It's not every day that vehicles find their way into rivers in the National Park System, but it happened twice in the span of six days in September, once apparently due to too much libation for the driver, and once due to inattentiveness.

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.

An upcoming weekend event at Valley Forge National Historical Park will have plenty to offer for professional historians and history buffs alike. Lock, Stock & Barrel: The World of the Continental Soldier promises a wealth of information about the men and women who made history at Valley Forge.

Stories passed down about the harsh Continental Army encampment at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78 often note the brutally cold, snowy weather and the under-equipped and hungry troops. Should we be surprised that some of the soldiers were "fond of strong liquor"?