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Inside the July Issue of Southwest: The Magazine

JayHeinrichs
Adventurer B
Other magazines are also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, but when we do it, most of our 5.5 million readers are on airplanes that can actually take them to those parks. Talk about interactive media. Also on tap this month, we offer the 39 best-kept secrets of the parks. They include everything from the amazing skills of trail builders to the whitest sand dunes anywhere (White Sands, New Mexico). Speaking of which, some years ago, my family and I visited White Sands in the middle of winter. We got there early on a spectacular sunny day and seemed to be the only people within miles. My wife had bought a cheap plastic sled, and the kids and I hiked to the top of one of the biggest dunes. “Watch this, kids,” I said. “I’ll show you how to surf.” I stood on the sled, pushed off with one foot, and suddenly found myself rocketing at terrifying speed. I hadn’t noticed that there was an invisible layer of frost on the sand—which isn’t really sand but powdery gypsum. Toward the bottom I hit a bump, went flying, and did an arms-wide face-plant. I came up covered with powder like a mime. My kids were sprawled on the ground laughing. “Do it again, Daddy!” my daughter said. I think the national parks represent some of the finest things about America: our history, our astonishing nature, and our willingness to share our greatest treasures. But they’re also a way for families to get together—and watch fathers make complete fools of themselves. Happy birthday, national parks. And happy birthday, America. July Cover SW  
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