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This is a special encore presentation of our series on America's National Parks, as many

of us return to traveling but remain mindful of social distancing.

Our national park system is experiencing record attendance, but many visitors may be unaware

of the turbulent and sometimes controversial histories behind such natural wonders as

Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon.

In this series, we'll meet the naturalists, politicians and eccentric who fought to

preserve the most beautiful and unblenished corners of our country.

And we'll also meet the indigenous peoples and early settlers who sometimes fought back.

Imagine it's the early hours of April 18, 1906.

The sun hasn't yet risen, but light peaks around the curtains of your apartment bedroom.

Your husband lies asleep beside you, but you're wide awake.

For the past two months, your newborn, Violet, has been waking you each morning before dawn

to nurse.

This is the first night since she was born that she's still soundly sleeping.

You should be relieved, but you're a light sleeper and your body is tense, alert, waiting

for a cry from the other room.

Suddenly, you hear something, but it's not what you expect.

It's like the sound just before you're hit by a wave down by the beach.

The walls begin to tremble, and your bed jerks sharply away from the wall.

A whale rises from the other room.

...