadly, has changed the appearance of several national parks over the past few decades. This is both a warning and an invitation to photographers since they have to hurry to catch the waning beauty of some parks, while given the chance to document these cataclysmic changes.

On the side of the parks, the more photographers who come and shoot in them, the more promotion and exposure they get. This added social awareness makes for more people willing to participate in their protection. This creates new campaigns, and newer ways to send word that parks have to be preserved for future generations.

A huge plus is that national parks reward photographers with health advantages that only national parks can give. The pollution-free air is enough to relax the lungs of a photographer, and all that hiking will surely give them a good work out. Finally, going through these parks can be stress-relieving on both the body and mind, as is photography.

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Dwyer and Associates care a lot about the environment, which is why they are doing all they can to help preserve our national parks. Learn more about the different national parks in the United States by subscribing to this Twitter account.