Despite the towering walls of granite that rim the Yosemite Valley in the heart of Yosemite National Park, the place is decidedly not static. Rather, it's a constantly evolving geologic entity that is both deadly and mesmerizing.

While the current heat wave blistering the East Coast shouldn't last much longer, mid-July is still a great time to go canoeing or kayaking at Gateway National Recreation Area. And on July 17 there will be an outing to explore the NRA's Jamaica Bay.

A female hiker who went down below the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park with a friend who planned to join a float trip was found dead in the canyon after failing to return from the hike.

A father and daughter whose plane crashed in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park must have had angels on their shoulders, for they were able to walk away with only minor injuries while their aircraft was demolished.