Ponderosa pine trees are widespread in western and southwestern units of the National Park System. These trees with their red-yellow bark that looks like jigsaw puzzle pieces exudes a pleasant aroma on a warm, sunny day of vanilla, butterscotch, cookies, cinnamon, or coconut, depending upon the perception of the person smelling the tree bark. That’s right – smelling the bark.
It’s unusual for members of Congress to have nothing to say on legislation. But there was ample silence from Republicans when the House Natural Resources Committee crafted how and where to slash Interior Department and other agencies’ funding, including for the National Park Service.
Have you seen Yellowstone’s iconic Old Faithful Inn without its portico? Did you know employees at the North Rim’s Grand Canyon Lodge serenaded departing guests?
It’s the start of National Park Week 2025. If you haven’t already worked up some plans to visit a national park, then this week should be the impetus you need to start formulating an idea for a trip to one of the 433 units within the National Park System.
Legislators in two Western states have their eyes on federal lands, with the Wyoming Legislature being asked to approve a resolution that all federal lands inside the Cowboy State, except Yellowstone National Park, be turned over, while Utah legislators are being asked to get behind a measure calling for them to "co-manage" the national parks in their state.