Category Archives: California

National Forests, News

Rim Fire Images from the Atlantic

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

For almost two weeks the Rim Fire has continued to burn and expand in northern California.  By the time it is contained and put out it will, undoubtedly, be one of the larger – if not the largest – fire in California’s history.  There are many reasons for the fire, and the finger-pointing will begin before the ashes are cool, but in the meantime there are amy photographers on the scene recording incredible, heroic, frightening, and even horrific images.

The Atlantic has compiled some of the better images on their website HERE.

Later, we can review the tapes and see which politicians were fiddling while California burned.

National Parks

FREE park admission for Founders Day at Yosemite August 25!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Yosemite National Park is Celebrating Founder’s Day on August 25th (which, coincidentally, is National Parks Day, too!).

Park entrance fees are waived for the Day!  All other fees associated with camping, lodging, or activities within the park are not waived. The fee waiver is good for Sunday, August 25, Founder’s Day, only.

From the National Park Service website:

Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra.

First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.

If you can’t make it to Yosemite, remember: August 25th is National Parks day, and many parks are offering free park admission on that day!  Check with your local park and see if it’s free!

News

From the “umm … really?” file: California schools ban California flag

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

California’s Monterey Peninsula Unified School District has barred students from wearing any clothing with the California flag, maps of the state, bears, the NorCal star or any references to the Bay Area. School officials say police warned them those symbols may now be associated with gangs.

So … no California flag, no map of the state … that’s going to make civics and geography classes kinda difficult to teach.

National Parks

Happy 97th Anniversary National Park Service!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The National Parks Service will mark its 97th anniversary on Sunday, Aug. 25. Most of the parks will be celebrating by offering FREE ADMISSION!  Get out there and visit your national parks!

From the NPS website:

Since 1916, the American people have entrusted the National Park Service with the care of their national parks. With the help of volunteers and park partners, we are proud to safeguard these more than 400 places and to share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.

We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.

You can find out more about the National Park Service – and find a National Park near you – on their website HERE.