Snow, possibly more than a foot on the ground, is hampering efforts to find an overdue backpacker who might be in the high country of Kings Canyon National Park.

Ghostly encounters aren't commonplace in the National Park System, but then, they're not unheard of, either, as we'll point out in a series of stories this week. The first is from Voyageurs National Park.

In the years leading up to—and during—World War II, the technology and techniques for "homeland security" were much different than those used today. The recent arrival of a giant naval gun at Golden Gate National Recreation Area will help tell the story of coastal naval defenses during a key period in our nation's history.

There is a real possibility three of the four lodging facilities on the Blue Ridge Parkway will close or remain closed following the 2012 season.