Designs for a new visitor center as well as an "exhibit hall" that would both protect and display a cliffside studded with fossils have been released by Dinosaur National Monument officials, who now must find companies that can build the two facilities.

While there was ample advance notice of U.S. postage stamps honoring Zion and Grand Teton national parks earlier this year, a stamp in honor of Dry Tortugas National Park slipped right by Traveler's notice.

Two weeks ago we suggested a new tradition, that of thanking national park rangers for their service every July 29. Well, today's the 29th, so thank a ranger if you see one today.

True, when you consider that the maintenance backlog across the National Park System is some $8 billion or so, the $750 million-$920 million being spent in the parks courtesy of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act isn't that significant. Still, some good work is being done with the money.