Small historical parks are often overlooked as possible locations for easy park hikes, and that's a shame, because many of them offer some fine opportunities. That's definitely the case at Carl Sandburg Home National Historical Site in North Carolina, which includes both an easy hike or two plus just a little exercise on a nice network of trails.

At Congaree National Park, a surprise disclosure prompts Ranger Fran to modify his Owl Prowl introductory spiel. It's the ethical thing to do.

Trying to keep up to date with all the various websites that exist on a daily basis is impossible. Just the sheer number make it impossible, and add in business and travel and, well, there just isn't enough time in a day. To help you stay abreast of national park news, we're offering you weekly email updates.

Beach combers always are searching for the unusual, but a crew cleaning up oil at Gulf Islands National Seashore found a message in a bottle honoring a British soldier killed in Afghanistan.