Happy 4th of July!

Here is how Katharine Lee Bates related what she had seen on her trip to Pikes Peak over 100 years ago.

One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to 14,000-foot Pikes Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse.

Katharine Lee Bates wrote the original version of America the Beautiful in 1893, with a 2nd version in 1904, and the final version in 1913.
Music was composed by Samuel A. Ward

America the Beautiful 

O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! 

Happy 4th of July to all!
Marion