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Traveler's Gear Box: KEEN's Erickson PCT, A Hiking Boot For Long-Distance Trekkers

Oct 21st - 11:43am | Kurt Repanshek

It varies, y_p_w. Some are demos, as were these boots, some I pick up on my own. Frankly, if gear reviewers had to buy every item to demo, not sure they could afford to do it.

Oct 21st - 11:39am | y_p_w

Just for full disclosure, do you get free samples of items to review, or did the funds come out of your own pocket? Just curious. I've been thinking of getting a pair of old fashioned heavy duty Norwegian welt boots. Merrell still sells them (made in Italy no less), but my local REI store said they would have to order them. I've seen a few interesting ones from Scarpa.

Oct 21st - 10:37am | Kurt Repanshek

David, I'm working on a longer piece about our hike. Hope to have it ready for next Friday. That region of the park really is amazing, so totally unlike the rest of Yellowstone.

Oct 21st - 10:34am | David Crowl

I have been to the Bechler Corner once, but only got to experience from Cave falls to Bechler Falls. I was amazed at how thick the forest was at one point. After reading more about the falls in the area and seeing your photo of Colonnade Falls on the Bechler River, I look forward to one day going back and seeing more. For now, I enjoy reading about your adventures.

Oct 21st - 10:22am | Kurt Repanshek

It's really more of an avocation, I'm afraid....

Oct 21st - 10:20am | David Crowl

I wish I had your Job.

Olympic National Park's Mountain Goat Plan Warns Of Dangers of Urinating On Hiking Trails

Oct 21st - 08:32am | Chet Rideout

Like Chadwick, I studied mountain goats, in my case in Glacier NP and the Sapphire Mts. of Montana.  It should be mentioned that I believe Chadwick was injured by a goat he was trapping - I saw very little aggression from goats, but must admit I was not near one, male or female, during the mating season.

Buggies of Varying Sizes On Display At Homestead National Monument of America

Oct 21st - 07:23am | Lee Dalton

Anyone planning a trip through Nebraska should make every possible effort to visit Homestead.  It's an absolutely fascinating little place.  I had planned on spending a few hours there and wound up spending an entire day.  Displays in the visitor center are extensive.  The grounds are beautiful and the stories they tell run the entire emotional gamut from tragic to delightful.

National Park Quiz 99: Native Americans

Oct 21st - 03:31am | MRC

I liked this quiz. Good mixture between east and west, history and today's life. Thanks, Bob!

Bluffs Lodge Along The Blue Ridge Parkway Shuttered For 2011

Oct 20th - 20:23pm | Bob Duggan

We have stayed at the lodge and always make it a point to stop at the coffee shop . It has been a meeting spot for local friends when we come up from florida each year.PLEASE reopen both as it is a part of the history of the parkway  for over 50 years 

California Coastal Commission Questions Drakes Bay Oyster Co. On Trash In Point Reyes National Seashore

Oct 20th - 18:23pm | Anonymous

A good majority, if not all, of the plastic tubings are left over from the previous owners, the Johnson Oyster Company.  The Lunny family has drastically changed the operating methods of the farm and are working with local regulators to better this every day.  There is not enough evidence to support theories of adverse environmental impact the company has had.  Closure of the company would be d

Reader Participation Day: How Do You Decide Which National Parks To Visit?

Oct 20th - 16:25pm | Wulverine

We are southern florida people and decide on travel plans based on time of year as we don't like the snow, where new NPS sites are that we haven't been to, and how much time we have off as I am not flying to the other side of the US for only a short vacation. We are always looking for new places and hope to one day visit every NPS site in the US.

Oct 20th - 08:35am | Danny Bernstein

Next year, the Utah Parks! We've been to Bryce and Zion but it's time to explore Canyonlands, Arches and other units. Danny Bernstein

Oct 19th - 22:13pm | Meg

I'm just starting to think about next year.  I'm lucky enough to live near three national parks -- Mt.

Oct 19th - 20:24pm | Amarillobymorning

We're partial to the Western parks -- RMC, Bryce, Zion -- but family matters took us east this summer so we had a chance to see Acadia, Shenandoah, Blue Ridge and the Smokies. All of them amazing. We also did the Freedom Trail in Boston and visited the Gettysburg battlefield. (Did I mention my husband is a drivin' fool?)

Oct 19th - 13:33pm | Suze

try to plan a big trip every year some times around other events. This past summer had to be  in Virginia for some training so researched on the web and NPS site and visited Mount Rogers NP was a great side trip. Also visitied sites in DC mostly web research determined the plan.

Oct 19th - 12:58pm | RangerLady

When I was a seasonal employee, I made sure to take my time travelling and I stopped at all the sites I could along my route and often camped. Now I don't travel as much, but when I do I try and find sites close to where I'll be. In just a few days, I'll be hitting the units in D.C.

Oct 19th - 12:55pm | RangerLady

Gaelyn, you should look me up at Capitol Reef! I think we worked at MEVE together in 2005

Oct 19th - 12:00pm | Anonymous

 I really don't care where I go-- just as long as I can go!! I tell my wife that once we cross that boundry line at the National Park sign for any park I feel like I've steped back in time and all the stress seems to melt away!!

Oct 19th - 11:59am | Rick B.

NPS.gov helps.  When I went to a nephew's wedding in Massachusetts a year or two ago I just searched by state. If I hadn't, I would have missed Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works, both worth a visit. I suggest using the web help early in trip planning.

Oct 19th - 11:32am | y_p_w

Depends on how expansive your definition of "National Parks" is. If that includes all units, then it varies. It can be random. I once made a winter visit to Yosemite on a whim. At other times I planned more carefully, especially when I had a backpacking trip planned. I had to plan a trip from Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon months in advance in order to secure lodging.

Oct 19th - 11:23am | Ramon Holguin

Todays economy and proximity is what i go by. This November i will take my yearly trip to Big Bend. I also frequent Guadulupe Mountains NP, and i visited Carlsbad Caverns earlier this year. When the economy is in good times i venture to parks outside of Texas and New Mexico. Places like Lassen NP, Mesa Verde and Olympic NP.

Oct 19th - 11:15am | JanetinKY

I am super lucky to have already been to a number of parks.  Now when I decide where to go, I take the following things into consideration: where I haven't been, what I missed when I was there before, a different time of year.

Joan Anzelmo, After a Long National Park Service Career, Honored By NPCA

Oct 20th - 14:13pm | y_p_w

Dick Gutierrez: Actually I think i would be against a private group using one of the National Parks as their private venue-- where would it stop?? How about a Nathan's hot dog eating contest in Yosemite??? LOL

Oct 20th - 13:34pm | Dick Gutierrez

 Actually  I think i would be against a private group using one of the National Parks as their private venue-- where would it stop?? How about a Nathan's hot dog eating contest in Yosemite??? LOL

Grizzly Bear Linked To Two Fatal Maulings in Yellowstone National Park Killed By Rangers

Oct 20th - 14:09pm | Anonymous

Wonder how many grizzly cubs will end up in places like this ? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44970708/ns/us_news-life/  

Call To Action: Updating The Leopold Report For National Parks in the 21st Century

Oct 20th - 12:59pm | Anonymous

This re-examination, re-thinking of the Leopold Report is a great Idea;

A Note To Commenters

Oct 20th - 12:33pm | y_p_w

I would note that pretty much anything posted to a government-run website is considered in the public domain unless otherwise stated. I know a lot of NPS websites have images that were taken by private citizens and hosted by the NPS, but with notices that they consider the images copyrighted. I believe the wholesale cutting and pasting of an NPS press release is considered OK.

Oct 20th - 11:28am | Gary Slider

Posting whole articles will only lead to trouble and this site being shutdown. I would hate to see that happen as this site is very informative.  I have seen dozens of sites disappear because someone posted copyrighted material and then the Laywers swooped in. Do post a little blurb about the story and then a link to it.

Oct 20th - 08:45am | Kurt Repanshek

Fair use is fine, y_p_w. Wholesale cutting and pasting of copyrighted articles is not. Libelous material is not, either, and that's a whole 'nother can of worms. While we tend to give folks lots of rein in their comments, if something gets close to being borderline in that area we delete it. Constructive criticism is perfectly fine, but casting aspersions usually won't get past us.

Oct 19th - 21:40pm | y_p_w

Do you have a threshold for "fair use"? I know I've used short segments of stories - often when they directly quote or paraphrase an interview subject.

Where in the World is Paul Fugate?

Oct 20th - 10:19am | Anonymous

 Additional comments on the Missing Paul Fugate:   http://officialcoldcaseinvestigations.com/showthread.php?t=10168

Oct 19th - 16:52pm | Rob

I left Arizona in 1979 but Paul had helped me with my thesis work.  We were classmates at the University of Arizona and although not a close friend, he was always willing to help with botanical questions.

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

Oct 20th - 09:31am | David Crowl

Wow, 6.2 million, seems like enough to rebuild from the ground up and then some.

National Christmas Tree Lighting Set For December 1, Ticket Lottery Opens November 3rd

Oct 20th - 08:21am | Lawrence J Caldwell

What National Christmas Tree?  Last I heard it had blown over in storm back in the spring/summer this year.  If it was replaced, I never heard about it.  But I hope it was replaced because we want to come down the week between Christmas and New Year's to see DC all lit up.  We did it last year and it was great (and also deserted!).

Climber Who Abandoned Companion In Grand Teton National Park Cited For Disorderly Conduct

Oct 19th - 22:06pm | E Rudolph

Yikes, from Michigan like me, I'll be keeping an eye out for anyone looking for a new ice buddy this winter.  

NPS Steps In to Keep Three California State Parks Open in 2012

Oct 19th - 21:43pm | Mark Adams

That's an easy one to answer, witnessing it first hand out my door here in Tahoe.

Oct 19th - 21:37pm | Mark Adams

I live on the west shore of Lake Tahoe where Emerald Bay, Tahoe City, and Bliss State Parks have all been shut down, with limited operations  at Sugar Pine Point State Park. 

Young Woman Dies After Being Submerged in Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park

Oct 19th - 20:42pm | Anonymous

In response to the question of whether there is a tunnel or not, I have used scuba in that swimming hole, including up underneath the rapids at the beginning of the swimming hole many times.  There is not a tunnel.

How Many Elk Does it Take to Make a Jam?

Oct 19th - 20:15pm | Kristina in TN

Let's see, last night (18 Oct) it took only 10 elk in the middle of the field, well away from the road and the Visitors Center. My traveling partner, who had never seen an elk before, was mesmerized. This time traffic was not blocked and the humans were all behaving very nicely. A great evening!

Oct 19th - 11:14am | Will

Jim, thanks for the great write up!  I'm the Ranger that was out in the parking lot and in the top picture standing with the crowd.  It certainly was an "uphill battle."  That was one of the craziest jams we'd had in awhile!

Groups Urging Obama Administration To Protect The "Greater Canyonlands" Region Near Canyonlands National Park

Oct 19th - 19:49pm | Lee Dalton

Thanks, Kurt.

Oct 19th - 19:18pm | Kurt Repanshek

For the record, according to the Escalante-Boulder Chamber of Commerce, there currently are:

Oct 19th - 18:01pm | Lee Dalton

Interesting.  But the Escalante Chamber of Commerce might beg to differ with you.

Oct 19th - 15:50pm | rj

In responce to L Dalton your "undeniable boom " in Escalante is a couple of resturants and motels. That all this boom will ever amount to. Look at the huge size  of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Lets equate this to sq. mile per job created. Enough said. I am  big on the outdoors but keep the facts relavent. You can not justify taking that much land and say its creating jobs.

Oct 19th - 11:54am | Anonymous

 Well I signed it and so will all my family and friends-- that land belongs to all the citizens of this country -- not just the people of Utah and we want it protected.

Popular Swimming Area At Capitol Reef National Park Closed Due To Dangerous Conditions

Oct 19th - 19:00pm | roma

Dear Local Resident I'm really sorry you feel this way.  I like and even love a lot of people that don't think the same way I do.  What you are saying is you don't like me because I think different from you???? I feel sorry for you!!!!

Oct 19th - 16:50pm | Local Resident

Roma I'm not sure who you're directing those comments to. If you refering to me, you do know how I am. That is why I'm not putting my name. The last thing I need is for my neighbors to start harassing me for supporting the park in this decision.

Oct 19th - 16:33pm | roma

You don't read very well!!! Where did you get the idea that was the only place I have fun? I have fun every day.  I'm  glad you don't go swimming at the falls if that in what you do in water!!! but let the rest of us have fun!!! I drive through the park 4 or 5 times a week I used to travel up the old highway 24 when people owned the land and lived in Fruita.

"Red Tide" Prompts Visitor Advisory at Padre Island National Seashore

Oct 19th - 14:57pm | Ron C

Just visited Mustang ISLAND THIS AFTERNOON.  2pm10 19 '11.  Air was clean sea is rough due to strong winds blowing for two days.

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