Part Time Vagabond

VIDEO: People in Yosemite

// December 16th, 2009 // No Comments » // VIDEO

I love video, so when I come across a good one, I just have to show you! Here’s one from Steven Bumgardner – a.k.a. YosemiteSteve on Twitter – who shot and edited this timelapse video for his Yosemite Nature Notes podcast. Make sure you look at it in all its full screen, high definition glory. My favorite part comes in around 2:31, where the people look like ants scrambling up the rockface.

People in Yosemite: A TimeLapse Study from Steven M. Bumgardner on Vimeo.

VIDEO: The Backpacker Magazine Interview: Ken Burns

// August 23rd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // VIDEO

Ken Burns’ new film hits PBS on September 27, and it’s sure to be another amazing television event. Here, Burns sits down with Backpacker Magazine’s Tracy Ross to talk about the film and his ideas about why the National Parks are important, and who really influenced and created them.

Friends of Acadia offers Van Tours of Historic National Park.

// August 21st, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

As a huge fan of Acadia National Park in Maine, I try to keep updated on news from the park. The non-profit conservancy Friends of Acadia “preserves, protects, and promotes stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations.” It’s a great organization that is working to preserve a place of natural beauty that is very close to my heart. If you’re going to be in the area of Bar Harbor, ME on either August 22 or September 13, I highly suggest you reserve a spot.

Friends of Acadia is offering van tours of the Schoodic District of Acadia National Park on Saturday, August 22, and Sunday September 13, 2009. Come hear more about the resort development proposed for the 3,200 acres adjacent to the park, the natural resources of the region, and efforts to preserve this land. If you would like to attend, please contact Stephanie Clement at stephanie@friendsofacadia.org.

Fee Free U.S. National Parks This Weekend!

// August 12th, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

This weekend, August 15-16 is the last one this summer to visit the U.S. National Parks for free!

The National Park Service announced back in June that there would be several weekends this summer when entrance fees would be waived and people could enjoy all that the parks have to offer without ponying up much dough. Granted, some National Parks and Monuments are already free, but the more popular places are worth it. Bear in mind that some fees (like camping and third party events) are not waived. The NPS has posted a list of all the parks offering this fee free weekend, listed by state. Many third party park vendors are also holding specials in honor of the fee-free weekend.

If you’ve never visited one of your national parks, you really have no idea what you’re missing. From famous battlefields, to national historical landmarks, to forests and plains, the National Park System is as varied as the people who fund it (that would be you). This is the perfect opportunity for you to learn more about the National Parks and what the NPS is trying to accomplish.