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Trisaw1 In reply to slowdog294 [2017-07-27 02:56:26 +0000 UTC]

I think it has to do with the caustic water as it actually contains sulfuric acid.  The rains probably dilute it, but really, the hot springs' steam smells like rotten eggs (hydrogen and sulfur).  I've seen hoofprints, but that doesn't mean the animals drink this water.

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slowdog294 In reply to Trisaw1 [2017-07-27 15:24:55 +0000 UTC]

Any critter that steps in this dies. Heck, any critter that gets too many snout fulls of that turd gas is also going to die. This is not a safe place for any living thing, save for certain trees and bacteria which have learned to extract bio energy from such a harsh environment. Yellowstone is a prehistoric place which is changing very slowly. It is a safety valve for that reason. Were things to ever speed up, the western half of p[lanet Earth would quickly become a very unpleasant place to be...

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Trisaw1 In reply to slowdog294 [2017-07-27 22:07:24 +0000 UTC]

I suppose the Park Service constructed the wooden broadwalks on dry land using heavy machinery, but I can't be sure.  Get too close to a geyser and the fumes are overwhelmingly stinky and toxic.  It's natural gasses and magma one's breathing.

Yellowstone is immensely active...the bubbling of mud, the geysers, the hot springs...the percolating of water.  

Unfortunately, I didn't see Old Faithful as I had other things to do that day.  So there's no photos of what must be the most iconic image of Yellowstone.

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slowdog294 In reply to Trisaw1 [2017-07-29 19:44:23 +0000 UTC]

In the Smokies, there are remote buildings uses as shelters for hikers along the AT. To construct these lodges from logs, stone and tin, supplies were flown in using helicopters. It is the only way to get things into the backcountry because there are no roads in the wilderness. Most "parkitecture" is made with local materials and is usually assembled without power tools.

Yellowstone is a beautiful place due to the geothermal activity. It is a very unique place. Those brave and tireless souls who care for it have a lot of hard work to do, filled with immense danger. I highly respect the rangers of Yellowstone like no others under the hat, for they define what being a park ranger really is.

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Trisaw1 In reply to slowdog294 [2017-07-30 03:36:12 +0000 UTC]

How does the NPS Ranger system work ?  Does one normally get to work near where he or she lives, or can the NPS deploy a Ranger to any Park in the USA?

And I also have to ask...as a volunteer Ranger...doesn't that get you perks or discounts to visit other National Parks as a "visiting Ranger?"  Or...can you deploy on like a "scientific study" for the NPS to visit these other Parks under government sponsorship?

Wow, I didn't know that the NPS would build such remote cabins in the Smokes where the materials were flown in by helicopter.  Good info!  How does one signal for help if there's no cell or phone service?  I understand that backcountry hiking has its own inherent dangers that all visitors should be wary of, but say if a bear breaks into a cabin at night, how are Rangers even suppose to know this and where the cabin is located for a rescue?

It's great that the NPS remodeled many of the main lodges and cabins now (2014-2016).  Zion, Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone now have main lodges and cabins that are totally remodeled, complete with nice new bathrooms, plumbing, etc.  It's no longer as rustic or overused now.  The cabins aren't dim or cold either.  I give high kudos to the NPS for doing this given their limited budget.  I'm sure there are still cabins out there like tents and one has to go outside to use the community bathroom and showers, but the ones we went to on tour were nice enough, each with their own remodeled bathroom, electrical, and utilities.

I still recommend a main lodge room though as housekeeping tends to keep the cabin doors open when they clean, allowing all forms of insects to enter that you might be squatting before bedtime.  (Don't want West Nile Virus from the mosquitoes, nor black widows in your cabin.  Of course such a tour with a lodge room would cost more).

So, yes, if you do decide to visit the Parks out West, I highly recommend a tour as these cabins and lodges are mainly reserved for tours years in advance and the tour will put you in and out quickly.  Going by yourself is no guarantee that you can get a decent room in time.  Best of all, they feed you too...reserved dining and prepaid meals...it's all included and effortless on your part.  The food out in these western Parks was really good too, with IMO the best food at the Utah National Parks (because we ate at private ski resort restaurants sponsored by the tours) although the Yellowstone lodge meals were nice too.

Yes, I give HIGH THUMBS UP to NPS! 

Thank you again, Ranger Ricardo for your service !

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slowdog294 In reply to Trisaw1 [2017-08-01 22:30:54 +0000 UTC]

To become a park ranger, you do not get hired like you would with a normal job. You have to compete with other recruits. The best man (or woman) for the gig wins. It is an incredible honor to wear that flat hat.

Being a volunteer gives you access to programs that laymen know nothing about. With so many ways to volunteer, you might get "perks" such as internships (academic partnering) or be tasked with helping out at the retail level where products are sold and such. The opportunities would fill a book...

In the Smokies, a shelter is enclosed on three sides and open toward the center of camp where the fire ring is. The building has a tin roof and two decks, one above the other, for sleepers. Along the front is a table and bench set for cooking, eating, and enjoying the view. Water can be a ways off in some places, while the river runs through it in others...

There is only one actual lodge in the Smokies, at Mount Le Conte. Cabins have kerosene lamps, bunks, chairs, tables, and water buckets. There is a community toilet with a vaulted crapper. There are no showers but fresh linens are supplied daily. The main lodge has a dining room and kitchen that serves excellent food brought up the mountain in packs worn by friendly llamas. It is the only building besides the ranger's office that has electricity, supplied by solar panels and an lp gas generator. There is no phone service, so life at the lodge is very rustic, as it should be. All along the front porch are a row of nice rocking chairs for to take in the view. Mount Le Conte is a wonderfully beautiful place, well worth the seven mile hike to the summit.

Long live the USNPS. Thanks much, Sir.

Many welcomes and much obliged to be of service.

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Trisaw1 In reply to slowdog294 [2017-08-02 15:34:34 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful info again !  Thanks a lot!

I'm at the Great Smoky Mountain Gift Store's website.  I have to check this out along with the other NPS gift stores.  I didn't even know that they had websites that ship online, being ignorant that I am, hahaha .  I thought one had to actually go to the Park in order to buy something.

What are the most popular items sold at your gift store?  I seem to recall driving through the Smokies on tour, but I don't believe we stopped at any sites, just a Pit Stop.

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slowdog294 In reply to Trisaw1 [2017-08-02 20:08:45 +0000 UTC]

You are most welcome, my friend.

All USNPS units have visitor centers chock full of info and great gift items. Each one is different because of where it is located. Rangers are all too happy to assist you with whatever the need be. It's what we are here for. There is a standard of excellence expected of anyone wearing that badge or round patch. We are required to do all we can to make each visit unforgettable. In the Smokies, rangers are drilled on this, and they pass the ethic along to the volunteers. Like I said, anyone who fails to uphold the standard soon washes out. We are like the Marines that way. It's the "Pine Pig Code of Honor"... We do not mind when people call us Pine Pigs. P.I.G. is an acronym that stands for Pride, Integrity, and Guts. Rangers have all three in abundance.

Thank you for visiting our website. It is always a work in progress which has just received a major upgrade to the HTML. This happened across all USNPS sites. We are always working to make the online experience secure, enjoyable and informative, while being easy to navigate and up to date. Lots of good stuff is here, and the online store lets people take some of it home from the comfort of that good ol' arm chair. You can even become a sponsor by joining GSMA, Trails Forever, and Friends of the Smokies. There are annual as well as lifetime memberships. These carry perks, like tours, magazines, newsletters, and 20% off on purchases at all stores, etc.. You can also fill out forms for applying as a volunteer or recruit.

The most popular items we sell are kid's stuff such as books and stuffed toys, mostly black bear plushies, which everyone loves. Clothing items are also popular and we have things to fit everyone. We also sell a lot of local food items such as wild honey, jellies, relishes and corn meal, all made right here in the park. Volunteers will give out samples for tasting at the visitor centers. When folks taste Smoky Mountain vittles, they spare no change and go ahead with taking some home. Then, they tell their locals about us and we sell more online. Sales are brisk enough to make a large dent in our bills. We have a museum and a theatre featuring movies and programs showcasing the Smokies and Her people, past present and future.

If you drive through the Great Smoky Mountains without heading up to the ridge, you missed them... Yes, curbside opportunities are many, but they pale in comparison to what is found in the remote wilderness. The Smokies are a temperate rain forest filled with life and wonder. They are not only a delight to the eyes, but the nose gets a beautiful symphony of perfume to accompany the one the ears get listening to all the chatter in the woods as the animals warn each other of the humans passing through on the trail. There are hundreds of different flowers to take pictures of. Many will feature bees caring for them. Lizards and salamanders lurk in most of the streams. Birds sour overhead or perch in the greenery. And then, there are the infamous Smoky Mountain Black Bears...

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Trisaw1 In reply to slowdog294 [2017-08-04 14:59:50 +0000 UTC]

Thanks once again for the helpful information !

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slowdog294 In reply to Trisaw1 [2017-08-05 05:23:13 +0000 UTC]

Always glad to be of service, Sir. Many welcomes.

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