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Parks work to improve visitor diversity
The image of the American melting pot unifying all Americans into one culture has vanished from the American psyche and transformed into the image of a salad bowl, with each culture adding their distinct flavor. Minorities now make up about 35 percent of the population in the United States, anRead More…
Nightskies are at best in national parks
On clear, pristine nights when not a single cloud disrupts our view, we look up and remark on the beauty that is the night sky. Orion and the Big Dipper have never looked so real. And yet, some of us may never know the true magnificence of the cosmos. EveryRead More…
Eco-Tent debuts at Everglades’ campground
The Everglades National Park has come together with other South Florida institutions to open a new overnight lodging option, the Flamingo Eco-Tent, in the park. The Flamingo Lodge, located in the Everglades since 1959, closed after two major hurricanes, Katrina and Wilma, swept through the southeastern United States in 2005.Read More…
Gettysburg readies for 150th anniversary
GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Seven score and 10 years ago Gen. George Pickett led his unsuccessful charge as the Union forces repelled the Confederacy in one of the bloodiest, yet most significant days in American history. Now, the Gettysburg National Military Park prepares to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the BattleRead More…
Film puts Lincoln historic sites in spotlight
Steven Speilberg’s latest blockbuster “Lincoln” has been in headlines for months, most recently for winning two Academy Awards including best actor. This film helped refocuses our nation’s attention on one of our most significant Presidents at a most opportune time: 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation andRead More…
Park rangers serve as NPS ‘backbone’
Pebbles crunched and waves gently lapped the beach as Park Ranger Gary Bremen strolled down the narrow path, a bucket in hand and a straggly line of visitors behind him. After about 10 feet, Bremen, who works at Biscayne National Park in Homestead, Fla., stops at a clearing in theRead More…
Statue of Liberty is tourists’ favorite
NEW YORK — New York City is on par with Paris, Rome and London among the most frequently visited cities in the world. It’s no surprise that, along with those three cities, New York also has an iconic monument that makes it attractive as a tourist destination. Paris has theRead More…
Living in Dry Tortugas can be challenge
DRY TORTUGAS, Fla. – It’s 7 a.m. at Fort Jefferson and Lead Conservator Ron Harvey is starting his day along with three of his team members to work on the treatment of the cannons that have been at the fort for more than 100 years. Fort Jefferson is located inRead More…
Journey to Tortugas includes key lime pie
My trip to the Dry Tortugas National Park felt like a never-ending journey. The day began at 3 a.m. As my alarm rang, I thought to myself, “This is going to be a long day,” and it was. Yet, I was excited because I had never been to the DryRead More…
Gulf holds many wreck stories
DRY TORTUGAS, Fla. — If the waters of the Gulf of Mexico that surround the Dry Tortugas National Park could speak, they would tell stories of victory, conspiracy, and tragedy. The series of seven islands located about 70 miles west of Key West are known as the holding place ofRead More…
King Memorial honors civil rights leader
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two ladies were walking away from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and looked pleased with what they just saw. “I think it’s beautiful, it’s the second time I’ve been here,” said Demarus, who declined to give her last name. “It captures Martin Luther King’s spirit andRead More…
Mountain trails offer peaceful, scenic views
ESTES PARK, Colo. — On the way up the mountain on a very long, windy road, to the Rocky Mountains, one will pass the small mountain town of Estes Park. This town is charming in its own way; it was lined with Christmas trees and lights and even had SantaRead More…