Alumni Profile: Author and Playwright Liz Maccie - Newark Academy

JULY 17 PRISMO BEACH, CALIFORNIA
We did it! We made it to the Pacific Ocean
and camped here at Prismo Beach.
JULY 20 THE MUIR WOODS
NATIONAL MONUMENT, CALIFORNIA
The Muir Woods National Monument is the
home of some of the last remaining Redwoods
that used to thrive in the San Francisco area.
Redwoods, we found out, poignantly grow in
family circles; the roots from the center tree
sprout new life and form a circle around the
root crown of the original tree.
JULY 22 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
It would be silly for me to try and capture the beauty of Yosemite National Park in words.
It was more stunning and diverse than I ever imagined. We were amazed at how quickly
the terrain changes here; not only was our elevation changing by the thousands within
the tiny span of 10 minutes, but the natural transformations were mind-blowing!
JULY 23 DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
We heard cries of “the heat is hurting me!” from the backseat as we drove through Death
Valley. Compared to the pioneers who headed west in the 1800s with little more than
a covered wagon to protect them when they were not walking, I thought we were all
right. Yes, it was 118 degrees, but we had fresh water, air conditioning and AAA maps!
JULY 23 MANZANAR, CALIFORNIA
In 1942, in the small town of Manzanar, the federal government followed through with
one of FDR’s reactions to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Executive Order 9066. This
authorized the relocation of anyone who might threaten the United States from within.
Consequently, 120,000 Japanese Americans were relocated to 11 internment camps in
the U.S. The camp we visited was once home to more than 10,000 Japanese Americans.
JULY 25 ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
When you have spent 24 hours a day with your family
for a whole month, it is true bliss to have an evening to
yourself. Neil took the kids to a movie and I sat outside
our hotel room in Springdale watching the storms
dance with the sunset over Zion National Park.