Winter is coming...like today. The winter solstice has been an important occurrence for cultures around the world for thousands of years. The darkness of winter and return of sunlight has influenced yearlong calendars as well as winter customs, rituals, and storytelling. Cultures also created solar markers, structures, symbols, and communities to align with the sunlight of the solstices. Cultural heritage connected to the winter solstice can be found in many national parks today. Image: Snow covered landscape around Yahoo Falls at @bigsouthforknps NPS/ Nichole Newport #winter #winterwonderland #waterfall #bigsouthfork #kentucky #tennessee #nationalparks #wintersolstice