If you’re looking for an affordable vacation that enables you to get in touch with nature, visiting a national park is a great option. There are numerous National Parks throughout the country that offer outdoor activities, camping, and much more. Here are some facts about the nation’s most interesting parks.

• The National Parks System has 397 national parks on record, but some of them don’t seem like parks at all. Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace, for example, is considered a National Park.
• Perhaps the most famous National Park, Yellowstone National Park, is also the country’s first. Ulysses S. Grant signed a law deeming it a National Park way back in 1872.
• Mount McKinley, the highest point in North America, is located in Denali National Park and Preserve. The lowest point in the Western hemisphere is also located in a National Park; it is Death Valley, and it is found in Death Valley National Park in California.
• There are two National Parks located north of the Arctic Circle: Gates of the Arctic National Park and the Kobuk Valley National Park. Both are located in Alaska.
• More than 280 million people from all over the world visit American National Parks each year.

National Park System Fun Facts [ NPS]
Facts About US National Parks [U.S. National Parks]
Little-Known Facts About America's National Parks [Huffington Post]

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For those who know what shabu shabu is all about, this restaurant needs no introduction. But for the uninitiated, shabu shabu is a style of Japanese cuisine that features thinly sliced beef or other meats boiled in water with boiled vegetables, dipping sauces, and a side of white rice. At Shabu Shabu Bar in Santa Ana, your meal is brought to you uncooked and piled high, and you, the adventurous diner, boil your own meats and veggies and create your own sauces. Knowledgeable staff will happily guide you through the dining experience.

Shabu Shabu Bar is open daily for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and daily for dinner from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This Santa Ana eatery is popular, so regular diners advise arriving ahead of the dinner rush to avoid a long wait.

Shabu Shabu Bar
1945 E. 17th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 954-0332
www.facebook.com/pages/Shabu-Shabu-Bar/147365828631418
www.yelp.com/biz/shabu-shabu-bar-santa-ana-3

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Fluffier than a waffle but more flavorful than a pancake, French toast just may be the perfect breakfast food. If you love French toast but you’re bored with the usual recipe, these unique dishes will help you to mix things up but still maintain the same sweet taste that you adore.

Fluffy French Toast [Allrecipes]
By adding a bit of flour, this French toast recipe creates a fluffier version that your friends and family will love. It’s hard to believe that such a simple ingredient makes such a big difference, but once you taste this decadent breakfast dish, you’ll never make it the old way again.

Upside-Down Apple French Toast with Cranberries and Pecans [Food Network]
The name of this recipe really says it all. This French toast looks more like a pie than a breakfast, and the cranberries, apples, and pecans add hearty flavor to the usual sweet bread.

Apple-Maple French Toast [Martha Stewart]
Create a taste of fall all year round with this smoky, sweet French toast recipe. Thicker slices of bread create a sturdy base for this dish, and the caramelized apples give it a gourmet feel without a lot of effort.

French Toast with Berry Butter [Pioneer Woman]
Three different types of berry-infused butters add something truly special to this crispy, custard-style French toast.

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