| Page 1051 | National Parks Traveler

I spent last winter volunteering at one of our National parks. Our bookstore had some wonderful gift items from local natives along with U.S. published books. During my six months in the park, I reached the feeling that Americanization of the parks could begin with the park service. For example, our uniforms and caps were made off-shore though they carried NPS logos.

Oct 24th - 21:31pm | Anonymous

I think Made in America is the way to go when ever I make it up to Montana and go to Glacier and Yellowstone I always buy Jams made right in MT. I also like to buy local carvings my dad has a pentant for bears. I know it cost more but hell I'm on vacation and I want local stuff not stuff I can buy on the internet and is made anywhere but here.

Oct 24th - 19:23pm | RoadRanger

Rep Steve Israeli is a politician doing what politicians do. He's simply pandering to his union voters and their money with another piece of useless, impractical, if not risible legislation. If he had bothered researching the "Made in America" issue with the NPS's uniform acquisition folks, he would have learned something valuable.

Oct 24th - 14:08pm | Rick B.

I'd want to start by going through Congressperson Israel's office and check out the pens in the drawers, the cheapo congressional cufflinks they give to visiting constituents, or those silk ties he brought back from his last European junket, and so forth.

Oct 24th - 12:57pm | Yellowstone Gal

How I wish it could come to be...but I agree that the shelves are going to be bare for lack of products that park visitors might want to buy, be able to afford, or have the taste for. I just returned from a visit to Churchill, Manitoba ("Polar Bear Capital of the World") where the gift shops have the same problem.

Oct 24th - 12:07pm | Anonymous

I just checked the book I bought at Gettysburg. The book was printed in the USA, but the author is Australian. Good for American printers, not good for American authors? What if the little whatnots are designed by Americans but manufactured in China? What does or doesn't generate American jobs is complex.

Oct 24th - 11:29am | Anonymous

I've worked in one of Xanterra's gift shops at the Grand Canyon. Many, but not all, the items were made overseas. The Native American items were not. One problem could be that not all items are available from American manufacturers. I can't think off hand of which items are like that, but I know I've read about the impossibility finding certain items that are American-made. I would like to

Oct 24th - 11:05am | Danny Bernstein

I wonder if there is a difference in the number of products made overseas between concessionaires and cooperating associations. Cooperating Associations are nonprofits while concessionaires are profit-making companies who pay to run stores in the park.

Oct 24th - 10:38am | Kurt Repanshek

You raise some good points, Volknitter. There are many fine nuances to the congressman's proposal that indicate it might not have been entirely well-thought out.

Oct 24th - 10:33am | volknitter

The biggest problem with the legislation is going from a no "Made in America" requirement to a 100% MIA mandate all at once. This has the potential to really hurt concessionaires and Park-operated bookstores. I would be supportive of a structured introduction of MIA over a defined period of time. There also needs to be clear definitions of Made in America means.

Oct 24th - 10:18am | dave

It's about time do hope this gets through.

Oct 24th - 09:46am | Anonymous

I think the real question is if people want to pay the prices associated with only having products that are "Made in the USA"? Why not stock both and let people make the decision. Are people too stupid to make a rational decision on this matter?

Oct 24th - 09:37am | Lee Dalton

I'm afraid there are gonna be a whole lot of empty shelves in gift shops. I try very hard to "buy American" in everything I shop for, but it's a terribly frustrating experience. I spend a lot of extra time looking at labels, and almost never find the prized "Made in U.S.A." logo on anything.

Oct 24th - 08:44am | ecbuck

Great way to put gift shop clerks out of work.

Mexico, United States Pledge To Work Together on Conservation Plan For Big Bend/Rio Bravo Region

Oct 25th - 15:18pm | Susan Raybuck

What a wonderful plan for the area! Thanks to all those who worked with diligence and patience to bring this about. We got to attend the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday. We happened to be staying in one of our favorite spots in the world this weekend when we learned of the events planned. It's not every day that one gets to be part of history.

Oct 25th - 10:14am | Ramon Holguin

This is great news and to think my Grandparents grew up in this region well before it was a National park. Now hopefully in my lifetime i may have the opportunity to visit this areas were they lived. The villages of Boquillas and Santa Elena may once again prosper and some Beautiful and important land will be protected!

Tree Falls Block Scenic Parkway In Redwood National And State Parks

Oct 25th - 15:07pm | Anonymous

Thank you Save-The Redwoods League, 1918, for acquiring Prairie Creek's ancient redwoods beginning in 1923. Shame on You NPS for being so late to the old-growth Protection Party resulting in a compromised national unpark by Oct. 2nd,1968 and then allowing another decade for Arcata Redwood Co. to clearcut ancient forests above the narrow "worm of Redwood

Lynn Hill Among Climbers Celebrating Joshua Tree National Park This Weekend

Oct 25th - 00:12am | Seth Zaharias

Thank you participants, thank you JTNP, thank you venders, thank you guide, and a extra big thanks to Kenji and Keir!

Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Underrated and Understated

Oct 24th - 19:17pm | KayGeeJay

Sorry, but no. Cuyahoga's resource base would make a nice addition to the existing and very competent MetroPark systems. But a National Park experience? It is not and never will be.

Oct 24th - 11:08am | Anonymous

My favorite aspect of the park are those areas where you can see the process of nature reclaiming an earlier industrial era. Can't remember if this is one of the missions of the park, but it was pretty charming--like coming across an old cemetery in the woods of Shenandoah or Great Smoky Mountains.

Oct 24th - 09:41am | Lee Dalton

JP, back in the olden days the Cuyahoga ran with pure sludge almost its entire length. When some high school friends and I finished canoeing the entire 101 miles from above Burton to Cleveland's harbor, we had to scrape crud off the canoes. Took a lot of hours and effort. And of course, there are the legendary times when the river caught fire.

Oct 24th - 09:17am | JP O'Toole

True, [CUVA] is a gem for all of us to enjoy. But, just a heads up, I wouldn't venture into the Cuyahoga River especially after rain and possible sewer overflows. Enjoy the trails on foot, rent a bike at Century Cycles Peninsula for the towpath, ride the rails (check schedule), kayak the waters, picnic in the meadow, and don't feed the animals :)

Camping and Woodcraft by Horace Kephart

Oct 24th - 19:03pm | David McGuire

Nice job Danny. Good review and plug for the membership drive. Have a good one. David

Oct 24th - 07:44am | SmokiesHikesalot

You can't help but like how dilligently Kephart did his research. Talk about field testing! When you read this book you can tell he spent years experimenting with recipes, firewoods, woodcraft techniques, and especially wilderness survival strategies. Nothing else has ever come close.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial Officials Decide To Do Away With Fourth of July Fireworks

Oct 24th - 13:01pm | Ryan

The fireworks at the park will be missed in the short term, but will serve the park much better in the future. The adminstation of the event with fireworks was a nightmare and this new set up allows everyone to enjoy the park on the 4th (or 3rd) instead of the squatters who got to the park at 8am for that nights fireworks. A better deal all around. Good work NPS!

Oct 23rd - 14:48pm | Concerned Taxpayer

We were fortunate several years ago to view the fireworks...they were incredible as were the other activities. I find it appalling that firreworks will no longer be seen. The chanting of the Native American, the flyover, and the fireworks something my wife and I will never forget and, seems will now be a memory.

Lost - and Eventually Found - in the Big Thicket National Preserve

Oct 24th - 11:14am | Phil Briggs

I've been 'detained' a few times... more often in E. Texas than the decade spent in Alaska. E Tex has very few landmarks, and in the deep woods, it's even worse.

Travel Back In Time to 1933 World's Fair At Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Oct 24th - 08:53am | joan hollywood

Went on the tour this past Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, and was not disappointed. How interesting and how dedicated the people who are doing the restoration must be. I want to go again next year to see the progress. I hope that be next year, work will have commenced on the House of Tomorrow. It's really nice that these homes are open, even just once a year, for the public to see and enjoy.

Lawsuit Seeks Full Environmental Review Of "Fracking" Near Delaware Water Gap NRA, Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River

Oct 24th - 07:47am | Lizard48

Not only do we need hardcore, unbiased, research and study into the practice, but coherent, certifiable and responsible legal oversight would be imperative, with significant financial penalties for offenders. Regardless of the fancy 'serious' you-can-trust-me ads by the oil industry, the practice is bogus, destructive and financially irresponsible.

Creature Feature: The Hawaiian Hoary Bat (‘ōpe‘ape‘a) is Hawaii’s Only Native Terrestrial Mammal

Oct 24th - 02:09am | Anonymous

This could be updated perhaps. Certainly there is a breeding population on Maui. Juvenile hoary bats have been seen in Kihei (South Maui) and pups have been observed in upcountry Maui (Makawao). We're lucky to have these cool little creatures here. Lately it seems like there are more of them about.

Popular Swimming Area At Capitol Reef National Park Closed Due To Dangerous Conditions

Oct 24th - 00:46am | Taralyn

The interesting thing about re-establishing damaged ecosystems is that Nature on it's own takes away and give to our ecosystems. I do not condone lying about Plants, animals, trails, accidents just to provide ammunition for ones own cause. That has been my biggest complaint other than the money. And we could go round and round about our country and the money..

Oct 21st - 13:43pm | Spirit Coyote

Taralyn, You brought up something important in point 1, but I think you're incorrect.

Oct 21st - 12:18pm | Taralyn

Let's get back to the REAL reason this issue came about. Because there are a few and there seems to be tangent after tangent going on.

National Park Quiz 99: Native Americans

Oct 23rd - 17:37pm | Bob Janiskee

So, MRC, how did you do on the quiz? :o)

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

Oct 23rd - 13:19pm | Anonymous

The National Capital Region has come out with their own book of activities that says "Be a Civil War Junior Ranger!" that ties to their Civil War parks, but it is new and we can't find a park that actually awards the badge yet.

Billy Malone And the National Park Service Investigaton At Hubbell Trading Post

Oct 23rd - 10:33am | Frank Gyorgy

When I read Jarvis' three basic principles, I had to reread a few times. How can this be? You must not be aware of his involvement in the Mt Rainier scandal, when as superintendent and Western Region Director, he approved his assistant's (David Uberuaga who was in charge of concessions) sale of his house to the concessionaire who had a monopoly on the climbing busines for nearly four times it

Public Access To Lake Aldwell Near Olympic National Park Closed Due To Dam Removal

Oct 23rd - 07:49am | tahoma

There's also an ongoing closure of Olympic's Whiskey Bend Road to all use. This effectively prevents access to the Elwha backcountry, except via trail passes from other parts of the park: http://www.nps.gov/olym/parknews/whiskey-bend-road-to-close-oct-20.htm

Wolf Looking For Human Handouts Euthanized By Yellowstone National Park Staff

Oct 22nd - 22:59pm | Anonymous

For Lee Dalton... Your question has to be the MOST ridiculous question that I have EVER encountered. However, I will answer your question on your behalf and to clarify AGAIN that there were OTHER options. Those options start with openinig up GOOGLE. Search: Animal Sanctuary/Exotic Animal Rescues, etc.

Family Nature Summits Heading To Rocky Mountain National Park Next Year

Oct 22nd - 17:34pm | Arthur Krasinsky

I can't think of a better place to be than with family and the participants at the Family Summits gathering every summer, no matter what part of the country we go to. The article really captured the spirit of the summits that enhances the experience of nature for all ages. This will be our 11th and I can't wait to smell the snow this summer.

Latest Studies On Yellowstone National Park's Wolf Packs Shows Stable Population

Oct 22nd - 14:39pm | Rick B.

Absolutely agreed, Lee. The last time we were in Yellowstone we spent several days [and that was too brief]. My wife took an early morning walk and saw a wolf playing out in a meadow. We wandered down a dirt road leading from here to there and saw a majestic elk. We looked around the park leisurely and saw a host of wildlife, going about their own daily business.

Oct 22nd - 12:57pm | Lee Dalton

Anon at 12:48, what times were you out? Early morning or late evening? Those are times when animals are most active. Where were you? The large meadows around Norris campground are full of rutting elk these days. Bugling bulls keep the air ringing. If you want to see animals, you need to slow down. Stop frequently. Look carefully. Listen.

Oct 22nd - 10:31am | Anonymous

Oct 22nd - 01:48am | Anonymous

i want to chime in. i waited all my life to go to yellowstone which i just came back from a week ago. it was unbelievably disappointing. without throwing in i love wolves or i love elk argument i have to say yellowstone is for looking at mountains, trees, and gysers but no animals.

Buggies of Varying Sizes On Display At Homestead National Monument of America

Oct 21st - 12:52pm | Dick Gutierrez

Nebraska is a wonderful place-- I lived there for 16 years during college and grad school. The nicest people you will ever meet.

Traveler's Gear Box: KEEN's Erickson PCT, A Hiking Boot For Long-Distance Trekkers

Oct 21st - 11:43am | Kurt Repanshek

It varies, y_p_w. Some are demos, as were these boots, some I pick up on my own. Frankly, if gear reviewers had to buy every item to demo, not sure they could afford to do it.

Oct 21st - 11:39am | y_p_w

Just for full disclosure, do you get free samples of items to review, or did the funds come out of your own pocket? Just curious. I've been thinking of getting a pair of old fashioned heavy duty Norwegian welt boots. Merrell still sells them (made in Italy no less), but my local REI store said they would have to order them. I've seen a few interesting ones from Scarpa.

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