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Government shut down holds National Parks hostage

National Parks are “public lands” managed by the government.  Due to the government shut down at least 20,000 nonessential personnel who work in the parks are now unemployed.  And that’s only the beginning of the loss of revenues to the communities that surround National Parks.

Grand Canyon from North Rim Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park, where I work summers as a Ranger, closed the gates at 6am Oct 1.  Overnight visitors from around the world will have 48 hours to vacate the park.  Depending on the duration of the government shut down many others will not see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Of course the shut down effects more than National Parks.  The following list of government agencies are also effected:

American Battle Monuments Commission, Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Election Assistance Commission, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Federal Communications Commission, FDIC, Office of Inspector General, Federal Election Commission,
Federal Labor Relations Authority, Federal Trade Commission, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Inter-American Foundation
Millennium Challenge Corporation, National Capital Planning Commission, National Science Foundation, Office of Government Ethics, Smithsonian, U.S. Office of Special Council, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, U.S, Courts, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Active duty military (DoD), Armed Forces Retirement Home, Appalachian Regional Commission, Bureau of Public Debt, Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, Fiscal Service Treasury Finance Fund, Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy Center, Peace Corps, Broadcasting Board of Governors, Department of Veterans Affairs, Civilian military workers (DoD), Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Corporation for National and Community Service, Department of Education, Department of Interior, Department of Justice, Department of Labor, Department of Commerce, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security, EPA, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, IRS, Treasury, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Department of State,Social Security Administration.

So if you don’t approve of this government shut down call your representatives.  Let them know how you feel.  Bombard them with phone calls and emails.      http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml  This link will provide phone numbers.

Guess I’ll be spending a lot of time calling as I am currently unemployed.

My status is on furlough, no pay, but must be available to return to work within 24 hours if we reopen.  I do not have to leave the park until my end date of October 15th yet will have to pay rent as long as I’m here.  Hoping this is solved in the next few days so I can finish my season.

How are you being effected by this government shut down?

government , 23 Comments

So long South Africa until we meet again

I am sad to be leaving South Africa in less than 24 hours.  The journey has been like a wide awake dream.  I’ll be back to explore more of the wonders found here hopefully next fall, winter and spring.  Or spring, summer and winter depending how you look at the seasons.

Spotted Hyenas Kruger NP SA

Spotted Hyenas Kruger National Park

The wildlife so close and roaming free in its own environment while I stay in my cage called a car.  Such an improvement from wandering a zoo and looking thru bars while my heart breaks over the containment of life for human enjoyment.

Arch from Echo Ravine trail Golden Gate Highlands NP Free State SA

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Landscapes of such diversity abound in this country no bigger than the state of Texas.  And I’ve yet to see them all.  Some places remind me of home in the States, similar but different.  Towering walls of sandstone like the canyonlands in the Southwest.

Waterfall Nature's Valley SA

Nature’s Valley

High mountain streams cascading into waterfalls like the Rocky Mountains.

Hogsback SA

Hogsback

Mountains blanketed with forest like Washington’s North Cascades.

Fields of sunflowers R26 Free State SA

Free State

Rolling hills with farm fields stretching on to forever like Iowa.

Aloe flower stalk Nieu-Bethesda Rd Great Karoo SA

Great Karoo

Vaguely vegetated desserts like southern Arizona.

Tsitsikamma NP SA

Tsitsikamma National Park

Waves crashing on rocky shores like the northwest coast.

Sand dunes West Coast NP SA

West Coast National Park

Sand dunes to clamber over like the east coast.

Sunset Camdeboo NP Eastern Cape Graaff-Reinet SA

Camdeboo National Park

And colorful sunsets like everywhere in the world.

Flap-necked Chameleon Kruger National Park

Yes, I am sad to leave but carry some most amazing memories away with me.  Plus I long to sleep in my own bed.

I’ve seen so much and taken 1000s of photos.  I will be sharing the journey with you all as I post for probably the next six months or more.

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Comparing wildlife in South Africa National Parks

Burchells Zebras Kruger NP SA

I’m sure you’ve seen Zebras in a zoo and they were probably Burchell’s which are seen at several South Africa National Parks.  Adorable horse-like creatures wearing stripped pajamas.  But have you ever looked closely?  No two Zebras have the same stripe pattern as each other and are different on both sides as well.  In fact at the time of birthing the mother leaves the herd (called a dazzle) so her newborn can imprint on her specific stripes.  I saw hundreds of Burchell’s Zebras in Kruger and Addo National Parks in South Africa.

Mountain Zebra Mountain Zebra National Park South Africa

Yet I also saw Mountain Zebra, a threatened species, and although the varying stripe pattern remains these Zebras do not have stripes on their bellies and the typical white area shows a shadow of brown which can also be seen on their faces.  The do appear a little smaller as well.  These were seen at Mountain Zebra National Park which is a different environment from Kruger and Addo.

Blue Wildebeest Kruger National Park South Africa

Also seen at Kruger are the Blue Wildebeest which appear rather silvery blue-gray with a long black tail.  Sometimes called the common or white-bearded Wildebeest they are large antelope that can grow to 57 inches (145 cm) at the shoulder.  They roam the open plains, bushveld and dry woodlands found in Eastern Africa.

Black Wildebeest Mountain Zebra National Park South Africa

The Black Wildebeest, or white-tailed gnu don’t look black at all except for their beards.  They are found in the Southern parts of Africa.  I saw these blonde-tailed beesties at Mountain Zebra National Park.

Comparing the difference between species can be quite subtle.  The next time you’re at the zoo try to look closely and figure out which you see.  Or better yet, go on safari in Africa.

National Park, South Africa , , , 21 Comments

Lijit

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