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Reader Participation Day Bonus Survey: What Do You Think Of The President's Off-Shore Drilling Plan?

Apr 1st - 16:08pm | MAX

He's a phony,there will never be one drill rig put up while he is there. You really can't see through this? Come on people.

Apr 1st - 15:58pm | RoadRanger

What do I think of the plan? I'm surprised that Obama would risk the outrage from far left enviros by appealing to the center through off-shore oil and gas extraction.

Apr 1st - 13:15pm | Dennis P Lima

I'm just wondering what the reaction would be if this were a Republican making this decision. Methinks it would be quite different. As for being light years better, really? Escalating the Afghan war, extending the Patriot Act, coming up completely empty in Copenhagen, now offshore drilling. Sounds like Bush III.

Apr 1st - 11:57am | Rick B.

I have to agree with Kevin, above. I was surprised to hear the announcement, but until I see the details can't really make an informed decision. Random Walker - I call him light years better than the one he replaced.

Apr 1st - 11:32am | Random Walker

What do you call a President who escalates war, kills a public option and wants coastal oil drilling? The GOP calls him 'Liberal.'

Apr 1st - 08:27am | Kevin M

I far prefer this to drilling in ANWR or shale drilling in Utah. As long as commercially reasonable, offshore drilling near population centers is something I can support, since there is a built in mechanism to not screw it up. I am a believer in the behavioral concept that sunshine is the best disinfectant.

Apr 1st - 07:59am | dennis g.

At my age I doubt that I'll see it, but I'll be happy when the day comes where we no longer need oil or coal and get our 'power' exclusively from the sun and wind, etc. However, we're a long, long way from that day. Therefore, this move by Obama is the right thing to do - at this time.

Apr 1st - 05:33am | Volpe

Yes, the risks are worth it. Oil is a necessity and you can’t let our country be beholden to any countries that use it as a weapon or tool. The chances of danger to the environment are quite small looking at the record for offshore drilling and the sight of a drilling rig is no more offensive than a very obese woman wearing a thong.

Reader Participation Day: Which National Park Are You Heading to This Year?

Apr 1st - 15:23pm | Anonymous

Headed to Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras National Seashores, Ft. Raleigh National Historical Park, and Wright Brothers National Memorial in September. And as always, Grand Teton and Yellowstone all summer long.

Apr 1st - 09:47am | Anonymous

Taking my 7 year old Grandson to Yellowstone. His first National Park Visit.

Apr 1st - 07:04am | Connie Hopkins

Hey Sparky, Glad to see a fellow St Louisan on here! I was born and raised there myself, in the inner city, my folks and our oldest daughter are still in the area (St Charles County). Have a wonderful time at Crater Lake, that one is still on our bucket list!

Mar 31st - 22:55pm | Sparky

Same picks as PeterB above, but a month earlier in July - Crater Lake and Redwoods. My wife and I both have never been to the northwest (we live in St. Louis). Although we will be staying west of the Lake in Union Creek. Will gladly take advantage of the amenities at the Lodge as a day-tripper, however. ;) Linda & Alex, will we see you there? :D

Mar 31st - 22:28pm | Kathy

Currently at Padre Island Natl Seashore (also Aransas NWR - saw the Whooping Cranes) - this summer to Pictured Rocks and Sleeping Bear Dunes Natl Lakeshores. Love the water!

Mar 31st - 19:07pm | islandpaddler

Ranger Lady, My original plan was to visit Utah, including Capitol Reef, but other things got in the way and now I'm off to Shenandoah. So if I had my way, I'd be winging my way to Utah instead of Newark Airport. And by the way, I'll be spending the summer at Virgin Islands National Park cause that's where I live.

Mar 31st - 17:56pm | Bob M

So many parks, so little time. Which are we going to this year Kurt?

Mar 31st - 17:51pm | Anonymous

That sounds like an amazing adventure! I'll try to not be jealous! Have a great time.

Mar 31st - 17:49pm | Anonymous

We visited Capital Reef in 2008 - loved it! We hiked, picked apples in the orchards, had pie and took tons of pictures! My favorite is the old barn...

Mar 31st - 17:49pm | Connie Hopkins

Linda and Alex, He performs at the MANY GLACIER HOTEL.

Mar 31st - 17:48pm | Connie Hopkins

Linda and Alex!

Mar 31st - 16:37pm | RangerLady

I'm heading to every park within a 5 hour drive of Capitol Reef NP: Arches, Canyonlands, Canyon de Chelly, Navajo, Mesa Verde, etc... I'm going to enjoy living in the west! I'm also hoping to head back east to see family and go to Shenandoah and Assateague Island to visit co-workers.

Mar 31st - 15:48pm | Anonymous

I live in CO and am taking my 2 yr old son on a road trip west through Canyonlands and Bryce, then out to Yosemeti and Redwoods, then back to Yellowstone and then home. We visit Rocky Mountain all summer long.

Mar 31st - 14:01pm | Big "O"

Grand Teton and Glaicier National Park!!!

Mar 31st - 13:45pm | Phil1701

The last week in May we are headed off to Yosemite NP by way of the California Zephyr to Sacramento.Planning on visiting Sequoia NP and traveling the PCH down to San Diego.

Mar 31st - 13:22pm | Brad

We are headed to the Blue Ridge Parkway in April for some great hiking and wildflower viewing. Cannot wait!

Mar 31st - 13:22pm | Brad

We too must stay local but there is never a bad day in a NP unit.

Mar 31st - 13:21pm | Brad

What a great site for a "business" trip. :)

Mar 31st - 13:19pm | Brad

You will love it! Wrangell-St. Elias was our favorite.

Mar 31st - 13:19pm | Linda & Alex

We too are Texans and travelling to Glacier NP in July 2010. We're leaving East Texas July 5th for a 3 month trip, pulling an RV. Will also visit Mt. Rushmore, Olympia NP (Wash.), Crater Lake (Oregon), Oregon Coast, Yosemite, Redwoods, Zion, Bryce, Canyonland and any other NP along the way.

Mar 31st - 13:19pm | Bill O

Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion

Mar 31st - 12:26pm | Rick B.

National Park of American Samoa this summer. My wife is on a business trip there and I'll be joining her. I think it'll be a great adventure - as well as very tiring travel. Six hours to Hawaii, several hour layover, six further hours to Pago Pago.

Mar 31st - 12:24pm | y_p_w

Sadly, and for reasons somewhat out of my control, I'm probably going to have to limit my NPS consumption this year to local sites like Muir Woods NM, Golden Gate NRA, and Point Reyes NS.

Mar 31st - 11:45am | islandpaddler

Since I have to be on the East Coast in May, we're going to Shenandoah. Truthfully, the western parks are my favorites, but I think we'll still have a good time camping out. Hope we don't freeze.

Updated: NPS Employee Sentenced For Guiding Moose Hunt in Denali National Park and Preserve

Apr 1st - 13:27pm | Anonymous

I'm a state of Michigan employee. We have a clause in our civil-service contract called 'Conduct unbecoming'. If I took vacation time and robbed our office, I'd be fired. That's in effect whan this woman did. Can her.

Federal Judge Issues Scathing Opinion in Blocking "Concealed Carry" In National Parks, Wildlife Refuges

Apr 1st - 10:44am | Kurt Repanshek

The law did indeed take effect in February, but it was specific to national parks and national wildlife refuges. Not sure what your local national forest rules are, however, so you'd best check with them directly.

Apr 1st - 10:40am | Chris

Did it take effect in Feb? I'bve gotten so much confusing and conflicting info on the subject. I visit the Uwharrie National Forest frequently and just want to know if it's legal for me to carry there.

National Park Quiz 80: Water

Apr 1st - 10:26am | Kirby Adams

Good point, and still a more sporting method of lake building, in my opinion. Now, I just have to get there to see the darned thing. May of next year, it looks like, if all goes well. Tanganyika (and Malawi) and Baikal are on my bucket list as well, but a bit more difficult to pull off trips to see them.

Apr 1st - 08:50am | pkrnger

Kirby, actually, the "crater" of Crater Lake isn't a crater at all, but a 4000 foot deep caldera formed from the inward collapse of ancient Mt. Mazama, a 12,000 foot high strato volcano of the High Cascades that emptied much of its magma chamber during its climactic eruptions, some 7,700 years ago.

Apr 1st - 08:33am | Kirby Adams

Those stats are even more impressive in the light of Baikal and Tanganyika both being rift lakes, essentially knife gouges in the earth. Crater is...well...a crater. Somehow, getting your depth with the help of fault rifts seems like cheating to me. Crater's doing it right, in my book of lake etiquette.

Apr 1st - 05:52am | Bob Janiskee

Those sure are interesting statistics, Owen. Thanks for sharing. For more Crater Lake statistics, see my October 16, 2009 Traveler posting "By the Numbers: Crater Lake". Bye-the-bye, Crater Lake contains about four cubic miles of water.

Mar 31st - 14:42pm | pkrnger

Bob, Did you know that , that Crater Lake, based on a comparison of average depths, is the deepest lake in the world, among those lakes whose basin's are entirely above sea level? Lakes Baikal and Tanganyika are deeper, but both of these lakes have basins that extend below sea level.

By the Numbers: Crater Lake National Park

Apr 1st - 09:34am | pkrnger

By the way, an excellent, abiet "fictional," account of the days of the 1975 water crises at Crater Lake is described in the book, "Why is Crater Lake so Blue?" by Michael Lalumiere. Unfortunately, there are only a few copies of this book available online, as it has recently sold out.

Apr 1st - 09:15am | pkrnger

Thanks Bob for alerting me to this fine article. Here are some modifications to the facts you have quoted above: (1) The filling of Crater Lake is estimated to have taken many centuries, perhaps more than 1000 years, due to fluctuations in climate and precipitation and the presence of subsurface seepage.

By the Numbers: Yosemite National Park Visitor Use

Apr 1st - 08:59am | Bob Janiskee

Thanks for straightening me out on that photo caption, Owen. The error was mine, not the photographer's. That ratio of warnings to citations does seem high. I'm afraid that I'd have to do a bit of digging to see how YOSE compares with other NPS units in that regard.

Apr 1st - 08:41am | pkrnger

Bob, those are very interesting statistics. You might note that your photo is of Washburn Point, not Glacier Point. [Ed: The correction has been made in the photo caption.] It's easy to discern the difference. When you are at Glacier Point, it's possible to see the north face of Half Dome, while at Washburn Point, the north face of Half Dome is perpendicular to the line of sight.

The Ghosts Of Yellowstone National Park

Mar 31st - 21:32pm | Jeremy Shaw

As an employee of TWServices during the summers of 1986 and 1987 at the Old Faithful Inn location, I can verify some of the stories from the Inn. I worked as a line cook at OFI. I became friends with the security guards because I would get off work late and then hang around in front of the fire place or go to the second floor to write letters from the small tables in the public area.

House Passes Legislation That Could Lead the National Park Service to Rebuild Road at North Cascades National Park

Mar 31st - 21:23pm | RodF

Anonymous on Jan. 15: your comments echo those of Senator Dan Evans, sponsor of the bill which created NCNP's Steven Mather Wilderness. In his testimony before Congress last July:

Are National Park Brochures Beginning to Rely on the Internet For Depth?

Mar 31st - 19:33pm | Lee Rademaker

The fact that most, if not all, of us on this website care more about parks and their natural and human histories makes us bad judges of proper content amounts on park handouts. I consider myself an "Informivore", any little crumb of information that the park will give me is read... and often reread.

El Capitan Gets Nod To Showcase Yosemite National Park on Commemorative Quarter

Mar 31st - 14:46pm | pkrnger

Ranger, thank you for commenting and giving us the link to the finalist prototypes for the Yosemite quarter. I personally would have selected the first candidate. It's the one which featured Yosemite Falls and the north granite wall with a bear in the foreground. I would have preferred Half Dome to El Capitan, but as you implied, the artwork on the image of Half Dome was clearly inferior.

NPCA: Independent Review Shows Wolf Population Goals Too Low in Washington State

Mar 31st - 14:15pm | RodF

The ultimate stable "target" wolf population (300 to 500?) will be determined by prey populations and habitat. It is likely 2 to 3 times higher than the minimum sustainable wolf population (75-150?) proposed by WDFW for delisting from sensitive status.

Great Progress Means Loop Road around Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Will Reopen Early

Mar 31st - 13:24pm | Brad

Kudos to the staff at GSMNP and the contracting company that finished this so quickly.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.