Explore

Rapid ReadRapid Read
North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Awards Nearly $4 Million in Federal Recreation Grants

North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Awards Nearly $4 Million in Federal Recreation Grants

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) has announced the allocation of nearly $4 million in grants from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). These funds will support nine local parks and recreation projects across North Carolina. DNCR Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell highlighted that these local parks are crucial for conserving green spaces and providing communities with access to outdoor recreation, complementing the state's broader conservation, education, and recreation efforts. The LWCF program, managed by DNCR through State Parks, provides annual allocations to North Carolina, supporting park projects at state, county, municipal, and tribal levels. Local governments can utilize this funding for land acquisition, developing new recreation facilities, or improving existing parks. For the current cycle, local communities could apply for up to $500,000 per project, requiring a dollar-for-dollar match. The selected projects include initiatives in towns such as Gr...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Coast Guard Rescues Two Jet Skiers Near Courtney Campbell Causeway After Storm Incident

Coast Guard Rescues Two Jet Skiers Near Courtney Campbell Causeway After Storm Incident

Two jet skiers were rescued on Sunday near the Courtney Campbell Causeway after their watercraft overturned during a storm. A U.S. Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg boat crew responded to reports of the missing individuals approximately one mile south of the causeway. The crew successfully located the two people, who had become separated from their jet ski and were swept away by the conditions. Following their rescue from the water, the individuals were transported to the Courtney Campbell Boat Ramp. Emergency medical services evaluated both jet skiers upon arrival, and officials reported that neither sustained any injuries or medical concerns. The exact cause of the jet ski tipping over and the duration the individuals were in the water were not immediately provided by officials.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Joshua Tree National Park Offers Diverse Desert Experiences and Stargazing Opportunities

Joshua Tree National Park Offers Diverse Desert Experiences and Stargazing Opportunities

Joshua Tree National Park, located in southern California where the Mojave and Colorado deserts converge, is a popular destination known for its unique landscapes, rock climbing, bouldering, camping, and hiking. The park is characterized by its iconic Joshua trees and monzogranite boulder piles in the higher Mojave section, while the lower Colorado Desert features ocotillo and cholla cactus gardens. Visitors can engage in activities like scrambling on the coarse, grippy monzogranite rocks, with areas like Hidden Valley and Jumbo Rocks being particularly rewarding. The park is also recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, offering exceptional stargazing opportunities due to its minimal light pollution. While the park is open year-round, the most comfortable visiting periods are during spring and fall, with summer offering unique night sky views despite extreme heat. Essential planning for visitors includes fueling up before entering, as there are no gas stations inside the park, and being aware of limi...
1Weather1Weather
Lake Erie Rip Current Warning in Effect Until Sept. 23

Lake Erie Rip Current Warning in Effect Until Sept. 23

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a beach hazard warning for Lake Erie in Northeast Ohio, effective until the evening of September 23, 2026. This warning highlights a high risk of rip currents caused by wind and wave action along the lakeshore. The affected counties include Lucas, Ottawa, Erie, Lorain, and Cuyahoga. Rip currents can pull swimmers away from the shore through sandbars and near structures extending into the lake. The NWS strongly advises against entering the water during this period to avoid hazardous swimming conditions. The warning aims to ensure public safety by raising awareness of the dangers posed by these currents.
TrendlineTrendline
New Guidebook 'A Climber’s Guide to Old Stage Road' Opens Up Colorado Springs Climbing Area

New Guidebook 'A Climber’s Guide to Old Stage Road' Opens Up Colorado Springs Climbing Area

New Guidebook 'A Climber’s Guide to Old Stage Road' Opens Up Colorado Springs Climbing Area
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Neversink Crossing Bridge Opens, Connecting 13 Miles of Sullivan O Rail Trail

Neversink Crossing Bridge Opens, Connecting 13 Miles of Sullivan O Rail Trail

The Neversink Crossing, a new 180-foot steel bridge, has officially opened, connecting the South Fallsburg and Woodridge sections of the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail. This $3.4 million project utilizes original stone abutments from the late 1800s, which were part of the historic New York Ontario & Western (O&W) Railway. The opening ceremony, hosted by Sullivan County, the Town of Fallsburg, and the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail Alliance, included a historical walking tour led by Sullivan County historian John Conway. The O&W railroad operated through Sullivan County from 1868 until its abandonment in 1957 due to financial challenges as industries shifted away from coal transportation. The new bridge creates a continuous 13-mile section of trail, extending from Mountaindale to Ferndale, and is expected to serve as a regional destination for pedestrians, cyclists, and families.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Sierra Nevada Town of Belden Listed for Sale at $4.75 Million

Sierra Nevada Town of Belden Listed for Sale at $4.75 Million

The unincorporated Sierra Nevada town of Belden, located in the Feather River Canyon, has been put on the market for $4.75 million. The property includes a bar, a music venue, and the surrounding forested canyon, with a population of approximately 15 residents. The current owner, 87-year-old gold miner Ivan Coffman, purchased the property in 1989 after initially arriving in the area in 1970. Coffman has since developed the former mining camp into the Belden Town Resort and Lodge, which caters to Pacific Crest Trail hikers, motorcyclists, and summer music festival attendees. The sale encompasses the lodge, a restaurant, a store, cabins, RV spots, and various other amenities, all situated between the river and a rail line. Coffman is selling the property to retire, especially after the death of his son, who helped protect Belden during the 2021 Dixie Fire.
TrendlineTrendline
Colorado's Fall Colors Emerge, Offering Peak Leaf-Peeping Opportunities Across Northern Regions

Colorado's Fall Colors Emerge, Offering Peak Leaf-Peeping Opportunities Across Northern Regions

Colorado's Fall Colors Emerge, Offering Peak Leaf-Peeping Opportunities Across Northern Regions
1Weather1Weather
Rip Currents: A Persistent Danger Along U.S. Beaches

Rip Currents: A Persistent Danger Along U.S. Beaches

Rip currents, narrow channels of fast-moving water, are a common hazard along U.S. coastlines, including the Great Lakes. These currents can occur even under clear skies and are responsible for over 100 fatalities annually. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Lifesaving Association, and the National Park Service (NPS) are working to reduce these numbers by educating the public on rip current safety. As beachgoers increase during the summer, the risk of rip current-related incidents rises, making awareness and preparedness critical for safety.
TheStreetTheStreet
Older Millennials fuel 'funflation' resurgence

Older Millennials fuel 'funflation' resurgence

¨Hobby spending¨ is rising among the generation with the least amount of leisure time.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Ski-Doo Announces 18th Year of Free Avalanche Awareness Seminars Across U.S. and Canada

Ski-Doo Announces 18th Year of Free Avalanche Awareness Seminars Across U.S. and Canada

Ski-Doo is continuing its long-standing tradition of offering free avalanche awareness seminars, marking its 18th consecutive year. These seminars are designed to educate snowmobilers on avalanche safety, route planning, rescue techniques, and the use of safety equipment. Over 35 seminars are scheduled to take place across both the United States and Canada. The program emphasizes that avalanche awareness is a shared responsibility and encourages riders to attend with their friends and family, as riding partners are often the first responders in an emergency. The curriculum is updated annually to reflect modern riding styles, new technologies, and current avalanche forecasting tools. Backcountry Access (BCA), a manufacturer of avalanche safety equipment, is supporting the program for the ninth year, providing expertise and prizes at each seminar, including avalanche transceivers, probes, and shovels. Attendees also have access to online learning resources through the Ski-Doo Owner Zone and BCA's SLEDucation...
TrendlineTrendline
Soldier Hollow Successfully Hosts WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, Secures Future Events

Soldier Hollow Successfully Hosts WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, Secures Future Events

Soldier Hollow Successfully Hosts WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, Secures Future Events