Winter wonderland of National Park's seasonal events

The National Park Service (NPS) and the non-profit National Park Foundation are counting on you and the family to jump in your sleighs and visit a park to take in some seasonal festivities. Parks distributed throughout the country are having special activities in December, so there's bound to be something near where your RV travels take you.

Alaska - Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
December 2, 2011, join in the holiday cheer with performances by local talent, sing along carols, stories, poems and refreshments at the Yuletide Christmas Concert in the National Park Service Auditorium.

Colorado - Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
December 2 and 3, witness the joys, pleasures and pastimes of the 1840s at an isolated trading post with candlelight tours of the fort.

Indiana - Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

On December 10, visitors can take part in Holiday Traditions in the Dunes including activities in four different park locations, tree decorating and a live performance from Nordic Kids.

Iowa - Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
December 2 through December 4, the birthplace of Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, will host "A Christmas Past" events.

Louisiana - Cane River Creole National Historical Park
Stop by the Magnolia Plantation Overseer's house on December 10 for Christmas crafts and live music by the LaCour Trio. The whole plantation complex will be open for self guided tours.

Missouri - Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
Come out and enjoy the 2011 Historic Holiday Traditions Weekend Series on December 3, December 10 and December 17. The Historical Old Courthouse will feature music and activities that will take place in the rotunda, which will be adorned beautifully with Victorian decorations. Complimentary cookies and juice will be served during all weekend events.

Montana - Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
On December 4, explore the elegant Kohrs' family ranch house. It will be decorated to reflect a Victorian Christmas.

Nebraska - Homestead National Monument of America
From November 25 through December 31, the Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures celebrates the winter traditions of people who lived on the Great Plains during the homesteading era.

New York - Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
Visit the Vanderbilt Mansion from November 25 to December 21 to view the holiday decorations; or kick off the holiday season at the special Holiday Open House on December 4.

Ohio - Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Journey to the North Pole on The Polar Express™ Children's Holiday Train November 17 through December 20. Enjoy hearing a reading of The Polar Express™ en route to the North Pole. Passengers are encouraged to wear their pajamas. Cookies and hot chocolate are served.

Pennsylvania - Steamtown National Historic Site
Join in the merriment and festivities aboard the steam-powered "Holiday Express" rides to Moscow, Pennsylvania on November 23, 24 and December 1. Enjoy holiday songs, stories and other fun activities for the children at both the former passenger station and freight depots.

Utah - Golden Spoke National Historic Site
From December 28 – 30, visitors can take part in the annual Winter Steam Festival and watch one of their locomotives in action, as well as at rest in the same spot where the transcontinental railroad was completed over 142 years ago.

Washington - Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Friday evenings through mid-December visitors take park in a guided lantern tour through the Fur Store, the Counting House, and Bake House. You will learn what activities would have occurred once the sun set at Fort Vancouver

Washington, D.C. – The White House and President's Park
After kicking off the holiday season with The National Christmas Tree Lighting on December 1st, visitors are invited to Santa's Workshop to meet Santa and his elves and enjoy holiday music performances throughout the month of December.

photo: Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, Colorado, National Park Service

Winter camping opens at Mount Rainier National Park

If you've never tried winter camping in snow country, you will have the opportunity soon to try it out at Mount Rainier National Park.

When the snow level reaches 60 inches, enough to protect the fragile subalpine vegetation, officials open some sections of the park especially for snow camping. The level is now about 70 inches.

RVs will be allowed in the Paradise lower parking lot or the upper parking lot across trom the Paradise Inn as well as at Narada Falls and Longmire. For more information on winter camping at Mount Rainier, go here.

A new webcam went online last week showing a view of Longmire. Mounted on the second floor of the administration building, the camera looks toward the Longmire Museum and the road leading up from the Nisqually Entrance, with the National Park Inn hidden behind the trees in the distance. You can find the new camera here. There also are six additional webcams at Paradise and one at Camp Muir.

Extreme cold weather RV camping requires some extra safety precautions and planning to stay both safe and warm. Some tips for winter camping, including use of propane heaters, sealing all air leaks, and guarding against freezing water tanks and piping can be found here.

Winter snow camping is not for all of us, but Mount Rainier makes it possible to try it out under favorable conditions with help--if needed--near by.

Yosemite in winter? A crazy, snowy getaway.

In their rush for gold, the early forty-niners completely missed one of the world’s greatest treasures. Ensconced on the western flank of California’s Sierra Nevada is this week’s National Park Getaway. Yosemite National Park is not just any gem, but one of the world’s best-loved protected areas.

Yosemite is famous for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves and biological diversity. The Tuolumne and Merced rivers, both protected Wild and Scenic Rivers, begin in the park. Nearly 95 percent of Yosemite, a World Heritage site since 1984, is designated wilderness.

Frederick Law Olmsted, America’s foremost landscape architect, called it the “noblest public park” in the world. Ansel Adams, Albert Bierstadt, John Muir are among a host of artistic giants who shaped America’s vision of Yosemite as an icon of wilderness.

But Yosemite in the winter? Sounds crazy to many, but if your RV is winter-ready (read that enclosed holding tanks, and lots of propane to run the furnace, a set of tire chains and frequent weather forecast checking), Yosemite in the "off season" can be a marvel. The park's Chief of Interpretation, Tom Medema, has his own observations on Yosemite in winter, courtesy of the National Park Service.

"Winter has the opposite effect on me as it does on much of Yosemite's wildlife. Instead of entering hibernation, it is a time of awakening and invigoration like no other! Crisp clean air, brilliant blue sky set against the blanket of white, silence except for the stride of my skis, joyful screams of trepidation and glee on the ski hill and ice rink — these are things that keep one coming back to Yosemite in winter day after day, week after week, year after year.

"Imagine the perfect winter morning: Yosemite Valley is blanketed in white with a fresh coat of snow outlining every detail – rock walls, black oaks, riverbanks, and historic buildings. The sublime scenery created in winter here is almost overwhelming.

"And it's not just the stunning site that takes my breath away … the historic and significant ice rink at Curry Village offers visitors and locals alike a unique and addicting way to raise heartbeats and stretch cramped winter legs. In the 1930s, Yosemite boasted a successful travelling club hockey team, a team that travelled as far as Los Angeles to play matches. Figure skating, speed skating, and ice dancing were all the rage at Curry Village; a unique tradition that continues today with adult and youth hockey, figure skating lessons, and open skating for the public — all in the shadow of Half Dome and Glacier Point. It is unquestionably the most scenic ice rink in the world.

For ski enthusiasts, the perfect day starts with a careful drive up the mountain road to Badger Pass for a quiet morning of cross-country touring on trails surrounding the downhill ski area. Follow this with a fun and adventurous snowshoe walk with a park ranger and end the day in high spirits with an afternoon of lift-line-free downhill or telemark skiing at the oldest and most historic ski area in California! Badger Pass is a perfectly unintimidating family mountain, great for beginners and tough enough for experienced skiers to find great lines through the trees or on the short steeps.perfectly unintimidating family mountain, great for beginners and tough enough for experienced skiers to find great lines through the trees or on the short steeps."

What about camping? The majority of Yosemite's campgrounds close for the winter, but a few remain open year round for hardy travelers. Yosemite Valley's Upper Pines Campground, which requires reservations, and Camp 4, which is first-come, first-serve, are open all year. Wawona Campground, near the Wawona Hotel in southern Yosemite, accepts but does not require winter reservations. The same is true for Hodgdon Meadow Campground, near the Big Oak Flat entrance (Yosemite's northwest entrance) on Highway 120.

ALWAYS call ahead and check weather conditions, and make sure you're up to the task. If you are, Yosemite may be this winter's bet for a snowy RV stay.

photo: Tom Medema, courtesy National Park Service

Nation's 397th National Park dedicated

New Jersey is now home to the country's newest National Park: Paterson Great Falls. On November 7, 2011 the Park Service held formal ceremonies to welcome the new park to the fold.

The new park fronts one of the country's largest waterfalls, Great Falls, used for electrical production to drive New Jersey's industrial life. Preserved at the park are some of the original power generating system raceways and historic buildings.

Most decidedly an "urban park," the Park Service will have an interesting time developing plans for the park's future. At present there are no guided tours, no formal visitor center. Instead, the park is open to the public for self guided outdoor activities and tours. Take a walk around the park's historic district and see the mill buildings' architecture and gander at the falls.

A "partner" arrangement has been set up with the Paterson Museum. Located at 2 Market Street, the city operates the museum that displays local history, showing the industrial side of town. Textile machines, Colt revolvers, steam locomotives, and even a submarine prototype developed here, and tested on the nearby Passaic River. The museum schedule is Tuesday through Friday, 10 to 4, and 12:30 to 4:30 on weekends. Gate fees for the museum are $2 for adults with kids free. Phone the museum for more information at 973 321-1260.

photo: imprint777 on flickr.com

Park Service coup: 5,500 acres added to South Dakota park

Sacred to the Lakota Sioux, it was the first cave in the world to ever be declared a national park. When first "discovered" by moderns who heard the sound of a rushing wind blasting out from a hole in the ground, history says the blast was strong enough to blow a hat off the head. Over 135 miles of passages mark it the fifth largest known cave on the planet.

But not everything here is underground, up "topside," the largest remaining natural mixed-grass prairie in the United States attracts bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs. It is home to one of America's most ecologically-significant bison herds, which dates back to bison relocated to the park from the Bronx Zoo and Yellowstone in the early 20th century.

Wind Cave National Park recently got a boost with the addition of 5,555 acres of former ranchland, including a thousand-year-old buffalo jump and a historic homestead. In an arrangement that yoked the government and a non-profit group, a land deal was swung that truly enhances the scope of Wind Cave. Non-profit group The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit snapped up the property at auction from the Casey family last year and transferred it to the Park Service. It was the culmination of a process started in 2000 when the family approached the Service about selling the land to the park.

In 2005, Congress passed legislation to expand the park pending an appropriation to purchase the land. When the land was put up for auction by the Casey family, The Conservation Fund purchased the property to hold for the NPS until federal funding became available.

What will be done with the "new" land? Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis says, "We look forward to providing educational programs about the buffalo jump and historic ranch to area school children and all our visitors." Jarvis refers to Native Americans who hunted buffalo on the newly acquired land over a thousand years ago, driving them over buffalo jumps, or cliffs.

The Service has plenty of planning to do about the future use of the land and is hopeful to get insight from park visitors on how this should develop. For RVers, the park's Elk Mountain Campground provides a spot to make camp and a point to explore from The campground is open all year although flush toilets and water are only available during part of the year. The campground fee is $12.00 a night per site when water and toilet facilities are available. In late fall through early spring when the water is turned off, the fee is $6.00 a night per site. Visitors holding a Senior or Access Pass, or a Golden Age or Golden Access Pass pay half price a night per site.

Wind Cave National Park is firmly planted on the South Dakota prairie, 52 road miles south of Rapid City. The park is open year around, and you can plan your visit by visiting the park's web site.

National Parks honor Veterans's Day with free entrance

The National Park Service will commemorate Veterans Day by waiving entrance fees and holding special events from November 11 to 13.

"America’s national parks have close ties to all those who have served, or are serving, in the military," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "There are dozens of national parks that commemorate battles fought on American soil. Veterans Day weekend is the perfect time to visit a place like Yorktown, Gettysburg, or Pearl Harbor and pay tribute to those who have served.

"Our country’s 397 national parks also preserve iconic symbols, including the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, and Mount Rushmore, and places of great beauty, such as Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, that have inspired generations of troops with national pride."

Some of the special events taking place this weekend include:

- A U.S. Navy Band concert at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (LA)

- Living history military encampments at Fort Moultrie (SC), Kings Mountain National Military Park (SC), Fort Pulaski National Monument (GA), and Shiloh National Military Park (TN)

- Living history Revolutionary War soldiers at Morristown National Historical Park (NJ)

- The Avenue of Flags at Andersonville National Historic Site (GA).

A complete list of events by park or state is available at www.nps.gov. In 2012, the National Park Service will offer fee free days on January 14 to 16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend), April 21 to 29 (National Park Week), June 9 (Get Outdoors Day), September 29 (National Public Lands Day), and November 10 to 12 (Veterans Day weekend). More information is available at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

photo: Morristown National Historic Park, US Military Photo

Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve -- This week’s National Park Getaway

Coupeville, Wash. – This week the National Park Getaway heads to the Pacific Northwest, an easy day trip from Seattle, to explore an island sanctuary in the Puget Sound composed almost entirely of privately-owned properties. Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve is managed cooperatively and tells a continuing story of exploration and settlement.

The nation’s first historical reserve, Ebey’s Landing protects a rural working landscape and community on Whidbey Island. Much of the reserve, with its rich agricultural prairies, woodlands, shorelines and historic
structures, appears to today's visitors much as it did a century ago. One hundred year-old farms are still active; forests are harvested; and century-old buildings still serve as homes or businesses. The historic
waterfront town of Coupeville, located within the Reserve boundary, still serves as the county seat.

You’ll find plenty of recreational opportunities including camping, hiking and biking. Spectacular views of beaches, water and mountains and an abundance of birds and wildlife add to the allure.

Read this week’s Getaway to learn more about this timeless landscape.

Will Congress add New Mexico site to Park Service oversight?

It's more than just another hole in the ground. Not only is it the third largest volcanic crater in the US, this "natural wonder" that lies 50 miles north and west of Santa Fe is a natural magnet for wildlife and folks looking for a hike through a largely unchanged landscape. Valles Caldera is part of the National Preserve that bears its name.

In 2000, the feds bought the caldera and the surrounding cattle ranch, turning the old Baca Ranch into a National Preserve. The aim was to turn the operation into a self-sustaining operation, with the cattle acting as a "cash cow," making enough of a profit to carry the costs. A great plan that's fizzling.

Under the original plan, if the self-sustaining part of the plan failed, then in 2015 the 89,000 acre property would transfer to US Forest Service management. Now a proposed bill before the Senate would cut out the Forest Service and hand over the Preserve to the National Park Service. Advocates, including members of the trust who currently manage Valles Caldera, say the NPS could do a better job. A study suggests with NPS management, there would be greater economic benefits, more protection of the natural resources, and give better recreational opportunities.

That could be a big plus. Today, recreation in the Preserve is chiefly the domain of hikers and trail bikers--non-motorized. Still there are plenty of wonders for those fleet of foot or wheel: The Jemenez River is full of fish, sports a 50' waterfall, and provides plenty of opportunities for rock climbers. Tired out from those pursuits? Soak yourself in a natural hot springs.

At this point, there is no place for camping in the Preserve. Whether the Park Service would change that is something the future would decide, should Congress decide to put Valles Caldera in the NPS portfolio. If you follow legislation, Senate Bill 564 is the decider.

photos: Valles Caldera National Preserve and Los Alamos National Laboratory

Virginia's Fort Monroe named National Monument

Fort Monroe, a historic fort in Virginia’s Tidewater region, played a pivotal role in the history of slavery in the United States. Built between 1819 and 1834, Fort Monroe has occupied a strategic coastal defensive position since the earliest days of the Virginia Colony.

It was the place where Dutch traders first brought enslaved Africans in 1619. During the Civil War, the fort remained in Union possession and became a place for escaped slaves to find refuge. Fort Monroe was the site of General Benjamin Butler’s “Contraband Decision” in 1861, which provided a pathway to freedom for thousands of enslaved people during the Civil War and served as a forerunner of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.

Today marks the first time President Obama has used his authority under the Antiquities Act in naming Fort Monroe a national monument.