Homer. The writings of Sun Tzu, a 6th-century Chinese military strategist. Midnight walks through Rome after a night at the opera. These are hints of who Andrew "Andy" Palmer was at just 18, an age of transition in life, a point where youth transforms to adult and begins to chart a path through life.

In this final installment of our three-part series on visiting national parks by train, we'll take a look at some options for trips in the central and western United States.

While Padre Island National Seashore doesn’t overflow with college students in spring as does its neighbor, South Padre Island, the national seashore nevertheless is a popular gathering spot for awkward-looking visitors. From November to early spring, the seashore becomes a temporary home to sandhill cranes.

Back in January the Obama administration received a suggestion that some parks be used to showcase "sustainable agriculture." Guess what? The folks at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio are offering acreage for farms "using sustainable methods appropriate for a national park."