The U. S. Geological Survey is applying lessons learned from the recent debacle with Air Force One flying over New York City for a photo op. The scientists will be making some scientific overflights at Grand Canyon National Park for the next six days, and they're doing their best to inform the public in advance.

Two groups of boaters encountered problems recently at separate coastal parks, but the situations had vastly different outcomes. Seven teenagers in North Carolina fared immensely better than a group of adults in Mississippi. Four members of the latter group spent the night in the water and 1 is still missing.

National parks often are looked upon as places of not just great beauty, but also great inspiration. So it's only natural that they should spur the creative juices of writers, painters, sculptors, and other artists.