| Page 1046 | National Parks Traveler

I only mention former Governor Sanford because in one fell swoop he placed the Appalachian Trail a larger American and perhaps international consciousness, and turned "Hiking the Appalachian Trail" into a euphemism. For good or bad, I would think the majority of Americans who have heard of the Appalachian Trail have heard of it because of Mark Sanford.

Nov 7th - 08:55am | Danny Bernstein

His name was Digger. He commented at the bottom. Danny

Nov 7th - 08:44am | Anonymous

Hi! My trailname is Digger, I started in April and finished (after a few distractions) in October.

Nov 7th - 07:26am | Bob Janiskee

Alas, Danny, we South Carolinians can only wish that Mark Sanford would disappear. Fox News has hired him as a political commentator through the 2012 election.

Nov 7th - 07:18am | Danny Bernstein

Hi YPW: Thanks for reminding me of Mark Sandford - he's history now, maybe a footnote in a Trivial Pursuit game. For those who missed this comedy, Mark Sandford is the former Governor of South Carolina. A few years ago, while in office, he said he was going to hike a few days of the A.T. All the while, he visited his mistress in South America. Reporters quite enjoyed that.

Nov 6th - 19:20pm | Jennifer Pharr Davis

I want to have Grandma Gatewoods pantywaist quote in my living room - I love it. Danny, you have to give MA another try. When it is not bug season, it is quite lovely. Great article - if people prepared there hearts and minds as much as their gear there would be far more finishers.

Nov 6th - 17:03pm | y_p_w

No mention of Mark Sanford?

Nov 6th - 08:20am | ecbuck

What was Andrew's trail name? Steamboat GAME 2002

Nov 6th - 05:49am | Lenny Bernstein

You're right about section hiking being harder than thru-hiking, but it has its rewards. Thru-hikers have to focus on the A.T. and only the A.T. Section hikers have the luxury of learning more about the towns an attractions around the Trail. Also, many thru-hikers hike the A.T., then move on to other things. Section hikers commit to the A.T.

Congressman Pushing Legislation To Require National Park Gift Shops To Carry "Made In America" Items

Nov 7th - 21:11pm | Rick B.

Thanks, Tom. That provides a bit of real-world context to it, above the good idea/bad idea arguments.

Nov 7th - 18:48pm | Anonymous

More support for Buy USA-Made in America http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/national-parks-s-buy-american-china-u-s-souvenirs-article-1.971936

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park Joins National Park System

Nov 7th - 19:13pm | Chris

Did anything change from 2007, when the NPS said this should not be made into a national park site? See this NPT article.

Family of Man Killed By Mountain Goat in Olympic National Park Sues National Park Service

Nov 7th - 17:46pm | John Cunningham

The commenters who pointed out that this is wild country, not a zoo, are on the right track. This park is probably also black bear country, likely cougar country as well. at a minimum, anyone hiking in the back country should have pepper spray. also, a recent Fed law permits carrying of weapons in accordance with state law.

Nov 5th - 11:30am | Proofreader

Perhaps the NPS should make everyone sign a release after passing a sign that says "Enter at your own risk."

The National Park to Park Highway

Nov 7th - 17:46pm | Chad

I plan on making this ride on motorcycles with two friends. Just as soon as we retire next year. I can't wait.

Are Cape Cod National Seashore Dune Shacks Historical, Or Trash?

Nov 7th - 17:46pm | OH

While they may not be the original camps, these camps and their people and the way of life out the camps are *original* and we need to save what tradition is left on Cape Cod.

Nov 7th - 17:34pm | Anonymous

The National Register of Historic Places recognizes our nation's most significant cultural resources. The North Beach camps are not associated with any notable figures; they do not represent a rare property type (there are many "rustic" camps regionally and nationally); they do not possess architectural significance; and as they are situated on a transient barrier island, they do not have the p

Nov 7th - 16:52pm | Bob Long

The above photo is not of the camps in question. Those camps were located on a different part of the beach and no longer exist. A structure built less than 50 years ago does not get excluded from historic eligibility simply because of its age. We need not look further than Chatham's own Mitchell River Bridge for an example.

Nov 7th - 15:48pm | Anonymous

I think Mr. Caldwell's take is appropriate. A historic property is one that is outstanding in architecture, history, etc. Special for the area. Obviously, these are rebuilt--albeit--on a similar scale and style, they don't really have any historicity that supports preservation.

Surf and Sun

Nov 7th - 16:37pm | Wulverine

i of course take full blame. Although we were in Kenai Fjords, this particular picture was taken in Resurrection bay just outside of Kenai Fjords on a concessionaire cruise into Kenai Fjords.

Nov 7th - 13:50pm | Kurt Repanshek

Good catch!

Nov 7th - 12:11pm | Anonymous

Nice photo, but these are Stellar sea lions, not seals as the caption indicates. Several are branded for identification by researchers studying this threatened species. Although it is immediately adjacent to Kenai Fjords National Park, the rock they are hauled out on is actually within the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. More information is available at:

As A Federal Agent, Carter Niemeyer Killed Wolves For A Living

Nov 7th - 15:56pm | Keeper

Anon, sounds like theory and emotion to me. Where did Abbey ever have a grip on reality? Certainly was an advocate for wild places and experiences. I have run into more than a few individuals that advocated no end to emotional judgements that were more a statement of their lostness in the world.

Nov 7th - 13:03pm | Lee Dalton

Keeper and Tood -- both good and thoughtful comments. Too bad our leaders in the halls of Congress can catch an example of civilized discussion from you and put it to work.

Nov 7th - 13:01pm | Anonymous

In reference to usage of the expression, "the Uneducated human Masses" we were not promoting the dark side of Harvard or Princeton Administrators or other higher education greedy, over-paid Administrators with their multi-billion dollar University endowments while still justifying "working poor wages" to selected staff. Nor would

Nov 7th - 12:45pm | Keeper

Recently I posed to my Ivy League graduate son how evil, despicable, uncaring, want to starve children and kill old people inclinations that conservatives hold dear. He responded in kind with the buzz words attributed to Liberals then his Environmental Studies Doctoral candidate girlfriend responded with the extreme buzz words thrown at her sector of the conversation.

Nov 7th - 12:16pm | by Todd Wilkinson

Dear Keeper, Good thoughts. There is a problem with the yeoman farmer/agrarian premise: I grew up in a small upper Midwestern farm town and I've been writing about the emptying out of farm/ranch country and the replacement of mom and pop operations with larger mega farms for a long time.

Nov 7th - 11:45am | Keeper

Anon, I think it was the "Uneducated human masses" line that caught my attention. A real educated person, perhaps a Harvard Alumnus would never let that slip out although it is part of the grounding that many get from frequenting those halls. Theory and emotion alone aren't very productive in the real world.

Nov 7th - 11:13am | Anonymous

Nov 7th - 08:48am | Lee Dalton

I applaud the standards for comments stated at the end of the article. If you insist on saying something that would leave you embarassed to be associated with your own words, find somewhere else to have it published.

Nov 7th - 08:23am | Anonymous

Actually, for me it was the reduced/absence of polarizing dialogue and the accompanying emotions that gives credence to the article. I grew up with mentors similar to Niemeyer and can relate very well to someone more connected to the issue than many "groups" that ultimately (temptation to) use this and other issues as a fundraiser that is very much, polarizing and is an industry in itself.

Nov 7th - 06:57am | Jim Burnett

Excellent article with some interesting perspective on a topic that arouses plenty of emotion. Click on the link near the end of the story to read the rest of the interview.

Widow of Man Mauled By Grizzly Sues Federal Government For Wrongful Death, Negligence

Nov 7th - 12:12pm | Anonymous

Ed Abbey's Wisdom once said, If people persist in trespassing upon the grizzlies' territory, we must accept the fact that the grizzlies, from time to time, will harvest a few trespassers.

Sullivan’s Island Was the African-American Ellis Island

Nov 7th - 09:04am | Karen Branan

The use of the term Ellis Island to describe slave entry ports is both inaccurate and highly offensive. Please change it!

Bluffs Lodge Along The Blue Ridge Parkway Shuttered For 2011

Nov 7th - 05:08am | John and Beulah...

We have stayed at the Bluffs several times, and we refer to it as "our most favorite place on earth". It is our prayer that someone will re open the lodge and restaurant. Yes, it is not the Holiday Inn, but we don't want the Holiday Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway, do we????

What Should Gettysburg National Military Park Do With Its Empty Cyclorama Building?

Nov 6th - 22:37pm | Anonymous

Not sure why this is even an issue. The building is functionally obsolete, and looks like it belongs at a sewage treatment plant, not a civil war battlefield.

Nov 5th - 12:17pm | Anonymous

The ground the building sits on is historic. The painting it once housed is historic. The building is not. Just tear it down and move on. We have wasted enough time fighting over this piece of junk. Spending money to make the structure able to be used again would be on the edge of stupid.

Tree Falls Block Scenic Parkway In Redwood National And State Parks

Nov 6th - 09:57am | Anonymous

Both coastal redwoods and Sierran giant sequoias grow so massively in volume that given the inevitable perils of time and storms, they simply lose their stability. In all cases though they tend to shatter unless they fall on a prepared bed of earth as prepared during clearcut logging. In dense stands,

Nov 4th - 22:28pm | Anonymous

According to NBC Nightly News last night, a twin-trunked Sequoia fell yesterday in Sequoia National Monument -- administered by the Forest Service. A ranger in the clip blamed it on saturated soil and wind. The tree didn't break. The roots pulled out.

A Winter Visit To Virgin Islands National Park: The Logistics

Nov 6th - 07:05am | Miranda Altman

My husband and I are thinking about planning a trip to this park in Feburary or March and are just starting to research. This a great overview of what to expect!

Nov 4th - 13:22pm | Rick B.

About 30 years ago I enjoyed a visit to St Croix, which included chartering a catamaran to Buck Island, where we enjoyed snorkeling the underwater nature trail. That day of snorkeling alone made the trip.

Nov 4th - 12:00pm | Anonymous

Island Paddler, Thank-you for your clarification on the status of Maho Bay Camps. Your comments are very accurate.

Sagamore Hill, Home To Theodore Roosevelt, To Get $6.2 Million Renovation Next Spring

Nov 6th - 00:45am | Jack Hutton

A priceless American Treasure that will instruct all generations on the life & times of one our finest Presidents Thank you for care taking Sagamore Hill

Backpack the Grand Canyon

Nov 5th - 00:38am | Anonymous

Yes, there should be a wedding chapel somewhere on the Rim to handle the need. Maybe that should be a concession proposal. It could be in the jobs bill! Just feeling giddy, Kurt. It's not a bad idea, though:).

Nov 4th - 10:47am | backpackandgear

The Grand Canyon is to be seen. I have been to the South Rim and the North Rim. I will one day do these trails into the canyon. The size is incredible. No canyon in the world can match the size of the Grand Canyon. People from all over the world come here. There is magic here and that is why so many people propose marriage to their significant others when they see this place.

Nov 4th - 10:38am | AnonymousD

In April, we hiked from the South Rim down to the river, stayed several nights, and hiked back up. It was our third such trip, and they've all been very difficult and extremely rewarding. I've always had trouble explaining either the difficulty, the reward, or both. Mr. Brown's DVD manages that quite well.

Traditional Holiday Festival Coming To Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site in December

Nov 4th - 20:39pm | Mellosy

This is a great event for the Fort. I have been there several times for the Christmas Celebration, and have enjoyed every minute of it. I have gone with our Boy Scout troop, and they love to play rounders. Just the general feel of what it was back then is awesome. Esp when you look out over land that has no housing and can imagine what it was like. The Yule log hunt is great.

Code of Conduct For Comments

Nov 4th - 09:34am | Anonymous

Dottie dittos. Kurt, you are much better at this than Anderson Cooper:). Rock On, Traveler!

Here's A Handy List of 2012 Workshops In And Around Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Nov 4th - 08:25am | Great Smoky Mou...

And don't forget the popular Blue Ribbon Country Fair at Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend on September 29!

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