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Traveler's View: No Professional Bike Racing At Colorado National Monument

Feb 22nd - 18:20pm | y_p_w

Matt Stubbs: My remark was intended to the fact of showing up at a park and having it closed... That is it. Nothing like driving 6 hours to find six new plovers nested overnight successfully blocking the remaining access. This is why I bring my boat to Cape Hatteras now so I may bypass the NPS all together on my own little sandbar.

Feb 22nd - 13:41pm | Matt Stubbs

My remark was intended to the fact of showing up at a park and having it closed... That is it. Nothing like driving 6 hours to find six new plovers nested overnight successfully blocking the remaining access. This is why I bring my boat to Cape Hatteras now so I may bypass the NPS all together on my own little sandbar.

Feb 22nd - 13:39pm | justinh

The 2012 Quiznos Pro Challenge through the monument "can significantly add to the stature and profile OF THE EFFORT to designate the Monument as a National Park"--weird sentence. Does an "effort" really have stature and profile? Why not raise the "profile" of the monument by highlighting ITS "stature," which has nothing to do with a bike race.

Feb 22nd - 13:32pm | y_p_w

For Anonymous (February 22, 2011 - 11:58am), I don't know if you'd necessarily get the same problems with a professional bike race. The NYC Marathon has about 50,000 participants, while a professional stage race has only 128 racers. They've got professional support vehicles and cleanup would be nowhere near as difficult as a major foot race.

Feb 22nd - 13:32pm | Anonymous

National Park Ranger and other staff at each location have a duty to protect and preserve by having a bike race though Colorado it not close the monument for the day for visitors but also would put at risk all the natural wonders and the reason the monument was created. Remerber that we want the monument to still be there for future generations.

Feb 22nd - 13:13pm | y_p_w

Matt Stubbs: I would feel the same as I do seeing access limited elsewhere. The difference here is it would be a tangibly large crowd I could actually see. Whereas a flower, insect or even a BIRD can shut down an entire area and never actually be seen.

Feb 22nd - 12:58pm | Anonymous

I'm with Kurt on this one. Look at how the thousands of current visitors to our national parks abuse them; walking anywhere but on designated walkways or trails, tossing garbage wherever they feel like, starting fires because they feel as if it is their right (even though the hire fire danger warnings are up), etc.

Feb 22nd - 11:12am | Matt Stubbs

Kurt "What would you think if you were driving, say, from Rocky Mountain National Park to Canyonlands or the Grand Canyon, and you planned on stopping at Colorado National Monument and Mesa Verde along the way, but when you pulled up to the gate of the monument they said, "Sorry, we're closed today so we can host a bike race"?"

Feb 21st - 22:48pm | Random Walker

This is just about as disgusting an idea as when the National Parks Foundation sponsored Jeff Corwin's reality TV show 'Race To The Moment' series in Joshua Tree National Park..

Feb 21st - 21:39pm | Jim Burnett

I agree that this is an inappropriate event, since as others have mentioned, the commercial activity would essentially close the entire park to all visitor use for an entire day during a busy time of the season. In this location, viable alternative travel routes that would bypass the event in the park aren't available.

Feb 21st - 13:07pm | Keeper

YPW This race is in it's 36th Year. http://www.craterlakerimruns.com/

Feb 21st - 12:09pm | y_p_w

I'm not sure that the environmental impacts of such a race couldn't be mitigated with good event management. I've been to large crowded events in NPS units (I mentioned the Blue Angels) in San Francisco last year, and the LE rangers and US Park Police did an excellent job of crowd control, although they only closed off several roads to new vehicle for a few hours.

Updated: National Park Service Budget Would Grow by $138 Million Under President's FY12 Proposal

Feb 22nd - 18:13pm | Reality Check

Michael, The Chinese are not our friends and they may not call in our debt. They are already changing our policy by their leverage. They want to dominate us. They are playing us like the idiots we are.

Feb 22nd - 11:49am | Michael Kellett

Hi Reality Check, I don't question the reality of the debt to China or the fact that the deficit is not good. But it is not a dire crisis, either. The Chinese are not going to call in that debt, because they need us as much as we need them. That said, I would rather not be in debt than to be in debt to them.

Feb 22nd - 11:34am | Michael Kellett

I certainly agree with your sentiment about the Parks. And beer summit idea sounds good. The logistics could be a bit difficult. But maybe we will be in the same vicinity at some point and can make it happen! Best, Michael

Feb 21st - 21:49pm | Reality Check

Actions have consequences, Mr. Kellett and it's only going to get worse unless we get on board. A correction please. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.ae2d2f54b4997246bb7b180d2736...

Arches National Park Taking Input on Proposed Climbing Management Plan

Feb 22nd - 14:20pm | Anonymous

I don't know what your understanding of the current regulations are, but the park IS open to climbing, just with regulations such as no new fixed anchors, no white chalk, etc. That being said how many times have you been in the park and seen a climber?

Feb 22nd - 14:11pm | Anonymous

My park experience is blighted by your car, or did you walk in?

Feb 21st - 19:09pm | Chris Hunter

Great Post Adam! Thank you.

Feb 21st - 14:18pm | Adam Baxter

Kurt,

Feb 21st - 12:48pm | Larry Harpe

Michelle Fox, please tell me what parks were destroyed do to climbing. That is ridiculous. Adam Baxter, Great post. I agree with most of it. I do think that first ascentionists should be aloud to drill rappel anchors to get off of climbs. It amazes me that that would even be an issue.

National Park Service Tasked With Identifying Landscapes and Cultural Themes "Underrepresented" in the Park System

Feb 22nd - 13:44pm | Matt Stubbs

Very little according to my wife in the intelligence community... But she says the same about me, what are we to do.

Feb 22nd - 11:23am | Bob Janiskee

Egads! I served two years and seven months with the 513th Military Intelligence Group. Is there no hope for me?

Feb 22nd - 11:14am | Matt Stubbs

You cannot have greater protection and public attention. It is like army intelligence...

Feb 22nd - 06:55am | Lawrence J. Caldwell

The Pinelands National Preserve, the first of its kind, should be upgraded to Park status. The one-trillion gallons of the pureset water on earth, along with the ecosystem comprised of more rare, endangered, and threatened species than anywhere else on the eastern seaboard, requires greater protection and public attention.

National Park Service Looking For Kids Interested in Becoming Junior Civil War Historians

Feb 22nd - 13:21pm | Anonymous

We live on the west coast and our daughter was able to visit Antietam and Gettysburg last year and is disappointed that she will not be able to participate in this program . Would the Regional Office consider adding a 3rd option for kids who can only participate on-line?

Wyoming Legislature Agrees To Sell Land Inside Grand Teton National Park; Will Congress Pay For It?

Feb 22nd - 11:06am | Anonymous

It seems that about $14 million would be a more appropriate price. That would be $10,000 per acre.

Doug Hubbard, Former Chief Naturalist at Yosemite National Park, Passes at 92

Feb 22nd - 08:45am | Owen Hoffman

Mr. Stefancik, you are correct. Doug was very much involved in the design and expansion of the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, TX as well as the design of the LBJ National Historic Site, see the above attachment that was appended to the main article. This attachment is a copy of a 2002 interview with former park ranger-naturalist Alan Shields.

Feb 21st - 16:21pm | Steve Nelson

Is there any way that you could put that film on a web site somewhere? I know that's easy for me to say, since you would have to do the work. I know they had to stop the firefall because the crowds watching it were destroying the meadows near Curry.

The Annual Meeting of the Dumb and Dumber National Park Visiting Society

Feb 22nd - 08:39am | Ron Saunders

Bob, Thank You. Just checked and wallet is empty. But fear not, Will work on it when my next SS check comes in. Wonder what will happen to that if the Government shuts down. Will let you know. Getting more excited every day. Can't tell you what this opportunity means to me. Ron (obxguys)

Feb 22nd - 05:19am | Bob Janiskee

We take turns driving and navigating, Jim. The two activities don't mesh very well, so it's a perpetual work in progress.

Feb 21st - 21:18pm | Jim Burnett

Before I decide whether to sign up as a member, I need to know if Bob or Colorado Jim is driving the official D&D tour bus. Then again, maybe it's more important to know who is navigating on the upcoming tour!

Feb 21st - 17:10pm | CO Jim

Hey, Prof, you were right. One is born every minute, but we need more than one!!Yow! Our first conundrum!

Fans of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Being Asked to Contribute Ideas to Lakeshore's Future

Feb 22nd - 08:23am | vote yes

A clothing optional beach would be a terrific idea. My wife and myself went to St. Martin for the holidays and went to a clothing optional beach for the first time. We had such a relaxing time at this beach cloths free, we decided to go their for three straight days. All the people we met on this beach were so pelite and respectful of the property and other visitors.

Creature Feature: The Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Faces an Uncertain Future

Feb 22nd - 05:11am | Bob Janiskee

I'm delighted that you're studying the Kemp's ridley sea turtle, Anon-6th grade. Although we can't help you further with your project (we just don't have the expertise or time for it), we do encourage you to consult the numerous Internet sources of information about this fascinating creature.

Feb 21st - 19:33pm | Anonymous

Hello, I am a 6th grader and I am doing a project on Ridley Sea Turtles and I need to know more. It is a whole simester project and we are already half way through. I read your article and I LOVE IT!! I was wondering if you could tell me a little more about the Ridley Sea Turtles. They are facinating!!

Forest Fire Closes Portion of Skyline Drive, Hiking Trails in Shenandoah National Park

Feb 22nd - 00:45am | Sabrina

Talk about scary. I live on Lands Run Road and my childs bus stop is on Smith Run Road. We couldnt even see the fire and didn't have a clue what was going on since we live "under" it... to close to even see the smoke or the flames. But I will say was a really neat site to see at night. Roads were blocked off, crews were everywhere. To close for comfort!

Feb 21st - 19:42pm | Nick S.

Six of us were hiking the Big Run Loop and RockyTop Trail over the course of two days. We noticed the slight smell of smoke and thought perhaps the high winds were carrying the scent. Two hours later, the entire valley was hazey, making it difficult to breath. Needless to say, we high-tailed it out of there. As always, we registered beforehand so they knew we were in there.

Higher Humidity, Chance of Precipitation Could Aid Firefighters in Shenandoah National Park

Feb 21st - 20:09pm | MRfrVA

While I agree wholeheartedly that the fire starter should be held financially/legally responsible for operations/damages, as "plet39" states previously; however, the assertion "...for whatever reason,..." is far too radical.

Feb 21st - 11:37am | plet39

If someone started the fire on that private land, for whatever reason, he/she should have to pay for the firefighting operation in the park. If you start hitting careless people in their bank accounts, maybe they'll be more careful in the future.

America's Great Outdoors Report Touches On Possible Additions To Roster of National Monuments

Feb 21st - 20:01pm | westerner

Sorry anonymous but almost none of the areas Clinton designated are managed by the NPS, but rather by the BLM and have all been largely an economic boon to their local economies.

Friends of the Everglades is Down, but Not Out

Feb 21st - 19:38pm | Ranger Steve

Such a shame. I have the amazing honor of living in the home Marjory built and lived in for 82 years. I'm writing this in the very room where Friends of the Everglades was founded and based out of for many years. When I took the position that including being caretaker of her home I tried to join this group (figured it was the least I could do), but my queries were never answered.

Arizona Officials Planning Shooting Range Near Walnut Canyon National Monument

Feb 21st - 19:03pm | Anonymous

Whatever happened to the proposed Shooting Range site in the Bellemont area? That seemed perfect. Did houses get developed too close to the proposed site?

Frazil Ice On the Run in Yosemite National Park

Feb 21st - 17:27pm | Deborah

My family would love to see the frazil ice this spring, would it be better to go in March or April? Thanks also for the video, wonderful to see!

Work Under Way on Rebuilding Grand Canyon National Park's South Kaibab Trail From Rim to River

Feb 21st - 16:18pm | Scott Kingser

I hiked the South Kaibab trail in early December of last year and observed a unique helicopter delivering rock to trail crews. Can anyone tell me the model/make of helicopter that was being contracted (twin rotor, narrow cockpit, someone thought Russia made??)? Thanks

Traveler's View: The National Park Service Failed Its Mission With Plan For Addition Lands at Big Cypress National Preserve

Feb 21st - 13:09pm | Southern Shores 1

“ANON Name a flora in CHNS affected by the ORV use on Sand and make sure it is unique????”

America's Great Outdoors Report Carries Lofty Goals That Need Widespread Support For Success

Feb 21st - 12:50pm | Kurt Repanshek

Why, Green, just click on the "Help Sponsor the Traveler" logo when it rotates through our "Friends of the Traveler" box in the upper right-hand column. Donations are always appreciated! And we could really use some of those funds to hire a proofreader...the things that slip by....sigh.

Feb 21st - 12:45pm | Green

I wish I could send you some funding to correct my writing skills, Kurt. I meant, I could do without all the "Lofty" words. :)

Feb 21st - 12:32pm | Green

I could do with all the "Lofty" words. There is precious little proof that these are anything other than lofty benefits only those positioned along the path to eventually those that have to pay for it. Good dose of reality and learn to live in it would be appreciated instead of the verbal drugs that gentle, eventually disappoint, then kill the hope hung out there like a carrot.

At New River Gorge National River, an Iconic Bridge Attracts Suicide Jumpers

Feb 21st - 12:23pm | Anonymous

I spent half of my life going back and forth between my home in sc and my family home there I am a combat veteran who has contemplated suicide many times since returning home and I truly feel for the families of these people. these people no matter what the circumstances were selfish people.

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