| Page 1193 | National Parks Traveler

I've never been able to understand why anyone would need to drive on the beach at Hatteras when a blacktop road parallels the beach. Is it the walking or carrying that is objectionable? I just shake my head at the thought that either is a consideration. Lazy, lazy. My grandmother used to tell me that "nothing good comes easy".

Sep 22nd - 21:38pm | YNP4everyone

It amazes me that some don't truly know what is going on in Yellowstone. It is obvious that Angela hasn't been in Yellowstone since the new rules have been put in place in 2004 as there are no 2 strokes in the park other than the park service themselves or researchers snowmobiles. All others are 4 stroke just like an automobile engine so no blue haze.

Sep 22nd - 18:05pm | Julie Kay Smith...

I've been to West Yellowstone, but not actually in the park (I was traveling on horseback, riding one horse & packing the other, in the late fall of 1980 or 1981). Have never been to Cape Hatteras.

Sep 22nd - 15:20pm | T.J.

A continuation of my above comments: The park requires 4-stroke machines which are much quieter and cleaner than the old machines. You are also required to hire a guide service. The guides make their living in the winter in Yellowstone and the last thing they want to do is to lose their guide license. They keep people on the roads and off the trails.

Sep 22nd - 12:50pm | Randi Minetor

I have spent some quality time in Assateague Island NS, where ORVs are permitted to drive down the 37-mile beach for fishing and other seashore pursuits. This is a well-used park with very crowded beaches, but I was virtually unaware of any disruption from the ORVs (and I was working on a travel guide, so we were looking for disruptions).

Sep 22nd - 12:14pm | tara

these parks should not be treated as highways. The parks are there for people and wildlife. For some wildlife, they are the only place they have to rest, feed and care for their young. We need to ensure wildlife continue to have such areas in our over developed, over populated country.

Sep 22nd - 11:23am | William E Hardy

Having spent much time living near & visiting Yellowstone, I must, to the chagrin of many, side with the "keep snowmobiles out" group. Skiing through the solitude of the Park, enjoying the beauty - in peace & quiet.

Sep 22nd - 10:53am | RavenWatcher

Question, Angela, when did you visit the park in the winter?

Sep 22nd - 10:44am | T.J.

Snowmobiles: I have a home in Wyoming. Yellowstone is a huge park, the only way to see and photograph the park is on a snowmobile. Yes, there are tours in a snow coach, but they are on their timetable and only stop in a location for a few minutes. I have seen the blue haze and heard the noise that everyone complained about with the older machines.

Sep 22nd - 10:10am | Angela B.

Having skied into Yellowstone twice in midwinter, I had hoped to find a quiet place for camping and exploration. But instead I found stinking blue fumes, constant noise and stress on many trails. I have never returned to Yellowstone in the winter. And after reading comments about Hatteras, I won't be going there either.

National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis Puts Priorities on Workforce, Relevancy, Stewardship and Education

Sep 22nd - 21:49pm | Timothy L. Vaill

Today is September 22, 2010. What is the absolute latest set of priorities that Jon Jarvs has set forth for the National Park Service?

National Park Mystery Plant 12: A Middle Sea Key

Sep 22nd - 19:22pm | Bob Janiskee

I will be attending Congaree National Park ranger Fran Rametta's retirement party tomorrow evening, tomp. The Congaree staff will be there, so that should give me an excellent chance to inquire about the national champion bald cypress situation at Congaree.

Sep 22nd - 18:32pm | tomp

no, the complaint was that the captcha was too hard. Complaining that anything is too easy is asking karma to kick your backside, hard.

Sep 22nd - 13:04pm | Bob Janiskee

Yes; it's bald cypress. Congratulations to Eric, who was first to supply the answer, and to tomp, who honored the point -- and once again complained (if only by implication) that these mystery plant puzzles are just too darn easy.

Sep 22nd - 12:42pm | tomp

Taxodium distichum Is the national record specimen still in Congaree? ps: the captcha was much harder than the quiz

Sep 22nd - 05:44am | Eric

Bald cypress

Odds and Ends From Visitor Surveys at National Parks: You'd Be Surprised At Some of the Answers

Sep 22nd - 19:18pm | Alec

If you really want to experience the best restrooms in the NPS, bar none, head to the Rob Hill campsite at San Francisco's Presidio in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Made possible by the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund (founders of The Gap retail outlets), the campsite is used for the "Camping at the Presidio" program that targets city kids.

Sep 22nd - 17:38pm | Prairie Dog

As long as I can remember, one of the principle tenets of interpretive training has been that you have to satisfy people's basic needs before they will be truly receptive to discovering the values in a park. I've often seen Maslow's hierarchy of needs used as a training device to help interpreters think about approaches to their craft.

Sep 22nd - 15:08pm | Rick B.

It ain't glamorous, but the bathrooms are a universal experience and need. Most people have to drive quite a ways to get to their parks. What is the FIRST thing, before the burro rides or the exhibits or the buffalo? "Wait for me, Madge - I gotta hit the can".

Sep 22nd - 14:04pm | pkrnger

During the 1960's, posting information about the evening programs and guided day-walks near or inside park "comfort stations" was common practice. We'd frequently rove the campgrounds in the hour or so before the evening programs to inform campers about the upcoming events.

Sep 22nd - 13:22pm | Lee

Maybe parks could start posting info about the interp programs in the restooms.

Sep 22nd - 10:18am | RangerLady

That's a really good point Edward. I also think of buildings when I hear "facilities." With that thought process, when I'm in a park I certainlly use the bathrooms more than anything. I go into the VC only once, get my stamp, purchase some items, and look at all the displays befor hitting the trails. But you better believe that I'm going to be hitting every restroom I can find!

Sep 20th - 12:07pm | Edward Frank

Perhaps teh problem with the surveys is that they do not consider that the trails are facilities. Whe I think of facilities I think of buildings and perhaps parking lots first. I appreciate the trails and talks, but they do not fit immediately into the category of facilities.

Studies Show Bear Spray More Effective Than Guns Against Grizzlies

Sep 22nd - 16:10pm | Anonymous

The comment assumes that you have to kill a bear with a shot in order to deter it, but the same bear "will most PROBABLY be scared from the sound of the spray alone"? This seems... disingenuous.

Visit To Mammoth Cave National Park Shows Off Above- and Below-Ground Wonders

Sep 22nd - 09:37am | kamalele

thanks. This park is on the top of my list. Hope to visit it next year so wonderful to read more about it.

Sep 22nd - 09:12am | Brad

Thanks for the article. We too loved Mammoth Cave and do plan on returning. The caves are awesome and definitely worth seeing, but we are surface-dwellers and actually had the best times kayaking the Green River and hiking the secluded trails in the Park.

Mules In Grand Canyon National Park: Should They Stay?

Sep 22nd - 03:40am | Anonymous

What's going on here? You feel like you have the RIGHT to ride on an animal's back to see the floor of a canyon? do you feel good about making a poor animal carry you for 6 hours? if you are too lazy, then guess what, take photos from the rim. If you are handicapped, etc., then there are plenty of other ways to enjoy this and all other national parks.

Sep 21st - 16:19pm | Kayla

ditto, Bonnie.

Photography Program Hopes to Connect Teens With Outdoors At St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

Sep 22nd - 01:48am | teens programs

Thanks for sharing this informative post. This is one of the result oriented programs help troubled teens to learn life skills and at the same time to prove their unique vision. Hope this organization continues their valuable support to most of the troubled youth with specialized services.

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

Sep 21st - 23:42pm | d-2

Dear Catherine: this decrepit and poorly engineered building is by no means Richard Neutra's best work.

Sep 21st - 06:32am | Chris Brown

Can I, a s a foreigner, but committed Civil War enthusiast make a contribution? The value of the building is a matter for architectural historians. As a military historian I do not feel qualified to comment one way or the other. As a military historian I cannot see any argument for retaining the building on the current site.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement on ORV Use at Cape Hatteras National Seashore Released

Sep 21st - 23:41pm | Melissa114

Keep the beaches open!! Four-thousand permanent beach residents and thousands of visitors who love Hatteras Island....for 9 pairs of piping plovers? That's not a fair trade whatsoever. If the piping plovers aren't suited for the Wildlife Refuge already outlined for them (pea island) there is another wildlife refuge just adjacent to that call the Alligator River Wildlife Refuge.

What Sort of Access Do You Want to the Carbon River Area of Mount Rainier National Park?

Sep 21st - 23:08pm | Meg

The Carbon River area is about 45 minutes from my house, and one of my favorite places to go when I need to escape. I would love the road to be open all the way to Ipsut Creek again, but I know that's probably not possible (I've lived here for 17 years, and I think the road's been closed more often in that time due to flooding than it's been open).

Traveler's Checklist: Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Sep 21st - 10:24am | Anonymous

Thanks for this article!! Great timing. We are on our way to the Blue Ridge Parkway in October. Also will be visiting Shenandoah and Smoky Mountains. This will be our first time and can't wait!! Here's hoping we time it right for fall color!!

Sep 20th - 16:27pm | Wendell Rowell

Great article. Another couple along with my wife and I made this hike this past spring. The stream crossing numbered over 20 in total. Only a couple of bridges on the whole hike so be prepared to either get wet or be a really good jumper. We carried a lunch and ate in the cabin. Over five hours on the trail. Not for the inexperience day hiker.

Sep 20th - 12:37pm | RidinWind

Good write up. I have not seen that place- but usually I am on a Motorcycle when out on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Won't be long and the leaves will start touring - Great time to ride there!

Sep 20th - 08:50am | Brad

My wife and I were there last April for the first time and fell in love with it! We will definitely make the trip back to Doughton.

Creature Feature: The Common Raven is an Uncommonly Intelligent Bird

Sep 21st - 08:20am | Bob Janiskee

I am not familiar with the state and federal laws pertaining to situations like this, so the first thing I'd do is check that out. Some people would advise you to see if there's a local wildlife rescue facility that might accept an injured bird like that for medical treatment and rehab. Not me, though.

Sep 20th - 23:56pm | Anonymous

I found a raven with a badly broken wing. It has been broken for a long time, and the bird has had great weight loss. I made a high calorie mash and am giving it water. is there anything else I could do?

New Visitor Center and Museum at Chaco Culture National Historical Park Come With Challenges

Sep 21st - 05:56am | Eric Skopec

This bit of construction should not deter visitors. Chaco is a spectacular spot and the fact that it is a "small park" adds to the pleasure of visiting. I volunteered there for five months and directed tours for photographers. Even at the peak of the visitor season, we could find spots to photograph classic structures without other visitors stepping into our shots.

House Republicans Say Interior Secretary's Proposed Snake Ban Bad for Business

Sep 21st - 02:04am | Anonymous

Ball pythons rarely even grow to 5 feet in length so I am pretty sure it wont get to big to handle. Not to mention it is one of the most docile snakes you could own. Also once you spend some time around them you would notice, they do act like pets and they do have emotion. EVERYONE not all pythons get to be giants.

Sep 21st - 01:50am | Anonymous

Though most people are not used to snakes there are a few things you should know, one they are not mindless aggressors, the only time they are aggressive is when they are scared ( self defense) and feeding. Naturally they dont eat much due to the fact that they are so large, they require one meal and they can go on that for several months and sometimes a year.

Wolf Killed Illegally Near Grand Teton National Park, $3,000 Reward Offered

Sep 20th - 17:20pm | tomp

Anonymous-- If you perceive every predator as a threat to your life, then please stay out of the wilderness, and stay out of non-wilderness wild lands. Nothing in Kurt's article nor this killing indicates that anyone's life was directly threatened by this wolf.

Sep 20th - 08:33am | Emily

Anon-- All animals be it a wild predator or just a chipmunk are beautiful and deserve a chance to live, they do not need to be killed. The natural balance of things will take care of it, people do not need to intervene. This comment was edited to remove a gratuitous remark. -- Ed.

What Do GOP Politicians Have Against Protecting National Park Landscapes?

Sep 20th - 17:19pm | tomp

I'll second what Kurt & George say about Grand Staircase Escalante having great value. I also question Gary's assertion that it's inaccessible to anyone, visitors included, for anything.

Sep 20th - 10:13am | George

I've visited the area of Grand Staircase-Escalante over a period of 30 years, and it's worth the effort. Its magnificent back country of canyons is being discovered by more visitors each year. A nonprofit group based in Kanab, the Grand Staircase-Escalante Partners, is building local support for the monument and its scientific, interpretive and educational programs.

Another Record Month of Visitation At Yellowstone National Park

Sep 20th - 13:43pm | toothdoctor

Kurt, A couple of points: First off, I did not mean to imply that you asserted that last year was the "high-water mark for visitation". I only meant to use last year as comparison because it was not the the "high-water mark", and the raw data showed that, overall, this year's visitation is lagging behind. I apologize for the confusion.

Sep 20th - 09:22am | Kurt Repanshek

Toothdoctor, I think when NPS visitation is the topic, hyperbole isn't necessarily uncalled for. The Park Service long has been questioned about the accuracy of its head counts, many of which are no more than guesstimates, and loose ones at that.

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