Hey Ranger! Pocohontas Meets Hollywood

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Have you ever visited a location because it was featured in a movie or TV show? Almost any Chamber of Commerce would be thrilled at the potential tourism traffic that can result from their town’s “stardom,” but fame can sometimes be a mixed blessing. A good example occurred a few years ago when Hollywood decided to bring Pocahontas to the big screen. Read more

Hey Ranger! Where’s the Cattle Guard?

As you travel rural roads, especially in the West, you may spot a highway sign warning that a cattle guard is located ahead. Drivers from other parts of the country–especially city dwellers–have been known to look around and, after failing to spot anyone, ask “Where’s the cattle guard?”

Perhaps news reports that cattle rustling is on the rise again due to higher beef prices are partly to blame for the confusion, but just for the record, a cattle guard bears no resemblance to either a crossing guard, a security guard - or a cowboy. Those signs are useful, however, since crossing one of those guards after driving for miles on a smooth highway can be a bit of a jolt .

Those of us who live in the West don’t give those devices a second thought, but just in case they’re new to you, here’s the inside scoop–including the word on virtual cattle guards. Read more

Hey Ranger! Need a Travel Game? Try Mascot Mayhem

Sooner or later we all experience one of those days when bad weather confines us to the camper, or perhaps you’re on the road and in desperate need of a diversion from “Are we there yet?” Either situation is a good opportunity to try a travel game I’ll call Mascot Mayhem.

All you need is a state highway map or road atlas and a little imagination. If you’re a high-tech traveler, you can probably use the map on your GPS unit or laptop computer. Read more

Hey Ranger! Pay in Advance for a Campsite?

One of the decisions we face when arriving at a campground is whether to pay for more than one night in advance. Sure, it’s convenient to ante up for several days or even an extended stay all at once, and some campgrounds may even require you to do so.

If this is a location where you’ve stayed before, and you’re confident you’ll enjoy your visit, that may not be a problem. It’s good to keep in mind, however, that getting a refund can sometimes be a challenge, especially at government-run sites. If the people in the site next door turn out to be addicted to late-night karaoke, you may not want to have more invested in this campsite than you’re willing to write off.

A good example of the perils of paying in advance was sent to me by a reader of RV.net. Read more

Hey Ranger! Don’t Feed the Bears

If you were to compile a list of the terms most often associated with signs and regulations in parks, two would probably come to mind: “Keep off the Grass” and “Don’t Feed the Bears.”

The implications of ignoring the one about bears are obviously a lot more serious! I’ll share an amusing story in this post, but it is important to follow good safety guidelines when it comes to bears. For some useful tips about bear safety, click here.

Almost anyone who has camped for very long has heard or experienced “bear stories.” Some have become legends of sorts, and often serve as good examples of what not to do in the Great Outdoors. Whether they are true or simply woodsy versions of urban legends is sometimes hard to determine.

Bryan Kramer, a reader of this blog from Florida, sent an e-mail with the background of one of those legendary tales. Read more

Hey Ranger! Let Sleeping Snakes Lie

What do Hoover Dam, a rattlesnake, and cold water have in common? They’re all elements in a story that confirms the wisdom of a good rule for any outdoor trip: let sleeping snakes lie.

Many people who enjoy the Great Outdoors worry about snakes. While it certainly pays to be cautious when it comes to any type of wildlife, the risk of being accosted by a snake is very small. You can greatly improve those odds by following three basic rules about snakes: (1) just leave them alone; (2) don’t put your hands, feet or any other body parts anyplace without looking first to ensure it isn’t already occupied by another life-form; (3) don’t assume that an immobile snake will remain in that condition if you violate rule number 1 or 2.

Based on those guidelines, the two guys in the following story failed to receive any points toward their snakemanship badge. Read more

Hey Ranger! The Whirlwind Tourist

Most national and state parks offer enough things to see and do to fill a vacation, and one solution to higher gas prices is to spend more time enjoying a single destination.

Many of us like to visit new places, however, and the siren song of “just one more stop” can be hard to resist. Proving that anything can be taken to excess, the character in the following true story gets my vote for an appearance on “Extreme Stopover - Whirlwind Tourist Edition.” Read more

Hey Ranger! Monumental Mix-ups

In a recent post, “Wacky Question of the Week,” I shared a few examples of the amazing questions park rangers receive on the job. The subject of those queries isn’t limited to the out-of-doors, and historical sites have their own collection of legendary inquiries.

Here are a few samples, along with a little commentary for clarification. Read more

Hey Ranger! Make your own motor fuel?

Rising gas prices have sparked revived interest in a variety of solutions, including ways to make your own fuel. Advances in technology may eventually allow this process to become a little more practical - and safer.

This is not a new idea, and my local library has a book that claims to explain “how to make your own motor fuel at home.” It’s perhaps not a coincidence that it was assigned a place on the library shelf between two other books entitled “Fireworks.”

I recently read an article about a much higher tech approach that’s about to hit the market, Read more

Hey Ranger! Favorite Music for the 4th of July

Whether you’re on the road or at home for the 4^th of July, I hope you’ll have a chance to enjoy this special American holiday. It will be celebrated in big cities and small towns from coast to coast, and many of those events will include not only fireworks and food, but plenty of music.

Some musical selections, such as The Stars and Stripes Forever, have become a established traditions in July 4^th concerts, and you probably have your own favorites. Feel free to list your top 3 choices in the comment box below!

If you have a chance to see one of the larger 4^th of July concerts, you’re likely to hear a musical selection that was originally written to celebrate a military victory in another country. It includes portions of the national anthems from two other nations, including one that no longer even exists. Like to make a guess about this number? Read more

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