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Traveler Readers Invited to "Test Drive" Prototype Website For Birding in the National Park System

Aug 23rd - 15:33pm | tomp

Folks-- The science.nature.nps.gov server is back up. I'd appreciate suggestions on the prototype. When we make a production version of this (available for all NPS units), it will be hosted on a different, allegedly more reliable server.

Aug 23rd - 09:52am | tomp

Yup; Welcome to my life. All of science.nature.nps.gov (the I&M website) is not responding. I'll politely ping the IT folks. I apologize, folks.

Aug 23rd - 08:47am | Kurt Repanshek

Yep, the system certainly seems to be off to a bad Monday morning start. Hopefully it'll come back to life soon (7:46 a.m MDT).

Aug 23rd - 06:54am | Danny Bernstein

The NPS website must not be awake yet, this Monday morning (7:50 A.M. Eastern Daylight time). I can't seem to get to the websites sited inthe article. Sounds very interesting. I'll try them again later. Danny http://www.hikertohiker.com

Updated: Searchers Looking for Missing Plane With Park Service Employees Aboard at Katmai National Park and Preserve

Aug 23rd - 14:43pm | Anonymous

Is the tail number of the plane known?

Aug 23rd - 08:39am | pkrnger

I wonder over time how many NPS'ers have lost their lives in small aircraft accidents, and how many of these have been in air travel in Alaska?

Aug 23rd - 01:23am | Martin in San Diego

Heard back from Alaska NPS. My son was not onboard, which is a personal relief. Our prayers are with the those still missing and their families. Even if they are waiting out weather, this will be two uncomfortable nights. Thanks again for the contact information.

Aug 22nd - 23:41pm | Anonymous

The search is still on. The names of the NPS employees involved have been provided - Mason McLeod, Neal Spradlin and Seth Spradlin. They work in the park maintenance division. Pilot's name was not available.

Aug 22nd - 22:32pm | Anonymous

God bless all families, friends, coworkers, and search teams! All in my prayers and thoughts! I flew confidently in that plane last month on vacation and really enjoyed the excellent service and reputation of the company and pilots!!

Aug 22nd - 21:22pm | Anonymous

Don't worry just yet. There's no information of a confirmed crash and no confirmation of any deaths. Also, chances are your son was NOT on board. Good luck.

Aug 22nd - 20:54pm | Martin in San Diego

Many thanks for the contact information. I have left messages at both numbers. Prayers for all concerned.

Aug 22nd - 20:39pm | Kurt Repanshek

So far they haven't released the names of those involved. Here are two numbers you might try calling: Katmai National Park (907) 246-3305 Alaska Regional Office for the Park Service 907-644-3510 Good luck.

Aug 22nd - 20:34pm | Martin in San Diego

My son is working at Brooks Camp as a Ranger this summer. How can I find out if he was or was not onboard the missing plane?

Civil War Battlefields To Share $1 Million For Land Acquisition

Aug 23rd - 11:29am | Catherine

Could you add a link to the American Battlefield Protection Program, the NPS department that administers this part of the Land and Water Conservation Fund? http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/index.htm

Theodore Roosevelt National Park Turning to 240 Volunteers To Help Reduce Elk Herd

Aug 23rd - 11:12am | rks_nd

Well, Priscilla, there is a regular hunting season for elk in and around the park, but not many people are successful, mostly because of the tough terrain. And with the worry of chronic wasting disease, which is transmissable to other animals such as livestock, the only options is to have a mass hunt to decrease the numbers.

Aug 23rd - 09:05am | Priscilla Feral

What a wrong-headed, mean-spirited massacre of animals who should benefit from a natural system in all National Parks. That's the least we can offer elk, deer, coyotes, wolves and others when federal and state wildlife agencies act like apologists for hunters whose license fees are channeled into those departments.

August 20-21 Marks 100th Anniversary of the "Big Blowup"

Aug 23rd - 10:11am | tahoma

For the outline of the heroic story of fire crew leader Ed Pulaski's desperate retreat to a mine tunnel refuge: http://www.oregonlive.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2010/08/idaho_trail_honors_...

Aug 20th - 11:46am | ecbuck

For a great read about the "Big Blow Up" and the history of the Forest Service get "The Big Burn" by Timothy Egan.

Judge Tosses Personal Watercraft Rules at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Aug 23rd - 10:01am | Dave

> Dave, to say you left less of a trace than the sea kayaks is a bit of a stretch Maybe :-). But there were 40 of them milling around and beaching them on the sensitive shoreline.

District Court Upholds Designation of Critical Winter Habitat for Piping Plovers Along Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Aug 23rd - 09:20am | Ron Saunders

This is for Anon and anyone else that may be interested. With reference to my prior statement about Mr. Rylander, concerning the desire to "see him get his bell rung", I have posted a clearification on the Frank & Fran Fishing Forum where the statement was originally made.

Aug 22nd - 18:42pm | Floyd

Just got back from OBX. Drove on beach at Salvo and down by the lighthouse at the Cape . Went fishing with my daughter. Took everything I brought when I left. Didn' t run over any of the 10 breeding pairs of Plovins or any other wildlife. Went back to Waves for the evening. This is the typical day for ORV'ers at Hatteras Island. I have never seen any ORV'ers abusing the beach or dunes.

Aug 22nd - 11:45am | SS1

“one gets the impression that they truly believe that the shore should be exclusively set aside for the wildlife and those that wish to observe them.”

Aug 20th - 12:00pm | Ron Saunders

Since it seems agreed "all of us own it", I assumed that included me. "Some of you think you own the place", Kinda called for the response. That may just be the most important factor that is missing in the entire dispute. Environmentalists have a hard time seeing any of this as a personal issue.

Aug 20th - 10:18am | SS1

Annon,

Olympic National Park's Hoh Rain Forest: The Video

Aug 23rd - 05:30am | Anonymous

Peggy Thompson's work is some of the finest naturalist photography extant. You should definitely check out some of her other pieces on YouTube including the phenomenal book entitled Portraits of the Living Tao that she did with author Stephen Kaufman. She has a profound eye for beauty that is rarely captured by others. She is without doubt one of our better spiritual artists. She knows...

National Park Mystery Plant 11: My Cup Runneth Over

Aug 21st - 20:18pm | Lee Dalton

RangerLady --- Attaboy, girl!

Grand Teton National Park Researchers Keeping an Eye on Pikas

Aug 21st - 17:40pm | Anonymous

Cool

Cherokee Orchard Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Under Construction

Aug 21st - 17:07pm | TnHiker

Kurt is right of course about the actual Rainbow Falls waterfall being another 4 miles down the mountain from the junction of Alum Cave trail and Bullhead/Rainbow Falls trails. I've always tended to focus on all the other non-waterfall features along hiking trails and sometimes forget that for many, the waterfall feature is the main event.

Aug 21st - 08:42am | Kurt Repanshek

TnHiker, Good catches! You're right, of course, about the Alum CAVE Trail. Fingers went in one direction, brain the other. And I had indeed overlooked the Old Sugarlands Trail. Regarding the Alum Cave Trail, however, it runs about 5 miles to its junction with the Bull Head Trail near Mt. LeConte, and then you still would have about a 4-mile hike to reach Rainbow Falls, no?

Aug 21st - 07:38am | TnHiker

A couple of errors in your article might confuse first-time visitors to this Smokies hiking area: 1. There is no Alum Creek trail. I think you were referring to Alum Cave trail (sometimes known as Alum Cave Bluffs trail).

One Best Hike: Grand Canyon

Aug 21st - 15:26pm | Dirk Faegre

It seems to me that if we provide too much info it takes the adventure out it. GPS waypoints for best rest spots ??? !!! Come on now. Let's stick to the things people really need to know -- like how much water is enough and how to know if you're getting dehydrated.

Teach Your Children Well...When it Comes to Hiking in National Parks And Elsewhere Outdoors

Aug 21st - 11:20am | phoebe

I agree with you. Kids will be a good hiker or camper as long as they are taught the basics and how to be safe at campground. I believe that teaching them the proper way of survival will protect them during outdoor activities such as camping.

Here's a Yellowstone Bear Story: Grizzly Sow Has Quads!

Aug 21st - 09:45am | Becci J.

So glad to see positive info about the Yellowstone bears. It has been a sad year so far and these are a big pick-me-up. Thank you for posting them.

Aug 20th - 22:57pm | Lynn

What a blessing that all 4 of these youngsters are surviving. You can definitely see the size difference of each one in these videos. With nature, normally the smallest is the weakest and it doesn't survive. But all four are very active and show no signs of being weaker than other. It is really nice to see that nature, when left alone, takes care of itself.

Aug 20th - 22:13pm | Cheryl Henry

We were lucky enough to see these bears on vacation in late June. Area we saw them looks like same area as in the video.

Aug 20th - 20:07pm | Sandi

If these were taken in June and May, have ther been any recent sightings of them? Is it possible a bear would ever take on anothers cubs?

Aug 20th - 11:24am | glasse

They look great. Bears are beautiful animals, thanks for showing the videos.

Aug 20th - 09:36am | Dave Crowl

I had to watch all the videos. Thanks for sharing the story.

Aug 20th - 08:36am | Connie Hopkins

She is beautiful, what magnificent creatures! I hope that all 4 grow up, what are their chances?

Rare Motion Pictures Show Civil War Veterans at the 75th Gettysburg Battle Anniversary Reunion

Aug 20th - 23:39pm | gailen oliver

is it not amazing that after all these years that tears still fall over this war

National Park Road Trip 2010: Return to the Beginning

Aug 20th - 17:39pm | David Scott

Our RAV4 actually got over 35 mpg during our trip, so our carbon footprint was substantially below your estimate. Plus, at home we upped the thermostat, cut off the water heater, and turned off all the lights prior to leaving on the trip. This should have helped the environment some.

Aug 20th - 00:58am | Anonymous

Each gallon of gasoline burned contributes 19.6 pounds of CO2 to the atmosphere. The national average MPG for a passenger car is about 25 mpg, which means you generated about 6,272 pounds of CO2 on your trip. My question is: What, if anything, are you doing to offset your carbon pollution from your pleasure trip?

At the Lincoln Memorial, Marian Anderson Delivered an Easter Sunday Performance for the Ages

Aug 20th - 16:26pm | KSod

I first seen and heard Marian Anderson sing this heart swelling rendition on the Glenn Beck show...when she came to the words "Of The WE Sing"...I immediately had tears in my eyes. I can lost feel how those in attendance felt. God Bless America...he surly had bless this woman.

Glacier National Park Enjoys Bullish July

Aug 20th - 15:07pm | Jim Burnett

Milind - For a short, easy walk and the chance for some great photos of peaks reflected in the lake, try the trail to Sun Point. It's along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, on the east side of the park. For those great "mirror" lake effects, you have to catch a time with calm winds - early in the morning is often a good bet.

Aug 20th - 14:36pm | Milind

@ Kurt Thanks for reply. I definitely follow your suggestions and will go to all the places as you mentioned.

Is It "Elitist" To Try to Visit All 58 National Parks?

Aug 20th - 14:00pm | Alan S.

Having enjoyed most of the National Parks and Monuments along with numerous State, County and Local remarkable, historical and natural wonders I have yet to purchase some book that is meant to defined my experiences to a single journal.

Wolverine Sightings Growing in Rocky Mountain National Park

Aug 20th - 10:58am | Ray Rafiti

This does look like a muddy badger. One of the photos I captured last summer can be found on my site (www.rayrafiti.com--->galleries--->small mammals).

Sky-High Ginseng Prices Boost Illegal Harvest in Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Aug 20th - 08:45am | Anonymous

i have been digging wild seng in western north carolina for a few years now and have had really good luck with it. last year i fetched a pound, only dug when i wasent at work or a day off. the economy crashed and now everyone is digging it. this year i have gotten 4 pounds now, dry. I have dug it in town limits....all of it.

Join Yosemite Conservancy and Get a Sweet Deal On High Country Camps in Yosemite National Park

Aug 20th - 08:43am | Kurt Repanshek

No idea if Guacamole is on the menu, Tahoma....;-)

Aug 20th - 08:40am | tahoma

$153/night?? Holy Guacamole!

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.