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Keen's Taos: A Shoe for Most Seasons

Jul 17th - 15:12pm | Alan Gregory

You convinced me. I've just logged onto REI and ordered a pair. Thanks. Now if the state of Pennsylvania would start protecting some land for purposes other than industrial (and that's driven by tax breaks for wealthy corporations, not real local need), there might be more places nearby at which to use good shoes like these.

Cedar Breaks Wildflower Festival

Jul 12th - 08:21am | Tanya

I found your blog when looking for the Cedar Breaks Wildflower Festival. Great Job. I enjoyed the reading. :)

Montana's Sen. Burns Trying to Make Snowmobiles a Yellowstone Fixture

Jul 8th - 13:16pm | helen allison

to bad jerks get elected to the house and senate snowmobils should be grossly limited in ANY natl park that has snow everybody wants to ruin all the beauty and tear it up then complain that it is no longer there maby he will not get re elected one can only hope

Chasing Ansel Adams

Jul 7th - 10:11am | jersu

I have an Ansel Adams print in my house of Bridal Veil Falls. It has been hanging on a wall for over two years. I look at it nearly everyday, and I am amazed that I still find new detail and artistry in the photo that I had not noticed before.

New Management Policies and Snowmobiles

Jul 5th - 19:06pm | JLongstreet

We have to remember that even the 2001 NPS Management Policies were insufficient to prevent political influence that has caused the agency to go through the decision-making process three times. Agency professionals are doing everything they can -- and have the facts and the public on their side. Regrettably, that doesn't seem to be enough.

Last Child in the Woods....

Jul 3rd - 12:07pm | Fred Goodwin

Dan, for those parents that program their kids time, but still want them to enjoy the health benefits of the outdoors, there's always Scouting. I wish Louv had mentioned Scouting in his book. Fred Goodwin A Scout volunteer San Antonio, TX

Woman Falls to Her Death in Yellowstone

Jul 1st - 14:04pm | rick

it is amazing to see how many dumbasses there are out there, i do agree unecessary risks for a simple pic is very sad. next time maybe people should read the warnings posted all over the place saying don't cross.

Jun 27th - 09:10am | KEN

We were in just coming into the Park Saturday June 16 over the Beartooth Pass and heard the news of this death later the day. We heard people talking about the incident while we were at the lower falls, Friday June 23. It is simply another example of someone taking unnecessary risks for a picture. We saw all kinds of people walking right up to Buffalo and elk to talk pictures.

Find A Hike, Add A Hike

Jul 1st - 07:48am | Rao R.V.

It was wonderful sight on earth worth visiting in ones life time Thank you

It's Quick and It's Light

Jun 30th - 06:51am | Alan Gregory

I have two of these little wizards. I used one on a five-day backpack into the Bighorn Crags of the Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho in summer 2004. It never failed me. I heartedly endorse this little gem.

Grand Canyon Visitor Dies In South Rim Fall

Jun 28th - 17:57pm | Brianna Dupree

We hate to hear these stories happen, especially when they can be prevented with common sense. We sell tours to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and we always remind our customers about the dangers. Brianna Dupress Grand Canyon Tours http://www.paradisefoundtours.com/

REI's Quarterdome Tent: Is It Really 2-Person?

Jun 27th - 08:02am | tom

Hey, that's my tent! You're right, it's palatial for one, but a major squeeze for two adults. You might look into Henry Shires' Tarp Tents ... a couple I hiked with over the weekend used one and they're still married, far as I can tell.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Jun 26th - 15:34pm | Cindy

You said it all. We just got back from visiting Yellowstone and received one of those very colorful flyers. I showed it to my kids and we stayed in our truck when animals were around. I did see alot of foolish people trying to get as close as they could. Some will never learn!!

Jun 8th - 10:04am | gonationalparks.com

I love the national parks, but it is true people do not respect nature. The wild animals become to many people the same as the animals found in a petting zoo. I wish people would follow the warnings given by the parks and respect the wildlife--I know the animals are cute, but safety of people and animals is much more important than taking cute photos or touching an animal on a dare.

Glacier National Park, Or "Goat" National Park?

Jun 26th - 11:04am | Bob Yaklin

Going to be in Glacier 9/8 thru 9/15-2006. Is there a guide available for a 1/2 Day hike or full day?

Jun 12th - 19:04pm | Sabbatis

I'm interested in your comment that "So massive is the park that it’s both a sin and a miracle that only the Sun Road slices entirely through the interior." Perhaps it is the lack of roads that helps keep Glacier so wild?

Snake River Accident Investigation Continues

Jun 21st - 21:44pm | nell clark

Linda Clark was one of the people who died in the accident and is a family member. Could you please give us any recent information about what the investigation has discovered...we have been unable to find out anything. Thank you for anything that you have heard.

NPS Response to Retirees: Thanks for Your Interest

Jun 16th - 14:15pm | Alan Gregory

What they should have said: "The president supports the parks, but only as long as there's political benefit to doing so. If Dick says 'no, fogetaboutem,' then that's that. Now the president is a longtime admirer of the parks, especially Disney's and that Six Flags thing. As we've said before [while watching for flag-burners], this administration is committed to a strong and viable Park Service.

FLASH: Parks Are Good For Your Health!

Jun 14th - 13:02pm | Alan Gregory

I've certainly found this to be the case in Vermont and a few other places where I've lived and/or peddled/hiked/fish/birded. Interesting that Fran did the announcing. She's very good at that: the positive-spin photo-op. Not so good, unfortunately, at running the Park Service, especially when it comes down to lobbying her boss for the kind of funding the Service rightfully should get.

Turning the National Parks Over to Volunteers

Jun 13th - 15:46pm | repanshek

Sabbatis, in all fairness, Ms. Mainella is supposed to be an advocate for the NPS and the entire national park system. It's a role I have yet to see her embrace. True, she has to play the budget she's dealt, but perhaps if she voiced some concern over the plight of the national park system I'd be more sympathetic to her.

Jun 12th - 18:57pm | Sabbatis

In fairness to Ms. Mainella, I think that supporting the budget is a mandatory requirement of her job.

Jun 11th - 12:33pm | Alan Gregory

80 percent? Hell, that's a bargain. And it would be an easy argument to make that most Park System personnel (particularly the seasonals) don't paid anywhere near what they should get. Fran focuses on photo ops at which she can smile and put on a happy face for the Bush administration while the Park System collapses for want of proper funding.

"Deals Can Still Be Had"

Jun 13th - 15:39pm | repanshek

Sabbatis, that's great to hear the Mesa Verde special trips have been sold out. How many families bought tickets? Do you really think your "average" park visitor and her/his family of four is going to shell out $800 for a horseback ride? Perhaps if the Park Service was adequately funded these attractions could be opened up along with the Cliff Palace, Balcony House, etc.

Jun 13th - 04:30am | Sabbatis

In fairness, the two prices cited for Mesa Verde National Park are special tours that were offered this year, the 100th Anniversary year, for the first time ever. The tours also managed to sell out for the entire year in just a couple weeks.

May 25th - 23:19pm | jersu

I like your list much better than the AP list. I think the experience of simple pleasures within the NPS was missed by the AP author. Priceless.

May 25th - 14:40pm | Patrick

If I could add one, snorkling and sea-kayaking off the Channel Islands is absolutely incredible. Of course, in my opinion the Channel Islands are absolutely amazing for all ten suggestions as well. A sun setting over the pacific while listening to sea lions and sea gulls sing away the day? Unbelievable.

Was Potter Using Delicate Arch As A Commercial Backdrop?

Jun 12th - 19:19pm | John D.

Delicate Arch won't be with us forever, but its a shame that some selfish people would do things to hasten that day. I was at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore recently, and saw two climbers free-climbing Chapel Rock. You just have to wonder what they were thinking...

Jun 6th - 15:56pm | Alan Gregory

Bad enough that yahoos on four wheels and snow tracks find it more rewarding to drive across the countryside than hike/walk. Now a unique feature of our countryside's natural heritage has to be defaced so that another yahoo can get his jollies by climbing it? Yes, he should be fined. And yes, he ought to be banned from the National Park System.

Three Dead in Grand Teton Rafting Accident

Jun 10th - 20:51pm | Pat

This 69-yr old woman who died was my childhood friend's mother. She was a delightful, beautiful, Godly woman who leaves behind a large, grieving family. She had 5 children and 13 (I think) grandchildren. She had been a widow and had re-married a retired judge, who was a widower, and they were enjoying their retirement together just traveling and enjoying their many grandchildren.

Jun 5th - 08:10am | margot zell

how did the boat flip?

Mr. Kempthorne and the Parks

Jun 6th - 15:50pm | Alan Gregory

Not too bad? Kempy is showing his rocket scientist background when it comes to the nation's natural heritage. The National Park System is in the financial shape it is because the Bush team wants it that way. It's the same story with the Fish and Wildlife Service's ecological services offices.

How 'Bout San Rafael National Park?

May 28th - 19:20pm | Alan Gregory

Well sure, but the cynic in me says this: Gettysburg isn't a National Park System site because of its hallowed ground. No sir. It's protected land because BIG BIDNESS likes it that way. Not to mention the chamber of commerce, a.k.a. chamber of horrors.

Rocky Mountain NP's Elk Problem

May 25th - 20:53pm | Patrick

Why don't they have military folks come and do this for R&R? Keep 'em off Santa Rosa.

May 24th - 09:11am | Alan Gregory

They could be monitoring the herd for CWD (chronic wasting disease). I've only seen the RMNP elk once, wandering around the grounds of the Estes Park Holiday Inn. Things are certainly out of whack; I suspect it would all be far different if the national park enveloped all of the range, as it should.

Dinosaur National Monument: Dust to Dust?

May 24th - 09:16am | Alan Gregory

Hell, I saw similar conditions 4 years back at Everglades NP. I stood inside the visitor center at Wupatki NM in Arizona long before that and noticed cracks in the building's facade.

Yellowstone Scoping Comments Show Overwhelming Opposition to Snowmobiles

May 22nd - 21:36pm | patrick

I suspect plowing the roads all winter costs just about as much as leaving the roads open for the snowmobiles. I'm one for shutting down the park completely during the winter months but congress would have a hell of a time dealing with the West Yellowstone folks.

Yellowstone Debate: Kill Cutthroats to Save Cutthroats?

May 13th - 12:49pm | Guy

Thanks for the article.

Pesticides in the Parks

May 8th - 06:45am | Hank

You found a way to tie Frank Zappa in with national parks. Well done.

Yellowstone and Cell Phones: So Goes Solitude?

May 5th - 11:44am | Glenn Williams

As useful as cell service may be in an emergency, the thought of people chattering incessently on their phones while on the trail sends shivers all the way to my timberline. The parks are places for solitude-gathering and for listening to the natural rhythms of things.

House Subcommittee's Parks Funding Rec Disappointing

May 5th - 09:42am | Alan Gregory

Again, no surprise here. Everyday we hear loads of bluster and pomp and PR-amplified rumbles from inside the Beltway. But when it comes time to cross the Ts and dot the Is, the bottom line always comes up short. As long as we have a president whose name is George W. Bush, we will continue to see cuts in the budgets of each natural resource agency: FWS, NPS, USGS, etc.

Watch Out for Those Recreation Fees

May 4th - 07:48am | repanshek

John, methinks you're venturing onto a slippery slope. Congress created the national park system for all Americans to enjoy and benefit from. It didn't create the system only for those who could afford the fees. You ask whether those who often or frequently visit the parks should pay more than those who don't?

May 3rd - 16:47pm | John D.

Well, we all know that the Parks need money to operate - and as you have amply demonstrated, they need a lot more money than they are getting currently. The question, then, is should all American contribute equally to the funding of the Parks? Or should Americans who use the Parks contribute some bit more to the Parks than Americans who don't use the Parks?

Apr 28th - 12:41pm | x-ranger

Kurt, one thing to consider with the fee issue is that they are not donation based, but instead fine based. For Forest Service and BLM lands, for instance, if you put off getting the proper parking permit and backcountry fee, you could get fined or even put in jail for repeat offences.

So What if the NPS Needs to Cinch Its Financial Belt?

May 4th - 07:34am | Kurt

John, you're right,of course. I shouldn't have so quickly dismissed Sen. Thomas's bid to see $150 million added to the Park Service's 2007 budget. However, when you realize that President Bush already has cut $100 million from the agency's budget, that $150 million would equate to only a $50 million increase above current funding levels.

May 3rd - 16:57pm | John D.

Its worth noting that in a below post, you described a $150 million increase in the Park Service's operating budget a "drop in the bucket." If that's so, then when wonders what the $5 million in earmarks you listed above amount to.

Conservation Groups Sue to Get Yellowstone Trout Protection

May 3rd - 23:50pm | yellowstoner

Good for you, again! This story needs wider circulation and continued attention

Lawsuit Focuses on Two Everglades Bird Species

May 3rd - 16:15pm | brandon nowell...

i 'm 9 year looking to a stoery on snail kite bird can you help me please

Yellowstone to Yukon: Freedom to Roam

Apr 17th - 15:24pm | Alan Gregory

Woah there pardner. Y2Y is not about "removing people from the landscape." You've leaped to a conclusion that's not borne out by the language in the Y2Y proposal. In brief, Y2Y (and all the other conservation network proposals I'm aware of) is about restoring corridors linking core wild areas. People are very much a part of these proposals.

Talking Points...and Points of Concern

Apr 17th - 15:19pm | Alan Gregory

We used to hear this in the Air Force (I was on active duty for 10 years and in the Air Force Reserve for another 16 years). It's called do more with less. And it is a pernicious trend. Here again, the problem is only likely to worsen pending a great waking up by the mass confused public.

Of Pigs and Parks

Apr 17th - 15:16pm | Alan Gregory

So goes the tale of conservation in the United States today; one step forward for every two backward.

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