12/26 Update
Great Smoky NP:
Smokies elk herd growing
CATALOOCHEE VALLEY – An eight-year long effort to reintroduce elk into Great Smoky Mountains National Park has nearly doubled the number of animals in the park, boding well for the great mammals' future in Cataloochee Valley.
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008812260332Annual event celebrates greatness of the Smokies
Wilderness Wildlife Week marking its 19th year as park reaches its 75th
Wilderness Wildlife Week began 19 years ago as a half-day program held in a conference room at a Pigeon Forge motel.
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/dec/26/annual-event-celebrates-greatness-of-the-smokies/Mississippi National River and Recreation Area:
River turbine roils the waters as officials fear for fish
An experimental turbine is being installed in the Mississippi River just downstream from Lock and Dam No. 2 in Hastings...With it, the city hopes to earn extra money by selling electricity to Xcel Energy.
http://www.twincities.com/ci_11310986Mount Rainier NP:
Forecast: Snowfall in the mountains, puddles in the lowlands
Skiers and snowboarders are in for a treat this weekend: Three feet of new snow is expected to fall in the mountains between this afternoon and Sunday. But anyone who hits the slopes should forgo backcountry excursions because the danger posed by avalanches will increase through the weekend.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008560968_weather26m.htmlYosemite NP:
Pageantry in motion: Bracebridge Dinner at Yosemite
Did you have Peacock Pie ready for Christmas dinner?
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2008/12/pageantry-in-mo.html
