Eighty-two years have elapsed since The Ahwahnee Hotel, the most opulent lodging in the national parks then, and now, welcomed its first guests. Well, all those seasons and all those guests have taken a toll on the grand dame, and Yosemite National Park officials are contemplating a substantial rehabilitation of the property.

Have you ever had the itch to fly over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter? Do you want a bird's eye view of Crater Lake? Or do you believe the airspace over national parks should be reserved strictly for, well, the birds?

A key section of the Grand Loop road system in Yellowstone National Park will be closed to traffic for the rest of the summer beginning August 17. While that won't keep you from reaching all front-country areas of the park, it will require some substantial detours.