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In celebration of the National Park Service's centennial, DeMarcus Ware shared with us photos from his photography trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. (photos by DeMarcus Ware)
An avid photographer, DeMarcus Ware loves seeing what natural wonders the country and the world have to offer. Since he joined the Broncos and moved to Colorado, he's visited some of the more amazing sights, including Rocky Mountain National Park and Garden of the Gods, a National Natural Landmark. In honor of the National Park Service celebrating its centennial anniversary, Ware took some time out of his busy day to tell us about how he draws inspiration from America's national parks and why he finds them so important.*
Do you remember the first awe-inspiring moment you had at a national park?
I feel like I have a "first" awe-inspiring moment at almost every park I visit. They are all extremely unique in their own respect.
How do the parks inspire you as a person and a photographer?
I go there to just relax and look at this amazing creation of a universe that has been created. As a photographer, it inspires me to capture something that makes me look back and say "life isn't as bad as it seems."
What parks have you been to, and which ones do you want to go to next?
Most recently I've been to Rocky Mountain (Estes Park), and next on my bucket list is Yellowstone.
Do you feel like America's national parks are part of the spirit of the country?
Absolutely. There is so much history in each park and between the wildlife, trails, lakes, mountains, culture, civilization, artifacts — you know there is a story that has helped shape our country.
How important is preserving these places for younger generations?
Its extremely important to help show the early civilization and the history of this country. The younger generations are more electronic- and social-media focused than with my generation. If you don't preserve these unique parks, and if its not in textbooks, what do we have to show?
