If you've traveled Tioga Road through Yosemite National Park at the height of summer, you no doubt have been struck by the grandeur of the high-country scenery. And, you've no doubt noticed the car-clogged trailheads that dot the two-lane road. And the crumbling road shoulders. Well, so have Yosemite officials, who are now beginning work on a plan to rehabilitate 27 miles of the road.

Mike Snyder, the Intermountain regional director for the National Park Service who became a controversial figure over his "core ops" approach to budgeting, has decided to retire rather than take a reassignment.

So popular were the free cave tours at Mammoth Cave National Park last year that park officials have decided to offer similar days this year, beginning with Valentines Day.

Don Neubacher, a 28-year veteran of the National Park Service who has spent the past 15 as superintendent of Point Reyes National Seashore, is moving over to take the helm at Yosemite National Park.