Grand Canyon

filthy beast wrote:

noe-place wrote:
We took a trip to the Smokies this past week and of course everything was closed and barricaded; they had nearly all the PULLOUTS blocked with traffic cones so you couldn't stop for a photo. I talked to a guy at a local business who told me he had family working for the US Park Service and they had received letters from a certain high ranking politician with official letterhead telling them about the shut down and that they should make things "as painful as possible" for the public. The state owned visitor centers, etc were open.

I would like to actually see one of these letters. Otherwise it is just the "I heard it from the brother of a cousin of my therapist's nephew." If there are so many of these letters I would think at least one person would have made it available to discredit some politician.

I also thought that the states would be reimbursed for the cost once the government resolves the budget stuff. So as usual, we are spending money we don't have.

Yeah, I'd like to see one of them as well. I'd also like to see the hearings on Benghazi televised; I'd like to see congress while in session debating on passing a budget; I'd like to see congress in session trying to do anything and agreeing on it. I guess these people will not publish the letters for fear of losing their jobs. That seems to be the way things go in DC these days.

I think the letters are just rumors. However, because of the way the closures have been enforced around the nation I firmly believe the policies came from the top for a reason that is political and not financial. I'm glad the Canyon is reopened as well as many other parks around the country at least for awhile.

I agree that until one of these letters surfaces, it is just rumor. I also agree that if it does exist then it is surprising that a copy has not leaked out to the press.

As far as reimbursement, according to this report they do not plan to. I am not surprised at this. The Antideficiency Act may prevent them from making such a commitment. Of course they could come back after things settle and authorize some sort of payment.

noe-place wrote:
We took a trip to the Smokies this past week and of course everything was closed and barricaded; they had nearly all the PULLOUTS blocked with traffic cones so you couldn't stop for a photo. I talked to a guy at a local business who told me he had family working for the US Park Service and they had received letters from a certain high ranking politician with official letterhead telling them about the shut down and that they should make things "as painful as possible" for the public. The state owned visitor centers, etc were open.

I would like to actually see one of these letters. Otherwise it is just the "I heard it from the brother of a cousin of my therapist's nephew." If there are so many of these letters I would think at least one person would have made it available to discredit some politician.

I also thought that the states would be reimbursed for the cost once the government resolves the budget stuff. So as usual, we are spending money we don't have.

The only way I would believe that is if I were shown an original copy with the politicians name on it, and varified by him personally.

We took a trip to the Smokies this past week and of course everything was closed and barricaded; they had nearly all the PULLOUTS blocked with traffic cones so you couldn't stop for a photo. I talked to a guy at a local business who told me he had family working for the US Park Service and they had received letters from a certain high ranking politician with official letterhead telling them about the shut down and that they should make things "as painful as possible" for the public. The state owned visitor centers, etc were open.

Then the states should get to keep the receipts for the entrance fees,camping fees and concession fees.

Considering the state has to pay to run the park (for however long they agreed), no wonder all they could reopen was GCNP. On the other hand, if you can afford only one, why not go for the flagship in the state?

As for not bothering, this is high season for the southern Utah parks, and a pretty popular time for Grand Canyon too. Weather there these days is just about perfect, not too hot for hiking, etc.

Kinda wonder how many will go to the parks - both Utah and AZ - but it's usually at least half or more from other countries and other areas that enter the parks. And, it usually takes planning, not just hop in. SO, I really hope this works out for the states that jump this hurdle.

I imagine a lot of folks already cancelled their plans

We'd expect some revenue to cover at least part of that fee - what a mess!

stickdog wrote:
Kind of a waste if folks already canceled their plans, but the thought is well intended.

At this time of year there is an average of 18,000 visitors per week.