There's just something about a lighthouse that appeals to history buffs, romantics, and lots of other people. The National Park System includes some great lighthouses, but the NPS can't save them all. Sometimes, the best way for the feds to preserve one is to give it away.

A donation of four historic buildings, and a treasure trove of gold-rush era memorabilia, to Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Monument will help the National Park Service better present and interpret that fevered aspect of American history.

Bob Janiskee posted a recent story on the Traveler entitled, "Believe it or Not, Yosemite National Park Once had a Zoo." Some wags might suggest that title could also refer to campgrounds in Yosemite Valley in times past—and a old government report suggests they'd be correct.

Areas near Olympic National Park have been in the news in recent months for some pretty bizarre reasons. First it was those mythical vampires in nearby Forks, Washington, inspired by the best-selling Twilight books and movie. Now there's the following news headline: "Science Finds Swirling Vortex of Poison off Washington Coast."