| Page 1481 | National Parks Traveler

In Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado, many old Hispano families claim their land grants were stolen and are now managed by the National Parks System. Will your documentary cover this? Latinos say you have a blind-spot to their history in this country. This seems like a good opportunity to make up for it.

Musings From Yellowstone National Park

Sep 23rd - 10:27am | jsmacdonald

The issue of race in the national parks is not a new subject on Traveler. As a point of reference, please see this link and the ensuing discussion that Wayne Hare touched off.

Sep 23rd - 10:06am | Kirby Adams

I'll go out on a limb and propose that non-white people (as opposed to the "white" people Kurt speaks of) don't have a cultural interest in conservation or nature like many segments of the white community do. Maybe this is an artifact of the way minorities have gravitated to urban areas - not because they love the city, but because the city loved them.

Sep 23rd - 00:30am | Bob M

I rarely comment on any posts, but I feel I must this time. Kurt made a statement. A mere observation. An observation of fact. Nothing more, nothing less. And now he is called out for his statement. Why? Is it because he said, "The King isn't wearing any clothes."? A fact is a fact.

Sep 22nd - 14:15pm | JimB

My attention was caught by your comment about the two guys who drove up in the Norris parking lot and "asked whether there was anything interesting to see." Long-time Yosemite naturalist Carl Sharsmith is quoted as giving the following response when he was asked what he would do if he only had a day to see Yosemite. "Madam," he replied, "I'd sit by the Merced River and cry."

Sep 22nd - 14:13pm | Kurt Repanshek

Frank, You, not I, inserted "race" into the equation. I merely made an observation to diversity, with the unstated but understood (at least to me) implication of "cultural" diversity.

Sep 22nd - 10:37am | jsmacdonald

Uh oh ... here we go again.

Sep 22nd - 10:08am | Anonymous

I agree whole heartily with Ginger on the “Distressingly White" comment. Why is it that some people cannot do anything these days without bringing race into it. Yellowstone is a beautiful, magical place and should not be a forum for race discussions. We go there as often as possible; our last trip was in August of 2007.

Sep 22nd - 09:44am | Kurt Repanshek

Ginger, My comments about diversity were not intended to put down active rangers, but to highlight a problem that the leadership of the National Park Service itself recognizes: There simply is not enough diversity in the agency.

Sep 22nd - 09:03am | Ginger L

"Distressingly White", excuse me but what is your problem. We have been going to Yellowstone every year for the last fifteen years and if you spent your time noticing how "distressingly white" the backcountry video and rangers were then I feel sorry for you.

Sep 22nd - 07:56am | Betty H

All of our beloved National Parks have more than their share of problems, as does all of America. That said, Yellowstone is a very majestic and magical place ! In my opinion, they are doing a much better job (ranger & concessioner wise) than several other large parks. Now if we can just work things out so the wildlife can migrate in late winter to find food and survive !

A Section of the Appalachian Trail Designed for Wheelchair Access Opens in Vermont

Sep 23rd - 09:51am | Davey Schmidt

As a disabled person who wants to keep hiking as I did when I was younger, I am thankful that Merryland's attitude is not shared by the masses. Wheelers (hikers using mobility devices) should be able to experience a few of the exceptional trail opportunities out there.

Sep 20th - 10:50am | Merryland

My point is that there are plenty of other places where you can build a boardwalk in the woods for people to enjoy. A bridge over or a tunnel under a major highway so hikers don't get run over -- sure... but heaven forbid if someone had to walk in some water in the floodplain. So we're going out of our way to build IN the floodplain now... Ya know, sometimes less is more.

Sep 19th - 17:32pm | Marylander

I LOVE the wheel chair accessible parts of the AT. Totally awesome that they made another section, I can't wait to take my parents there. My parents are getting up there in age and my Dad is now offically handicapped. During his younger years, both of my parents hiked every inch of the AT over the course of 3 summers. They loved it an have only happy stories to tell about it.

Sep 19th - 05:26am | Bob Janiskee

Merryland, remember that the newly constructed AT segment (boardwalk and path) replaced an AT segment that consisted of road surface (Thundering Brook Road). This new trail segment is a step toward nature, not away from it. Further, the segment was built across a floodplain, which made a boardwalk a logical choice and wheelchair access a sensible provision.

Sep 18th - 21:37pm | Merryland

So much for getting away from it all. Next they'll install people-movers so you don't really need to hike the trail. Walk left, stand right folks.

Sunset Over Flat Mountain Arm, Yellowstone National Park

Sep 23rd - 00:04am | Bob M

WOW!!! What a great photo. Its like De Ja Vu all over again.....

Sep 22nd - 20:01pm | Jim

Thanks for sharing a lovely shot. This was one of those moments that made all that paddling on the lake worthwhile :-)

Yellowstone, Grand Teton Officials Searching For Snowmobile, Snowcoach Solution

Sep 22nd - 20:05pm | Anonymous

I own a snowmobile but I do not live in that area. With all the national forest land to ride in why do people want to ride in there; if its to see the sights I have a an idea. Use a fleet of snowcoaches like a bus route and take your snowshoes or x-country skis get off at one of stops on the route and see the sights and the animals instead of distrubing them.

Floods Washing Across Big Bend National Park

Sep 22nd - 13:26pm | Bob Janiskee

Great article, Jim. Welcome to Traveler.

"Hidden Fire" Continues To Burn In Sequoia National Park

Sep 21st - 18:54pm | Anonymous

Yes, the west side of the fire is on the edge of the Skagway grove and is less than a mile from the Muir grove and the Park Ridge grove. The fire is being actively suppressed on the east side which is heading towards the road.

Sep 20th - 12:48pm | Seiwu

Hmmm? I think Paul was commenting on how fire is good for Sequoias, which it is. They are sensitive mostly to the outside influence of human interference. To truly protect their future survival, allowing a fire to run through them would be very useful. They thrive in burned areas. Anybody here know if the fire is in a grove area or at what elevation it is?

Sep 19th - 15:09pm | John

I agree with paul. The trees are very sensitive to outside interference and fires are a big hazard. We need to protect these national treasures.

Report Shows Visiting National Parks Could be Hazardous to Your Health

Sep 21st - 16:16pm | Powers

You are not the majority, you just think you’re important and therefore think you must be the majority. If you were the majority the park service wouldn’t be around anymore!

Japanese Artist Creates Peace Sculpture for Tribal Connections Interpretive Site at Devils Tower National Monument

Sep 21st - 13:33pm | Barky

It's a nice idea, and a fine acknowledgement of the spiritual nature of Devil's Tower. I'm not sure this natural park is the proper place for a modern sculpture, however. Sounds like it's out of place. But maybe it works. ========================================

At New River Gorge National River, an Iconic Bridge Attracts Suicide Jumpers

Sep 21st - 09:33am | Bob Janiskee

Thank you for your comments, Anon. They lend valuable perspective to this story, and I couldn't have said it better.

Sep 21st - 09:20am | Anonymous

Mr. Martinez... Remember this man jumped from the bridge in the middle of the night, so the beauty and majesty which may have stopped him in the daylight eluded him. One day he is a living, vibrant person, the next an anonymous "offender" of the beauty there. I have been to the bridge. It is one of the most spectacular places on Earth, and I agree the beauty of the area defies description.

Sep 19th - 19:37pm | charlesmartinez151

Once on top of that bridge and seeing the beauty that God created how could someone take his own life in vain? That is selfish. No wonder it's a sin in God's eyes.

Trigger-happy Man Shoots Another Rustling in the Brush

Sep 20th - 17:36pm | charlesmartinez151

your so right. i bet this fool doesn't even know what a hunter safety course is,or where to take one. now all of us hunters and sportsmen have to defend ourselves to the left-wing lobby about why we shouldn't have our hunter -sportsmen rights infringed on, because of one stupid drunk,from the big city.

Sep 20th - 17:27pm | charlesmartinez151

let me clarify my statement. what i meant was the media only lets you see what they want. it's not about us law abiding citizens that carry guns in the parks and mine is always put in view, never concealed. its the irresponsible people who choose to use drugs or alchohol ,who seem to have these types of problems. we should never punish the law -abiding ,for the actions of the few.

Sep 19th - 19:26pm | charles martinez

seems they only feed you the info they want you to hear, so you can make up your mind without seeing all sides huh.

Sep 19th - 15:55pm | Jimi Whitten

It is not about needing a gun, it is about what one wants and if one wants to carry a gun into a national park, that should be OK. Just because ONE idiot shot something he couldn't see , the rest of us should not be punished for that. Put the idiot away and let the rest of us go on. If, in fact, this is his fifth alcohol related offense then why is he free anyway?

Sep 19th - 12:41pm | Anonymous

Ric - which 'you' are you referring to?

Sep 19th - 08:21am | Ric Barnett

You won't win any friends or influence any people with this one. What you did do is distroy any credibility that you might have had. If your argument held water then ban driving in the parks, (hummm.... not such a bad idea) because drunk drivers kill thousands of people a year.

Sep 19th - 06:09am | Anonymous

I think you hit the nail right on the head with your comment, not the gun but the person.

Sep 19th - 01:07am | Dave O

Obviously this nut job has not taken any hunter safety course, which I took at age 12. You don't shoot at a sound. You identify your target, check your background, look for the proper spot to place your shot and aim for that point. Sounds like some big city psycho that should stay in the big city.

Sep 18th - 21:34pm | Merryland

I can see that most of you haven't camped at the various National Recreation Areas. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms are staples there. The "issues" at Chickasaw are legendary.

Sep 18th - 20:20pm | Jim Burnett

This sad incident is an example of the kind of problem that I predict will become more common if the existing regulations concerning firearms in national parks are relaxed. Why?

The Wild Side of Yellowstone National Park

Sep 20th - 17:12pm | On Da Road

Great story. I spent a summer in Yellowstone and it was amazing the difference when you just got 100 yards away from the road and left the crowds behind. Most tourist don't bother to go beyond the pullouts .. yet they feel they have seen Yellowstone. Really that is just scratching the surface of this beautiful place.

Sep 19th - 15:07pm | Debra

I recently travelled to Southern California and visited the largest tree in the world at Sequoia national park. It was a blast. I got inspiration from your blog on national parks. Keep it up.

How To Buy National Park-Related Gifts Without Leaving Home

Sep 20th - 16:40pm | Alan Esovski

I just got through speaking to the owner of Inner Peace Designs. They are an American company which is contracted by another company that handles all the merchandising for the National Parks. Death Valley and Zion National Park ornaments will be available by the end of this coming week. Check out their website and keep looking for these ornaments.

The 9/11 Anniversary Draws Attention to the Flight 93 National Memorial, an Extraordinary Work in Progress

Sep 20th - 10:51am | d-2

Bob, thanks for the links, as well. But reading through the links of Park Service support for the memorial design, I must say it is a shame when an NPS superintendent is reduced to having to make such a personal presentation of who she is and what she believes.

Sep 19th - 10:15am | Anonymous

Yes, the creation of the park immediately was the right thing to do, despite all the good and important NORMAL reasons to wait for a decision by a future generation before dedicating a new national park. But, there was NO need to leap right in and build a big memorial structure, or sculpture, to accompany the creation of the park.

Pruning the Parks: Shoshone Cavern National Monument (1909-1954) Would Have Cost Too Much to Develop

Sep 19th - 13:45pm | MRC

The so called Poverty Point National Monument is another prime candidate. While Congress made the declaration in 1988 to take this amazing prehistoric site in federal hands, the state of Louisiana believes their Poverty Point State Park is perfectly fine and does not even think about handing it over.

Sep 19th - 11:24am | SaltSage236

How about Yucca House National Monument in Colorado? Unexcavated, uninterpreted, virtually unvisited and unstaffed and managed by nearby Mesa Verde National Park, it seems Yucca House ought to be included as part of Mesa Verde, or developed such that there would be some sort of interpretation at the site to illustrate for the public the significance of an unexcavated Ancestral Puebloan site.

Sep 19th - 06:11am | Bob Janiskee

Here is what you learn when you go to the home page of Hohokam Pima National Monument, which was authorized in 1972 to protect an ancient Hohokam village (Snaketown):

Sep 18th - 21:15pm | Sabattis

I'm wondering if Hohokam Pima National Monument would be on your list for "delisting". Like Shoshone Cavern, it has never been opened to the public. On the other hand, there is also no question that "Snaketown", which Hohokam Pima National Monument protects, is a nationall-significant resource. To me, this raises something of a conundrum.

Pilgrim Places: Civil War Battlefields, Historic Preservation, and America’s First National Military Parks, 1863-1900, Part VII

Sep 19th - 13:18pm | dapster

Richard, Quite enjoyable, and very informative body of work. I found it interesting how the different battlefields were saved in different time periods, especially in regard to Gettysburg.

Federal Judge Blocks Recreational Snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park

Sep 18th - 21:42pm | Merryland

They do make perfectly quiet snow transportation with zero pollution. It's called cross country skiing.

Pruning the Parks: Six National Parks Acquired via Transfer in 1933 Were Subsequently Abolished

Sep 18th - 21:31pm | Sabattis

Beamis - Platte National Park did indeed get incorporated into a National Recreation Area - the Chickasaw NRA, which is still part of the National Park System to this day.

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