Geocaching

What is Geocaching?

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Geocaching is the real-world treasure hunt that’s happening right now, all around you. There are 2,189,060 active geocaches and over 6 million geocachers worldwide.

There’s a new post over on the Geocaching blog that starts to answer the question “what is geocaching?”

From the blog:

You’re among the first to see a new geocaching debut. We’re proud to launch the new “What is Geocaching?” video. Watch and share the easy-to-understand video to quickly show all those who ask you, “What is Geocaching?” Once you’ve shared the video, soak up all the thank you’ll receive for introducing people to the joys of geocaching.

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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.

Activities, Hiking - General, National Parks

Amusing Planet on Half Dome, The Granite Peak at Yosemite National Park

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Amusing Planet posted a blog with GREAT pictures about Half Dome and the joys of hiking to the top.

From the article:

The trail starts with a 13.7 km hike, followed by a rigorous 3.2 km approach including several hundred feet of granite stairs. The final 400-foot ascent up the peak’s steep but somewhat rounded east face is ascended with the aid of a pair of post-mounted braided steel cables raised on posts that lead to the breath-taking summit. This cable route was constructed close to the Anderson route in 1919 by the Sierra Club for visitors who have no rock climbing ability or equipment. Following the Half Dome Cables Trail is a unique experience, and it has become one of the most popular hikes in Yosemite National Park. As many as 1,000 hikers per day have sometimes climbed the dome on a summer weekend, and about 50,000 hikers climb it every year.

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