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Developing Diversity in the National Parks

Sep 26th - 10:11am | Kath

I was thinking about this issue on my Labor Day trip to Yosemite. Believe me, there was plenty of diversity of visitors in Yosemite Valley. Asians, East Indians, Hispanics and blacks. California is diverse so Yosemite visitation is diverse. So at least as far as Yosemite is concerned, I don't think there is any diversity 'problem'.

Overdue Hiker Turns Up in Rocky Mountain National Park

Sep 25th - 21:16pm | Merryland

DENVER -- Search and Rescue teams have found a hiker who went missing in the Rocky Mountain National Park Tuesday evening. Link: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/14205018/detail.html

NPS Snowmobile Plan for Yellowstone, Grand Teton Bucks Science, the Public, and Itself

Sep 25th - 16:47pm | jersu

I hate to throw this into the mix without double checking first, but I *think* one big difference between the motorcycle noise and snowmobile noise, is that snowmobile noise is unregulated. Motorcycles have to meet federal standards for highway travel, whereas snowmobiles are an off-road vehicle not confined to the same regulations.

Sep 25th - 16:35pm | repanshek

Kath, you raise a good point. I can't give you a complete answer, but I do know that those who want to see a snowmobile ban focus on the complete pollution package -- noise, air, water, etc., as well as wildlife disturbances.

Sep 25th - 14:17pm | Kath

I googled a bit and found that motorcycle noise is an issue along the Blue Ridge Parkway per a recent article in the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Sep 25th - 13:20pm | Kath

I've never had the pleasure of visiting Yellowstone or Grand Teton in winter, so I can't comment on the noise and pollution brought about by snowmobiles in the park. Few people (relatively) visit those parks in winter.

Padre Island Interpretive Program Simply Succeeds

Sep 25th - 15:43pm | pkrnger

I agree with Merryland above. The internet and other electronic means of communication are excellent mechanisms for promoting inter- and intra- staff communications.

Sep 24th - 16:27pm | Merryland

I support the administrative merging of co-located parks to reduce the upper management ranks. What's funny is that the techno-approach being used to reach visitors could also easily be used for management and staff to regularly interact.

Sep 23rd - 16:52pm | Merryland

This ranger latched on to the fact that this kid had an interest in Peregrines and went with it. Bully for her, as TR would say. She could have easily recited the usual blah blah swearing in ceremony for the kid and then re-parked her butt back behind the desk and pasted on a smile waiting for the next "Where's the bathroom?" question to come along.

Sep 23rd - 15:41pm | jersu

Haunter Hiker and Beamis - thanks very much for weighing in.

Sep 23rd - 15:03pm | haunted hiker

Yeah. What Beamis said.

Sep 22nd - 01:25am | jersu

Jon, Thanks very much for adding that video. It demonstrates exactly my thoughts regarding this article. For all the talk about "reaching out to the iPod generation", I think something very important is being missed. People want to talk with people, they want to connect with someone at the park, kids included. There are lessons to be learned in that short video.

Sep 22nd - 00:12am | Merryland

I'd like to see anyone replace this ranger or this kid's experience with an ipod... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfQ0oX-PLnU

Judge Orders Cross Removed from Mojave National Preserve

Sep 25th - 12:16pm | Randy Potgiesser

I am continually amazed at people who are "offended" by religious symbols or the beliefs of another person. No where in any documents of this country except the liberal media does it give you the right to not be offended. You're offended by something? So what? Live with it.

Sep 23rd - 07:48am | Dan Simonds

Have we forgotten that this country was founded on christianity? God has always been a big part of our country.I`m offended by those who are trying to take God out of our country.The worst thing we can do is allow these people to remove religion from our government.

Biodiversity Studies in the Parks Reveal Previously Unknown Species

Sep 25th - 10:50am | Lone Hiker

The outcome of this endeavor shouldn't be all that surprising. Microbiologists estimate that a mere 2% of all existing microbic life forms have been catagorized to date, again a function of research dollars (and time) not being allocated to the expansion of these types of projects.

How Would YOU Fix the Statue of Liberty?

Sep 24th - 17:24pm | jersu

Yes, Bandelier has ladders available for folks to climb, to get a good look at the dwellings carved into the cliff face (cavelets I think they are called). To get to these ladders requires visitors take a somewhat steep and narrow path that includes many stairs.

Sep 24th - 16:30pm | Merryland

I think Bandelier also has a bunch of ladders throughout the park that visitors are allowed to climb. Is anyone out there familiar with that park and how that gets handled?

Sep 24th - 14:00pm | Lone Hiker

While 268 steps is not MY idea of a strenuous endeavor, I get the point. But I totally disagree with the "can't tell 'em they're too fat" notion............just try and get your two-seater butt on a mule into the Grand Canyon. I'll attest to 200 lbs. not being a conventional guideline for obesity, but that's the limit for Arizona mules.

Sep 23rd - 22:30pm | Anonymous

Having worked at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (America's tallest lighthouse) which is opened for climbing, I've been down this road before. It's a historic structure which was not designed for thousands of people stomping up and down on the historic structure every day and its 268 steps.

Sep 22nd - 19:59pm | Merryland

Hi Nancy... In fact, I think the model for the historic lantern tour at Jewel Cave would work well here. Reservations a must. Sign on the dotted line. Narrow passages and steep climbs, claustrophobics -- you've been warned. Kids must be able to walk it all on their own (no carried kids). --Jon

Sep 22nd - 17:44pm | Nancy Bandley

I am very fortunate to have made the climb to the top- twice- once before she was refurbished and I think I still have a jacket with the rust stains to prove it! and again, once she was refurbished. I have also visited every one of the 391 park units in the US park system, so I draw on some experience. The statue is history, art and a symbol.

Sep 21st - 19:39pm | Lornie

I think it is still under warranty...so, take it down, send it back to France for the fix

Sep 21st - 12:32pm | Anonymous

Yes, we are the best "dam" country. So many dams on our rivers... On a related note to the story, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The statue isn't the problem; the problem is too many visitors.

Sep 21st - 11:18am | Ron

You all have good points! I believe She needs to be removed and clean and put up in Front of The old Twin Tower's {she would then be finnish bout the time the NEW TOWER WAS Finish}.

Sep 20th - 20:59pm | Merryland

The Statue is really not very large. I remember fondly several lunch breaks from my days as a trainer -- munching on a reuben from the Stage Door Deli, sitting at the top of the World Trade Center, staring off to the south, amazed at how small the Statue of Liberty really was in the scheme of things. When you're young, it's outrageously huge.

Sep 20th - 20:18pm | Lone Hiker

P.S. You're kidding that nobody had the foresight to consider an elevator, right?

Sep 20th - 19:57pm | Lone Hiker

You nailed it Jeremy. The inscription that I was referring to, that is.

Sep 20th - 17:50pm | jersu

Lone Hiker - you are indeed stirring the pot! Here is the poem you make reference to (I think), engraved on a plaque found on Liberty's pedestal:

Considering a Hike up Half Dome?

Sep 24th - 14:51pm | Anonymous

Yea, maybe we should have elevator shafts running up the inside of the dome too, and an emergency staircase running down the face. Grow up. The park service does not need to put trails in the wilderness either. Since they do, should they put drinking fountains every 500 yards? The truth is, people do not need to go into the wilderness.

Management of Lady Liberty Discussed in Congress

Sep 24th - 13:34pm | jersu

Alexander,

Sep 24th - 13:06pm | Alexander Brash

The Statue of Liberty, like all national parks, should be open and welcoming for Americans to enjoy. Closure of the crown illustrates the chronic funding shortfalls facing our national parks and the critical need for a $200 million increase contained in legislation now moving through Congress.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vandalized

Sep 23rd - 20:35pm | Merryland

I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing, but there are lots of idiots out there documenting their blatant disdain for park regulations and general stupidity on YouTube. Hopefully it will do more to contribute to them being caught rather than encourage more idiots to come out of the woodwork to try to out-do them.

Sep 23rd - 07:32am | Dan Simonds

These are the same kind of young adults that knock over grave stones,spray paint on private property,hurt animals,and steal from our elderly. When they catch them,they need to be put to work cleaning up instead of putting them in jail.

Sep 22nd - 10:41am | Anonymous

Merryman, I have seen most of this pathetic action that you relate so well. In some of the parks that I did managed, I've seen mean sick kids (and parents) breaking glass and hiding the broken pieces in playground sand pits. Teenages breaking beer bottles on public beachs, and obviously (if your in bare feet) you can figure what happens next. Always a first aid kit at hand and tweezers.

Sep 21st - 21:32pm | Merryland

Walked by the Memorial today with my daughter. Didn't see the evidence -- perhaps they've cleaned it up already.

Sep 21st - 13:43pm | Claire Walter

This in inexorably sad.

Sep 21st - 12:27pm | Glenn Scofield ...

I guess I really don't understand what would motivate someone to do this. It's an odd act of vandalism.

Sep 21st - 11:32am | daniel weed

I agree SOME ONE like this shouldn't be allowed to walk FREE in a FREE country.. HOW LOW can an human animal go!!!

Sep 21st - 10:13am | Anonymous

Jeremy, this is absolutely pathetic that one can stoop so low to create such an grievous act of horrendous vandalism. If the perpetrators of this sick act of vandalism are caught, may justice be swift to the fullest extent of the law...and SEVER...and I mean SEVER!!

Dry Conditions Blamed For Bear Problems in Grand Teton, Yosemite

Sep 23rd - 09:12am | blatz_rox

I would like to know about what may have happened to the missing hiker in Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve.They say they found his gear near the airstrip where he was to be picked up, & some footprints that possibly are his near the Russell Glacier. Can anyone tell me if there are a lot of bears around there, & what type of terrain it is.

Off the Wall: Death in Yosemite

Sep 22nd - 22:05pm | Rick Deutsch

I've met Butch and hiked with him on the Mist Trail last spring. He's a great low-key guy. The book is huge....nearly 600 pages and with no photos. A kind of War and Peace read. I use it for reference. For example, turns out the man who fell off the Half Dome cables in June was the first and only hiker to die while using the cables when they were up for summer hiking.

Amusing Looking Sign on Blue Ridge Parkway

Sep 22nd - 13:31pm | Evan

This one is in Idaho Fall, ID:

Arches and Canyonlands In the Fall: Rock Architecture and Dwindling Crowds

Sep 22nd - 02:00am | MRC

You are absolutely right in praising Arches and Canyonlands NP. They are spectacular places. And you are so right in recommending a tour to the fiery furnace in Arches NP. I was there some years ago and told everyone who traveled the region not to miss either the parks nor this specific area.

Sep 22nd - 00:59am | Dave O

There are 10 BLM campgrounds along Highway 128, the Colorado River Road, just north of Moab. We stayed at Goose Island just over a year ago and really like the quiet. And it was a very short drive to Arches. There was no water available, but then I wasn't paying the price for a luxury lodge!

Is There Any Better Time to Visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton Than Fall?

Sep 21st - 22:08pm | William Masek

Yellowstone has got to be one of the most picturesque parks in the world. It has so much variety to offer any type of traveler. Definitely a number one place to visit. Great article. Enjoyable reading. William Masek www.letsgotraveltheworld.com

Hidden Hall of Records at Mount Rushmore

Sep 21st - 11:39am | JP - Thousand O...

When I first visited Mt. Rushmore in 1975, the video shown to visitors at the park included a segment about the "Hall of Records" and the original intent of its creator, Gutzon Borglum.

St Louis Wants to Develop Land under Gateway Arch

Sep 21st - 08:42am | Merryland

Yep -- too much "do" and what have ya got? Doodoo...

Sep 21st - 05:43am | jsmacdonald

Jon, okay, but St. Louis should be one of those places? (Isn't one Kansas City enough? JUST KIDDING!)

Sep 20th - 21:09pm | Merryland

We need more places where there's "little to do"...

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