On December 10 the Hoffman House, which is associated with the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, will be open to the public.

Visit the national parks next summer, because who knows what shape they'll be in in 2013. That was the message Monday evening from National Parks Conservation Association officials in reaction to the failure by Congress' supercommittee to craft a deficit reduction plan.

Serious road cyclists do not often dally about when they're out for a ride, instead preferring to dance on the pedals at speeds of 20 mph and more. While they can easily do that on many National Park System roads, legislation pending in Congress could force them onto paved paths now enjoyed by walkers, folks with strollers, those in wheelchairs, and others not zooming along.

Poor overall populations of razor clams, and recent downward trends in those populations, have prompted Olympic National Park officials to cancel the fall and winter clamming season at Kalaloch.