Forest Service
What’s a vault?
Once upon a time we were asked, “What is a “vault? Isn’t it where the Forest Service puts important papers?” A reasonable question for someone unfamiliar with the vocabulary used by the Forest Service. For Fred and I it was the question that demonstrated a need for a glossary of terms to go with our Read More >>
Want a forest experience?
That’s what we were asked by a Forest Service employee the other day. You see, we generally call about a week head to make our appointment with the District folks. Even though we have selected a campground to stay at, Fred or I will ask if there is a campground they would suggest. Generally, the Read More >>
What is a National Grassland?
A National Grassland is – The areas designated as “grasslands” were settled in the 1800s under a variety of “Homestead Acts.” These Acts opened the land to people, generally farmers, and helped to settle the west. Located mainly on the prairies of middle USA, a prolonged drought in the late 1920s into the 1930s caused Read More >>
Notable Campground Dilemma
Each month in our newsletter we identify a “Notable” campground. In some ways, it’s the easiest part of writing the Newsletter. In other ways, it can be the most challenging. What makes one campground “notable” over others? This designation has lead to some heated debates between Fred and I. Here is one debate over Superior Read More >>
Biomass and campgrounds – what’s the connection?
What is BIOMASS? and what does it have to do with campgrounds? Simply put it is “plant materials and animal waste used as fuel.” Or, in other words, when you build your campfire from stuff collected around the campsite (twigs, leaves, branches, and such) that’s biomass. (Here’s a photo of fire-killed trees in the Deschutes Read More >>
Alternative Outdoor Winter Activites?
National forests aren’t just for summer time camping. There is a whole lot of things you can be during the winter months. Many forests have dedicated “Snow Play” area and it seems there are always new trails being designated for snow-mobiles. Here are some alternative outdoor winter activities to think about trying after you are Read More >>
Ski areas galore in national forests
In the USA, there are 122 ski areas in 13 states using a total of 182,095 acres of Forest Service-managed land offering downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities. How many can you name? Don’t feel bad if you can only name a handful. Most Forest Service employees can’t do much better. Click here for Read More >>
Campfire safety basics
As the camping season approaches, we are remined a campfire can cause destructive wildfires. Wildfire destroy wide swaths of national forests and grasslands. The black stumps and scorched earth left by fires in national forests across the country are reminders we should always observe what Smokey Bear tells us and follow basic safety when in Read More >>
Living symbols of the West are available
Horses and burros were re-introduced to the USA by the Spanish back in the 15th century and their numbers in the wild have grown through natural methods and by animals lost from wagon trains, ranchers, pony express, loggers, and farm stock. The U.S. Calvary, stage lines, and bankrupt farmers and ranchers, also, intentionally turned horses out Read More >>
