National Parks Traveler

Bob Janiskee

Biography

While serving 33 years on the faculty of the University of South Carolina, I taught a national parks course, helped get Congaree National Park established, and worked as a V.I.P in that park. Now retired as Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Geography, I want to continue visiting parks, thinking about parks, and writing about parks until I assume room temperature. To help keep me focused and busy I teach “America’s National Parks” and several other courses through the University’s Independent Learning division.

Bob's Most Recent Comments (view all)

11/20/2009 6:22 am - Bison Will Soon Roam Again at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve : Charlie, I'm excited about the Tallgrass bison too. Tallgrass is on my "must see" list, and I hope to get there next year. Knowing that the preserve now has bison gives that prospect extra appeal.
11/20/2009 5:25 am - Mystery Spot Revealed: You’ll Find It At the Bottom of the Grand Canyon : Prices have gone up a tad since 1989, Anon. Prices for overnight rides, with Phantom Ranch accommodations and meals, now start at $477.34 for the first person or $842.60 for two people. That includes taxes.
11/19/2009 12:59 pm - Mystery Plant: This “Tree from Hell” Smells Like Rancid Peanut Butter : Thanks for the new info, tomp. I trust you noticed that I left some wriggle room in that list of 29 NPS units provided, as i indicated that there are "probably some not listed here." The map you referenced is not necessarily "better," it's just different. The map I used ...
11/19/2009 10:34 am - Mystery Plant: This “Tree from Hell” Smells Like Rancid Peanut Butter : Linda and appletree: I suspect that calling the tree-of-heaven a "paradise tree" may sow confusion. A completely different tree, the [i]Simarouba glauca [/i](sim-uh-ROO-buh GLAW-kuh) goes by the common name paradise-tree. And it's got pinnate compound leaves, too. The "real" paradise tree is found in the coastal hammocks of south Florida, ...
11/19/2009 10:21 am - Mystery Plant: This “Tree from Hell” Smells Like Rancid Peanut Butter : You're quite right about the urban planting, Anon. The lousier the growing conditions, the more you want a tree that grows like a weed.
11/19/2009 10:18 am - Mystery Plant: This “Tree from Hell” Smells Like Rancid Peanut Butter : Aren't modern preservatives wonderful? If you'd like to smell some rancid peanut butter, Anon-yours, just open a jar of [i]natural[/i] peanut butter (no preservatives) and leave it unrefrigerated for about four months (three will do if it's warm). It's the oil that goes bad. Actually, you don't need to have ...
11/19/2009 9:23 am - Mystery Plant: This “Tree from Hell” Smells Like Rancid Peanut Butter : What control methods have your tried, Paul, and how long have you been at it?
11/19/2009 6:39 am - Mystery Plant: This “Tree from Hell” Smells Like Rancid Peanut Butter : Good work, Linda. We'll give you an A- (a clean A, except for the spelling glitch). The mystery tree is the tree-of-heaven ([i]Ailanthus altissima[/i]). I'll have more to say about the tree and its control in tomorrow's [b]Traveler.[/b]
11/18/2009 10:10 am - National Park Mystery Spot: A Jenny May Take you There : Yup, it's Phantom Ranch. Congrats to Rangertoo for sniffing this one out, and to Verona for backing his point. Watch Traveler tomorrow for a detailed explanation of the clues and some additional interesting information about Phantom Ranch. BTW, I'm sorry for being so slow in acknowledging your answer-comments. I've been ...
11/17/2009 10:57 am - Poaching Charges Pending In Case of Majestic Bull Elk Killed at Great Smoky Mountains National Park : You make a good point, azborn2001. Calling anyone and everyone who enjoys traditional rural southern outdoor pursuits a redneck is just plain wrong. You need to allow for that interesting breed that southerners call the "good ol' boy." Like a redneck, a good ol' boy drives a pickup and loves ...

Bob's Most Recent Articles (view all)

Mystery Plant Revealed: The “Tree from Hell” is the Tree-of-Heaven

Did you correctly identify the tree of heaven as the “mystery plant” of yesterday’s quiz?

Mystery Plant: This “Tree from Hell” Smells Like Rancid Peanut Butter

This tree is an Asian import that grows fast, spreads fast, damages ecosystems and crop land, and is very tough to eradicate. It stinks, too.

Mystery Spot Revealed: You’ll Find It At the Bottom of the Grand Canyon

Were you able to solve yesterday’s mystery spot quiz?

National Park Mystery Spot: A Jenny May Take you There

Lots of very tired people have been very happy to arrive at this place. Can you identify it with just a few clues?

BRP75 Opening Weekend in Asheville Highlights Blue Ridge Parkway’s 75th Anniversary Celebration

Blue Ridge Parkway’s 75th Anniversary is next year, but the celebration is already getting under way. Two BRP75 Opening Weekend events are taking place today in Asheville, North Carolina, a city that learned on a happy day in November 1934 that it would become a parkway community after all.

Gettysburg’s Dedication Day and Remembrance Day Activities Mark Gettysburg Address Anniversary

The 146th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address is Thursday, November 19. This coming week Gettysburg will be hosting a full slate of Dedication Day and Remembrance Day activities to honor President Abraham Lincoln, his Gettysburg Address, and the soldiers who fought so bravely in the Battle of Gettysburg.