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MSNBC’s Top 10 National Park Lodges List Draws Curmudgeonly, but Gentle Criticism

Aug 25th - 21:40pm | vink80

Hooray and well said ---- from an 84 year old that has visited most of these parks over the past 50 or so years and seen the areas turned into "some damn country club" and agree whole heartedly that some important factors have been lost.

The Economist Warns that America’s National Park System is in Deep, Deep Trouble

Aug 25th - 21:28pm | Anonymous

if the national parks weren't for people to use, they would need to be called something different than a park:

Aug 25th - 20:36pm | Barky

Just to respond to the somewhat vitriolic attitude of some that I, or other like-minded folks on this board, are "environmental whackos", I will only say this:

Aug 25th - 18:47pm | Dan Simonds

I have to say that I agree very much with "Frank C." I am among the 1 million plus Americans who live fulltime in an RV. Seeing and working at our National Parks and Forests is a major part of a lot of our lives. I have worked the past couple years for the Corp of Engineers as a Park Attendant Contractor.

Aug 25th - 15:46pm | Lloyd S.

"Thanks for the straight-up description of good, typical, play & work by the rules Americans. The compromising labors & unglamorous job-commitments of the many, is what enables our modern civilization to ... imagine & create National Parks, among other improvements.

Aug 25th - 13:38pm | Ted Clayton

Kirby & Frank;

Aug 25th - 11:23am | Ted Clayton

Bob Janiskee; No, I did not get a sense that you 'shaded' The Economist's 'Disney-message'. But I will say they themselves 'massaged' the message ill-advisedly. (I have not read their article.) Consider:

Aug 25th - 11:09am | Bugsyshallfall

I think the problem describe in this article is part of a much larger problem with the park system and what defines a "National Park". I agree with Ted on many of his comments, yet environmentalists do bring up some good points. A compromise must be reached but the environmentalists have a history of not willing to compromise.

Aug 25th - 10:55am | Ted Clayton

Lloyd S.; Thanks for the straight-up description of good, typical, play & work by the rules Americans. The compromising labors & unglamorous job-commitments of the many, is what enables our modern civilization to ... imagine & create National Parks, among other improvements.

Aug 25th - 10:34am | Bugsyshallfall

No, but I think it is the line "less kid-safe" that does it.

Aug 25th - 10:29am | Bob Janiskee

Are there others who think that my summary left the impression that The Economist has argued for 'Disneyfication" of America's national parks? That certainly was not what I had in mind.

Aug 25th - 10:29am | Bugsyshallfall

It sounds like the real problem is the lack of money NPS has for operations and imporvements at our National Parks. It is a new spin on an old problem that is only getting worse.

Aug 25th - 10:05am | Lloyd S.

First of all, I'd suggest that people read the Economist Article. That's a good summary here, but contrary to the impression left, the Economist is not advocating the Disneyfication of our National Parks. They mostly advoacte maintenance and renovation, with some modern conveniences added in.

Aug 25th - 09:43am | Bugsyshallfall

For Now Most new immigrants go to state parks, but that may change as time goes on as Hispanics are a sort of new part of the population is many parts of the US. One "thing" that may or may not be a problem is how the NPS can't advertises. I am personally conflicted on this issue.

Aug 25th - 02:17am | Kirby Adams

Ted,

Aug 25th - 00:53am | Ted Clayton

Kirby said:

Aug 25th - 00:30am | Brandy

As nearly every individual in this forum has stated the same reaction to this discussion, National Parks were not established for the entertainment and modernization of contemporary America. Well, no sh*t Sherlock. Anyone who would demand our National Parks were "customized" should be deemed insane and sent away - in my mind.

Aug 24th - 23:35pm | Kirby Adams

Actually, though, entertainment is a normal, healthy human behavior. Our propensity for and capability to create settings for entertainment and the social & psychological rewards it brings, is one of the more attractive things about humans.

Aug 24th - 22:25pm | Ted Clayton

Frank expresses a sincere disdain for entertainment, and perhaps for people who seek it. Actually, though, entertainment is a normal, healthy human behavior. Our propensity for and capability to create settings for entertainment and the social & psychological rewards it brings, is one of the more attractive things about humans.

Aug 24th - 22:24pm | Michigander

I agree with most of the comments above. I can add some commentary on the notion that International visitors are picking up the attendance slack. In early August 2008 I visited Yosemite and Sequoia and it was EXTREMELY rare to hear any English speaking visitors on all the walks to the points of interest or at visitor centers. I honestly felt like I was somewhere in Europe.

Aug 24th - 21:50pm | Ted Clayton

Barky takes The Economist's point that the 'anti' policies of environmentalists have reduced Park attendance one step further, by describing them as "good". I in turn will take Barky's point an additional step, by describing the attendance-reducing effect of environmentalist policies as "intentional".

Aug 24th - 20:20pm | Barky

Um, good?? The NPS system's primary mission, IMO, is the preservation of undamaged natural ecosystems, unique natural features, and sites of national historic importance. What better way to preserve a site than have fewer visitors tromping around them?

Giving a Name to Yosemite Area Peak for Longtime Ranger Carl Sharsmith.

Aug 25th - 16:19pm | Rick Smith

As a former ranger in Yosemite and the Tuolumne Meadows Sub-district ranger during some of Dr. Sharsmith's legendary service as one of the finest interpreters I have ever met, I originally wrote a letter in support of naming this peak for him. I have subsequently changed my mind, and although I will not withdraw my letter of support, I no longer support this proposal.

Aug 25th - 11:07am | pkrnger

Some of you might remember Larry Nahm, one of Yosemite National Park's first librarians. Larry worked with many of us who had the privilege of residing in Yosemite during the early 1970's.

Find Me, Spot. Staying Found in The National Parks

Aug 25th - 14:41pm | hikerjim

Like all new technology it will take a while for the general public to learn to use these devices and where they can be used effectively. I doubt the Utah couple would have had much success with one in the Grand Canyon as PLB's don't seem to work there. The recent rescues in Sequoia are what these items where made for.

Aug 25th - 14:27pm | Steve Sergeant

I certainly think this "always connected" technology brings advantages to the individual, and can be helpful to emergency responders. I typically carry ham radio equipment into the California, Oregon, and Nevada wilderness areas I visit for some of the same reasons.

Aug 24th - 23:20pm | Ted Clayton

Spot is a step in a good direction. It combines several independent, pre-existing services, to make a useful new service. The unit-cost is $169.99, which is certainly ball-park or better for devices in this genre.

Another Look at Those GPS Rangers in the National Parks

Aug 25th - 12:59pm | Sunny Smith

My name is Sunny Smith and I am the Marketing Manager for BarZ Adventures, the makers of the GPS Ranger multimedia tour guide system. We appreciate your interest in our GPS video tours at the National Parks and now have tours operating at 8 different resources within the National Park system.

Aug 25th - 12:21pm | Sunny Smith

Hi Ted,

Aug 25th - 02:46am | Kirby Adams

I have trouble seeing anything negative about this. I just got back from an extended trip through Olympic, Theodroe Roosevelt, Badlands, and Yellowstone National Parks. I saw a lot of the old-school interpretation you speak of, Kurt. And I hate to say this, but old school isn't always the best school.

Aug 24th - 22:51pm | Ted Clayton

When I walk in the creek-canyons and woods surrounding my home here on the Olympic Peninsula, I come across many specific specimens & sites that I want to remember & revisit, to watch how they develop and further pursue thoughts & questions that they stimulate.

Aug 24th - 14:33pm | Kim Hansen

As an educator I feel that this is a wonderful way to enhance a students experience. It allows students to get speicific information in a format that they are more comfortable with. Students will be more into using the GPS than a guidebook.

Aug 22nd - 22:18pm | Jean

I love this idea. So many times while traveling with my husband, the guided tours just do not fit into our schedule. It is nice to have the rangers available for people who want ranger led tours, but it is also great to have this option available also. We will make sure that we use the GPS tours on our next trip

Aug 22nd - 22:06pm | Bill Bowen

I have used hand held electronic tour guides in many museums and other points of interest in Germany and Austria. They were available in different languages and very helpful in providing information about the location visited. The also allow the user to explore a location at his own pace.

Aug 22nd - 12:04pm | Chas

I think this is a good idea. My family and I enjoyed using portable audio tour guides at Carlsbad Caverns some years ago as well as similar devices at the Van Gogh museum in 2000.

What's the Solution For Cape Hatteras National Seashore?

Aug 25th - 09:20am | dapster

Gentlemen,

Aug 24th - 00:11am | Ted Clayton

James R. Pepper, I wanted people to see that just because their favored activities on Cape Hatteras are customary & traditional, that does not mean they will be meaningful (much less decisive) in court. So I provided examples.

Aug 23rd - 16:38pm | James R. Pepper

Ted Clayton: “customary and traditional” does not provide any rights on the beaches of Hatteras. I am confused about how you present your case because at times it sounds these are common law rights, at other times, you seem to be saying they are statutory. You say: "A right is secured, based on a C&T: in this case, by being codified in an Act of Congress."

Aug 22nd - 23:22pm | Ted Clayton

dapster, Oh, what people do on the beaches of Cape Hatteras is 'customary & traditional' alright; the challenge is to 'secure' a legally enforceable right to continue the practices - based on the claim that they are C&T.

Aug 22nd - 11:59am | dapster

Mr. Pepper and Mr. Clayton,

National Park Quiz 16: Waterfalls

Aug 24th - 16:34pm | Bob Janiskee

Thanks for the feedback, Joseph and Anon. Dark Hollow Falls is a cascade waterfall, not a plunge waterfall. (Don't know if it can also be considered a tier horse tail.) Sorry it took so long to correct the typo in the answer section, but I only found out about the problem a few minutes ago.

Aug 22nd - 20:30pm | Larry P Morgan

To see some of the beautiful pictures of Yellowstone River Falls, you can use this link. http://yellowstone.travelingmorgans.com/index_page0004.htm

North Cascades National Park Officials Over a Barrel With Stocking Trout

Aug 24th - 01:00am | Ted Clayton

Lakes in the high-country of Olympic Nat'l Park were also stocked with fish - as part of the very popular 'enhancement' programs early in the 20th C., before the land became Park.

Aug 23rd - 06:43am | Anonymous

If they wait for congress to do something they will die waiting.

Black Bear Attacks Child at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Aug 23rd - 08:47am | Tommy Kirkland

Dear JoAnn, Please contact me at [email protected] about your visit to the Rainbow Falls Trails. I'm doing research on bear attacks in the Smokies. Tommy

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

Aug 23rd - 08:16am | Michael Kellett

Frank_C,

Aug 22nd - 16:44pm | Michael Kellett

FrankC and Ted, I appreciate your comments, even where we may disagree. As for my previous comments, I wrote them after a long day and I apologize if some things were not well stated. Here is a little more explanation, responding to both of your comments.

A Century of National Parks in Utah To be Celebrated Labor Day Weekend

Aug 22nd - 17:06pm | Michael Kellett

Thanks for the warning, Lone Hiker. Actually, I have been working with the folks at Glen Canyon Institute and am totally aware of the politics of Lake Powell reservoir. I think things are rapidly changing, however.

Aug 22nd - 13:45pm | SaltSage236

There are currently no proposals that I'm aware of to allow energy development within any of Utah's national parks, the possible exception being Glen Canyon NRA, where a proposal for exploratory wells was struck down a year or so ago. I'm not sure of its current status, however.

Aug 22nd - 12:55pm | Lone Hiker

Careful Micheal, you're opening up yourself to a ton of anti-recreation e-mail expressing those sentiments regarding Lake Powell. Which, by the way, I happen to agree with and have been resoundingly blasted for on past threads. Such is life.

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