| Page 1152 | National Parks Traveler

That's right, Anon 1:39 and Eric. The mystery photo shows part of an exhibit sign at the Byrd Visitor Center at Big Meadow. The sign is not a rehab job, Eric. It's just a sign that was made for exhibit purposes. It was never displayed at Lewis Mountain. Indeed, to the best of my knowledge it has never been displayed outdoors.

Jan 19th - 13:26pm | Kurt Repanshek

Yes, we can be picky. Particularly the professor;-) That said, you're right, Eric, it's in the visitor center. Tomorrow the professor will explain why.

Jan 19th - 13:15pm | Eric

Now you're getting really picky. Since the sign looks nice and clean it was clearly rehabbed. In that case it must be on exhibit. Therefore it is in a Visitor Center. Finally, for the sheer irony of it, and based upon your clues, I will have to conclude (guess) it is in the Byrd Visitor Center. Am I close?

Jan 19th - 12:39pm | Anonymous

I would assume it is located inthe park museum of some sort. You know showing the history of the park. I belive it had segragated facilities from 1939-1950 9internet) at lewis mountain as well as elsewhere.

Jan 19th - 12:29pm | Kurt Repanshek

Actually, anonymous, we're pretty picky about our Mystery Photos;-). And the sign can be seen in the park today....but where? That's the final aspect of this mystery.

Jan 19th - 12:21pm | Anonymous

I guess I just wonder what difference it makes? It was SOMEWHERE in that park...it's gone now...so, good! Move along, nothing to see here....

Jan 19th - 10:18am | Bob Janiskee

You are getting closer. As Eric pointed out, the mystery photo was taken in Shenandoah National Park, and as M.W. and Eric have both noted, the relevant area of the park is Lewis Mountain. The question now is, can you identify the place where the mystery photo was taken? Hint: It was not taken at Lewis Mountain. PS: Google away all you like. The quizmeister doesn't care.

Jan 19th - 10:01am | Eric

How about Lewis Mountain Camp Area in Shenandoah NP.

Jan 19th - 09:20am | M.W.

Shenandoah National Park, Lewis Mountain Negro Picnic Area. I'll admit to using google - I could remember Shenandoah and the picnic area, but had to look up to find out it was named Lewis Mountain. ;)

Jan 19th - 06:18am | Eric

It may be from Shenandoah National Park before it was desegregated.

The Traveler's First "Take Your Family to The National Parks" Essay Contest

Jan 20th - 07:15am | Connie Hopkins

Awesome idea! Letting my grand-daughters know!

Jan 18th - 19:02pm | Julie Trevelyan

Awesome idea! I'll spread the word as much as I can. :)

Jan 18th - 15:27pm | Ranger Jess

This sounds great! Now we just need to get it out to the kids!! I'm sending it to all the teachers I know!

Grand Canyon National Park Officials Release Stock Use Plan, Including Mule Ride Quotas

Jan 20th - 00:34am | Keeper

Submitted Public Comment by Keith Green, long time Canyon Resident and NPS Interpretive Ranger, Retired.

Jan 19th - 18:43pm | JIM-VT

This is really good news for Grand Canyon hikers that stay at Phantom Ranch. Currently, Phantom Ranch has 4 hiker dorms (two male and two female dorms - each with 5 bunk beds for 10 people), and 12 historic cabins. As many of you might know, it is extremely difficult to get reservations for either, and the phone lines to Xanterra are jammed for hours on the first day of each month.

Jan 19th - 11:29am | Keeper

Comment someone submitted during the public comment period.

Peeking Inside The Rangers Club At Yosemite National Park

Jan 19th - 17:28pm | Jeanne Lee

Admit it Dave, how we cleaned up after our fights so Bertha wouldn't get on our backs. Or when Maria and I put vegetables into Farrell and Henson's 'stew'. Uncle Fred was so cool, it was a family away from home in the RC, thanks to all of you that shared the experience with us!

Jan 19th - 15:25pm | dave cox

I had the privilege of living in the Ranger’s Club from 1970-72. It was truly one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Unfortunately, I did not fully appreciate my good fortune at the time. In fact, the first spring I was somewhat annoyed that the roar from the Lower Yosemite Falls made it difficult fall asleep at night.

Jan 19th - 10:52am | Rick B.

For what it's worth, I'd like to thank and encourage all who are contributing to the "I was there" stuff. Some wonderful stories.

Jan 19th - 08:18am | Kurt Repanshek

Steve et al, while many of the Nature Notes have appeared on the Traveler and can be found under "Yosemite National Park" if you browse our archives by topic, you can find all the episodes at this site, Yosemite Nature Notes.

Jan 18th - 22:31pm | Steve Nelson

At the end it says "Yosemite Nature Notes - Episode 13." Where are the other episodes? Are they available for us to look at? Maybe on Youtube? Thanks.

Flamingo Lodge is No More

Jan 19th - 17:19pm | Reid Tillery

I loved staying at the old lodge, and eating at the restaurant. Had lots of good times there. No, it wasn't the fancy uptown place some people seem to always expect, but, hey, it was deep in the Everglades, and Flamingo was great for star gazing at night. I used to like the screened-in pool. And the mosquitoes--those pesky little flower pollinators--were all part of the wild experience.

Watching Climate Change Across the National Park System

Jan 19th - 17:02pm | Anonymous

The comment above is valid except the part about the wheels falling off Climate Change. We have to address all of this and it will take many people with many different focuses to do what needs to be done, so let's no attack one persons vocation if it helps the overall dilemma.

Jan 19th - 14:23pm | Anonymous

The wheels came off the "global climate change" more than a year ago. Let's move on to the really important areas that need our concern - such as just where to find the money to manage all the national park land added during the past two decades, what to do with all the waste materials our society generates, a realistic policy on DDT, etc.

Books We've Read, And Liked, in 2010

Jan 19th - 15:08pm | GREECE

Please, may I inform us: The First edition for PINDOS:NATIONAL PARK (Epirus-West Macedonia in Greece). It's a global cooperation for Pindos environment and civilazation. 400 p. , full colour, 30x23 cm, 2500 photos of famous scientist, visitors and photographers.

Reader Participation Day: How Important Are National Park Visitation Data to You?

Jan 19th - 13:53pm | electriclady281

I think that the more information available to potential visitors, the better. People visit the parks for varied reasons; one may be to avoid crowds, so monthly--or even weekly--visitation numbers would provide significant information, as would that on tours and activities for children, historical information, weather data, and any other information that would be interesting and helpful.

Business Survey On Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV Management Plan's Impacts Points to Uncertainty

Jan 19th - 13:20pm | Matt Stubbs

Artie I hope to see you one day at the point, but it will not be during the summer due to closures neither one of us will be allowed. I will say that when I go to the point I like to spend better part of a day there and you cannot do that long of a stay with children without having the items kids require sunscreen, food, water, maybe a chair for the wife and a rod in my hand.

Jan 19th - 13:12pm | Ron Saunders

Artie, All due respect and I appreciate where you are coming from but, I suspect you just gave a few fishermen/women that frequent "the point" their chuckle for the day. Ron

Jan 19th - 12:39pm | Ron Saunders

Anon 8:43

Jan 19th - 11:34am | Artie

I believe the wife and I would very much enjoy a 3 mile walk on the beach. In fact, we walked that far the last time we visited Atlantic Beach. We love the outdoors and spend all the time we can outside and active. We're in reasonably good shape for our ages (late 40s). I wish more people would come to enjoy challenging themselves physically and realize their potential.

Jan 19th - 11:21am | Matt Stubbs

When the NPS is rattled around in these criticisms it is at the upper organization level rather than the people at the park steward level as they are only following direction given to them. An example is the arming of the NPS in Cape Hatteras at the beginning of the consent decree.

Jan 19th - 09:43am | Anonymous

I suggest that everyone that claims that the NPS folks are bringers of doom and gloom and are people haters, try talking to a couple. They are hard working folks just like you and me and have no desire to eliminate your use of any park (not to mention they can't anyway). Stop demonizing these people and be more constructive about the issues.

Jan 18th - 20:05pm | Ron Saunders

Well said Jim. Ranger Bill, your understanding of the history and enabling legislation of CHNSRA must be different than mine. I guess I better go back and read it again.

Jan 18th - 17:20pm | Jim Higham

"For the benefit of nesting shorebirds and sea turtles"? Its not about the birds or the turtles. There I said it. Let's not forget it is a RECREATIONAL AREA. Let's not forget there are quite a few things that would enhance access and benefit the resource, but that would be too easy. Instead the NPS just wants to lock people out.

Jan 18th - 15:35pm | Anonymous

First off, many you don't get it. This is not just preventing ORV access, it PREVENTS HUMAN access as well. Yes, that means most of the areas closed to ORVs are also CLOSED TO HUMAN ACCESS. Read that again and again. Then ask yourself why a bird the size of baseball needs a 1000 meter buffer around it.

Jan 18th - 15:24pm | Greg

Ranger Bill is correct in that the park wasn't established to help the locals and their businesses. However, these locals did not show up looking to exploit the park.

Reader Participation Day: Should Pets Be Given More Leeway in National Parks?

Jan 19th - 13:07pm | Richard Jerden

No dogs!

Jan 19th - 12:51pm | Richard Jerden

Most dog owners are oblivious to the negative impacts their animals have on others. I currently do not have a dog, but have had several in the past. I also have many close friends who have dogs. I have no doubt it is difficult to come up with hard difinitive empirical science which would satisfy. There are probably few researchers looking into this sorta problem.

Probe Raises Questions Over National Park Service Investigation at Hubbell Trading Post

Jan 19th - 13:06pm | Marjorie Hlava

This whole thing is thick with intrigue. If you want to help Malone....

Study Says Loss of Wolves Damaging Olympic National Park's Forest Ecosystem

Jan 19th - 11:54am | Anonymous

if we send hunters in in huge numbers, poachers might kill the wolves, and more elk than can be safely killed, possibly causing underpopulation for the elks, and starving the wolves back out

The World's Top Ten National Parks

Jan 19th - 03:40am | Anonymous

Second here for Fiordland NP in NZ. Just blows everything else I have ever seen out of the water (except maybe innner hebrides of Scotland which comes a close second). As for the Wapiti (Elk) they priovide excellent hunting tropheys! Go there .......now.

Updated: The National Park Foundation And The Special "National Parks Edition" Toyota FJ Cruiser

Jan 19th - 00:42am | Anonymous

In my opinion, dollar signs impede any sort of thought process at the NPF. Also, I believe that the Secretary, DOI is the Chair -not honorary- of the NPF board (http://www.nationalparks.org/npf-at-work/board/).

Jan 18th - 19:15pm | y_p_w

Toyota is only one of the makes they modify. Their main page shows logos for GMC, Ford, Jeep, Chevrolet, and Dodge - in addition to Toyota, Nissan, and Subaru. They're a Michigan based company. Not sure why they picked an FJ Cruiser.

Jan 18th - 18:44pm | Gary B

Their website, www.xplorevehicles.com, states they'll build one of these for almost any current make you bring to them. Not just Toyota.

Jan 18th - 17:52pm | danner

With the constant investment by foriegn countries, I must have missed Japan buying the National Park Foundation. To bad an American producer wasn't used.

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