Can a town designed for tourism offer an authentic glimpse into American history? The Virtuous Traveler, Leslie Garrett, ventures into the Wild, Wild West of Cody, Wyoming to explore the town that Buffalo Bill built.

Poor Buffalo Bill. Though he died more than 80 years ago, he’s certainly not resting in peace.

Indeed, neither are the people of Cody, Wyoming, who still argue about their hero’s final resting place with compelling arguments for both possibilities: Denver, Colorado or, as Bill had requested, atop Cedar Mountain just outside his beloved city’s borders.

Florida’s Everglades National Park has been damaged by urban pollution over several decades. In light of two promising environmental restoration projects, Lynn Langway investigates active adventures and scenic beauty in an underappreciated American national park.

It’s a sparkling Sunday morning in the Florida Everglades, and 16 alligators have congregated for some serious sun worship at the base of the Shark Valley observation tower.

For someone who loathes sleeping in a tent and loses interest after 20 minutes of hiking, a visit to a national park only has limited appeal. Sarika Chawla investigates intriguing winter activities for those non-athletic types. 

Color me surprised when I discovered I’ve been trying to unleash my inner wilderness explorer at the wrong time of year.

Forget about high summer when trails are overflowing with backpackers and dogged rock climbers. Nope, the best time of year for us non-outdoorsy types to visit an outdoorsy destination is winter.

Last August, I had the bright idea that my family should move to Yosemite National Park.

Most of my adult life I’ve lived along the palm-tree lined streets of Los Angeles.

When we settled here at the start of the school year, I felt like the luckiest person on earth.

Then the other day, we got a foot of snow.

On January 16, 2010, Peter was broadcasting his radio show from Breezes Runaway Bay in Jamaica. Featured guests include:

Jonathan Aiken from the Red Cross offers the latest on Haiti’s disaster and relief efforts.

Susan Otuokon, National Park Ranger, sharing her tips for the best places to trek in and around the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park;

Matt Gross, “Frugal Traveler” blogger for The New York Times, talking about ways to save and travel smarter in 2010;

 

 Red Cross Relief Efforts Haiti, Jamaica National Parks and Frugal Travel - Hour 1 - PGW Radio: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

If you enjoy floating casinos and Lido decks, a small-ship cruise may not be for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy access to harbors and coastlines where the big ships can’t go, allowing you to go kayaking to get up close and personal with calving glaciers, viewing bears or hiking 200-foot summits, a small-ship cruise may be exactly the right experience. Sandra Kennedy reports on her experiences on an Alaskan adventure and uncovers some last-minute winter sailing deals.

It seems to me that every person who’s had the good luck and great joy to explore America’s national parks has one special place that’s woven its magic through their heart and calls them back again and again.

For me that place is southern Utah’s Zion National Park and there is no time I love it more than in fall.

The crowds have left. The heat has abated. But the fall colors are as startling and exquisite as any you’d find in Maine, Vermont or New Hampshire.

As school starts back up, America’s national parks often empty out as visitors get back to their real-life routines.  

Leslie Garrett, The Virtuous Traveler, reports on one organization that chooses to bring the classroom to the park.

The instructors and students who choose Yellowstone National Park as their classroom argue that little is more real than the geography, geology, biology, and history they see, touch and hear in the park.