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08/21/2009 - 11:10pmSurf Is Decidedly Up At Cape Hatteras National Seashore Thanks to Hurricane BillSadly, this ol' "Gnarly Surfer Dude" is land-locked 250 miles from shore, but such is life... I will add this bit of GREAT news that precedes this storm: CHNSRA NPS biotechs were able to rescue ~200 pre-emergent/emerging turtle hatchlings prior to the storm surge, as well as relocating several other ...
02/26/2009 - 2:30pmCape Hatteras National Seashore Identifies Pre-Nesting Closure Areas For Piping PloverGreat article, Kurt! Thanks for keeping this very important issue alive on the pages of NPT! You have predicted that things may become "Testy" post 3/15/09, and I would say you will be proven correct in time, especially as visitors return to the area as spring fast approaches! I would ...
02/26/2009 - 9:47amTredegar Ironworks: A Civil War Icon Preserved at Richmond National Battlefield Park[quote]I suppose it must have changed a good bit since 1964?[/quote] To say the least! It's changed dramatically since the [i]1990's[/i], so for you it would almost be like you'd never even been here before. The extensive renovations to the riverfront area alone would be worth the trip. Sounds like ...
02/23/2009 - 1:56pmTredegar Ironworks: A Civil War Icon Preserved at Richmond National Battlefield ParkBob, Thank you so very much for your kind words on my first-time-ever article! It was enjoyable to create, to say the least, and Kurt was kind enough to allow me to do so for NPT! I must admit that I mentioned the privately operated American Civil War Center Museum ...
12/18/2008 - 12:31pmUpdated: Salazar Pick For Interior Secretary Labeled a FailureYou betcha! Here's a link to a local newspaper, "The Island Free Press", which has covered all the NPS Negotioated Rulemaking Committee meetings: http://www.islandfreepress.org/CatBeachAccessIssues.html You can also find links to the first 2 meetings to be videotaped. The viewing is interesting, but long. Watch some if you've got the time. ...
12/18/2008 - 8:58amUpdated: Salazar Pick For Interior Secretary Labeled a Failure[quote]If the radical leftist Suckling doesn't like the pick, then I guess I love it. The Wilderness Society and NPCA are definitely more in tune with the average, working American.[/quote] Roger, I couldn't agree more. Just goes to show that the Radicalized Enviros can't win 'em all! I say let's ...
12/11/2008 - 3:30pmWhat's the Latest On The Search for An Interior Secretary?Perhaps Mr. Berry can find a middle-ground where motorized use can be balanced with conservation at all levels. Having someone in that post who can objectively look a both sides would be a boon to the DOI, not at all a detriment.
12/10/2008 - 11:31amWal-Mart Request Would Put a Super Center Next to The Wilderness BattlefieldNot too surprising, considering the "Yellow Tavern" battlefield just North of Richmond is the site of an expansive mall complex today. The site where JEB Stuart received his mortal wound can be found nearby, after a tedious search through suburbia, surrounded by homes. To have more of these sites compromised ...
12/08/2008 - 3:13pmDid the Great Depression Save the Yorktown Battlefield?Great article, Jim! Far too many of the Virginia Battlefields have been lost to developement over the years, and it would have indeed been a travesty for an area as important as the Yorktown site to have been turned into a golf course, of all things. I can point out ...
12/08/2008 - 9:13amAt 55 and Counting, Wright Brothers National Memorial Enjoys Its Monumental FaceliftCopy of the NPS Press Release detailing the 105th Anniversary Celebration Itinerary: (Wish I could make it for the flyovers alone. There's some really cool aircraft in that lineup!) dap [quote]National Park Service News Release Release Date: December 8, 2008 Contact: Wright Brothers National Memorial Phone: (252) 441-7430 Wright Brothers’ ...
12/05/2008 - 11:34amInterior Department To Be Sued Over Cape Hatteras National Seashore Plover Habitat DecisionsAnon/Anchorman, How about we let the court decide just whose attempt is "pathetic", shall we? Ginny covers the details quite concisely and thoroughly, so I'll take your stance to task. [quote]Remember, this issue has already been in the courts for a decade. Environmental groups petitioned and sued to get critical ...
12/04/2008 - 5:13pmInterior Department To Be Sued Over Cape Hatteras National Seashore Plover Habitat DecisionsKurt, Thanks for the article! While it's certainly regrettable that this issue must once again enter the federal judicial system, perhaps it will be put to bed at long last. The same groups/counties, in different combinations, have won similar cases over the same designations twice in recent years. There is ...
12/04/2008 - 10:40amAt 55 and Counting, Wright Brothers National Memorial Enjoys Its Monumental FaceliftGreat article, Bob! Thanks for bringing this project to light. Prior to the 2003 "Centennial of Flight" celebration, the entire WBM complex had become rather worn looking, to say the least. Decades of exposure to salt air and simple visitor wear and tear had taken its toll. After many years ...
12/01/2008 - 1:18pmHikers, Bikers and National ParksOh, boy. Here we go again... [quote][b]The NPS should not allow bikes on trails within the national parks.[/b] There are so many places that mountain bikers can ride, we do not need to open up the parks to bikes as well. There need to be some places that [b]we can ...
11/20/2008 - 11:46amKeeping History Honest When It Comes to Sight Lines In Civil War-era National Parks Is Not Without ControversyLone Hiker, I found myself agreeing for the most part with your first paragraph, especially in the context of battlefields of similar significance from other eras and areas of the country, but came to an abrupt halt in agreement when I came across certain statements, listed below. While I know ...
11/19/2008 - 3:25pmKeeping History Honest When It Comes to Sight Lines In Civil War-era National Parks Is Not Without ControversyMRC, I fully understand your position, and at one time in my life shared it. The passage of years and much recent study have caused me to change my mind on this matter. I still think the Civil War to be not much more than government sanctioned fratricide, but that ...
11/17/2008 - 3:05pmKeeping History Honest When It Comes to Sight Lines In Civil War-era National Parks Is Not Without ControversyMany sites in Virginia share the same quandry, as I believe others in the country must as well. After almost 150 years, the trees have returned with a vengeance! One in particular here in Richmond is the "Chickahominy Bluffs NBP" on the Mechanicsville Tnpk., (US Rt. 360), which was instrumental ...
11/04/2008 - 2:52pmLame Duck Bush Administration Hastens to Weaken Environmental Protection LawsWhew! Talk about a polarized thread! I fully agree with this statement, as the division between the factions grow wider each year: [quote]"Instead of a "them against us" mentality, true environmentalists should strive to build coalitions with hunters, ranchers, fiscal conservatives etc etc. to build a broad based consensus on ...
10/29/2008 - 9:45amSkyline Drive Designated as a National Historic LandmarkFrank_C, Thanks for your kind comments! It was a beautiful day and the foliage cooperated, giving us gorgeous views the entire drive. If you're ever in that part of the country, do take the trip. It's an eye-opener for certain. Page_Co, I share your wonderment as to why this "Celebration" ...
10/27/2008 - 10:47amSkyline Drive Designated as a National Historic LandmarkGreat article, Jim! A well deserved honor for a truly wonderful highway. My family and I drove along 40 miles of the parkway on Sunday, 10/26, enjoying both beautiful high-pressure dominated weather and nearly peak fall foliage. (We traveled South from State Rt. 33 to State Rt. 250, or from ...
10/23/2008 - 5:00pmBlue Ridge Parkway’s 75th Anniversary Celebration BeginsAnne, Thanks so very much for your answer to a challenging and quite "Mushy" question! I agree that the fairness aspect to landowners through public comment periods would be better today, and newer construction techniques could be less invasive, but the environmental concerns would certainly trump all others in regards ...
10/23/2008 - 2:24pmBlue Ridge Parkway’s 75th Anniversary Celebration BeginsAnon, Thanks for your input to my question. I had never heard of these instances, I'm guessing mainly do to my location in Richmond, VA. It does clearly show that lobbying and PAC donations can produce results, both desired and undesired. My hope is that the people of the area ...
10/23/2008 - 10:38amIMBA: Not Every Park Suitable For Mountain Biking, No Interests, Currently, For Trails in Wilderness AreasI promised not to digress, yet I feel I must. One last time.... [quote]Having worked at Fire Island National Seashore, I recognize the materials used to close beaches TEMPORARILY to protect nesting plovers. While the beaches are closed, again TEMPORARILY, the interdune regions of barrier islands are usually open to ...
10/23/2008 - 6:23amIMBA: Not Every Park Suitable For Mountain Biking, No Interests, Currently, For Trails in Wilderness AreasKurt, You are correct about the signage in these pictures. They were used to illustrate the point that "No Access" by any means does indeed exist in our National Parks.
10/22/2008 - 2:26pmIMBA: Not Every Park Suitable For Mountain Biking, No Interests, Currently, For Trails in Wilderness AreasSorry for straying, but it's still in context, sorta... [quote]So, when you talk about 2.58 percent of the lower 48 being designated as wilderness, is that so threatening?[/quote] Not at all, when you look at just the percentages against the entire landmass. If that 2.58% includes 90% of your favorite ...
10/22/2008 - 1:38pmIMBA: Not Every Park Suitable For Mountain Biking, No Interests, Currently, For Trails in Wilderness AreasBeamis, Thanks for coming to my aid. Your quote below said it far more eloquently than my initial attempt: [quote]The truth of the matter is that the NPS has been closing areas to ANY kind of access at alarming rates over the past ten years. By taking the nebulous terms ...
10/22/2008 - 9:39amIMBA: Not Every Park Suitable For Mountain Biking, No Interests, Currently, For Trails in Wilderness AreasKurt, Broad brush cleaned and put away. My comments were aimed at some of the other posters, and certainly not at the author. Sorry if I was unclear on that. No offense intended. My point is parallel to this one brought up by Zebulon: [quote]The truth is that there is ...
10/22/2008 - 7:36amIMBA: Not Every Park Suitable For Mountain Biking, No Interests, Currently, For Trails in Wilderness AreasExactly where is it written that hiking is the only acceptable form of access to our public lands? Also, where is that data that shows that hiking has absolutely no negative impact on the environment, and offends no one? You hiking purists need to come down from your lofty perches ...
10/22/2008 - 7:07amBlue Ridge Parkway’s 75th Anniversary Celebration BeginsFascinating article! One can just imagine the obstacles that construction of 469 miles of highway along moutain ridges through several states would meet. Thanks for bringing that facet of this marvelous highway to light! My family will be taking a drive along the portion between Routes 33 and 250 in ...
10/16/2008 - 10:56amVisit Savannah’s Fort Pulaski National Monument and See Why Brick Masonry Forts Became Obsolete in April 1862Bob, Thanks for another informative article! You have spurred my interest in this site enough to add a visit to it to my vacation itinerary for next year. After seeing the truly decimated Fort Sumter site several times, it would be nice to see a more intact example of forts ...