Something for Free That's Really Free

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This stems from the "You Learn Something New Every Day" department. For years I was unaware of the fact that it costs to enter national parks in the US. There's a reason for that: my favorite close national park, the Smokies, is free. That's part of the deal: when the land was acquired by the federal government in the 1930s part of the stipulation was that there would never be an admission to the park. Also, it doesn't cost anything to enjoy the above-ground beauty at Mammoth Cave National Park, the closest park to me geographically. Now that the odometer has clicked over to 57,000 miles for me I'm plotting my retirement. One of the things I want to do is visit the twelve states I haven't made it to yet. Most of those states are out west, where a considerable amount of our national parks are also located. So, while looking online I made a discovery: national park admission is free for people with disabilities. According to what the site said, not just disabled veterans, but anyone who has a verified disability. How cool! So I printed my disability verification letter out from the VA, and the next time I go past Mammoth Cave on the way to Nashville I'll stop and get the free passport. Take advantage of it if you have a disability!!