Becky is "parked" in Amsterdam for a few years.

Beatrixpark, Amsterdam. Photo by Becky Churilla, 2010, All Rights Reserved.

Serenity now. Beatrixpark, Amsterdam. Photo by Becky Churilla, 2010, All Rights Reserved.

Blijburg Beach, Amsterdam. Photo by Becky Churilla, 2010, All Rights Reserved.

The pool at Beatrixpark, Amsterdam. Photo by Becky Churilla, 2010, All Rights Reserved.

Who says "nothing in life is free?"

I'm going out of my way (literally) to take advantage of this next week:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20100413/ap_tr_ge/us_travel_brief_national_park_week

Maybe one of these bucolic, serene spots is within your reach:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/getaways/07/17/visit.national.parks/index.html

Just beware of any yahoos who got lost on the way to the Tea Party protests or militia meetings:

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/gun-toting-visitors-heading-to-national-parks/19353107