| Page 1108 | National Parks Traveler

Interesting that there is now a new cell tower 400 yards from the South Rim to enable the cell phone tours and now cell phones can get a signal deep into the Canyon at many spots. Where is the Sierra Club on this? There is just so much BS involved in todays discussions on the environment and such. Eventually most all will have to realize what all this is doing and it's not good.

May 11th - 11:31am | Travis Mason-Bushman

Facebook and Twitter are on their way out? I'd love to see your evidence for that, considering that both are rapidly growing in userbase and pageviews.

May 11th - 09:01am | Anonymous

One thing that has not been mentioned is the inability of the NPS to keep up with these new technologies. We started doing podcasts years after they had reached their peak of popularity. Now parks are into facebook and twitter. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but they are on their way out too. If my grandmother is doing it, then it most certainly is not the latest technology. The

May 11th - 04:42am | Travis Mason-Bushman

I'm an interpretive ranger with the Forest Service (yes, we have some!) in Alaska, and am leading efforts to get social - including Twitter and Facebook pages for my home base, the Mendenhall Glacier R

May 10th - 17:16pm | Bob

It goes both ways. I take youth groups to national parks. Let's say they take pictures and share them with friends on Facebook -- the technology is exposing more people to the parks. That's all to the good. Now, let's say they spend so much time on Facebook with their friends that they are mentally at home, not in the park. That's a bad thing.

May 10th - 16:32pm | Keeper

I don't agree on the "staying relevant" argument. I've had many parents and grand parents that have brought their kids and grandchildren for Canyon Mule Adventures to aid in showing what real interaction feels like and break from destructive obsessions that feed on instant gratification. The transformations by parents and children is nothing less than miraculous!

May 10th - 15:17pm | Kerry Gallivan

Excellent topic! I think an important part of this conversation is the youth. These are the digital natives; the young adults who are, for better or for worse, growing up in a world in which they are always connected via the Internet and have multiple devices to interface with (i.e. laptop, smartphone, iPod, etc.). They experience much of their world and life via technology.

Update: Judge Rules Against Environmental Upgrades for Bridge Project in Congaree National Park

May 12th - 13:25pm | Kurt Repanshek

Ron, the Park Service always listed an "environmentally preferrable alternative." It's required to under the National Environmental Policy Act.

May 12th - 13:07pm | Ron Saunders

Questions: Was the bridge and road before or after the park? Is there ever an adequate EA that does not state exactly what the Enviromental groups want it to? What does the SCDOT have to say as to why yhey want to just make repairs to the causeway? Was there a public comment and response period concerning this action and was the NPS satisfied with the results?

May 12th - 10:40am | justinh

That is disappointing. Last week I visited Congaree NP for the first time, and had an amazing time. Paddled Cedar Creek from Bannister's Bridge to the second oxbow lake past Cedar Creek landing. Then, hiked the King Snake Trail. Great trees and wildlife. And great rangers and volunteers--one of my favorite parks. (Okay, so I'm a pretty off-topic here.)

May 12th - 08:28am | Brad

Not sure how I feel about this. On the surface it sounds bad, but it may be more damaging to build new bridges than to just repair the current causeways. Can't they put culverts for water flow? I'm betting something is already there for that.

Walking Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Part 1

May 12th - 11:16am | Bodie Island Resort

Danny-Having grown up on the Banks and then moving back recently from the mountains (wife is from Brevard,NC-land of the waterfalls), I can really relate to your article as a fellow hiker of both mountains and sea. Walking for long periods on soft sand is appealing in thought, especially with the beach scenary, but it gets taxing on the legs after about 5 miles.

May 11th - 22:12pm | Jan

These photos look amazing! The coast looks beautiful!

May 11th - 21:52pm | Lee Dalton

Great article, Danny. Thanks.

May 11th - 20:39pm | Ron Saunders

Hats off to you. You are undoubtedly a real trooper. Hatteras can be very demanding. Perhaps that is part of what makes it continually draw one to it. It's one of those places that becomes somewhat mystical if you let it. I believe you understand that. And it means many different things to so many different people.

May 11th - 15:03pm | Pat Salter

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article and the accompanying photos, as well. Your description of the tick just made my skin crawl! I loved the stats of your climb up the steps in Hatteras Lighthouse, and your view from the top must've been very impressive.

May 11th - 14:49pm | TsugaLover

Some of the shots you see in the movie Nights in Rodanthe are actually filmed in Ocracoke...I love to watch it and try to figure out which shots.

May 11th - 10:51am | Sharon McCarthy

We learned that walking on the beach was very enjoyable at low tide (hard packed sand) and more challenging at higher tides (softer sand). There were fewer people than I have ever encountered on a beach. Most of the time there was just the two of us and our thoughts facing the waves rolling in. The most awesome moment for me: realizing I had actually hiked up the Outer Banks to the base of

May 11th - 08:50am | Jan

Enjoyed reading your write up about your sandy hike. You had me there, on the beach. It helps, maybe that we took our young children there in the mid 90s, so it was a memroy maker for me. I am pretty sure I would not like hiking on the sand for 4 miles straight, that would really be hard.

May 11th - 06:06am | Bob Janiskee

Great article, Danny. Love the photos, too. Looking forward to the next installment.

Yellowstone National Park Officials Slowly Setting Corralled Bison Free

May 12th - 09:48am | Aaron Lund

"Good news! At least it appears that way.....can never tell with the agencies making decisions about the bison."

May 11th - 08:41am | C.C.

Good news! At least it appears that way.....can never tell with the agencies making decisions about the bison.

Is There Good News, Or Bad News, To Relate Concerning the Florida Panther?

May 12th - 09:48am | Clearwater Real...

The Florida panther are a great resource and asset to the state of Floridas natural resources. Unfortunately the population has been so decimated that we who have lived in Florida our entire lives have, for the most part, never seen one. I hope one day to see one of the tremendous creatures in the wild but I fear that that dream will go unfulfilled.

National Park Road Trip: Mesa Verde and Far View Lodge

May 12th - 08:09am | Donna Hull

I enjoyed your review of Far View Lodge. Mesa Verde is one national park that I haven't visited. It's good to know that you give the lodge and the dining experience a good rating.

Reader Participation Day: Has The National Park Service Been Led Astray By Congress and Become A Catchall Agency?

May 11th - 21:50pm | Bill

Yes. Many of those in power positions in the NPS didn’t come from ranks of the service – they came directly from congressional internships, fellowships and policy ranks. The Washington and regional initiatives and external programs are where the power and money goes, because of these

May 11th - 20:45pm | Gaelyn

Have to agree with y_p_w. It's really about funding. The NPS mission will work to protect many places if it has the money to maintain the sites. Can't make a profit so have to rely on partnerships which perpetuates the development. I'd rather see local businesses profit around any NPS site than go to Vegas. But maybe someday Vegas will be a NP.

May 11th - 12:42pm | y_p_w

I don't think being a "catchall agency" is all that bad. The inherent problem is the lack of funding when Congress overreaches with authorizing legislation for way too many sites.

May 11th - 11:04am | Joseph

Having spent summers at Yosemite National Park from my 10th through 18th years; from anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks, I have a deep respect for our system. We would do well to remember that we took it from the Native Americans as qualifications for statehood(Califronia). Reference The Articles of Confederation; which continued to 1848 and beyond.

May 11th - 09:51am | Rick Smith

I agree with Bri above. Each unit of the National Park System is important and significant in some way. I have visited many of the "lesser-known" parks, and each has a fascinating story to tell. Kurt asks, "Is a house cleaning in order...?" Once you begin "cleaning house", what criteria are you going to use? Who is going to be the chief house cleaner? What cleaning implements will be used

May 11th - 09:35am | Tree Pig

I think it is perfectly appropriate and consistent with the mission of the NPS to include historical sites, recreation areas, and other "non-natural" resources. However, I also believe that the Service has been diluated by areas that were added not because of the merit of the resources or the stories, but rather for reasons of political pork and/or desire for economic development.

May 11th - 08:52am | Anonymous

Noped'

May 11th - 08:29am | Bri

Having started my career in Big Parks: Everglades, Sequoia etc. I used to not understand why these smaller sites were part of the NPS.

Discounted Campsites On the Way in June to Mark 'National Great Outdoors Month'

May 11th - 21:29pm | Lee Dalton

Sorry, Stormy. I didn't mean to offend. (I actually switched from a tent to a small trailer last year. Old achy bones.) I was just trying to point out the disconnect between what seems like a growing number of affluent Americans and the outdoors. Those poor folks just don't know how much they are missing.

May 11th - 20:00pm | Lone Hiker

Easy Stormy, nobody is picking on you simply because you RV. But I've spent way too much time camping across the nation to fall for that "most campers spend a great deal of time outdoors" line.

May 11th - 17:10pm | stormy

my goodness, such vitriol against those of us who RV. Many of us with medical conditions travel in RVs as the easiest way to travel and, yes, our windows DO open. Most RVers spend a great deal of time outdoors sightseeing, hiking, and enjoying the parks that belong to ALL of us, no matter how we get there or how we camp.

May 11th - 14:19pm | Lone Hiker

It's true that the trails are less crowded Lee. Unfortunately they also serve to make the entrance roads and parking areas quite the zoo during peak hours. Which is why I tend toward the "first off" method whenever I'm taking in those areas around the high traffic zone. Or better yet, frequent the backcountry, where the Bozos with Boats (i.e.

May 11th - 09:57am | Lee Dalton

It never ceases to amaze me how many of those Big RVs and some fancy-dancy 90 foot long double deck trailers have windows that can't be opened. Air conditioners mandatory. Fresh air impossible. Then there are the satellite TV dishes. Ah, well. Maybe this makes trails less crowded for the rest of us.

May 11th - 05:37am | Lone Hiker

The only negative here is trying to encourage a disconnected public to experience camping through the windows of your local RV dealer. Is seems to at least me that National Great Outdoors Month should have concentrated their efforts on the "outdoors" portion of their statement.

Where in the World is Paul Fugate?

May 11th - 14:05pm | Ken Cox

I worked w/ Paul at Navajo NM---1967---and Chir. NM.---1971. As a matter of fact, he was responsible for hiring me as a seasonal ranger at Chir. after a stint in the Army and Vietnam. I don't know if I ever thanked him. At the time it was an important milestone in my life. He was a good friend and I'm sorry that this case has not been solved.

Reader Participation Day: What Do You Want To Read About National Parks?

May 11th - 12:44pm | Rick B.

And, I know from personal experience that Kurt et al will work with those who suggest articles in non-spammy ways.

May 11th - 11:47am | Kurt Repanshek

Jon, we'd love to offer that, but until we can find a reliable spam filter...some years ago we offered forums for just the sort of thing you're seeking, and it was a spam magnet. And with just one or two of us monitoring the site a day, having to vet all the comments to make sure spam wouldn't sneak through would be troublesome.

May 11th - 11:42am | Jon Sparks

I would love to have a message board for topics that are brought up by the crowd. If I'm going to visit Big South Fork, I'd like to be able to post that and see if anyone has some suggestions on the best way to visit it. Or I'd like to learn what apps people use to improve their park planning or experiences. I realize that some of the control would be lost but I would also like that too. Th

Beauty From A Distance In Joshua Tree National Park

May 11th - 06:50am | mmech37

Keep your distance is right..Last summer I got a little too close to one of them. One of the tips broke off and stuck in my leg. Spent the next several minutes pulling the spines out. They don't come out as easy as they go in.

Should a Cesar Chavez Site be Added to the National Park System?

May 10th - 20:59pm | y_p_w

http://www.nps.gov/legacy/mission.html

May 10th - 19:48pm | Anonymous

The mission of the National Park Service - "conserve the scenery and the wildlife and the natural and historic objects therein....for the enjoyment of future generations" - too, bad, Lone Hiker, but history and human accomplishments are part and parcel of the NP system. You are welcome to your personal opinion, but national policy and Congressional actions do not agree with you.

May 10th - 14:47pm | y_p_w

Sure this is political in nature. So are the several birthplaces/homes of former US Presidents or other political figures. I don't disagree with the argument that the NPS doesn't have adequate funding, but the inclusion of many NPS sites has been political in nature.

Upcoming Road Work Will Make Travel A Bit Challenging In Olympic National Park

May 10th - 20:11pm | RodF

Trails to be inaccessible during May/June repairs: Boulder Creek/Olympic Hot Springs/Appleton Pass, Boulder Lake, Happy Lake Ridge, Griff Creek, West Elwha, West Lake Mills.

Walls at Risk of Collapse at Historic Fort Jefferson Make "Crumbling Infrastructure" a Harsh Reality

May 10th - 15:19pm | d-2

Rather than depending on "development project funding" for line item Congressional construction funding, many parks should have maintenance staff able to continually maintain the park. Ft. Jefferson/Dry Tortugas is one of those parks.

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