| Page 1423 | National Parks Traveler

You'll have to forgive my ignorance in my previous comment. I found there is also much research going on to find a "killer" for this plant. I read scientists and biologists have been working on finding natural enemies of this plant in many of the areas where it originated from. On that note, I will remember to learn before I speak.

Feb 24th - 09:11am | barefootindonna

I remember this plant when I lived down south. It was all over, but most times you could see the hanging vines from where people were cutting it down to make use in home decorations. I pulled up a website for this blanket vine and found many people harvest this plant for not only medicinal purposes but for design as well.

Feb 23rd - 13:20pm | RAH

Well I may have been wrong and it was goats. it was while since I saw that show. I have not heard about this climbing fern before but reminded me of kudzu which has reached MD now. This is just nature at its worst or best with a new interloping sucessfully crowding out existing lifeforms.

Feb 23rd - 12:34pm | Bob Janiskee

Kudzu is a whole 'nuther matter, RAH. Being a South Carolina resident, I'm thoroughly familiar with "the plant that ate the South." Some people say that you can only kill kudzu by driving a stake through it's heart, but I suspect that may be an exaggeration. I've seen goats used for kudzu control, but this is the first I've heard of sheep being used for that purpose.

Feb 23rd - 12:11pm | RAH

As I try to clear vines and honeysuckle from overgrown gardens and cut down treees that have grown up I recall that Leif Erickson wanted to call this land " Vineland" I think that is very appropiate. It is an exhausting struggle to clear vines and this seems to a similar situation.

Tredegar Ironworks: A Civil War Icon Preserved at Richmond National Battlefield Park

Feb 24th - 09:04am | barefootindonna

I toured this lovely ironworks when I was there in 2006. Amazing. Finding it was an adventure in of itself as well. I saw so many amazing older buildings (I'm a huge fan of architecture) my excitement at finding this place was bumped up a notch at wanting to just stop and check these buildings out. I didn't tour the museum since I too lacked the expense of admission at the time.

Feb 24th - 05:48am | Bob Janiskee

Richmond is definitely on my list, dap. I want to check out Tredegar (including that museum) for myself, but mostly I want to explore Richmond. At one time or another I've visited nearly all the battlefields in your area, but it's been a looooooong time since I've been in your fair city. I suppose it must have changed a good bit since 1964?

Feb 23rd - 13:56pm | dapster

Bob, Thank you so very much for your kind words on my first-time-ever article! It was enjoyable to create, to say the least, and Kurt was kind enough to allow me to do so for NPT!

Feb 23rd - 11:05am | Bob Janiskee

Nice article, dapster. Makes me want to go back to Richmond and take a closer look. I'm very interested in the American Civil War Center Museum. You only mentioned it in passing, so I have to ask; is it worth a special trip?

NPCA, PEER Voice Concerns Over Proposed Mountain Bike Rule Change In National Parks

Feb 24th - 01:27am | imtnbke

A Denver Post article on the same topic has triggered an avalanche of comments there, so on the off-chance that people haven't had their fill of discussions of this issue, I'm providing a link to the debate: http://neighbors.denverpost.com/viewtopic.php?t=11762899

Feb 22nd - 22:45pm | Anonymous

odd-even? are you kidding me? that's something that heavily used urban interface trails under take for things like dogs on leash or mountain bikes/no mountain bikes... how would this play out in the short visitation season in yellowstone?

Feb 22nd - 21:32pm | Zebulon

So, if I understand well, national parks are special and therefore bikes should be kept out (same argument for wilderness). There is obviously no logical link whatsoever. Lee, I admire your wishful thinking, but one has to be realistic. If we want the future generation to come back to the parks, we are going to have to adapt to them. Young kids aren't hiking, but they sure are biking.

Feb 22nd - 21:11pm | Kurt Repanshek

IMTN, I'm certainly willing to keep an open mind, and have readily pointed to many parks where there already are mountain bike opportunities, and even shared trail efforts (Mammoth Cave). But I've yet to be convinced that we should just lump national parks along with other public lands and treat them as such.

Feb 22nd - 20:47pm | imtnbke

I think this is an excellent dialogue. I wish we could all meet sometime and hash these issues out in a way that might bring about change in trail management in the national parks. There's a lot of wisdom in these posts.

Feb 22nd - 18:49pm | HightechParks

The truth is that a growing number of people can't seem to escape their couch. Zebulon

Bush Administration's Haste Could Doom New Gun Rules In National Parks

Feb 23rd - 23:58pm | Fred Miller

Anonymous said, "The overwhelming majority of respondants, to the tune of 73%, were adamently opposed to the rule change."

Feb 23rd - 17:18pm | Anonymous

Sailorcurt, Sorry to be the one to inform you that you have your facts 180 degrees off! The overwhelming majority of respondants, to the tune of 73%, were adamently opposed to the rule change.

Feb 23rd - 12:59pm | Anonymous

I don't recall having a Bill of Needs. A Bill of Rights we do have. I don't see the Need to allow you post your drivel on the internet. However I do see you have the Right. -TF...

Spammers Are Targeting National Parks Traveler

Feb 23rd - 15:53pm | Steve B

Sorry to hear abou that. I hope you catch them, Kurt.

Feb 22nd - 20:07pm | Fred Miller

Kurt, once again I thank you for running this blog. I hate to hear that the NPT has been spammed. Regular followers will always know that any "trash talk" did NOT come from this enjoyable and informative website. Hopefully we can keep any future attacks to a bare minimum.

Can You Find the Desert Five-Spot In Death Valley National Park?

Feb 23rd - 13:55pm | Anonymous

I've seen many Desert Five Spots in my winters in Death Valley. I would recommend driving thru the town of Shoshone and North thru the south end of the park (I believe it is Hwy 178), past Ashford Mill and Mormon Point. The flowers usually start blooming in the South end of the park and work their way North. Plus I've seen desert bighorn sheep a few times around the Mormon Point area.

Feb 23rd - 13:46pm | Anonymous

Will be going to Death Valley next week for vacation.I know it will only be the beginning of the wild flower explosion, but I will be looking for the Desert Five Spot and many more. I am a Grand Canyon employee but must confess Death Valley is my favorite park to visit.

National Park Quiz 38: African Americans

Feb 23rd - 12:38pm | Bob Janiskee

Thanks for the feedback, Denny. I had no idea that the Wrights and Dunbar were classmates.

Feb 23rd - 12:27pm | Denny in Dayton

12. The Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park does not just consist of the Wright Cycle Company complex and other sites associated with the Wright Brothers. It also includes the Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial. This memorial, which is operated by the Ohio Historical Society, preserves the home of a renowned African American a. aviator b. musician and painter

Why is Clear-cutting Allowed in Japan's Iconic Park, Daisetsuzan?

Feb 23rd - 11:53am | HightechParks

I was able to find an official website that seems to show a protection plan and a use plan.

Feb 23rd - 11:32am | HightechParks

I surely wouldn't stand for seeing this in any US park. But, there are other models of parks where logging may be an appropriate. One example is based off of the Biosphere Reserve .

What Would Wildlife Say About Concealed Carry in National Parks?

Feb 23rd - 11:30am | RAH

I do also Bryan. the past evidence in NF and the states have been so far good. No one wants what you fear. The primary difference is that most people equate guns and criminals and since criminals do bad things with guns that bleeds over into fear what decent people will do. But guns are just a tool used for ill or good.

Feb 23rd - 10:39am | Bryan

I truly hope that you are right RAH.

Feb 23rd - 10:16am | RAH

Good for you Red Mountain Rob. May you never have to use the weapon against any predator human or animal. Remember bears may be armed and cougars get hungry. With your fire they can get a lot more than a quarter pounder. Many days of nicly cooked meat.

Feb 23rd - 09:29am | Red Mountain Rob

Red Mountain Rob I've just recently had to come to face this issue in my own life. I have hiked many a mile, climbed most of the 14'ers in Colorado and not once carried gun while hiking. But things in my life have changed, I'm older, retired, my health is not what it once was, moved to a new area and no longer think I can get myself out of most any jam by my wits.

Feb 23rd - 08:56am | RAH

First of all, the premise that the public is irresponsible is not one I accept. If that was true then we should not rule ourselves but rather have rulers imposed on us like divine kings.

Feb 23rd - 07:11am | Bryan

Folks, I think the bottom line here is that in general, the public is irresponsible. Adding guns to our peaceful National Parks will just add violence. Anyone can argue about the few "drug dealers" or anyone who disobeys laws that will ultimately carry weapons in the NPS may/will rob and/or murder others.

Feb 23rd - 06:29am | DD-393

Bears shoot in the woods? You mean I had it wrong all these years?

Feb 23rd - 03:24am | Vince G

Actually, if more people were armed, then animals would be afraid of people and stay away from them like they used to rather than thinking that they are unarmed prey like the Mt. Tamalpais lady. Oh, that's right! People were more worried about the orphaned cats than the orphaned kids.

Feb 23rd - 00:06am | Lee

Nobody can predict bear behavior (especially over a long period of time). However, it is possible to read their behavior in a way that will help a person predict their next move. I am not talking "horse whisperer" reading, but bear experts can tell you if a bear is acting aggressive or is unconcerned.

Feb 22nd - 21:27pm | Bill R.

A very thoughtful response. Common sense sholud rule. CCW permit holders are not just gun owners or registered gun owners. They have gone the extra mile for some training (though minor) and a back ground check to make sure they are not convicted felons.

Feb 22nd - 20:59pm | Amstutz

Kurt,

Feb 22nd - 19:49pm | Anonymous

Well Lee, we will see if your belief is correct or mine. Time will tell. I do not beleive that more deaths of wildlife will occur from CCW holders than happened before without considering many were carrying without the legal sanction.

Feb 22nd - 18:33pm | Bill Wade

As an old friend of mine used to say: "Wolves don't vote, piping plovers don't lobby, and ginseng doesn't contribute to political candidates...unfortunately!! Bill Wade Chair, Executive Council Coalition of National Park Service Retirees

Secretary Salazar Calls for Review Of Gun Rules in National Parks

Feb 23rd - 10:08am | RAH

I may be a wildlife biologist or ethnologist. You do not know. I asked questions and thanked you for the links. As I said east coast NPS park info does not warn about charges and we only have black bears. I have traveled the back country for 40 years and have never met a bear in a hostile encounter. I have seen their scat and heard them at night while backpacking.

Feb 23rd - 08:52am | MRC

So you have become a wildlife biologist or an ethologist by now? Please don't interpret the facts, just accept them in the first place. Bluff charges are real, they happen much more often than real charges and not only bears use them.

How Will Stimulus Help the Parks? At Great Sand Dunes National Park It Could Mean Reclamation and Restoration

Feb 23rd - 08:47am | Red Mountain Rob

Red Mountain Rob

Freeze On New Regs Could Impact Efforts to Expand Mountain Biking in National Parks

Feb 23rd - 07:34am | toothdoctor

Dubbya, I mean Zebulon,

Feb 22nd - 23:52pm | Zebulon

Toothdoctor, what a lame argument. Bikers need to get over it because they impact the trail! 1) the science does not back your claim, and 2) why are horses allowed since they destroy the trails more than any other user? Another poorly thought out contrived argument to justify the unjustifiable. Funny.

Feb 22nd - 20:41pm | imtnbke

Tooth Doctor, I appreciate your reply and understand your points. I know that many will regard comparing basic civil rights for racial minorities to mountain bike access in the national parks as a poor or even insulting comparison. (I'm not saying that you're reacting that strongly, but others no doubt would.)

Feb 22nd - 19:35pm | toothdoctor

imtnbke,

Feb 22nd - 18:27pm | imtnbke

Ah, Tooth Doctor . . . know ye not our country's social history? For your sniping at Zebulon has a long and unfortunate pedigree in the context of excluding social groups. Many were the people who told Rosa Parks to accept her place at the back of the bus. A few of them even were black.

Coal-Fired Plants Obscuring National Park Vistas

Feb 22nd - 19:57pm | Pompey Road

We get some of the blue haze in the distance when we look several ridges over up here in East Kentucky. Visibility is not our problem, what you see sometimes is disturbing to view. Mountain Top Removal is destroying our beautiful portion of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Singer Dolly Parton Named Ambassador for Great Smoky Mountains National Park's Anniversary

Feb 22nd - 17:03pm | Anonymous

Yes! She is fantastic and can talk with anybody in any situation. Extremely intelligent but has some fun with the county blonde routine! She has many jewels in her crown of achievments. I especially love the way she provides employment for the people in her area and apologize for mis-spelling Sevierville. We all up here in E.Ky make the pilgrimage down to Gatlinburg and of course DollyWood.

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