| Page 1053 | National Parks Traveler

We're changing up the same ol' same ol' plan of visiting the parks out west in AZ/southern UT. This year we spread our wings to Mesa Verde and were blown away by the fall beauty, wildlife and the cliff dwellings! We hit a few western AZ places that were new plus a stop at Canyonlands Needles district to scope out camping for next year. Our next trip at Christmas

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

Oct 19th - 10:00am | Local Resident

Just to clarify some of the things Roma mentioned in her letter to the editor:

Oct 19th - 09:43am | Local Resident

And finally...part 3...

Oct 19th - 09:37am | Local Resident

The letter...Part 2... I recently talked to Al and he willing told me that his annual salary was $120,000.00 plus government benefits, so I guess after spending $3,000,000.00 plus on the Scenic Drive, perhaps the amount for the two bridges does not seem to be very much to him, but it sure seems like a lot to me.

Oct 19th - 09:30am | Local Resident

There is no link for that article. The local paper here is not online. I'm going to type it out...it's long...sorry!

Oct 19th - 00:07am | Anonymous

Would someone provide a link to the letter to the editor that spawned this discussion? (Someone indicated this discussion was the result of a letter to the editor... I'm going off of that.) Thanks

Oct 18th - 20:34pm | Dottie Fellows

Well, I am not afraid to use my full name, nor am I a conspiracy theorist. (Did I spell that correctly?) I asked RangerLady about the "authority" as it seemed a strange word to use in the context she was using. In her second response, she was more clear about not having the "authority" to look up old records, and that makes sense. However, those types of injuries, accidents, etc.

Oct 18th - 20:32pm | y_p_w

Rachel: And Lee, you are so very right. People seem to love suing the NPS because they ignored signs and got hurt. The families of the three who waded in the Merced River above Vernal Fall hired a "consultant" to determine if the NPS employed adequate warnings and safeguards. I mean - this sign isn't clear enough on its meaning?

Oct 18th - 18:09pm | Anonymous

So much of this (sue happy) and so much of everything else rolls back to todays culture, I believe. I mean really, so much of what people think today our grandparents, if they knew, would have drowned them and told everybody they died. Interesting times, lol! I am hopeful:).

Oct 18th - 17:02pm | Rachel

I was Anon @8:55am. I do not work for Capitol Reef, but I do visit often as it is one of my favorite parks. My name is Rachel White and I live in Virginia. I spend 2-3 weeks every summer visiting national parks and cherish the most beautiful places our country has to offer.

Oct 18th - 13:14pm | Lee Dalton

This has turned into an interesting line of comments. But one thing is being missed here -- no matter how many warning signs a park may install -- and no matter how hard they try to advise visitors to be careful -- someone will get hurt and sue.

Oct 18th - 12:52pm | Anonymous

Taralyn Howard, so, let's say I am a "peep of the Park" and did tack my name up. What would be your guess as to how my career would go after voicing some concerns about Park Policy? Do you really believe that ALL NPS are pure as the wind driven snow and not more concerned with making their own needs, desires and politics, a priority?

Oct 18th - 12:29pm | Taralyn Howard

Are all the Anonymous comments coming from people of the Park???? No one seems to want to let anyone know who they are talking to.... I'm not afraid of my name looks like you are???

Oct 18th - 12:23pm | Taralyn Howard

Yes it is getting attention because of that - however - how about not hiding your name and tell us who you are??? When people are discussing issues it's nice to know who you are dealing with.. Taralyn Howard

Oct 18th - 11:02am | Anonymous

A bit strident, Anon. Wonder if it comes out when you are among the commoners:).

Oct 18th - 09:55am | Anonymous

"...and one of the good things we got out of that was a waterfall where we can go and have fun." Right...because the rest of the park isn't fun. You apparently can only have fun in water highly contaminated with fecal matter and other agricultural waste. If that's the only way you can have fun in a national park, then stay at home.

Oct 17th - 20:43pm | Roma D. Roderick

I would like to tell you about swimming at the falls. This year on July 4, 2011 I went to the waterfall with four kids one 11,13, 14 and one 16 years old. We were there from 1:00 - 4:30. While we were there there were aout 40 - 50 people that came and went. They were jumping and swimming for about 2 hours when a ranger came.

Oct 17th - 14:42pm | anonymous

Rick B, how many times is policy changed with supportive PR wording masking ulterior motives to arrive at the "preferred alternative?" When one's seen it in action it's easy to affirm the paranoid's getting it right enough to question.

Oct 17th - 13:15pm | Rick B.

And that's a simple and understandable real world answer, Ranger Lady. Sorry to disappoint the conspiracy theorists.

Oct 17th - 09:07am | RangerLady

Opps...I was anon@9:33pm. I didn't notice I had been logged out.

Groups Urging Obama Administration To Protect The "Greater Canyonlands" Region Near Canyonlands National Park

Oct 19th - 09:45am | Lee Dalton

Throughout this area, there are countless places where ATV overuse and thoughtless driving have caused incredible damage to plants and left the landscape terribly scarred. Despite the fact that throughout Utah literally thousands of miles of designated ATV routes are open to off-highway use, that isn't enough for irresponsible ATV "sportsmen." Those routes seem to be too tame for testosterone

Climber Who Abandoned Companion In Grand Teton National Park Cited For Disorderly Conduct

Oct 19th - 08:23am | John Ladd

Priro comment: "While I would have a hard time leaving my partner, if it was a toss up between a fairly straight forward retreat (which I would doubt if it includes the Valhalla Traverse) and paying for an unneeded rescue, I would likely bail."

Pestilence and Persistence: Yosemite Indian Demography and Culture in Colonial California

Oct 18th - 15:32pm | Roger Salas

The quote "where they set up separate quarters from" the Mono Lake Paiutes is incorrect in that Tenaya said himself his Mother was a Mono lake Paiute, so Tenaya is Paiute! Hull want to infer that Tenaya was Miwok and we know that is false based on Tenaya's declaration.

Call To Action: Building A $1 Billion Endowment For The National Parks

Oct 18th - 15:00pm | Lorri Greif, CFRE

I'm a professional fundraiser for nonprofits, with a specialty in something known as "planned giving". Planned gifts are bequests and other estate gifts, along with certain tax-advantaged trusts, that support nonprofits.

Oct 18th - 14:51pm | Lorri Greif, CFRE

Why not conduct an endowment campaign using bequests and other types of planned gifts. Planned gifts are charitable donations made from a person's estate plans or through a tax-advantaged situation such as a charitable trust, retained life estate, etc.

Oct 17th - 19:39pm | Reality Check

How about encouraging the economy to prosper with the resultant increase of revenues to small/ large businesses and tax revenues to the government where most of NPS funding comes from. Kind of a novel idea. What makes it a moneymaker for concessionaires to contract international employees when we have 18% real unemployment right here??

Oct 17th - 18:09pm | Anonymous

National Park Service Taking Public Comment on Proposal For Cesar Chavez Unit Of the Park System

Oct 18th - 14:59pm | Thomas Guzowski

Any person who dedicates their life to end poverty for others is worth recognition! What better way to keep the history of our country for decades of people to remember than through the park service!

Oct 17th - 13:26pm | native californian

The navy already named a ship after him, that's enough.

Obama Administration Cites 5-Year-Old Study To Tout Value of America's Great Outdoors

Oct 18th - 14:27pm | Stjen981

I worked in YNP for Xanterra during the summer of 2005, in food & beverage. I was lucky enough to get a management position, but even that was not well-paid. All seasonal employees are required to live on-site and have their room and board automatically deducted from their paychecks. During the beginning of the summer, there are more employees than shifts available, so even someone worki

Wolf Looking For Human Handouts Euthanized By Yellowstone National Park Staff

Oct 18th - 14:02pm | Kathy Dimont

For those who think that rangers euthanize for thrills: go watch them cry and lose sleep afterward. They loathe this part of the job. Would you have them wait until the wolf took a small child? Because eventually it probably would. And THAT would lose the good will of nearly all supporters of wolf reintroduction.

How Many Elk Does it Take to Make a Jam?

Oct 18th - 11:24am | Kevin M

Great article. Had a good laugh at the end of the story. Whenever we have gone to the Smokies, we have stayed in Gatlinburg. It seems like 99% of visitors have no interest in the park or animals, just miniature golf and buckets of ice cream!

Oct 18th - 11:20am | Danny Bernstein

It is a wonderful sight. I love the rut every year. Danny Bernstein www.hikertohiker.com

Oct 18th - 09:36am | Deborah

Been there and done that. We were camped in Gatlinburg but it was well worth the trip to go see these magnificiant animals. And our grandchildren got to hold antlers that were bigger then they were. We had a great time. Oh and thanks to the volunteers that were there to tell us about the herd.

Backroads and Byways – Balsam Mountain Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Oct 18th - 11:22am | Danny Bernstein

It's a lovely backroad. I'm so glad you got to experience it. Danny Bernstein www.hikertohiker.com

Joan Anzelmo, After a Long National Park Service Career, Honored By NPCA

Oct 17th - 22:20pm | y_p_w

Rick Smith: One more thing:

Oct 17th - 21:40pm | Rick Smith

One more thing:

Oct 17th - 21:29pm | Lee Dalton

Here is a link to the letter signed by Supt. Anzelmo denying permission for the race. It was found by Googling "nps special use colorado national monument." Anyone questioning the rationale for denying the race should read it carefully. It spells out in specific detail the reasons for denial.

Oct 17th - 18:49pm | Anonymous

Additional reference to this discussion:

Oct 17th - 18:24pm | Anonymous

So, what is there here specifically in writing that an NPS Superintendent cannot allow ? or modify for a short-term activity to promote interest in defending the values and integrity of public lands. Title 36: Parks, Forests, and Public Property CHAPTER I: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PART 4: VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC SAFETY

Oct 17th - 17:34pm | Reality Check

"Occupy" might be a better pen name for your anonymous friend, Rick.

Oct 17th - 17:33pm | Lee Dalton

Rick, I'm sure we could just follow the money. These people probably had some dollars to gain from it and are sore because their wallets didn't get any fatter. We had "professional" bike race in the city where I live and it was a collossal mess. Traffic was completely tied up for hours. Businesseses that were along the route literally had to close down.

Oct 17th - 16:22pm | Rick Smith

I am disappointed to see that the negative commenters on Joan's award are hiding behind anonymity. The professional bike race was clearly contrary to National Park Service policy and in violation of Title 36 of the Code of Federal regulations. Joan made the only decision she could make and still maintain her integrity. I am proud of her.

Oct 17th - 14:46pm | Anonymous

The DENIED Bike Race Example is the fascist element promoted within NPS Law Enforcement ranks whether it be harassing amateur photographers, killing predators as a media event, or any NPS Management behavior to demonstrate "Command/Control" to earn future promotional

Oct 17th - 10:08am | Anonymous

I find the awarding of Ms. Anzelmo the Mather Award appauling. The major reason cited was her closing the monument to a proffesional bike race, even though this route was used for over 10 years in the 70-80's for a proffesional bike race.

Oct 17th - 10:03am | Anonymous

To be rewarded for denying a bike race, and "the backbone she displayed in that matter," is a too bad. The race would have been a great thing for the National Park Service, the Monument and Grand Junction. Remember, part of the mission of the NPS is to promote the use of the parks; Shame on Anzelmo for a lack of vision, courage or both.

Oct 17th - 09:24am | Janes

I know from experience the joy of working with public affairs peeps who bring pride and excellence to their work. It makes our jobs as reports so much easier. Kudos to Anzelmo on her impressive career, the Park system needs more advocates like her.

"Red Tide" Prompts Visitor Advisory at Padre Island National Seashore

Oct 17th - 07:35am | Anonymous

Wife and I were on SPI this Sunday and werent aware of RT till we heard about it later at a Cafe. We had got out of car off Access #5 and had immediate coughing, sneezing, watering eyes. many species of dead fish along beach, largest numbers seemed to a a small fry , maybe 2-3 " in length. Inside car with AC on or buildings wasnt bad, just along beach.

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