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And because Americans have much to thank him for, today we remember when Teddy Roosevelt followed John Muir’s way.

Which, of course, we talked about when we hooked up with Teddy last year in Chicago.

And no, we’re not that old to have been there.

When the US President and the Scots conservationist and explorer made history back in 1903.

Teddy, steady go

But we did the next best thing, chewing the fat with Joe Wiegand.

Today’s foremost Teddy Roosevelt, who channels everything there is to be said about the 26th Commander-in-Chief.

And was quick to tell me when he picked up on my accent of his Scottish roots through his mum Mittie Bulloch.

But he had little to say on his friendship with Dunbar, East Lothian-born Muir.

Well, Teddy’s memory may be failing him, being 168 now.

Although Teddy and John went on a three-night camping trip together.

And the Scot took the time to persuade the American how he could help preserved the Great American Outdoors.

The Great Outdoors

During Teddy’s presidency he placed 230 million acres of public land under government protection.

Including the iconic landmarks such as the Yosemite Valley and the Grand Canyon.

He became a close friend of Muir who had written: “Only by going alone in silence, without baggage, can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness.

“All other travel is mere dust and hotels and baggage and chatter.”

Walking in their footsteps

Now it was always Teddy and John’s earnest hope that we would check out the Yosemite Valley and Grand Canyon for ourselves.

While we can also mark John Muir’s legacy by visiting John Muir’s Birthplace in Dunbar.

Or walking the 134-mile John Muir Way.

From the east coast of Scotland, past my house in North Berwick, to Helensburgh on the west coast.

While Teddy’s Presidential Library will be in keeping with the Great Man on a different scale when it is opened on June 30.

A 93-acre site, a mile and a half west of Medora, North Dakota and celebrating the Great Outdoors.

And when Teddy Roosevelt followed John Muir’s way.

We’d expect too that there will always be a place for Teddy Bears to have a picnic.

And inspired by the Great Man himself the drive is on to take your Teddy on an RV tour of the US National Parks this year.

Particularly with the 120th anniversary of the establishment of the first US National Monument hoving into view next year.

Now dinner party bores will tell you that the Great Wall of China is the only man-made structure you can see from space.

So why then did aliens alight on the Devils Tower monolith in Wyoming in Close Encounters of the Third Kind?

Teddy’s Trail

Now no president championed the Great American Outdoors more than its 26th, Teddy Roosevelt.

While nobody had his ear more than John Muir, the legendary Scots conservationist.

We heard first hand from the immortal Teddy at IPW, the American Travel Fair, in Chicago.

With the Great Raconteur waxing lyrical about the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library next year in North Dakota.

And alighting on a Scotlander about his own Scottish roots through his mother Martha.

Which mirrors another future NY President though Manhattan Man Teddy was quick to point out Donald Trump is a Queens Man.

Devil of a good time

Every June, the Devils Tower closes to rock climbers so that the tribes can celebrate their spiritual practices.

To truly appreciate the Tower, take the 1.3-mile Tower Trail, winding around the base for the best chance to see the rock from all sides.

Devils Tower National Monument is open for visitors year-round, and admission is $25/£19 per vehicle.

The West is best

RV specialists Journeyscape have picked out The Close Encounters landmark as a topical highlight.

Of its Icons and National Parks of the Great American West by Motorhome.

The 15-day holiday costs from £2,950pp including motorhome rental (but excluding international flights).

Traditionally, of course, pioneers would reach the Wild West by wagon, stagecoach and through the grand Denver Union Station.

And we’d certainly recommend that as we would flying into Denver International Airport, in the apron of the Rockies.

The open road

Your Journeyscape tour will take in five states, your launch pad, Colorado and taking in four of the five states under the Great American West umbrella.

That’ll be Wyoming, Montana and North and South Dakota… you’ll arrange your own private Idaho in your own time.

But for a starter Badlands National Park, Spearfish Canyon, Devils Tower, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and Salt Lake City ain’t bad, eh?

So take your Teddy on an RV tour of the US National Parks.

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When Teddy Roosevelt followed John Muir’s way