| National Parks Traveler

Steve, good suggestion about captioning. We'll look into it. Until then, from top to bottom: * Trumpeter swans on Firehole River in Yellowstone in January * Saguaro National Park in April * Formations en route to Chesler Park in Canyonlands in May * Tower of Babel in Arches in May * Grant Kohrs ranch house in July

Dec 26th - 16:55pm | Steve Nelson

Kurt, great site, generally and this article is good also. Is there any way that a caption for the picture could appear when you place the cursor on it? Although some are obvious, I can't match every picture with the park you visited. Thanks. Steve Nelson Marlborough, MA

Record of Decision on Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV Plan OKed, But Implementation Months Away

Dec 27th - 08:05am | Matt Stubbs

Wow every time I see a response from SS! I think of a Dictator from Germany so long ago. "The ORV lobby has been accumulating a war chest of money. They will go to court. " Really And you seem to blame those ORV Crowd types for doing so.... I see you did not criticize the Enviros and they have done this several times!!!!

Dec 24th - 10:23am | Ron Saunders

SS!

Dec 24th - 05:32am | SS!

Kurt,

Dec 22nd - 17:46pm | Ron Saunders

Matt,

Dec 22nd - 13:31pm | Matt Stubbs

"Counting each and every visitor, while it would be helpful in terms of head counts, likely would be more difficult with multiple entrances" That is not true if we used the 7 day permit issued by most national parks. "Frankly, more of a hassle is the lack of parking at many beaches at Cape Cod."

Dec 22nd - 11:49am | Matt Stubbs

If indeed you do visit next year please let me and Mr. Pitt know as we can give you a nickel tour of why we say what we say. We can also show you why so many are passionate about this place.

Dec 22nd - 10:13am | Kurt Repanshek

Dave, Regarding tourism numbers, true, it's difficult to gauge from afar, but here are some stats from the NPS: * Overall, tourism year-to-date at Cape Hatteras is at a little more than 2.1 million, vs. 2.2 million a year ago, so down just under 4 percent; * Bodie Island visitation is down 4.3 percent, to just more than 2 million;

Dec 22nd - 09:53am | Dave Vachet

Kurt,

Dec 22nd - 09:27am | Kurt Repanshek

Matt, I know at least some other parks -- Cape Cod National Seashore comes immediately to mind -- already require permits for ORVs, and it's not that big of a deal. Frankly, more of a hassle is the lack of parking at many beaches at Cape Cod. In some you park your rig in a lot away from the beach and ride a shuttle to the beach...hauling all your gear with you.

Becoming Odyssa, Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail

Dec 26th - 21:33pm | MaryM

The AT has so much to offer. It takes a gutsy woman to do it on her own.

Francis Beidler’s Long-Ago Decision Saved the Forest that Became Congaree National Park

Dec 26th - 10:06am | Amy Martin

Tom, My Great, Great Grandfather was Francis Beidler's head accountant at the Santee River Cypress Company in Ferguson. I have a ton of pictures of the town when it was a thriving logging town. I also have a copy of a hand drawn map that identifies where the railroad was in Ferguson. I'd be glad to share this with you. I am on faculty at USC and live in the Columbia area.

Video: Glacier National Park's Lake McDonald on a Clear and Gorgeous Winter's Day

Dec 25th - 12:00pm | Connie Hopkins

Glacier NP is my favorite and this view makes me yearn to go back there! I'd love to see the Park in Wintertime they way we have Yellowstone. Speaking of Yellowstone: Exactly one year ago today our family spent Christmas in Yellowstone and witnessed Giantess Geyser going off all day long! Wonderful memories, love our National Parks! Merry Christmas everyone!

By the Numbers: John Muir National Historic Site

Dec 24th - 14:02pm | y_p_w

I served jury duty in Martinez once for five weeks and would drive by John Muir NHS each day. I wasn't sure what it was, since it was in a currently nondescript location next to California Highway 4. I've since visited a couple of times. The Mt Wanda walks can be pretty nice, but the parking lot (a park and ride lot on weekdays) fills up quickly.

House Republicans Say Interior Secretary's Proposed Snake Ban Bad for Business

Dec 23rd - 16:40pm | BeardedGeckoBalls

Hi. My name is Brian Beale and I am a reptile breeder in Oregon. I just want to say that I believe Banning constrictors is not a good solution to Florida's problem in the Everglades. This would be a devistating blow to all Herpers. Keepers and breeders alike. I am however, very much apposed to the gross importation off ALL reptile/animal species from their native habitats.

Welcome The New Year With Fireworks Display At Colorado National Monument

Dec 23rd - 11:49am | Lee Dalton

Thanks. I figured it had to be something like that. Sorry about not clicking -- but I was just becoming comfortable with the 20th Century and here came the 21st!

Dec 23rd - 11:30am | Anonymous

Lee--

Dec 23rd - 08:27am | Lee Dalton

It sounds like a lot of fun --- but who's paying for it?

House Republicans Continue To Blame Environmental Regulations for Border Security Woes

Dec 23rd - 11:08am | justinh

Leave it to Rep. Bishop to provide a solution by misrepresenting the problem.

Dec 22nd - 16:08pm | Ron Saunders

Going by memory, I believe I recall in two reports now that 24 out of 26 +/_ border areas stated that fed Regs were not hindering security efforts. OK. How about those other 2. ( typical "best available science" ) If I wanted to cross the border illegally, I think I know where I'd go to do it. Or, maybe I missed something.

Some Special "Sounds of the Season"—Hear the Songs of Humpback Whales Online

Dec 23rd - 10:32am | skott daltonic

you're actually not right. whales are in danger of things other than hunting. ship strikes. naval sonar. sound pollution. global warming. these animals still need our protection.

National Park Mystery Plant 15: Count One, Two, Three and Stop

Dec 23rd - 08:06am | Bob Janiskee

Give yourself credit for honoring the point, MaryBeth.

Dec 23rd - 07:53am | MaryBeth

I was going to say Piper's Bellflower but somebody already did and you verified it---I live in Washington and should know. LO MB

Dec 22nd - 14:40pm | Bob Janiskee

The piper's bellflower is, in fact, a very short plant. :o)

Dec 22nd - 13:59pm | Anonymous

tall bellflower

Dec 22nd - 12:46pm | Bob Janiskee

Nice going, Ranger. It's piper's bellflower. You needed to search the Internet to get that one, huh? :o) The quizmeister is going to give you an "A" anyway. BTW, Anon's "bellflower" guess would have been OK, except for the fact that there are several cultivars, and only piper's bellflower grows in a national park.

Dec 22nd - 12:41pm | Bob Janiskee

Not Bells of Ireland.

Dec 22nd - 12:40pm | Bob Janiskee

Not Scotch Bonnet Peppers.

Dec 22nd - 12:30pm | Ranger

Found it: "Piper's bellflower, a wildflower unique to the Olympic Mountains, often grows in cracks in rocks." (http://www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/alpine.htm)

Dec 22nd - 12:13pm | Danny

Bells of Ireland

Dec 22nd - 12:06pm | Danny

Scotch Bonnet Peppers

Dec 22nd - 11:34am | Bob Janiskee

Sorry; not Scotch bonnet, not Scotch Herebell, and not Scotch anything.

Dec 22nd - 11:31am | Arthur

Third guess, based upon last clue--Scotch Harebell?

Dec 22nd - 11:26am | Arthur

O.k. My second guess--Scotch Bonnet?

Dec 22nd - 11:24am | Bob Janiskee

No need to stray so far afield from that very first guess, which lacked only the required modifier. The quizmeister is waiting on a complete answer.

Dec 22nd - 11:07am | Kurt Repanshek

No, not Scotch broom, but I like your thinking!

Dec 22nd - 10:37am | Arthur

How about Scotch broom?

Dec 22nd - 10:15am | Kurt Repanshek

No, afraid it's not a thistle.

Dec 22nd - 10:12am | Anonymous

thistle

Dec 22nd - 09:27am | Bob Janiskee

Nope; not Scottish bluebell.

Dec 22nd - 09:26am | Anonymous

Scottish Bluebell

American Indians in the Civil War? Petersburg National Battlefield is Part of the Story

Dec 22nd - 14:56pm | Jim Burnett

Chief Bushyhead - Thanks for your comment, and I stand corrected if there is documented evidence about the Native American's fears concerning slavery if the South won the war. No offense was intended for the professional opinions of historians.

Dec 22nd - 14:38pm | Bob Janiskee

The Saginaw Chippewa tribe still exists and is federally registered. The tribe has a small reservation, the nearly 220 square-mile Isabella Indian Reservation, in Isabella County, Michigan. On that land it operates, among other things, a casino in which various Janiskees have left money behind. Part of the city of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, lies within the boundaries of the tribal lands.

Dec 22nd - 13:56pm | Ann Blumenschine

A quote from a Chippewa Chief, which can be found on page 59 of the book, "These Men Have Seen Hard Service", which is the regimental history for the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, is where the fear of slavery theory came from. Whether this was an actual fear or simply propaganda to motivate the Indians into service is debatable.

Dec 22nd - 13:41pm | Ann

The regimental history for the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters titled, "These Men Have Seen Hard Service" contains a quote from Saginaw Chippewa Chief Nock-ke-chick-faw-me which stated, "If the South conquers you will be slaves, dogs. There will be no protection for us; we shall be driven from our homes, our lands and the graves of our friends." This quote can be found on page 59 of that book.

Dec 22nd - 13:13pm | Chief Bushyhead

"At this point in history, any opinions about why Native Americans chose to fight for either side are just that ... opinions" No. They are the opinions of professional historians who have looked at the historical record, including primary sources, and have arrived at a conclusion based on the evidence. "Between Two Fires" is one example.

Reader Participation Day: Will A Rap Video Connect Younger Generations With National Parks?

Dec 22nd - 13:18pm | Jenn

As a 20-something, I think this video is pretty good. Song is catchy, there's a little humor (kid dressed up as a historic figure) and I like that diverse youth are conveying the message. However, I think it could use a little more humor and it's too long. Kids are bombarded with videos and media messages every day. You have to grab and hold their attention quickly.

Dec 22nd - 12:38pm | Ranger

Can't watch the New Bedford video from here so can't comment on that, but the Everglades rap video is awesome: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/17/1778867/teens-rap-on-virtues-of-ev... I'm all for whatever connects people to their parks, as long as both are respected.

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