Alps

I have a sparkly white cap of snow on my head all year long. Even when the sun is warm, my top stays cool and white. In the summertime, I wear a beautiful dress of green grass with pockets full of bright, colorful flowers. My peaks are so tall they tickle the clouds. It feels so funny when the fluffy clouds float by. Can you guess who I am? I am the Alps, a giant, beautiful family of mountains.

I was born a super, super long time ago, even before there were people to see me. Giant pieces of the Earth gave each other a big, slow hug. They pushed and pushed and pushed until I popped up, reaching way up high for the sky. Soon, animals came to live with me. Goats with curly horns learned to climb my rocky sides. A very long time ago, in the year 218 BCE, a man named Hannibal even brought his big, friendly elephants for a long, long walk across my paths. Much later, on August 8th, 1786, two brave friends climbed all the way to my tallest peak. They wanted to see the whole world from my tippy-top.

Today, I am like a big playground for everyone. In the winter, families come to visit. They giggle as they slide down my snowy hills on skis and sleds. Whoosh. In the summer, they walk on my green paths and listen to the happy jingle-jangle of cowbells. They eat yummy picnics in my sunny fields. I love to share my fresh, clean air and my beautiful views. I am here to show everyone how strong and wonderful our world is. I am always waiting for a new friend to come and have an adventure with me.