Videophilia

[Pangloss62]

Good point, serpent. Whether Monument or Park, so many things have changed in terms of what you can and cannot do. They used to make a fire waterfall at Yosemite; after the ranger did his spiel at the fire ring on top of the cliff, he would dump all the coals over the edge, creating a cool pyro effect. In Mammoth cave in KY, they would go into this big "room," turn off the lights, and then the ranger would throw a flaming oilly rag thing through the air. They even had lunch service in a special cave room. That was before radon was a concern.

[xoxoxoBruce]

National park visitation data starting in 1930 peaked in 1987 at 1.2 visits per person per year. But by 2003 it had declined by about 25 percent to 0.9 visits per person per year, said Oliver Pergams, an ecologist at the University of Illinois who analyzed the data for the study.

The per person visits are down but what about attendance? It seems anytime I get near a national Park, in the last few years, it's thronged with people.

Personally, a park like a Civil or Revolutionary War battlefield isn't somewhere I'd go to commune with nature. They're for learning and putting into perspective the history that happened there. They usually don't require repeat visits to do that.

I've been to all the major and a majority of the minor National Parks, except Hawaii. Favorite is probably Glacier, with Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Yosemite tied for second. Climbing Mt. Katadin, air boating through the everglades, watching the bears in Denali, and feeling the ghosts at Alcatraz were fun but the isn't the boggle the mind experience of the top 4 on my list.
This is all a strictly personal thing, different strokes for different folks.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

TI've been to all the major and a majority of the minor National Parks, except Hawaii.

On our honeymoon to Hawaii, my wife and I knew we were going to visit Volcano National Park (or whatever it's called) so we packed our Golden Eagle Pass for the trip. As we approached the park gate, we were one of a long line of white rental cars. Pulling up to the booth, I handed the attendant my Golden Eagle Pass. He still asked me for the entrance fee. I had to tell him that it was a Golden Eagle Pass and that it covered my admittance. He looked really confused. I think he had never seen one in all his time there and was used to simply requesting $5 (or whatever the fee was) from each rental car.

[Pangloss62]

Personally, a park like a Civil or Revolutionary War battlefield isn't somewhere I'd go to commune with nature.

I can understand that, but after about 10 years working for the NPS, I've come to really appreciate those military parks. Those were originally managed by the War Department, but were absorbed into the NPS in 1933. Today they are located in the midst of American sprawl, and exist as little utopias within the more disorganized urban landscape. Orderly and well-layed-out, they are nice places to walk, think (not just about history), and enjoy the outdoors. They are quiet, peaceful places, designed landscapes that please the eye. And many of the monuments and sculpture represent a unique period of public art in American history.



Any land that is not given over to unplanned commercialism is OK with me.

[bbro]

Was that link for me? I got an error when I opened it.

[Pangloss62]

Sorry bro. Try this one.


[url]http://www.cr.nps.gov/history

[Pangloss62]

Nitpick away. But ALL of those are National Parks. People have a tendency to think of National Parks as ONLY ones like Yellowstone or Grand Canyon. They don't consider "cultural resource" parks like National Battlefieds or cemeteries as National Parks, but they are. The Appalachian Trail is managed by the NPS, and Everglades, Great Smoky, Cape Cod National Seashore, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Big Cypress, Barataria Preserve...there are lots of nice Eastern National Park. But I know what you mean; there really is no comparison on With the great Western parks. Nonetheless, I could take you to a place in Big South Fork in on the TN/KY border that would blow your mind in terms of natural beauty.

Saying that the West's type of beauty is "better" always prejudices me against the speaker. Can't help it, always thought of it as an ignorant statement.
Preferring it is one thing, but that absolute statement comes out of more mouths than I can count... it is constant.

[glatt]

Have you been out West to the various parks out there?

[Pangloss62]

I would agree, rage. That's why I said "there's no comparison," meaning it's like apples and oranges, not that the parks of the west are "better." I'm more of an old-rock kinda guy, that's why I personally like the folds and smooth hills of the Appalachians. Mt. Katadin, in ME, is probably my favorite, and the glacial lakes of Quebec make for a sublime landscape.

I've only been to Muir Woods and Point Reyes as far as "Western" parks are concerned.

Originally Posted by Pangloss62

I would agree, rage. That's why I said "there's no comparison," meaning it's like apples and oranges, not that the parks of the west are "better." I'm more of an old-rock kinda guy, that's why I personally like the folds and smooth hills of the Appalachians. Mt. Katadin, in ME, is probably my favorite, and the glacial lakes of Quebec make for a sublime landscape.

I've only been to Muir Woods and Point Reyes as far as "Western" parks are concerned.

I love all the parks I have been to... just don't see how one can compare Death Valley or Sequoia to the Everglades or Ocala, just silly to even consider it.

[Kitsune]

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

I love all the parks I have been to... just don't see how one can compare Death Valley or Sequoia to the Everglades or Ocala, just silly to even consider it.

What, exactly, does one do in the everglades? I've been really tempted to haul the kayak down there and do some exploring, but I want to know what camping in the winter months is like or if it is even recommended.

Ocala, from my short trips into the depths of the park, is wonderful. Juniper Wilderness is nothing but pure quiet.

[wolf]

Most commercialism is actually very carefully planned.

[Undertoad]

Pan, I have an issue with signage at this location:





They put the damn boating signs in the middle of the river!

It looks as if that may not have been the case at the time the sign was put there. Unless you were making a joke.