Yosemite National Park is a landscape of big cliffs, outcrops, and granite domes. But it also is where towering waterfalls, shimmering lakes, and meandering streams mesmerize visitors. In this edition of Yosemite Nature Notes, videographer Steven Bumgardner looks at water in Yosemite.

The year began with a gloomy outlook for travel, with forecasts of $5 per gallon or more for gas all summer. Recent price trends, however, have been downward, with the latest predictions for a national average price of $3.79 per gallon—not much different from 2011. Will the ups and downs of gas prices affect your plans to visit a park this summer?

Glassworks are one of the tools of interpretation at historic Jamestown in Colonial National Historical Park. Today you can watch as artisans recreate glass vessels using time-honored practices.

Anxious to explore Yellowstone National Park this summer but unsure on how to approach your visit? There likely is a multi-day package trip available that will suit your desires.