Merrell Vintage Parks Tee Collection Review
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Growing up, I was very fortunate in that my parents were able to take me and my siblings on vacation during the summer months. It was more common for us to visit the national parks versus theme parks and I am very thankful for that. I think back to my childhood and I still remember seeing Old Faithful going as high as the sky could reach. I still remember seeing bears, moose, elk, deer, and dozens of other animals while visiting the national parks. So when I saw that Merrell came out with a line of tee shirts in association with the national parks, it put a smile to my face. The parks featured on the tee shirts include; Yellowstone, Sequoia, Shenandoah, Yosemite, and Crater Lake. The fabric on the shirts is made out of 100% organic cotton and has a UPF 20 rating.
These days, UPF rating in clothing is very important to me. Over the many years of being exposed to the sun, I developed a spot on my skin with Melanoma. I was lucky in that I caught it early and I had it safely removed, but these days if I am going to be out in the sun for any prolonged period of time, I always look for clothing with additional UPF protection. With sizing changing from brand to brand and year to year, I always try to inform readers on sizing. That said, I am 6’0 tall and 175lbs and a size large fits me well. Not too baggy, not to small. For more information on the Vintage Parks Tee and other Merrell products, please visit www.merrell.com or www.amazon.com/merrell.
My favorite experience at a national park was when I went swimming in a mountaintop lake during my first trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. We had been planning to finish the hike in the frigid lake for weeks, so once we finally got there I had to take the plunge. The water was freezing! I knew then that I would be heading back to RMNP as often as possible.
I was lucky to have traveled to many National Parks as a child, so my most memorable park is not the norm. 4-5 years ago, I visited Rocky National Park in CO during a heat wave. My entire week there, I did not see one large animal. Everyone talks about all the elk, bears and sometimes even a moose, best I saw that week was a chipmunk
My story takes place on a National Scenic Trail but it’s listed in the National Park Service. When I was young, around 12 or 13, my boyscout troop took us camping on the Appalachian Trail. We did the normal boyscout stuff and at night we all got in our tents for lights out. I had been told before hand about the older boys who liked to come out after hours and shoot super soakers into the tent windows of the sleeping younger kids. When they came to my tent, I was ready. I had already woken the other guys up and had them get as close to the sides of the tent as possible as not to get wet. After the older kid emptied his super soaker and heard no screams, he poked his head through the mesh window. As I saw the silhouette of his face come through, I bashed him in the head with my metal canteen, knocking him unconscious. Needless to say, upon returning home, I was asked not to return to the troop. To this day, I still carry a metal canteen any time I head into the woods. A ninja has his sword, a soldier has his gun, and I have my metal canteen.
I like to hike the longer trails in the National Parks to get away from the crowds. I love to take photographs out in nature so I am always looking around. I look for the small details in nature as well as the larger scene. Our National Parks have preserved some of the most amazing places in this country for us to enjoy. I also go camping when I visit the National Parks. It’s a great way to stay close to nature.
Hiking, sightseeing, and hopefully someday riding the donkey down the canyon.
I love to read the placards of the park or visit the historical centers. The history of the park amazes me that people hundreds of years ago thought to keep the land preserved.
If I were a National Park I’d be Glacier National Park. That’s easy!
My parents met while working in Glacier in 1941. My mother was a waitress at Many Glacier Hotel and dad was a “gear jammer” (a tour bus driver) on the famous open top, red tour buses. Mom was from Minnesota and dad came from Oklahoma. There’s no way they’d have met without crossing paths in Glacier National Park…so I guess I really am an extension of Glacier!
Which park? Gonna have to go with Rocky Mountain National Park, in CO. I’ve lived near the lush, green Appalachians and visited the red, barren Sierra Nevadas, but I’ve yet to explore the Rockies. It’s definitely on my “to-do” list! 🙂
I would be Yosemite. I have only gotten to visit the park once, but it was a lot of fun. Seeing the huge trees and the awe and wonder that is instilled when you see the whole valley! Its AMAZING!! I want to create that sense of awe in people! So I would be one of the most majestic parks there is: Yosemite!
If I were a National Park, I would be Mount Rainier National Park because I’m an early adapter (one of the first National Parks) with an old soul (lots of old forest growth). I’m quite intense in the winter (Paradise is the snowiest place where snow is measured on earth) and with the arrival of spring I feel like a million wildflowers!
I would be an eagle because I could watch over everything and see the animals grazing in a large panoramic scene. I also like to eat fish. If I can’t be an eagle, I would be a tour guide. I would be the “insider’s guide to our National Parks”. I’d research the parks history and share all of the little known facts about the people, beautiful places, and vast array of animals that comprise our amazing National Parks.
Shenandoah National Park. Has Skyline Drive, awesome trails, and beautiful waterfalls. Plus close to great restaurants.
If I were a national park I would be Glacier National Park. This park has always been out my backdoor in Montana. Even though I have yet to ascend a peak in it, I have done many hikes through it from the short hike to Avalanche Lake up to the Siyeh Pass for my bachelor’s hike. I still remember the first time my parent’s took my brother and I up the Going to the Sun road to Logan’s pass. We were just 10 feet away from a baby mountain goat (back before we knew the risks). It’s just an amazing park with so much more to explore.
If I were a NP, I would be Glacier NP. Never in my life have I been to a place more peaceful and beautiful. The beauty that lives there in Montana is out of this world! 🙂
There is one place… Yosemite in the Springtime. I was looking forward to a good hike to Columbia overlook with some great shots of the Valley, but the Dr. said not this year, need to have my knee worked on when I get back. Then build up to next year. This year will just be walks on the Valley Floor, with lots of spectacular pictures. Just picked up some new Moab Gor-Tex to replace my older “balding” Moabs.
I think I would be Yosemite, I would be a waterfall so I could show all my beauty and they would go home and tell their friends so they would come to the parks to see for themselves
Yosemite is a great park anytime of the year. The waterfalls are great and any hike is great. I love to just walk around parks and enjoy all that has been for 100 of years
I would be the Great Smoky Mountains; peaceful, calm, & serene.
I would be Saguaro National Park, It’s desert, you would think so desolate and empty, but the life that exists there is so specialized, amazing, and abundant. Also, found my first Gilded Flicker there!
I would create a park. I would be Urban Rides National Bike Park where people could take established bike tour routes through different cities. Routes would tell the story of that cities history and talk about nature while providing a great tour self tour of a city. Viewing a city by bike is a whole new experience. It also commuting, and would create protected greenspace corridors for wildlife movement.
We are composting lawn clippings
As time goes by, I become more aware of the environment we live in. Because we are at the ocean, I always pick up any litter because it could damage the dwindling and precious sealife that still exists. But, now my husband and I am faithfully recycling anything we can and will continue to look for new ways to do at least our part to ensure our children and their children have the opportunity to see this beautiful world as we have.
I am a manager at a dental office and before I started working here, no one recycled anything. I have started taking all of our paper and plastic waste to the recycle center to be recycled! I cannot stand to see things that are more than able to be recycled thrown out in the trash.
Continuing to badger my husband to use the recycle bin and not the trash.
Take more boxes to the shipping store where they will reuse or recycle them. Also take them my shredded papers for packing material.
Give my 85 year old mother the plastic shopping bags I get. Otherwise she will purchase heavier and over-sized ones!
As a family we recycle, we have switched out all our bulbs to fluorescents, and installed a programmable thermostat. As a stay-at-home-mom, I limit my errand-running to one day a week and hit several places at a time. My hubby used to bike to work for several years, but has since changed jobs and works too far to commute that way.
I recycle and reuse as much as possible. I bring reusable bags with me whenever I shop. I try to buy sustainably made products whenever I can. I try to eat locally grown and organic food.
Tread lightly and leave things better than I found them.
Sue
Isle Royale in the great state of Michigan. This park is the least visited National Park due to the difficulty reaching it. This gem is located in the middle of Lake Superior. Those who do make the trip are never disappointed. The park i…s a hiker, kayacker and fisherpersons paradise. The entire island is a National Park and therefore home only to the natural inhabitants, such and moose and wolves, and only visited by humans.See More
Thursday at 10:24pm · Like
I would be Yosemite because I would be surrounded by the big massive trees, the unbelievable views, the rock climbing experiences provided, the cascading waterfalls and the ethereal aromas. And lastly I would be “Yosemite” a welcome home to bears and tourists that respect the space of the all animals within.
In addition to recycling and encouraging everyone in my family to do it properly, we have a library that we continually add used books to. When we are finished with a book we add it to the “library” in the building and then we take another to read. Saves the trees.
Of course, love the new National Park T’s because I love our spectacular, unique National Parks. But I also love the comfort of their clothing and the comfort and support provided in the Merrell shoes. They provide all the needed support for casual walks and strenuous hikes and look good too!
I would love to live in Yellowstone for a year. Such nice seasons to enjoy. And tons of wildlife.
I would choose Acadia National Park in Maine ~ because of the ocean views, lighthouses, and gorgeous weather! Plus the small town on the outskirts is Beautiful! Most adorable place, its like its right out of a movie
To date I have only dreamed of visiting a national park. I’ve been saving my change for close to 10 years for my “Kelly hopes to go to Glacier National Park Someday” fund. When I discovered a milk jug full of change at my boyfriend’s place 8 years ago I knew he was the man that I would marry (and I did)! If I could, I would LIVE outdoors. The air, the peace, and the trees and wildlife are invigorating to me. Being at a national park for a year would never grow old, but I think I’d choose one other than GNP because I’m a bit afraid of the bears…for whatever reason Yellowstone sounds more conducive for a year’s stay for me. I’d take my portable easel and paint, wade in the streams and lakes, and hike to my hearts content. Evening after evening gazing at the stars, and multiple rainstorms for dancing in the rain is pure medicine for the soul!!
(Just attended a service project for Earth Day this past Saturday. Check it out…
Hiking, hiking, hiking is our families favorite sport now and when I was growing up. We counted that we hit every national park in Tennessee and Mississippi. The scenery is breath taking and the hiking trails are well kept. We thrive and keeping physically fit and out goal is to see all the national parks eventually and this is no small task. We get a sticker for our scrapbook and collect found things in nature to learn about the habitats of all the wild animals. My parents started me off as an adventure seeker and and my husband has taken up that roll. As a country we are blessed have these parks to enjoy and preserve. Take up the challenge of visiting all the national parks in our state. You will continue on to other states for the adventure is found no where else.
There is nothing like the great outdoors. I haven’t been to a big variety of parks (working on it though) so I would have to say my fav to date, Sequoia National Park. It has a little bit of everything. You can swim all summer long at Hume Lake. You can explore the Crystal Caves. Hike through the most beautiful trees, and ski in the winter. The views are breathtaking and the night skies are filled with so many stars it seems never ending. Don’t even get me started on the animals. With as many trips as we have made (11+) I cant believe we keep finding new areas to see and things to do. Spending a whole year there would be awesome and who couldn’t use a little awesome in their lives.
Great Smoky Mountains. Temperate climate, lots to do and see, four seasons to enjoy, and the most diverse eco system in the country.
Glacier National Park! Can’t beat the wide open spaces, beautiful vistas, wildlife, and the scent of hemlocks and cedars everywhere! Also, the diversity between the east and west sides of the park are something that cannot be equaled anywhere else.
To live in Yosemite would be a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to experience a fraction of what John Muir had opportunity to do in the early days. Take pictures where he did and have stories to tell my own children.
I’m 27 years old from Columbus, Ohio originally. I live in Scottsdale, AZ where I have resided for the last 5 years. I went on a 15,000 mile road trip last summer driving from Phoenix all the way up the coast going through Joshua Tree, Channel Islands, Death Valley, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Redwoods, Crater Lake, Olympic and just north of Seattle where I made a right through the North Cascades National Park. I continued on through Washington State heading through Idaho up to Glacier National Park in Montana. I continued on heading southeast to Yellowstone where I made my 2nd trip this time skipping out on The Grand Tetons. I made my way up the Bear Tooth Pass in the Northeast Entrance to yellowstone where I jumped back in forth in between the WY-MT border. I then found myself at America’s first National Monument Devils Tower close to the border of Wyoming-South Dakota. I stopped at Mount Rushmore which I’m sorry to say I wasn’t that impressed. I then made my way to the badlands which I loved a lot. I was so bored with South Dakota I couldn’t bring myself to head north to Teddy roosevelt National Park which I now regret. After arriving in the state of Minnesota and visiting friends for a week I headed over to wisconsin down through Illinois, Indiana, and stopping in my home state Ohio. I spent a month there visiting my parents and friends before I was headed south to Mammoth Cave National Park. After going on a wonderful Cave walk I left for Nasville, TN where I stayed a night and continued on through Memphis, Little Rock and ending up in Hot Springs, AR. After hitting up a few of the bath houses and taking in the views from the watchtower. I left for Dallas, TX only stopping for the Texas State Fair. I then headed south to Austin where I stayed for 3 days listening to music at Austin City Limits. I headed west for El Paso. I went to Big Bend National Park the year before and it was off the beaten path so much that I decided not to go there again. Atleast on this trip anyway. After arriving in El Paso I made my way into New Mexico where I went to White Sands National Monument. Mind you I have been to Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks so I headed up north to Albuquerque where I kept heading west to Painted Desert and Flagstaff. I arrived back in phoenix in early October after 4 1/2 Months on the road. In the past 3 years I’ve hit up over 40 National Parks and I must say that if I was to spend a year in just one of them I think it would have to be Zion in Utah. I fell in love with that place the day I arrived and it engraved in my memory for the rest of my life.
It would be a dream come true to spend a year in Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park! To be able to see this treasure in all seasons of the year would be nirvana. I’d get to see the Sandhill Cranes during their migration, the Medano Creek with its waves, go sandboarding down the dunes, watch the aspens turn to gold and the 13ers turn white with snow. A year in the Dunes would fly and just have me lusting for more!
Acadia Nat’l Park, because its so beautiful, and its close to home 🙂
My favorite national park memeory was Gettysburg. As I watched their movie, observed the cyclotron and toured the battlefield I was awe stricken that this war happened and 600,000 people died all because people couldn’t do the right thing. I also reflected on the service of my own family in this conflict who fought on the side of the north. 4 brothers and a brother in law served together. One brother was wounded, the brother in law was wounded and another brother was captured and sent to Andersonville prison. Remembering their stories and their service because they wanted freedom for all people in this country. It made me proud that they served for the cause of freedom and to deliver people from bondage.
My dream is to quit my job and spend the rest of my life visiting every national park and taking as long as like at each one. However, if I have to pick one national park to live in for a year, it would have to be Yosemite. Why? Because of the lush, beautiful landscape that I see whenever they show it on TV. The mountains and valleys, the sequoias and redwoods, the waterfalls. I want to go buy a great SLR camera and just go visit and take tons of beautiful pictures. I watched the show “National Parks” on PBS a while back and fell in love with them all. Our country is amazing and our national parks reflect all the diversity of America.
Just thinking about all the things this park has to offer brings a smile to my face. My choice would be Haleakala National Park. My year would be spent enjoying everything from hiking, biking, swimming and horseback riding. I would travel through the different landscapes which include: tropical rain forest, wilderness, mountains, coastal and volcanic while snapping pictures of all the rich, lush colors. During my travels I would enjoy looking for whales, turtles, dolphins and birds. Ahhhh, this is why the Hawaiian culture would be my number one choice!
I would want to live in Isle Royale National Park, although I think they close for sometime during the winter. It would be awesome to help with the wolf/ moose study they have been doing for many years now.
If I had to camp and live in a national park for a year, I would be the happiest person on the planet! I love to camp, hike, and simply enjoy the beauty that can be found only in national parks! I would choose to live at Yosemite National Park because not only is it one of the most beautiful places on earth, but also because it offers so much to its visitors. I would not lack for something to do. Every day would hold a new adventure – be it a new trail to hike, a new critter to encounter, a new site to see, a new corner to explore…the possibilities are endless! Yosemite offers a range of landscape that would enhance the experience. The serenity would offer inspiration for artistic venues – painting, writing, drawing, etc. It would be a privilege to live in Yosemite for four seasons!
If you had to camp and live in a national park for a year, what park would you choose and why?
Colorado Bend is a state park in Texas but it is wonderful! It’s right on the river and is very remote. It’s so quiet and peaceful. It has miles and miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. It’s a great place! I love it to pieces!
Yosemite would be my choice. From the crazy amount of snow in the winter to beautiful wild flowers in the spring, having lunch with the bears ( just kidding, feeding wildlife is prohibited in Yosemite and could and up with a $1000 fine), so many trails to hike I don’t even think that year would be enough to fully enjoy this amazing park.
Hands down (no pun intended) is Isle Royale in the great state of Michigan. Surrounded by water, lots of wildlife, very few visitors. It is the ideal spot to spend a year (only the hardy need apply – winter does get tough in Michigan). Beautiful views in all directions, moose, wolves and other animals that will keep you on your toes. If you want the beauty of a park without the crowds you find at many, take the boat to Isle Royale – you will not be disappointed.
If I had to camp out in a tent for a year in a National Park, I would choose somewhere warm so I wouldn’t freeze in the winter. I think that Virgin Islands National Park on St. John would be a great place to spend a year. It has hiking trails as well as beaches for swimming, kayaking and sailing. The snorkeling over the reefs is beautiful as well.
If you could recommend a low cost improvement to the national park system, what would it be?
Have every guest that comes into the park review information about the ‘leave no trace’ ethics of camping/hiking, etc. If guests of the National Parks can learn about the ‘leave no trace’ movement, they can leave behind a better National Park than when they first visited! Education is a great way to start in cutting down on the amount of litter left behind in parks.
In my case I just wish they weren’t so far away. We live in Kansas but we’d like to visit Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore and several of the other parks out west. With gas prices going up that makes it harder to afford the trip there to enjoy them.
If I were to improve the NPS I would put in more benches at strategic places along the trails – specifically in places that people are less aware of. People always flock to the most popular sites, but many of the most beautiful sites lie in places where people fly by to get to the more popular view or along the less-traveled roads. Some wooden benches to enjoy the serenity and beauty of the world would be nice. Not to mention, benches are great resting places and water stops along the trail. 🙂
If you could recommend a low cost improvement to the National Park System, what would it be?
I would call it “The Green Trails Tour”. It’s a guided tour with a “green” twist for kids/ families. Imagine being a kid and walking through the woods on an interactive guided tour, getting to asking questions about all the plants and wildlife around them. The tour guide explaining that all the things we do in our daily lives has a huge impact on places such as these all over the world. Get the kids thinking about what they can do while they are in the parks and what they can continue to do at home. It would serve as a big motivation for kids to start thinking “green”. At the turn around point of the walking trail they could (as a group or individuals) help plant a tree. When they get back to the starting point of the trip, their trees’ name can be added to a computerized map of the trees in that location. The next time they come back they can visit their tree. The map would also be accessible online via the parks web site. An automatic email alert can go out each season reminding parents to help their kids log on and get an update and a seasonal picture of their tree. The proceeds would be put back into the park. The email alerts would be playing double duty. Its fun for the kids to see what’s going on with the tree but it would also keep the park experience in their minds fresh. Bring them back year after year.
I would like to volunteer for the National Park System by helping with some scientific or archeological work.
I’ve always been interested in investigating the natural world as well as ancient cultures.
They could add SPF to the uni, but I wouldn’t want them to change the look too much (if at all). Those unis are so iconic. Everytime I go to an NP and see those men and women in the khaki and green, I want to quit what I am doing a become a Natioal Park Ranger.
I think the look of the park rangers is good, but of course they should change with technology. Why should they be in clothing that is too warm on a warm day so the clothing should be weather appropriate. With all of the nuances in clothing today someone should be selling the latest comfort clothing to the Department of the Interior. I like the green color because they blend in to the environment. And the hat is essential! I love this contest…makes me think and appreciate our beautiful National Parks that are so unique to America the Beautiful!!
The park rangers are there to augment the natural beauty of the national parks and to assist and inform visitors. Changes should be made to the rangers uniform for the rangers comfort and with spf for safety, but the uniforms should blend in with the environment and not be obtrusive.
Do you think park rangers should change their uniforms with today’s clothing technology? Why or why not?
It would be nice to see our park rangers benefit from the advancements in clothing technology, while keeping true to the standard look of the uniforms. Those uniforms always gave off a feeling of “these people know what they are doing,” to me. Other than the armed forces uniforms park rangers uniforms were always the quickest to be recognized, even above police officers.
I like the style of the uniforms as they are at present. The fabrics used should incorporate the modern technologies of quick-drying, lightweight fibers for the summer and fleece for the winter.
I enjoy the National Park website because it gives the parks in each state and you can travel there and be sure not to miss one. I love the National Parks in Utah because they are so colorful and unique esp. Arches National Park. It is a living work of art.
I like the multimedia programs on the website. They show great photos of the different parks and explain the geology, ecology, history and other interesting facts about individual parks.
I love that Ohio has a National Park. But very few people outside of OH know that it is there or want to visit. It is not filled with wild animals or have amazing sites. Just history that is waiting to be learned.