A nearly 1,000-page literary tour of 85 scenic icons based on an interpretive account of national parks, monuments, state parks, and archeological ruins. Focus on geology, human and natural history. Where applicable, additional matter is introduced (i.e., hiking trails, archeoastronomy, and desert ecology). Presented in the guise of an encyclopedia the text can be read from cover-to-cover or piecemeal. Reader decides which destinations to select. Information is layered from easy and essential to the more detailed. Reader also decides what to peruse. Additional Background inserts suffice as footnotes; therefore optional text. Contact information and directions also listed. Bitly URL's embedded in destinations activate Google images, graphics, charts and illustrations. There are six addenda of subject matter relative to the scope of the text; also, bibliography.