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Management of Lady Liberty Discussed in Congress

Sep 24th - 13:06pm | Alexander Brash

The Statue of Liberty, like all national parks, should be open and welcoming for Americans to enjoy. Closure of the crown illustrates the chronic funding shortfalls facing our national parks and the critical need for a $200 million increase contained in legislation now moving through Congress.

How Would YOU Fix the Statue of Liberty?

Sep 23rd - 22:30pm | Anonymous

Having worked at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (America's tallest lighthouse) which is opened for climbing, I've been down this road before. It's a historic structure which was not designed for thousands of people stomping up and down on the historic structure every day and its 268 steps.

Sep 22nd - 19:59pm | Merryland

Hi Nancy... In fact, I think the model for the historic lantern tour at Jewel Cave would work well here. Reservations a must. Sign on the dotted line. Narrow passages and steep climbs, claustrophobics -- you've been warned. Kids must be able to walk it all on their own (no carried kids). --Jon

Sep 22nd - 17:44pm | Nancy Bandley

I am very fortunate to have made the climb to the top- twice- once before she was refurbished and I think I still have a jacket with the rust stains to prove it! and again, once she was refurbished. I have also visited every one of the 391 park units in the US park system, so I draw on some experience. The statue is history, art and a symbol.

Sep 21st - 19:39pm | Lornie

I think it is still under warranty...so, take it down, send it back to France for the fix

Sep 21st - 12:32pm | Anonymous

Yes, we are the best "dam" country. So many dams on our rivers... On a related note to the story, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The statue isn't the problem; the problem is too many visitors.

Sep 21st - 11:18am | Ron

You all have good points! I believe She needs to be removed and clean and put up in Front of The old Twin Tower's {she would then be finnish bout the time the NEW TOWER WAS Finish}.

Sep 20th - 20:59pm | Merryland

The Statue is really not very large. I remember fondly several lunch breaks from my days as a trainer -- munching on a reuben from the Stage Door Deli, sitting at the top of the World Trade Center, staring off to the south, amazed at how small the Statue of Liberty really was in the scheme of things. When you're young, it's outrageously huge.

Sep 20th - 20:18pm | Lone Hiker

P.S. You're kidding that nobody had the foresight to consider an elevator, right?

Sep 20th - 19:57pm | Lone Hiker

You nailed it Jeremy. The inscription that I was referring to, that is.

Sep 20th - 17:50pm | jersu

Lone Hiker - you are indeed stirring the pot! Here is the poem you make reference to (I think), engraved on a plaque found on Liberty's pedestal:

Sep 20th - 16:22pm | Lone Hiker

I'll render an opinion for the vast minority. I've never been much of a fan of super-sized artwork. At this point in our nation's history, super-sized is not very "PC", like anybody cares. The statue represents a lost ideal from our nation's glorious beginnings. "Liberty and justice for ALL", is how the statement reads I believe.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vandalized

Sep 23rd - 20:35pm | Merryland

I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing, but there are lots of idiots out there documenting their blatant disdain for park regulations and general stupidity on YouTube. Hopefully it will do more to contribute to them being caught rather than encourage more idiots to come out of the woodwork to try to out-do them.

Sep 23rd - 07:32am | Dan Simonds

These are the same kind of young adults that knock over grave stones,spray paint on private property,hurt animals,and steal from our elderly. When they catch them,they need to be put to work cleaning up instead of putting them in jail.

Sep 22nd - 10:41am | Anonymous

Merryman, I have seen most of this pathetic action that you relate so well. In some of the parks that I did managed, I've seen mean sick kids (and parents) breaking glass and hiding the broken pieces in playground sand pits. Teenages breaking beer bottles on public beachs, and obviously (if your in bare feet) you can figure what happens next. Always a first aid kit at hand and tweezers.

Sep 21st - 21:32pm | Merryland

Walked by the Memorial today with my daughter. Didn't see the evidence -- perhaps they've cleaned it up already.

Sep 21st - 13:43pm | Claire Walter

This in inexorably sad.

Sep 21st - 12:27pm | Glenn Scofield ...

I guess I really don't understand what would motivate someone to do this. It's an odd act of vandalism.

Sep 21st - 11:32am | daniel weed

I agree SOME ONE like this shouldn't be allowed to walk FREE in a FREE country.. HOW LOW can an human animal go!!!

Sep 21st - 10:13am | Anonymous

Jeremy, this is absolutely pathetic that one can stoop so low to create such an grievous act of horrendous vandalism. If the perpetrators of this sick act of vandalism are caught, may justice be swift to the fullest extent of the law...and SEVER...and I mean SEVER!!

Padre Island Interpretive Program Simply Succeeds

Sep 23rd - 16:52pm | Merryland

This ranger latched on to the fact that this kid had an interest in Peregrines and went with it. Bully for her, as TR would say. She could have easily recited the usual blah blah swearing in ceremony for the kid and then re-parked her butt back behind the desk and pasted on a smile waiting for the next "Where's the bathroom?" question to come along.

Sep 23rd - 15:41pm | jersu

Haunter Hiker and Beamis - thanks very much for weighing in.

Sep 23rd - 15:03pm | haunted hiker

Yeah. What Beamis said.

Sep 22nd - 01:25am | jersu

Jon, Thanks very much for adding that video. It demonstrates exactly my thoughts regarding this article. For all the talk about "reaching out to the iPod generation", I think something very important is being missed. People want to talk with people, they want to connect with someone at the park, kids included. There are lessons to be learned in that short video.

Sep 22nd - 00:12am | Merryland

I'd like to see anyone replace this ranger or this kid's experience with an ipod... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfQ0oX-PLnU

Dry Conditions Blamed For Bear Problems in Grand Teton, Yosemite

Sep 23rd - 09:12am | blatz_rox

I would like to know about what may have happened to the missing hiker in Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve.They say they found his gear near the airstrip where he was to be picked up, & some footprints that possibly are his near the Russell Glacier. Can anyone tell me if there are a lot of bears around there, & what type of terrain it is.

Judge Orders Cross Removed from Mojave National Preserve

Sep 23rd - 07:48am | Dan Simonds

Have we forgotten that this country was founded on christianity? God has always been a big part of our country.I`m offended by those who are trying to take God out of our country.The worst thing we can do is allow these people to remove religion from our government.

Off the Wall: Death in Yosemite

Sep 22nd - 22:05pm | Rick Deutsch

I've met Butch and hiked with him on the Mist Trail last spring. He's a great low-key guy. The book is huge....nearly 600 pages and with no photos. A kind of War and Peace read. I use it for reference. For example, turns out the man who fell off the Half Dome cables in June was the first and only hiker to die while using the cables when they were up for summer hiking.

Sep 19th - 12:23pm | Tom Christensen

Excellent! I was there that night in 1959, when my buddy Lloyd Bradshaw wrecked in front of me at Bridelveil Falls Parking exit... t.

Amusing Looking Sign on Blue Ridge Parkway

Sep 22nd - 13:31pm | Evan

This one is in Idaho Fall, ID:

Arches and Canyonlands In the Fall: Rock Architecture and Dwindling Crowds

Sep 22nd - 02:00am | MRC

You are absolutely right in praising Arches and Canyonlands NP. They are spectacular places. And you are so right in recommending a tour to the fiery furnace in Arches NP. I was there some years ago and told everyone who traveled the region not to miss either the parks nor this specific area.

Sep 22nd - 00:59am | Dave O

There are 10 BLM campgrounds along Highway 128, the Colorado River Road, just north of Moab. We stayed at Goose Island just over a year ago and really like the quiet. And it was a very short drive to Arches. There was no water available, but then I wasn't paying the price for a luxury lodge!

Sep 20th - 15:54pm | Lone Hiker

I'm glad to see you give these parks their due Kurt. By far, two of the most beautiful and least crowded of the national parks by any standard.

Sep 20th - 08:15am | Mookie

Couldn't agree with you more Kurt. Ed Abbey knew what he was talking about when he said, "This is the most beautiful place on Earth." Another high-end option outside Moab is the Red Cliffs Lodge, about 14 miles up the Colorado River. Rooms/cabins right on the Colorado, and they have their own winery on site as well.

Is There Any Better Time to Visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton Than Fall?

Sep 21st - 22:08pm | William Masek

Yellowstone has got to be one of the most picturesque parks in the world. It has so much variety to offer any type of traveler. Definitely a number one place to visit. Great article. Enjoyable reading. William Masek www.letsgotraveltheworld.com

Hidden Hall of Records at Mount Rushmore

Sep 21st - 11:39am | JP - Thousand O...

When I first visited Mt. Rushmore in 1975, the video shown to visitors at the park included a segment about the "Hall of Records" and the original intent of its creator, Gutzon Borglum.

St Louis Wants to Develop Land under Gateway Arch

Sep 21st - 08:42am | Merryland

Yep -- too much "do" and what have ya got? Doodoo...

Sep 21st - 05:43am | jsmacdonald

Jon, okay, but St. Louis should be one of those places? (Isn't one Kansas City enough? JUST KIDDING!)

Sep 20th - 21:09pm | Merryland

We need more places where there's "little to do"...

Sep 20th - 15:05pm | jersu

Daniel, sounds like you've got a pretty close park service connection. Thanks very much for the additional input.

Sep 20th - 10:32am | Daniel

By all means, state your opinions about the whole matter, but please be careful that your information is factual.

Sep 20th - 09:12am | Lone Hiker

While Chicago's lakefront is one of the best utilizations of any city's downtown shorelines in the nation, Millennium Park was designed more with an eye of regenerating "local" interest in the Grant Park area than as a major source of tourism.

Sep 20th - 06:19am | jsmacdonald

Of course, East St. Louis is in Illinois, and there is a vested interest from the East St. Louis perspective in having the Arch area not be cluttered; it's an amazing view across the river. However, East St. Louis is one of the most depressed cities in the entire country - just an utter mess, and the view from the Arch toward East St.

Sep 20th - 00:35am | Constance

I was born and raised in St. Louis and I think the Arch should stay just the way it is. It is close to Union station , the Law library and City Hall, and Laclead's Landing. If Senator Danforth wants to develope something then he can spend money on Laclead's Landing. What Sentor Danforth has forgotten the property the Arch sits on has repeatly flooded over the years.

Sep 19th - 22:12pm | Merryland

And then 5 years from now after a week of rain somewhere upstream they'll claim it's a federal disaster area and beg for emergency relief dollars to bail out the karaoke bars, souvenir shops, parking garages, and Hooter-Rock Cafe restaurant chains... no thanks.

Sep 19th - 21:20pm | Merryland

Great, another NickDonald's... haven't we learned over and over and over what happens when you build in the floodplain? Collective amnesia at its finest.

Sep 19th - 20:05pm | Anonymous

I think it is a great idea. I lived in St. Louis for 7 years up until July and I went to the Arch once. I would love to see better use of the area and have it more accessible from downtown. The Arch is cool, but it is a one time deal for most people.

Sep 19th - 16:27pm | Kath

Just north of the Gateway Arch is Laclede's Landing. It's a former warehouse area of old distinctive brick buildings with some bars and restaurants but it is underutilized and would be the perfect area for more restaurants, an aquarium, etc. etc. Laclede's Landing is walking distance to the Gateway Arch and its museum. There's no reason to use land anywhere under the Gateway Arch.

Centennial Projects: Mountain Biking in Big Bend National Park

Sep 19th - 10:21am | Random Walker

All ready there is 150+ miles of trails and 260+ miles of roads stuffed into 801,163 acres, and they are going to slash a brand new trail through the park!?! How is this preserving nature for future generations?

If You Have to Ask the Price, The Ahwahnee And Jenny Lake Lodge Are Probably Out of Reach

Sep 18th - 22:22pm | djhouston

I had the privelege (not the right) to spend about 30 days camping in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone when I was about 12 years old. My dad and mom took me there (from Cheyenne, FE Warren AFB) and it was what I talk about over 50 years later to my grandchildren. I am also lucky enough to have some old black and white browney pictures to show them.

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