| Page 1171 | National Parks Traveler

Hmm, just got me to thinking whether NPS has been looking for ways to document the illegal migration of people south of the border to the US. One of these tunnels that have been discovered should be sealed off and set aside for a future historic site. And the overland routes, I suppose those are already contained within the NPS areas like Organ Pipe and others... something to think about.

Traveler's Checklist: Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas - Two Dream Sites For Children

Nov 29th - 08:57am | Jon Merryman

Took my son to both places when he was six and we had a great time, as well as Timucuan (camping available) and Fort Caroline (the mosquitos were ferocious, no wonder the French fled the area).

Goodbye Paper Topographic Maps, Hello US Topo

Nov 29th - 01:13am | Anonymous

last time I checked, "most people" use Windows and don't have iPhones/iPads. Besides, who in the heck totes an iPad while hiking in a place where you'll need a topo map? Just saying.

Nov 28th - 12:05pm | Rick B.

Uh, "iPhone or iPad" does NOT equal "most people", unless you're talking about most people in a very small and entitled portion of Western Civilization. Most people in your world perhaps, 'anonymous 9:38pm', but not most people in THE world.

Nov 26th - 22:38pm | Anonymous

Totally USLESS for most people. GeoPDF is only for Windows PCs. It does not work on the most obvious device, the iPhone or iPad. Does not run on Macs. You can't load it into a hand held GPS. So we have government data that we all paid for and in order to use we have to pay Microsoft for a copy of Windows.

By The Numbers: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Nov 28th - 09:23am | CwB

Hi from Ga. . .I was glad to see BP on the job when we were visiting Az. We were 'checked' several times in Southern Az. Securing the border is one of the most important issues in this region. Like I said, glad they were on the job.

Nov 26th - 07:11am | Barky

Organ Pipe is indeed HOT. I didn't visit in August, but it was seriously cooking that day.

Comments Being Taken on Proposal To Stop Importation, Transportation of Burmese Pythons

Nov 27th - 09:15am | Michael O'Leary...

I agree with these three replies above. I am a snake breeder and I think that this new law will take a lot of business away from me and thousands of other breeders. But I do believe that importing wild snakes should, maybe not be stopped, but certainly restricted to a minimum. Interstate transportation should not be stopped at all, just more regulated.

Black Bear Attacks Child at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Nov 26th - 17:55pm | Anonymous

Not sure i should be making a comment/post since i only read a few of the comments above but, i will keep it short and to the point. I am from Knoxville born and raised here. One thing through the years i have noticed while in Cades Cove or hiking on the trails is.. the ones who approach the bears are Not from here. Education is the point i am trying to get across here.

Nov 26th - 17:40pm | Anonymous

You are so right!! It's really unfortunate that the young bear was put down. I am glad the young boy is okay! It is rarely heard of that a black bear "a young one" at that would be that aggressive. Being from K-town/Smoky Mountain area i never heard that before. Kinda different... walking upon a momma bear protecting her cubs is what i watch out for. But, it all goes back to what you said...

The Living Classrooms of the National Park System

Nov 26th - 09:55am | Lee Dalton

When my fourth and fifth grade class from Snowville, Ut were the first class to experience Yellowstone's remarkable "Expedition YELLOWSTONE" clear back in 1986, we had a chance to attend school for a full week at Lamar. It was an absolutely incredible experience for students and parents. Joe Zarki, who is now chief of interp at Joshua Tree, was one of our ranger/teachers.

Nov 26th - 07:13am | Barky

Nice story, and a nice example of how investments in the parks are actual investments: money spent towards a future return.

Nov 26th - 06:36am | Bantningspiller

Ms. Sheryl Marino is such a wonderful example. Students will be eager to participate and look forward to their 'new' classroom. This type of educational approach should be encouraged, or they can also ask the parents or their guardians get involved on this extraordinary field trip.

Reader Participation Day: Where Is the Best Boardwalk In the National Park System?

Nov 25th - 19:44pm | y_p_w

There is pretty nice boardwalk over a meadow in Yosemite Valley. I don't know if it's strictly needed for safety, but I suppose it reduces the potential trampling of the meadow by people crossing.

Nov 25th - 12:53pm | Danny Bernstein

The best boardwalk is on the Tanawha Trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It takes you up to some fantastic views and faces Grandfather Mountain. The top the boardwalk is way over 4,000 ft. Danny www.hikertohiker.com

Nov 24th - 22:57pm | Meg

I love every boardwalk I've been on in Yellowstone, but since I can't pick just one from there, I'm going to go with the nature trail boardwalk at the Carbon River Entrance to Mt. Rainier. It's one of my favorite places on the planet. Ha. The captcha for this comment is "Local Trusures." Looks like a typo for my choice [g].

Nov 24th - 12:46pm | Dave Crowl

Several come to mind; the start of the "narrows in Zion, "trail of Cedars" in Glacier, and "uncle tom's trail" in Yellowstone.

Nov 24th - 11:57am | y_p_w

I rather like the redwood-lined boardwalk at Muir Woods NM. It was made from recycled lumber from an old building. I understand it was constructed in order to give small animals a place to walk, when they otherwise would have avoided the paved path where people were.

Nov 24th - 09:20am | Eric

It's hard to beat the boardwalk at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park. Beautifully engineered, using the natural rock staircases when it can, and surrounded by amazing peaks and mountain goats.

Nov 24th - 08:54am | parklover

National parks shouldn't have boardwalks.

Nov 24th - 07:57am | Clara

I vote for the ones in Yellowstone National Park like you show in your top picture. While walking on them years ago, and still today, I wonder how they were perilously built!

Fish And Wildlife Service Says ORV Plan for Cape Hatteras National Seashore Could Be Helpful to Plovers, Sea Turtles

Nov 25th - 05:56am | Anonymous

Ryan Attacking people with different opinions by mind reading the inner working of enviros minds is the part and parcel of the radical ORV recreationalists, go to one of the 4 local ORV active web sites and read their comments.

Nov 24th - 13:18pm | Ryan

I can appreciate your argument Matt, but attacking me personally just makes your argument that much less palatable. I guess in this instance I will be the fool and you the professor.

Nov 24th - 12:37pm | matt Stubbs

Ryan evidentally IRONY escapes you. I indeed was speaking in broad generalizations, but did so to prove a point (that they are stupid) and I see at least one gets it. As far as the birds being hard to see it is because of 1,000 meter buffers, not the camoflage!! Reading comprehension is next on my agenda.

Nov 24th - 11:49am | Ryan

Matt, "unless you have proof then this did not happen. No chicks have been run over in CAHA. Prove it otherwise and I will concede, but until then leave the laws of physics to the professionals."

Nov 24th - 10:55am | Crotalus

Ron (obxguys) sez: I don't recall disturbing any flora or fauna. And there lies the problem.

Nov 24th - 10:38am | matt Stubbs

"those evil ORVs for the needed revenue stream" This is so typical. Other than taxes paid by all (or at least those without good accountants) Orv users and beach goers are the only people providing funding to this National Park.

Nov 24th - 09:26am | Ron Saunders

Anonymous How many of you guys are there ? And who the heck are they. You make it personal when you respond specifically to my post but, you are not at all personal, you are anonymous. I don't recall disturbing any flora or fauna. So get off my case ! Ron (obxguys)

Nov 24th - 09:07am | Kurt

I don't believe the park will get the funds needed to implement the plan. Congress will maintain and thats all. The park may find itself dependent on those evil ORVs for the needed revenue stream. I love irony.

Nov 24th - 05:45am | Anonymous

Kurt in SNH You bring up an excellent point about the funding. With a 1.3 trillion deficit everything in this country needs to take a funding hit. All the money in the world would not solve CHNS problems. The Park already had a serious problem with congestion of vehicles at key resource areas.

Nov 23rd - 20:29pm | Kurt

I can see this plan doing more harm than good. The island does not contain enough habitat for a sustanable population that will reduce the threat. It will create congested areas of vehicles. This will be another problem to be solved which will create another. The natural state of the island needs to be defined when attempting to save. How far back in time does natural become.

Holiday Showdown With Republicans? Will President Obama Move to Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from Drilling?

Nov 24th - 18:26pm | Zebulon

Some might say that we need to pay $6 a gallon to spur more innovation. The cheaper the gas, the less incentive there is to find a replacement to the internal combustion engine. That being said, long term, we will have no choice but to drill in Alaska. Our society cannot function without oil (even if we switch to renewables).

Nov 24th - 15:14pm | Concerned Taxpayer

It will because there is a huge reserve there and with that additional supply in the market prices of oil and upstream products will necessarily decrease. OPEC understands competition. This will provide the US the time to develop nat gas combustion engines and build the necessary infrastructure to support that industry.

Nov 23rd - 17:52pm | y_p_w

Yes - I do understand the Trans Alaskan Pipeline exists. However - I looked up a report (granted from 1995) that the tanker transportation costs from the Alaskan port (I think it was Valdez) to Asia were considerably lower than to West Coast ports. Frankly I don't think opening up ANWR is going to make that much of a difference.

Nov 23rd - 17:16pm | Concerned Taxpayer

YPW...Alaska oil is piped (Alaska Pipeline) to Anchorage where it is then shipped to various ports. It is unloaded and placed in pipelines and transported throughout the US along with other crude from various production fields.

Nov 23rd - 14:02pm | y_p_w

Concerned Taxpayer:

Republicans On House Natural Resources Committee Planning Big Changes For Public Lands

Nov 24th - 16:54pm | Jeff Chapman

The relocation of the Stehiken Road would to an old wagon road that is in the Wilderness and out of where it is in shambles now in a non-sustainable environmentally sensitive area. The Hastings bill would call for no net loss of Wilderness. It will mean relocating some of the PCT though.

Rocky Mountain National Park: It Shames the Andes and Alps

Nov 24th - 12:24pm | Bob Janiskee

Can we spell "tongue in cheek," boys and girls?

Nov 24th - 12:00pm | Rick B.

"This guy" was a fictional mountain man in a movie. It's like you're arguing with Homer Simpson over why he thinks Duff Beer is best, for pete's sake.

Nov 24th - 11:24am | Kurt Repanshek

And very likely it was fabricated for the movie...

Nov 24th - 11:04am | Bob Janiskee

It's a darn shame that this guy didn't know his basic geography and couldn't give the Andes their due. Of course, this geographically ignorant fellow died about 170 years ago, so we won't be able to give him the verbal thrashing he deserves.

Nov 24th - 10:54am | Eduardo

Obviously this guy by saying" l ain't never seen them, but my common sense tells me the Andes is foothills, and the Alps is for children to climb" he doesnt have a clue of what hes saying..... I agree with him when he refers to the alps, but The Andes mate??? you dont have any idea at all! I have something for him to study before speaking:

National Park Mystery Plant 14: Satan Takes a Hike

Nov 24th - 09:51am | Bob Janiskee

Devil's walking stick it is. Good job, MaryBeth.

Nov 24th - 09:25am | MaryBeth

Would it be either Devils walking stick Aralia spinosa) or Devils Club. MB

Lame-Duck Congress Has Plateful of National Park-Related Legislation To Consider

Nov 24th - 00:06am | Pshhhhaw

Not gonna happen. Theres START, immigration reform, expiring tax cuts, and a budget ahead of all that. Then theres the Republican standard filibuster and the Democratic spinelessness, now magnified by their gutlessness and castration by the elections

Fatal Fall from Angels Landing in Zion National Park

Nov 23rd - 22:36pm | Anonymous

"Not necessarily. There are some areas where there are ledges or bushes that could conceivably catch a fall. Or stumble and fall down without falling off. Granted there are a lot of exposed areas where one could die or suffer grave injury."

Omnibus Bill Provides $2.39 billion 08 Budget for National Park Service

Nov 23rd - 22:36pm | d-2

National Park Service Ban on Lead Ammo, Fishing Gear Draws Ire of Shooting Sports Foundation

Nov 23rd - 14:25pm | Jason

Aww, come on Volpe! Not wearing a seat belt *does* affect other people: If you end up 3 months in the hospital after torpedoing through your windshield, someone other than you is going to have to pay for the hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills you owe. If you have insurance, rates will have to rise for other policy holders.

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