It’s the end of the presidential election season. Most of us feel relieved about that, but very nervous about the results. It feels like we’re on the verge of civil war, there are so many angry people on both sides. And no matter who wins, there are going to be some very bitter people who … Continue reading Politics: Wasn’t it Always a Wild and Crazy Sport?
history
The Heritage of our National Parks
On August 25, 2016, the National Park Service turned 100. We have many people to thank for the preservation of Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and nearly 400 other sites that tell the story of North America. The roots of the National Park system are deep - all the way back to 1832, when … Continue reading The Heritage of our National Parks
Parkfield: Preserving the Past for the Future
This summer we’ve been talking about places to go when you have a day off and need some fresh scenery. Let me tell you about one of my favorite places on the map. Parkfield is a quiet and quaint wide spot in the road located in the central coast mountains between Paso Robles … Continue reading Parkfield: Preserving the Past for the Future
Confrontation on the range
Federal control of public lands is a hot-button issue, one that’s getting hotter as the West continues to grow. It’s been building a long time and won’t go away soon. There’s a foreboding threat of violence in the protests known as the Sagebrush Rebellion. This is an issue we need to study and resolve. … Continue reading Confrontation on the range
Stolen Water, Stolen Dreams
I have a love-hate relationship with the eastern slope of California's Sierra Nevada. I love the country, the sheer majesty of the land; but I hate what people have done here. Following US Highway 395 along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada ia a magical trip with amazing vistas to see, natural mysteries to … Continue reading Stolen Water, Stolen Dreams
What’s in a name, anyway?
In Yosemite, the company that ran the concessions lost its contract - but kept the rights to the names of some of the park’s landmarks, even though those places were named long before the concessionaire ever came on the scene. It was a legal decision that stung and the Park Service is fighting to get … Continue reading What’s in a name, anyway?
E. Clampus Vitus: Historians who like to drink, or drinkers who like history?
Just who are the Clampers? Well, they are a good argument for something I’ve been told all my life - that men will be boys. They are historians who like to drink, or drinkers who like history - no one is sure which, not even the members of this offbeat group of oddballs. For … Continue reading E. Clampus Vitus: Historians who like to drink, or drinkers who like history?
