National Parks Traveler Podcast

National Parks Traveler Editor Kurt Repanshek interviews John Hennessy regarding Stonewall Jackson's arm.

National Parks Traveler Editor Kurt Repanshek interviews Dr. Donna Shaver regarding the Kemps Ridley sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico.

National Parks Traveler Editor Kurt Repanshek interviews Senator Tom Udall regarding the promotion of our National Parks.

National Parks Traveler Editor Kurt Repanshek interviews Trevor Thomas, First blind person to thru-hike the ATC unassisted.

National Parks Traveler Editor Kurt Repanshek interviews Gerard Baker, Associate Director for American Indian Relations.

National Parks Traveler Editor Kurt Repanshek interviews Jon Jarvis, director of the National Parks Service

National Parks Traveler Editor Kurt Repanshek Participates In Conference Call With NRDC

Nearly every conversation that includes the words "Yellowstone" and "winter" also includes the words "snowmobiles." Well, for a change, I'd like to present this short 3 minute journey into the snowy winter season in Yellowstone National Park, that includes no snowmobiles! (You would have heard them had I left the audio unedited, but at least you want see any in this short movie.) Buffalo still roam, rivers still flow, but the entire place in winter is surrounded in mist and snow, which totally change the outlook on the landscape. And, as my colleague Rich Deline is heard to exclaim at the end of the video, the erupting geysers are pretty cool.

This week marks the beginning of the winter visitation season in Yellowstone National Park. Thanks to Rich Deline who has generously made available to the National Parks Traveler some of his footage for us to enjoy.

't realize the in-depth that the good stewards in the national parks went to. Often, we'd be accused of studying things to death. If you didn't hold that position during her tenure as director.

When I reached Ms. Mainella at Clemson University, where she’s a visiting scholar, she explained that as Park Service director she did not hold the final decision on snowmobiling in Yellowstone.

MAINELLA: All I can say is that those decisions, I chose to have my discussions in the 'll do another study. But I will say over time that I've come to really appreciate that, that we make good decisions based on good information.

KURT: Despite those words, don’t you still wonder whether science or politics are guiding snowmobiles in Yellowstone?

SOUND: Snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park.

KURT: At the National Parks Traveler, I’m Kurt Repanshek

A 3 minute video postcard from a recent visit to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas. I had the privilege of visiting this unit of the parks recently. Park interpreters led a tour of the historic house and barn, followed later by a bus tour of the prairie. I happened to be on the very last bus tour of the season, the next one won't be until April.

The park itself is pretty remote. I was traveling through Wichita and decided to take the side trip. The park is approximately 90 miles (one-way) from Wichita. Considering the drive consumed 3 hours of my time (round trip), I am glad I made the trip, it was worth it to see the area. Kansas isn't nearly as flat as I had thought it would be.

Credits --

Photography, Edits - Jeremy Sullivan

Music - John Fleagle, "Da Day Dawn", Magnatune.com

Special Thanks

- Julie Miller

- Interpreters of the Tallgrass Prairie