Evening star., 1936-02-02
Parks Are Lively Areas
National Reservations, Near to Washington and
Far Away, TEEN With Vigorous Life
in Season of Snow and Cold.


will not be a bit surprised If it flnds
that it has entertained 100000 visitors
during the present season.
IMPROVEMENT in business condi-
tions, added to greatly increased
speed in transportation facilities, are
making it possible for many Eastern
ers who might not otherwise have
the time-or the cash-for a Winter
vacation, to go the necessary 2'000
or 5000 miles away from home. Train
schedules have been materially cut
on transcontinental runs and greatly
improved air services cover the dis
tances in a few hours. Pa has more
money in his pocket to give Mary tor
her vacation, and even finds it pos
sible to put himself and the family
aboard a westWard-faring plane to
Join her when he learns she has
been selected as one of the queens
attendants on Snow day when the
Yosemite season opens.
Suppose we borrow one of the big,
colorful maps from the Park Service
and tack it up on the wall for a
good look at what is happening IN
these wonderlands.
First, let's see what Uncle Sam
in our own city and in the green
clad ranks of the parks themselves
is doing. The national Offices here
hum with activity. Orders go out to
the park superintendents, based on
reports that have come in from those
same superintendent and their men
and on the experience of past years.
Many of the staff men at head
quarters are former rangers, wise in
the ways of park management and
of man and his wife and children
vacation bent Radio talks are made
and newspaper and magazine stories
prepared and sent out and countless
requests for information are answered
with patience and care. Probably
no other Government. service is more
keenly conscious that this is the
peoples business it is conducting, and
that its motto must be THE public
be served" But 1t is service with a
long-range vision that protects what
it cares for in the interests of future
generations which will also ask for a
heritage of beauty and health.
OUT in the snowy confines of the
parks the ''men in green" with
their Summer uniforms exchanged for
heavy boots and rough, serviceable
lumberjack clothing, are clearing
roads with the huge rotary snow plows
and opening and stocking rest cabins
and hotel-lodges. Winter STATS are
moving in to be ready with food and
service when guests arrive. Ski runs
are tested by experts, danger spots
searched out and eliminated and plans
laid with leaders of sporting clubs for
special events and festivities.
At last all is in readiness. Opening
day arrives and if we turn our tele-
scopic lens a little we can pick up
the swarms of tiny black beetles that
are automobiles and motor busses dis
charging their loads-tinier black
things that prove on closer inspection
to be gayly clad, laughing men and
women, their faces red with the frost
nip of the tingling mountain air.
their voices eager with zestful expec-
tation.
Suppose we close our eyes and put
an exploring finger down haphazard
on a park where such group is meet
ing. Ha! It's Yosemite we've landed
in and a typical day is in progress
Breakfast first-a big stack of wheats
and lots of coffee and bacon-for we
must stoke the engine against full
speed ahead. That major operation
attended to, it's out into glorious
sun-kissed, sparkling morning. Over
head tower mountain giants, wearing
their crowns of snow with the calm
ness Of age-old custom. Delicate trac-
cries Of frozen waterfalls hang jewell
like from their majestic sides. The
sky is unbelievable deep-toned blue.
Here in the valley, the fun is wax
ing fast and furious. A SNOWFALL fight
is in progress beyond the far corner
Of the lodge. A. snowshoe hiking
party, knapsacks on backs, is setting
out "for to explore and for to see.'
Cameras are much in evidence, both
still and motion-there are ardent ami
NAL students in this group and the
photographers hope for some real Gas
well as reeD luck today.
On neighboring hill, a small, easy
one, an instructor is patiently show
ing none other than our old friend, Pa
Jones, that he isn't too old to learn
to ski. He'll never make an Olympic
team nor compete in Silver Skis race
in Paradise Valley at Rainier, but he
can have a lot of fun and no broken
bones. Nearby on ash Can Alley
Junior has wrangled himself COM
Portable ash can lid, padded 1t with
burlap. and is shrieking his way down
that inglorious slide. Ma Is taking
lady from Iowa along on q mild to-
bogsan ride not 30 far away. while