Padre Island National Seashore in Texas is home to one of the largest nestings of rare Kemp's Ridley sea turtles. And it also sees a number of other turtle species throughout the year, as well. And sometimes, when those turtles show up in the winter months, cold snaps can stun them. You can learn how to deal with a stunned turtle by attending a park lecture later this month.

It matters little whether you start in the south and drive north, or start in the north and drive south; the fall finery that cloaks the Appalachian Range has few peers when the climatic conditions converge in mid-October.

Fall is little more than a week old, yet winter has made an impressive appearance in Rocky Mountain National Park, where snowplows were busy Wednesday trying to keep Trail Ridge Road open for at least one more weekend.

The historic mission grounds at Tumacácori National Historical Park will be open under the light of a full moon on the evening of Wednesday, October 8. The park will be open as usual from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., reopening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for visitors to enjoy the evening on the peaceful mission grounds.