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Panoramic Photography, Or "How Do I Get All of the Teton Range in the Picture?"

Mar 18th - 00:21am | HightechParks

One thing you can do to get a great print is to take the image on a CD to a place with a large format printer. A place like Kinkos usually has the large format printers needed to give you a quality print. They charge by the square foot... and it can be pricy. Costco or sam's club may have the ability as well.

Mar 17th - 18:06pm | Mark C

Kurt: Thanks again, this information is very timely. (I have gotten lazy - long hand isn't that bad).

Mar 17th - 18:02pm | Kurt Repanshek

Mark, you're not alone. We're investigating how to make printable posts, but I'm told the coding ain't as simple as you might think, which means $$$ to pay a tech that we don't have. Yet.

Mar 17th - 17:45pm | Mark C

I need to know how to shoot a panoramic - and I thank you for posting this information. However, I cannot get my printer to print this dang thing off .................... But, technology is not my long suit. Guess I'll just write it off in longhand!

Mar 17th - 12:43pm | HightechParks

For those of you who are willing to play with some new software for panoramic, check out Hugin. It is a very capable piece of software, it is cross platform (works with Mac, Windows, and Linux), is based on panotools, is opensource, and is free.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Identifies Pre-Nesting Closure Areas For Piping Plover

Mar 17th - 20:17pm | www.PreserveBea...

We want to extend an invitation to everyone interested in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area to visit the website for the campaign to Preserve Access to America's Beaches.

Should Ocmulgee National Monument Be Transformed into a National Park By Stimulus Funds?

Mar 17th - 19:52pm | Kurt Repanshek

Frank, I'm starting to feel like I'm herding cats. Thanks for your cooperation and understanding.

Mar 17th - 18:38pm | Anonymous

Kurt, your absolutely right...civility with the pen! Beamis, perhaps my literary and written skills are not as brilliant as yours. However, I do cherish the fact that I can put in my two cents worth of garble on NPT. It's a privilege to participate even if doesn't meet your expertise or critique as a notable piece of information.

Mar 17th - 16:21pm | Kurt Repanshek

OK, OK, before things get, ahem, too unruly here, let me remind one and all of this site's Code of Conduct, and point out some of the key points: * The authors of posts take responsibility for their words. * Abusive comments and personal attacks will not be tolerated and will be deleted.

Mar 17th - 13:56pm | Anonymous

Geez Beamis, stop whining! You sound like the whining party of "NO" to everything that President Obama's administration constructively wishes to do. Most prominent economic experts will agree that the stimulus package is a god send to many of the outer national parks towns and small cities.

Mar 17th - 06:39am | Anonymous

Where does Beamis get the idea that national "parks" get more money that other designations. There is no evidence of such. Just look at the budgets of Lake Mead NRA, Gateway NRA, and Blue Ridge Parkway. Title designation is unrelated to funding.

Mar 17th - 03:41am | rscottjones

In my opinion, the National Monument status is just fine for Ocmulgee. I'm not sure any place that's only 700 acres should receive the National Park status, and NM status seems particularly well-suited for an archaeology site.

Mar 16th - 23:24pm | Sabattis

One does start to wonder if they shouldn't just rename everything a National Park and be done with it.

Mar 16th - 21:11pm | Kurt Repanshek

Frank, I disagree that the editors -- actually, editor, which would be me -- don't question the proposition of the stimulus. See my response to Beamis.

Mar 16th - 21:07pm | Kurt Repanshek

I think you need to separate the politicians from the NPS and certainly from the Traveler.

Mar 16th - 19:44pm | Anonymous

At least OCMU sits in a relatively accessible place - it's a perfect place to stop for people en route to/from Florida on I-75. Perhaps some more money spent on outreach?

Mar 16th - 18:15pm | Kurt Repanshek

Beamis, Is it after 5 p.m. where you are? I think you're reaching with your latest comments. More isn't necessarily the merrier. Indeed, from where the Traveler is sitting, the NPS has more than enough on its plate right now. That's been our view for quite some time, and I reiterated it in the post above.

Mar 16th - 15:58pm | MRC

According to the Earth Lodge Historic Structure Report from 2005 http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/ocmu/ocmu_earthlodge_hsr... its reconstruction in the 1930s and the subsequent activities were faulty and while the lodge is spectacular for the visitors it is not historically accurate.

Mar 16th - 11:58am | Jude

I hate this movement to change monuments to parks. We now have Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park. The monument designation made sense for those two parks, but the names were changed for political reasons. If we're going to negate the monument designation, then we'd might as well rename them all.

Interior Secretary Salazar Upholds Delisting of Gray Wolves in Part of Yellowstone Ecosystem

Mar 17th - 17:51pm | John Pocino

In reading the article it appears that Fish and Wildlife Service is making decisions without getting all the information. It appears on the outside that two things have happen. One the service didn't do it's homework at a level that is acceptable to make the proper decision and/or politics had a part in this mayhem. Anyway you look at it there is a problem with the decision making process.

This Hike at Great Smoky Mountains National Park Took a Nasty Turn

Mar 17th - 15:38pm | JimB

Some excellent comments! First, I agree with the kudos to the the rangers who conducted the successful night-time search in some very difficult terrain. I had the dubious opportunity to lead a fire crew on a small wildfire in some of that laurel hell country a few years back, and it was tough going!

Mar 17th - 13:22pm | Anonymous

These were pretty smart hikers. If someone reported their overdue status within 1 1/2 hours they had obviously planned their trip pretty well. Too often missing hikers go unoticed for an entire day before somebody reports them overdue. Even then the description is "they were going somewhere up in the mountains" kinda a tough description in a park that has 900 miles of trails.

Mar 17th - 12:18pm | Anonymous

Amen to that anon. Moral of the story is no matter how "experienced" you are, don't be an idiot in the woods. Pay attention to where you are. I can understand getting lost in bad weather, but to simply walk off the trail and not know you are doing so reeks of, well, soggy polypro.

Freeze On New Regs Could Impact Efforts to Expand Mountain Biking in National Parks

Mar 17th - 15:28pm | Anonymous

Open them up!!! Damage only occurs from mountain bikers that don't follow the rules of the trail... LIKE RIDING IN THE MUD!!!!! (hate those guys...)

The 10 Best of Everything Families: An Ultimate Guide for Travelers

Mar 17th - 13:09pm | Anonymous

In light of the recent government spending bills...peddling may be something families could enjoy in a National Park.

Mar 17th - 08:30am | Kurt Repanshek

Good catch. Should have been pedal. Having been in the writing biz for three-plus decades, I can tell you that mistakes like that creep in for the oddest reasons -- poor editing, tired writers, older brains that don't accurately convey to the fingers what word they want typed, and on and on.

Mar 17th - 08:27am | Reader in Mt. S...

I started to read Repanshek's own description of Acadia: "For instance, at Acadia you and your kids can peddle away an afternoon..." Did he mean pedal, as in riding a bike? Or did he use "peddle" to mean sell, or was it a creative way of saying you can spend a whole afternoon? Mistakes like that usually give me doubts that the book is well-edited or that the author even cares.

Mar 15th - 18:08pm | Marylander

My husband likes to buy these books and give them to my parents, just to see their reactions and hear the debate. The very word "families" is where the 1st problem of this book began, because the needs of a family with a 6th month old baby are dramatically different than those with teenagers. This book has big problems before even opening the cover.

National Park Quiz 45: Green

Mar 16th - 16:27pm | Rick Smith

It does count for something. It is, in fact, one of the most amazing wildlife displays in the whole National Park System. What is equally amazing is that there are often more than 500 visitors who attend this nightly show.

Mar 16th - 15:48pm | Bob Janiskee

Well, Rick, I did sit in that little amphitheater at the natural entrance and watch about a gazillion Mexican free-tail bats fly out at dusk to forage for mosquitoes and such. That should count for something, right?

Mar 16th - 15:44pm | Rick Smith

Bob-- If you only saw the Big Room via the elevator, it's time for you to go back to the park. You must walk down to the Big Room via the main entrance. It's stunning! Rick Smith

Mar 16th - 14:29pm | Bob Janiskee

John: I forgot to mention to mention that I've already seen your fine park. I was with that University of South Carolina tour group that came through in July 1985 -- the ones who arrived almost too late to catch the last elevator of the day down to the Big Room.

Mar 15th - 22:08pm | JimB

John - Thanks for the suggestion! Wish I'd thought of the Green Lake Room myself. Based on the number Bob assigned to your comment, it looks like he's a bit backlogged, but maybe we can encourage him to get out to Carlsbad :-)

Mar 15th - 19:33pm | Bob Janiskee

John, we have referred your remark to our Complaint Department, where I'm confident it will get all the attention that it deserves. Be sure to let us know if you don't get a reply within six weeks. Refer to complaint #031509-10363.

Mar 15th - 13:57pm | John Benjamin

A major bungle on your part: you missed the Green Lake Room in Carlsbad Caverns National Park! Shame on you! You need to get down here and see this fabulous park! John

Congressman Seeks Stimulus Funds For Restoration Work at Gateway National Recreation Area

Mar 16th - 15:25pm | Anonymous

.... last September a federal appellate court in New Jersey upheld a lower court's opinion that the Park Service was within its rights to lease the buildings.

Believe it or Not, Yosemite National Park Once had a Zoo

Mar 16th - 06:00am | Bob Janiskee

Grinnel wasn't wrong, and neither are the stewards of today's National Park System. National parks preserve habitat, enabling visitors to encounter animals and birds in their "natural" surroundings and watch them interact with each other. Holding wild animals in captivity for the entertainment of visitors is a practice that falls far, far outside the national park mission.

Mar 16th - 02:08am | David Sharpness

Grinnel was wrong. The Zoo was a good idea, but likely failed because of a circus like atmosphere...there's a small Zoo in Merced...see blog page....the mandate of the Parks is to provide education about wilderness...and they haven't much nowadays to display wildlife...except the stuffed dusty critters over in the Wilderness Center...small Zoos fill a niche that needs filling. David

Glen Canyon NRA Releases EA on Castle Rock Cut Deepening

Mar 15th - 22:28pm | Phil Hurst

I am a firm believer in leaving as much of the earth in a natural state as possible(without a viable biosphere we are all toast). If the dam were not there I would be lobbying to stop it. But the dam is there. The lake is unnatural, but it is also one of the wonders of the world! The damage is done! Enjoy what we have, the lake is amazing.

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

Mar 15th - 12:50pm | HightechParks

I don't see the public or the system fightin' all that hard "to protect the long-term viability of our parks".

Mar 15th - 10:25am | RAH

The anti lead ammo agenda has been growing. It started from some legitimate concerns, like lead concentration in water from waterfowl hunting. The condor study was another legitimate concern.

Mar 14th - 13:42pm | Mark W

My problem with this one size fits all approach. If we have a problem with condors, address it. Most people are sensable on these issues. If there is PROVEN problem, most people will agree something needs to be done. I read the study and I believe there are holes in it. It was worded to make you think that the data was conclusive, it is not.

Mar 14th - 11:23am | HightechParks

The parks should be in control of activities within their boarders that contribute to the deterioration of the park setting. However, all the while, they must balance that need with the need to attract, educate, and fulfill visitor needs.

Mar 14th - 05:19am | volpe

It seems to me whenever non gun-owners get into bed with the bureaucracy the rules will change and we can expect a ban on chewing gum in the near future. Why are some people so narrow minded. And no wonder when some people stray in an effort to do good they go off the chart and are preceived as nuts.

Mar 13th - 20:23pm | Anonymous2

Yeah, that one makes sense, let's ban autos.... Right. Now how's that for making the parks a)figure out how to move people are using shuttles (aka spend money that NPS doesn't have) and/or b)essentially banning most people from the parks/making them inaccessible for a large percentage of the population.

Mar 13th - 14:13pm | Anonymous

I'll jump on the no automobiles bandwagon. they're noisy, they smell, they pollute the air. Ban them from all parks. It would only make the parks a better place.

Campgrounds Opening This Weekend In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Mar 15th - 10:31am | RAH

Since these are the popular parks and they will have the most interest. Since there is no staff to visit all the parks and post stories I think we are lucky to have the informative articles. I like know about the new amenities and lunches and horseback riding and the camps. Thanks for the article.

Mar 14th - 13:18pm | J. Paul

I think it is great that hikers and backpackers will be able to get food and drink at LeConte. This will be most welcome to folks that do LeConte in a day. I am sure that backpackers that are passing through will appreciate it too.

Why, sea horses, of course!

Mar 15th - 10:09am | RAH

Been to Assateague many times and camped there. The mosquitoes are very bad. The horses are very friendly they check out campgrounds and steal food regularly. The come up to be petted and do not bite and kick, unlike thouroughbreds. These horse are extremely good natured. They have patterns like at 5 pm they go to the beaches and if they find food.

Philatelists Rejoice: New Stamps Honoring Zion and Grand Teton National Parks On The Way

Mar 13th - 22:59pm | Anonymous

I was a National Park ranger at Grand Teton National Park and that picture is a popular one and will make a beautiful stamp!

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

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So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.