Recent comments

Reply to: Tennessee's House Of Representatives Opposes Backcountry Fee At Great Smoky Mountains National Park 3 weeks 3 days ago
I can tell you that a lot of

I can tell you that a lot of people are mad at Ditmanson's lies and deception. And tell me why you think that backpackers and backpackers alone have to foot the bill for his mismanagement of the Smokies? He could come up with a quarter million dollars to complete Newfound Gap road in record time but can't open up backcountry trails that have been closed for two years? Give me a break. If anyone should be paying in that park it is the concessionaires like Leconte Lodge and local guide services who make millions off the park. It's like someone told me yesterday, Ditmanson takes credit for the good and blames problems on other people. He is a bad seed and liability for the NPS. I look forward to the exposing of his bs in court. Just google private resort and their private trail system in the Smokies on NPS land. He can sure turn a blind eye when a prominent senator is involved in some misdealings in the park, huh?
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 3 days ago
Lee, I am inclined to agree.

Lee, I am inclined to agree. A truly excellent book on the subject is "To Big to Fail" by Andrew Sorkin. Mr. Sorkin was a Wall Street Journal investigative reporter, just an excellent read on the melt down of 2008. Also Lee, thank you for the heads up on "The Soul of Yosemite" by Barbara Moritsch, also Rick Smiths book review. Barbara's book is excellent and is a must read for those that are interested in the last 15 years of litigation history in Yosemite National Park. .
Reply to: Tennessee's House Of Representatives Opposes Backcountry Fee At Great Smoky Mountains National Park 3 weeks 3 days ago
Tennessee Backpacker, you

Tennessee Backpacker, you seem very angry and, from this thread, it's not clear why. But if you don't support the parks and you don't want to pay a small fee to camp in the national parks (or state parks, or private campgrounds, or wherever), then that's up to you. And you have the right to find other places to go where its free to stay overnight. Those of us who do support the parks will continue to enjoy them. Freedom of choice.
Reply to: Tennessee's House Of Representatives Opposes Backcountry Fee At Great Smoky Mountains National Park 3 weeks 3 days ago
TnHiker. At the least, your

TnHiker.

At the least, your last paragraph hit the nail on the head.
Reply to: Tennessee's House Of Representatives Opposes Backcountry Fee At Great Smoky Mountains National Park 3 weeks 3 days ago
Yea Mountainhiker. What

Yea Mountainhiker.

What difference does the law make anyway? huh?

And it's okay for our federal government to lie, cheat and steal too, huh?
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 3 days ago
TnHiker I agree with you when

TnHiker I agree with you when you state:

"We can do just fine with 5%-10% less refinement and maintenance in our national parks. Perhaps our park managers will learn to focus on essential items and curtail some of the "foo-foo" details that really don't further our ability to enjoy the natural beauty of our parks."

Enjoying the national parks (or state parks or state forests) doesn't depend on fancy programming IMHO. To me, its the serenity of nature we go there to experience. And Mother Nature maintains herself quite nicely.
Reply to: Grand Teton, Grand Canyon National Parks Just About Ready For Spring 3 weeks 3 days ago
Thanks for posting this

Thanks for posting this useful information. I hope to make it to Grand Tetons this year!
Reply to: Tennessee's House Of Representatives Opposes Backcountry Fee At Great Smoky Mountains National Park 3 weeks 3 days ago
I'm in the minority on many

I'm in the minority on many issues I suppose, because I don't simply follow the status quo of what everyone else thinks. Then again, I'm grateful for the national parks, in particular for the GSMNP, and I don't mind paying a small fee to camp. The parks are already under financial duress in these times due to federal government budget cuts. To me, this is a time to support our national parks, not work against them.
Reply to: Tennessee's House Of Representatives Opposes Backcountry Fee At Great Smoky Mountains National Park 3 weeks 3 days ago
This proclamation is a

This proclamation is a precursor to a full joint house and senate proclamation condemning the Smokies fee. The public comments are 18-1 opposing the fee. Apparently, you are in the minority if you can't understand the outrage. Now the growing list of counties opposing the fee is undeniable and will serve the lawsuit well in proving that the NPS didn't properly vet the stakeholding counties. It is quite the embarrassment to Ditmanson and Jarvis, I imagine.
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 4 days ago
What does wealth have to do

What does wealth have to do about anything in life.If wealth was all that great why do the wealthy have so may problems in life just like us poor folk.

I'm fine just the way I'am,other than I wish I had better health but nobody can make a call on that one rich or poor.

And no I didn't smoke,over drink,eat junk food.

Life is about setting personal goals and working toward them.Too many people are worried about the next guy.
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 4 days ago
I believe you are correct,

I believe you are correct, Lee. A great humbling that these places provide, if the effort is made, would be invaluable. Have often thought I'd like to lead political leaders on serious backcountry and river adventures because I've seen how transformational these trips are to folks. Like your post, Lee.
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 4 days ago
In some people, power and

In some people, power and great wealth can become visions or obsessions that conflict with honesty, humility, integrity, compassion, and a genuine interest in the goodness and welfare of their neighbors. Some of us realize that we can have -- or at least try to have -- all those virtues and that they can be far more valuable than all the gold or percieved power available anywhere.

Maybe it's some of those old fashioned values that drive many people to volunteer as members of search and rescue organizations, or volunteer to work with poverty stricken children or the mentally ill, or who take their medical skills to undeveloped parts of the world -- or even parts of our own nation. Or those who choose jobs that don't pay much in dollars but provide an incredibly valuable feeling of satisfaction for the soul -- such as teachers, firefighters, or even park rangers. Those are the kind of people of whom we need more in the world. And, I would suggest, among our political leaders.
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 4 days ago
How about conflicting visions

How about conflicting visions of personal power and wealth?

??????????????

What is conflicting about either power or wealth? Are you "conflicted" because you have neither?
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 4 days ago
The reason congress acted so

The reason congress acted so fast on the air traffic controllers was that it was affecting them from getting home each week.Self serving people.

Life is simple it's us humans that mess it up.
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 4 days ago
"...it's not self interest,

"...it's not self interest, its conflicting visions."

Perhaps some of each. In terms of self-interest, two examples come immediately to mind: (1) Consider how many important decisions are postponed in Congress (and by the White House) until after an upcoming election, because politicians simply don't want to have to take a position on a multitude of issues too close to election day. One of our problems is the length of time for such inaction seems to get longer and longer. (2) The gerrymandering of voting districts to protect the power of the party in control of the legislature in a state.

Point number one helps explain in part how we found ourselves in the situation that was the original subject of this story: "sequestration."
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 5 days ago
How about conflicting visions

How about conflicting visions of personal power and wealth? Their visions (isn't that another word for hallucinations?) certainly don't seem to extend to other Americans.
Reply to: Tennessee's House Of Representatives Opposes Backcountry Fee At Great Smoky Mountains National Park 3 weeks 5 days ago
Thanks TnHiker for pointing

Thanks TnHiker for pointing out that only 2 people signed this. Indeed the article title is somewhat misleading. Frankly, I don't understand all the anger over paying a small fee to camp overnight in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I'm grateful for the opportunity to experience this amazing place. At a time when funds are squeezed and portions of parks are having to shut down due to budget cuts, bringing such a frivolous lawsuit makes no sense.
Reply to: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Closing Some Campgrounds Due To Budget Cuts 3 weeks 5 days ago
Most unfortunate that the

Most unfortunate that the government budget cuts are having such impact on our national parks. I suppose belt tightening is required by everyone. We'll all survive this. I'm just grateful for the national parks and they still exist for enjoyment by the public.
Reply to: Searching For Wildflowers In The National Parks Of The Southern And Middle Appalachians 3 weeks 5 days ago
Great article. I love

Great article. I love Trilliums. Thank you for posting!
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 5 days ago
Jim - its not self interest,

Jim - its not self interest, its conflicting visions.
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 5 days ago
ec - good point! Guess I'm

ec - good point! Guess I'm guilty of holding out hope that a few of our "leaders" might occasionally err on the side of common sense vs. self-interest, but I couldn't find anybody in Vegas who would give me decent odds on that one.
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 5 days ago
Jim, I share your

Jim, I share your frustration. However it is kind of ironic to blame politicians for "playing politics".
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 5 days ago
ec - Based on news reports,

ec - Based on news reports, you are correct. Obama failed to seize the opportunity.

However, once it was clear the President wasn't going to get that job done, Congress certainly could take steps on its own, similar to what was done yesterday for the FAA.

Bottom line: both the President and the Congress are still playing politics with the issue, and neither wants to be seen as taking the blame for specific cuts as opposed to the "general" cuts we have now.
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 5 days ago
Just keep in mind, the

Just keep in mind, the President was offered the opportunity to have full flexibility in how to apply the cuts. He didn't have the courage to take on that responsibility and instead took his normal path, hide and blame everyone else.
Reply to: Yes, The Sequestration Has Hit The National Parks. But They're Still Open And Still Spectacular! 3 weeks 5 days ago
Thanks, Jim. My

Thanks, Jim. My understanding matches yours. Politicians are very similar to third graders. "He did it first!" "No, she did it first!" "I didn't do it, he did!" "I did not!" "Did too!"

Ah, well . . . . . .

Now, I do have to get out and get busy on some chores.

Recent comments

Visitor Center

Follow the Traveler

Friends of the Traveler

Sign Up For Traveler's Weekly Newsletter

Recent comments