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National Park Service Chastized For Poor Cultural Resource Oversight

Nov 25th - 19:38pm | JimB

Certainly an issue that needs attention. My experience on the subject is limited to working at two parks that were heavy on cultural resources and 6 others that more heavily emphasized natural resources. To some extent, how well cultural resources fare as compared to other needs depends on the park management team and how they set priorities.

Nov 25th - 16:31pm | Anonymous

Kurt, thanks for the input. I'm now checking out the Park Services: Vanishing Treasures. Much appreciated!

Nov 25th - 15:48pm | Kurt Repanshek

I can't accurately answer that question off the top of my head, but I'd hazard a guess that there are more archaeological resources on BLM lands simply because there is so much more BLM land than park land.

Nov 25th - 15:16pm | Anonymous

Kurt, just one quick question: What jurisdiction does most of are ancient historical petroglyphics lie in the U.S...with the BLM or the National Parks? Although I'm not totally familiar in the apparatus in how protect these remarkable icons of are earliest settlers, but do know that vandalism and gross neglect has taken a terrible toll on these magnificent petroglyphics.

National Park Service Prepares to Host Millions of Visitors for the Presidential Inauguration and Parade

Nov 25th - 19:13pm | Tracy

I don't think too many folks in this forum are going to be real happy soon...Obama has announced deep cuts in federal spending. His budgets for the Park Service look like they are going to be SMALLER than Bush's.

Nov 23rd - 09:53am | Anonymous

Russ: I'll take a knowledgeable ivy leaguer any day running this country, then a bottom rung college graduate from the Naval Academy or a five college drop out like McCain & Palin. Both smooth talkers and no show! Sounds like you live in some kind of mental state called paranoia that fears change.

Nov 23rd - 01:54am | Russ

Mr. father of a (wow...an ivy leaguer!): I'll keep my guns, money and freedom...you can keep the "change!" P.S.: Have fun trying to find a clean toilet at "the one"s inauguration...lol.

Nov 22nd - 09:40am | Anonymous

Vince, beautifully expressed with excellent political satire that has good solid punch with words. Out of those four million potential visitors, I wonder how many are unemployed, homeless and sick from the lack of good comprehensive medical care. And, I wonder how many gave up visiting the National Parks due to those rip-off gas prices during the summer months.

Nov 22nd - 07:22am | Vince M

OK, all you right-wing trolls, go back to your Fox/Rush/Hannity fantasy lands. When did the "left-wing" give Bush a chance?? How about after 9/11 when he squandered our international good will? Do you remember the massive international support for us after 9/11? How fast did Bush destroy that? Remember the economy during the Clinton years?

How Far Should National Park Rangers Go To Safeguard Your Life?

Nov 25th - 14:43pm | TSB

Strict disagreements with the views of those that think funding for lifeguards should not be in budgets for national lakeshores and national seashores, in fact all parks with aquatic recreation should be adequately staffed. I know of places where there were traditionally lifeguards in the summer months and are replaced with interpretation displays of water safety.

Bush Administration Poised to Sell Oil and Gas Leases Around Dinosaur National Monument, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

Nov 25th - 09:54am | Anonymous

The American public must stand firm against Bush's rape, greed and pillage policies before leaving the White House. And it's NOW! We Americans must do everything within are power to stop this madness of exploiting and squandering our natural resources for a few precious drops of oil.

Nov 25th - 03:01am | david

To the person named Rachael, zero impact you say? Rub a lamp. Would you stake the next 10 years of your total income on that statement? I live in the area. Zero impact my arse.

National Park Service Director Bomar Scheduled to Meet With Mountain Bike Community

Nov 25th - 08:45am | Brian

WOW! I thought it was bad enough that some hikers don't want bikers on "their" trails. I didn't even realize that there was such a hard-core, intolerant segment of the hiking community that won't even tolerate bikes in "their" PARKS!

Shenandoah National Park Ranger Roy Sullivan Set the World Record for Being Hit by Lightning

Nov 25th - 03:11am | Monique van Buren

But this is searching on the internet!! Greetings from the Netherlands, Monique

Nov 23rd - 10:32am | Bob Janiskee

You'll have to referee your own contest. Providing and facilitating the exchange of information and ideas pertaining to America's national parks is a core purpose of this webzine. We'll continue to do that as we see fit, and you may rest assured that we have no plans to begin interrogating Traveler readers as to their motives for visiting our site.

Nov 23rd - 08:13am | Anonymous

slim, Jan...

Nov 23rd - 07:49am | Admin

Dear Bob, In Holland we are playing an online search game on internet (it's the quiz that Jan mentioned). At the end there are nice prizes to win. One of the game rules is to find the answers only by searching on internet. It's even forbidden to phone or to mail persons/organisations for the answers.

Nov 23rd - 07:41am | Admin

Dear Bob, In Holland we are playing an online search game on internet (it's the quiz that Jan mentioned). At the end there are nice prizes to win. One of the game rules is to find the answers only by searching on internet. It's even forbidden to phone or to mail persons/organisations for the answers.

Nov 23rd - 06:34am | Anonymous

Shame Jan uses you to cheat on a competition. We are all trying very hard to find the information the honest way. You are very friendly for answerring him. Irma, Nederland

Nov 22nd - 17:55pm | Bob Janiskee

Gordon Wissinger ([email protected]) is the Chief Ranger at Shenandoah National Park. Try asking him for help. Chances are that he or someone he knows can at least get you started in the right direction to get the information you need.

Nov 22nd - 16:30pm | Jan Pieters

Thank you very much for your quick response. Unfortunately I get all the time an error when I try so send an emailvia the link you mentioned. The reason for the error is not stated. Regards, Jan

Nov 22nd - 14:49pm | Bob Janiskee

I don't have the information you need. Try contacting the Public Information Officer at Shenandoah National Park, which is where Ranger Roy Sullivan worked.

Nov 22nd - 14:06pm | Anonymous

Hi a very nice article about Roy Sullivan. for a quiz I need to know where he was buried. do you know this? Or perhaps can point me to where to find this information on the Internet? Jan, the Netherlands

Creature Feature: Texas Banded Gecko

Nov 25th - 01:39am | Nita

I have seen a few tiny lizards and do not know if they are Gecko's or Not. They are about 1 inch long approximately. Look like a salmon color with light brown wide bands. They have a wide head and suction like cups on their feet. They like my kitchen for some reason. Can anyone tell me what kind of species they are?

Why You Should Not Store Food in Your Car at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Nov 24th - 20:26pm | Anonymous

I think that one they shouldn't have been standing around watching a bear maul a car, Two they shouldn't decide to videotape it as Vince said, and Three who would stand around and look at a bear when it can attack and kill a bunch of people before someone could stop it! What has the world come to?! CJ

Study Touts Economic Benefits of Mount St. Helens "National Park"

Nov 24th - 16:53pm | East Liverpool

I agree, the fact the government of this area wants to throw that label on there simply because of monetary gain, kind of looses its touch and not only that but it devalues the worth of true national parks. I'm not saying that the region shouldn't be considered one, because it certainly is a great place to visit, but their motivation for it seems off kilter to me.

Nov 23rd - 23:04pm | Michael Robinso...

Kurt: I appreciate that your comments focus on the report's economic arguments, but the report itself is tiled Mandates, Economic Impacts, and Local Concerns: Who Should Manage Mount St. Helens, and the report addresses all three issues not just economics. Indeed, the Report's states as its first premise:

Nov 22nd - 17:38pm | pkrnger

There is no doubt in my mind that the historical, geological, and ecological significance of Mt. St. Helens makes it worthy of full national park status.

Nov 22nd - 13:56pm | JimB

Lots of good comment have been made above.

Nov 22nd - 09:39am | Lone Hiker

Unless my math skills have gone the way of the dodo bird, the economic stimulus amounts to just over $36 dollars per "extra" visitor, but nowhere does the study state whether the figure mentioned is an annual, monthly, weekly or daily figure.

Nov 21st - 17:44pm | Random Walker

I agree with Oregon Dude (not verified) I say Bah! to the surrounding communities and business's, local and federal governments and corporations who view Our Wilderness, National Monuments and Parks as a way to make a quick buck, as nothing more than a commodity.

Survey Shows Americans Love Bison But Largely Are Clueless About their Plight

Nov 24th - 08:55am | jsmacdonald

Betty,

Nov 24th - 06:25am | Betty H

What a sad situation this is. Only a handful of these animals survived the dreadfull, mass killing of millions of the wild bison. And today, we are mistreating them again !

Nov 21st - 16:54pm | Kurt Repanshek

Anon: At this web site.

Glacier National Park Coffee Shop Honored For Its Mission 66 Style

Nov 24th - 06:27am | Pete

Of course the building is very different from anything else in the compound, which includes the lodge (with a beautiful stone fireplace large enough to walk into (fires of uncertain light), a "motel", housing for staff, a gas station and general store, and a few other odd buildings.

Mission

Nov 23rd - 14:39pm | albertson

My wife and I are senior citizens and have visited many parks around the country over the years, are favorite vacations. Some years ago we took my ill mother-in-law in to live with us not wanting to put her in a "home" and it has altered our lives. Caring for her meant not being able to vacation, or spend anytime away from home.

Got Quiet? Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve has Plenty

Nov 22nd - 18:23pm | treehugger99

And, climbing the dunes was a hoot! What fun on a June day; I felt like Lawrence of Arabia. High up on the dune field, I heard the sound - the wind hits the resonant frequency of the dune and there is a low, perceivable rumble. It's like walking on top of a subwoofer.

Nov 22nd - 15:37pm | Colorado Cowboy

My wife and I had a ball on our first visit to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. I have never seen such a place of contrasts. Imagine if you will these huge, glistening white, sand dunes with snowcapped peaks immediately behind while a beautiful little river flows right in front of the sand dunes.

Nov 22nd - 13:43pm | JimB

This is a wonderful park, and one that a lot of the flood of tourists to Colorado overlook. Perhaps some of those who enjoy the area think that's not a bad thing - and it's also part of the reason why parts of this park are so quiet!

Nov 22nd - 11:17am | Stephen Hicks

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is one of my favorite places in Colorado. I've camped there several times over the years and it never fails to amaze me. It is extremely quiet and peaceful and is truly a natural wonder.

National Parks Conservation Association: Interior Buckled to NRA Over Park Gun Laws

Nov 22nd - 14:25pm | Bonson cook

THis is ridiculous. There are a humungous about of Americans that support guns in parks. THerefore do not look over us.

Roughly One-Third of Curry Village to Be Permanently Closed in Yosemite National Park

Nov 22nd - 11:32am | pkrnger

I believe that permanent closure of these 233 units at Curry Village is the right thing to do.

Upon Further Review - What Visited Your Campsite While You Were Sleeping?

Nov 22nd - 10:51am | Bob Janiskee

There's a tale -- perhaps apocalyptic -- that goes like this. A group of backpackers (one version has it that they are Boy Scouts) decide to spend the night in an abandoned building (a barn?). They are rudely awakened, several of them having been bitten by copperheads on rodent patrol. Has anybody else heard this story? True or not, it gives me the creeps.

Nov 22nd - 10:42am | hobblefoot

I was once cheerfully awoken by a mouse pulling on my hair, I assume to make a nest. Ifelt a tug and opened my eyes to see a small field mouse staring at me as if to say good morning. This was much better than my hiking partner's experience, who was rudely awakened by the backup warning of the garbage truck emptying the campground dumpster!

Don't Be Surprised to See Clinton Administration Influence In an Obama Interior Department

Nov 22nd - 09:43am | Lone Hiker

You asked for it.......you got it........the triumphant return of the Hill and Billary Show! All the Libs and Cons have enough fodder to last the next 4 years now. There goes the neighborhood.

Nov 21st - 17:12pm | Kurt Repanshek

Uhhhhhh, no thanks. I couldn't live in D.C.

Nov 21st - 17:05pm | Anonymous

Kurt, how about throwing in your hat for the position? You know more than these clowns who are running Bush's environmental fiasco team, or are so called Department of Interior. At least we can trust you to run the National Parks on a quality basis that's filled with transparency. Give it a shot!

Lava Beds National Monument is a Geologically and Historically Fascinating Place

Nov 22nd - 07:21am | Bob Janiskee

Thanks for that suggestion, Bill. Learning about a park's history before visiting it is a practice we heartily endorse here at Traveler.

Nov 22nd - 06:57am | Bill Roberts

Fantastic scenery, but read up on the Modoc War before you go so you can really enjoy your visit. Once again wear good hiking shoes or boots. I like leather with ankle support. Been 20 years since I was there and they may not let you venture everywhere anymore. Well worth a visit, but once again, know your history to make sure you know your history to make it more interesting.

Yellowstone, Grand Teton Officials Searching For Snowmobile, Snowcoach Solution

Nov 21st - 21:13pm | WW

I took an unguided tour about 10 years ago, on the groomed trails (ROADS), and was the 2nd most memoriable events of my life. (Sorry WW, but our readers really don't need to know about your most memorable event. -- the editors.)

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