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Over the weekend, President Barack Obama and the First Family traveled to Yosemite National Park in California for a vacation and to celebrate the park’s 100-year anniversary. POTUS, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their two daughters, Sasha and Malia, also sent the nation a happy Father’s Day as well.

“You can’t capture this on an iPad, or a flatscreen, or even an oil painting. You’ve got to come in and breathe it in here yourself,” Obama said a speech.

According to ABC News, during his speech, the POTUS stressed that his administration has protected more than 265 million acres of public lands and waters, and in the past has used several other family vacations to promote national parks.

“There’s something sacred about this place, and I suppose that’s why the walls of this valley were referred to as cathedral walls, because here at Yosemite we connect not just with our own spirit, but with something greater,” Obama continued. “It’s almost like the spirit of America itself is right here.”

The president also took time to discuss climate change and the environment.

“This park belongs to all of us, this planet belongs to all of us, it’s the only one we’ve got. And we can’t give lip service to that notion but then oppose the things required to protect it,” Obama noted. “On this issue, unlike a lot of issues, there’s such a thing as being too late.”

Looks like they had a blast, too!

What national parks have you been to? Sound off in the comments!

SOURCE: ABC News | PHOTO CREDIT: Instagram, Getty

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