The fantastic National Parks System and the awesome Park Rangers

With family visiting from India, we have been doing drives and trips to places near and far pretty much every weekend for the last 6 weeks. And one thing that has stood out is the fantastic National Parks system in United States and the great Park Rangers who take care of it. It is easy to be cynical and say that its taxpayer money and we are entitled to it but given the conditions in which these people work tirelessly to maintain and enrich the natural beauty of this country, they deserve all the praise and more.The parks we have visited in the past weeks include glorious Yosemite, stunning Point Reyes, green and lush Muir Woods, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and San Diego's Old Town Historic Park (State Park system).At Yosemite, we were awed by how clean and neat the large expanse of area was. Considering the traffic and crowds, one would have thought the place would be a total mess. At Point Reyes, in the blistering wind and perennially chilly conditions, a cheerful Ranger explained the origin and history of the famous lighthouse. The 300 step climb alone would bother most of us but here in this relatively isolated place, there were these Rangers smiling and always willing to help.At Muir Woods, in the damp and rainy weather which apparently is a daily occurrence, two Rangers encouraged us to touch banana slugs while guiding us to the different parts of the park.At Golden Gate Park, we were just awed by the tranquility the place offered not too far from the bustling city that is San Francisco.And at Old Town, it was the people and the place- keeping a past era alive amidst the bustle of new town San Diego. The political system that laid the groundwork for the parks and recreation a few decades ago did something right. Unfortunately they are now cutting back on all the funding thanks to the budget deficit at the state and federal level. Some of the parks are facing severe cuts to their operating budgets. Others could potentially be closed. The debt ceiling talks threaten the parks system in a way that could deal a lasting damage to them.Hope someone in Washington D.C sees sense and value in keeping these wonderful places and the people who make them what it is, happy and in the best of condition. It is the least the places and people deserve to what in my opinion is most certainly the greatest idea of the American people.