Channel Islands National Park

Dream big, work hard, and then take a nap.

You got this. Did you know sea otters spend much of their lives working hard and eating? Also dreaming about it and collecting it. Exhausting. Sometimes, there’s too much, eating that is, and overeating may lead to periods of napping. Been there, done that.

Are those leftovers in your underarm pocket, or are second breakfast and elevenses really happening? You otter believe it. Wait, underarm pockets? Under each of the otter’s forearms are baggy pockets of loose skin. Wow, that’s kind of personal. Maybe, but the sea otter uses these pockets to store food it’s gathered. Food is the fuel that runs the sea otter’s high-speed metabolism, a metabolism essential for warmth and the ability to respond to Monday morning emails in the most efficient manner possible. You mean opening the email and then deleting it is not helpful? We tried.

May your Monday be filled with snacks, naps, and the occasional completion of tasks.

Image: A sea otter floating in the ocean with hands at its chest and eyes closed at Kenai Fjords National Park. NPS/C. Grobelny

Nobody likes a dirty beach... 🚫🗑🚫

Ventura Harbor beaches have been busy these summer months. Come show your love for your local beaches and join our beach cleanup on Sunday, July 28th from 9am to noon.

Meet at the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center - 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura CA.

Pre-registration is not required; walk-ins are welcome. All volunteers must sign a volunteer waiver. Please wear closed-toed shoes and sun protection. Volunteers are encouraged to bring buckets, gloves, and water bottles. Instructions, volunteer waivers, trash and recycling bags, gloves, and water will otherwise be provided.

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." -Neil Armstrong

On July 20, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin landed on the moon. Though the moon is a giant leap (238,900 miles) from Earth, it only takes a few small steps to get a spectacular view of it from one of your national parks.

Along with being home to stellar views of night skies, national parks have also been places for innovative scientific research and planning on the ground. Many parks, including Craters of the Moon NPS in Idaho and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, were used as training locations for future astronauts.

Today, the National Park Service and NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration continue to collaborate on research, data collection, and outreach. ⁣

Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/technology/nasa-collaboration.htm

Image: Astronauts exploring Kīlauea Iki Crater at Hawai’i Volcanoes including: Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11), William Anders, Neil Armstrong (Apollo 11), Charles Basset, Alan Bean (Apollo 12), Roger Chaffee, Michael Collins (Apollo 11), Charles Conrad (Apollo 12), Walt Cunningham, Don Eisele (Apollo 7), Dick Gordon (Apollo 12), Rusty Schweikart, Dave Scott, Elliot See, and C.C. Williams, Jr.

“The universe is full of surprises.” - Captain Kathryn Janeway

Is there coffee in that nebula? Wait, that’s the aurora borealis. The night sky is an invitation to appreciate not only its beauty but also the vast distances of space, the ancient origins of the starlight we see, and why it’s a critical resource for ecosystems dependent on natural cycles of light and dark. It’s enough that even a Borg might attempt a smile. Although resistance may be futile.

Many of the best dark night skies in the country are found over areas managed by the National Park Service, including Voyageurs National Park, and provide unparalleled opportunities for the public to experience the grandeur of the cosmos. Alas, no coffee. Unless you bring your own.

Have you experienced the night skies in a park?

Image: The northern lights dance across the sky over a glacial lake in Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. NPS/Daniel Dendler

But it’s a “dry heat.”

H-O-T-T-O-G-O, It’s too hot to gooOoOooo (outside!)

We know we just posted a picture of the thermometer, but can you spot the difference? We’ll give you a hint: IT SAYS IT’S 667 DEGREES OUTSIDE.

The thermometer display at Furnace Creek Visitor Center stopped working while displaying 667°F. Park staff say it was resetting itself after a power bump when the power completely went off during a now resolved outage that started Saturday, July 13.

Right before that, Death Valley National Park reached at least 125°F (51.7°C) for nine consecutive days, July 4-12. Average high temperatures in July are 117°F (47°F). The recent heat wave included three daily heat records and peaked at 129.3°F (53.9°C) on July 7. This was the park’s second-longest streak of high temperatures at or above 125 degrees, just behind the ten-day streak measured in 1913.

📍 Furnace Creek Visitor Center

Alt Text: A large digital thermometer displays 667F and 66C in front of a stone building with name Furnace Creek Visitor Center on the side. NPS

On the night of July 17, 1944, 80 years ago, residents in the San Francisco area were jolted awake by a massive explosion that lit up the sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine 40 miles east of San Francisco, 320 men were instantly killed when the munition ships, they were loading with ammunition and bombs for the Pacific Rim troops blew up. It was the largest homeland disaster during World War II.

Over 200 of the deaths were young African-American enlisted sailors working for a segregated military. The explosion and its aftermath led to the largest Naval mutiny trial when sailors refused to return to loading ships until safety was improved. Fifty African American sailors were tried and convicted as a group on charges of conspiracy to commit mutiny. Efforts to clear the names of the Port Chicago 50 have been ongoing for decades. On July 17, 2024, the secretary of the Navy announced the full exoneration of the sailors who were charged.

Today, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial marks the site of the explosion and commemorates the bravery and sacrifice of the individuals in an event that became a pivotal moment in the fight for civil rights and equality within the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Armed Services.

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/poch

Image: Memorial site overlooking water. NPS/ L. Bailey

Blackwell School National Historic Site has been formally established as the nation’s newest national park. For 56 years, the Blackwell School educated the Mexican and Mexican American children of Marfa, Texas. The designation is an important step in telling a more diverse and inclusive history of the Mexican American experience. Today, the Blackwell School consists of the original 1909 adobe schoolhouse and a smaller 1927 classroom building known as the Band Hall. The buildings contain photographs, memorabilia, and interpretive panels that feature quotes and stories from students and teachers.

Today’s announcement is the result of support and contributions from the Blackwell School Alliance, National Parks Conservation Association, National Park Foundation, Marfa Independent School District, and the City of Marfa. The site is currently open to the public with limited hours and services. The Blackwell School Alliance, a local non-profit founded by Blackwell School alumni, is partnering with the National Park Service to provide visitor services at the site.

Visit www.nps.gov/blsc to learn more about the park.

Image: Rows of wooden school desks inside the Blackwell School building. NPS/TVillareal

There’s nothing wrong with following your heart, but it never hurts to check the map too.

Three hours later…⁣
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Your heart is saying “I could hike up these boulders for hours!” (You know, the ones pioneers used to ride for miles?) However, your feet are saying, “You wore flip flops…no.” Planning is an important step in being prepared and ready for your outdoor adventure. Before heading out, check your map, ask a ranger, or visit the park website or NPS app for the latest news, updates, and events. Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/healthandsafety/trip-planning-guide.htm

Image: Graphic with text, “There’s nothing wrong with following your heart, but it never hurts to check the map too.”

*The face you make when an unexpected guest rings the doorbell* 😲

This black racer snake is clearly an introvert and it’s in good company. The more than 20 species of snake which call Mammoth Cave National Park home all have something in common: they prefer to be left alone and just do their own thing.

Snakes tend to be elusive animals, but you may come across one basking in a sun patch on top of a rock or in the middle of a hiking trail. Be alert and watch your step as their camouflage patterns often easily blend in with leaf litter.

Snakes play a vital role in the park’s ecosystem by eating insects and small mammals. Remember, snakes in the park are protected by law. Never attempt to pick up, agitate, or otherwise harm one of these slithery residents. Be a polite guest in their woodland home and respect the house rules by not disturbing snakes in their natural habitat.

Explore the animals of Mammoth Cave National Park at: https://ow.ly/cl7y50SCC2I

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📷 Visitor's POV on Santa Rosa Island:

"My partner and I traveled to Santa Rosa Island to escape our day-to-day lives and have a break from our screens. Santa Rosa Island did not disappoint! It was truly one of the most beautiful, unique places I have ever had the honor of visiting. Some of my favorite things the island had to offer were the following:
(1) The fantastic coastal rock formations. The sedimentary sequences throughout the rock were clearly visible on the boat ride over (thank you to the team at Island Packer Cruises for its fantastic service). The sea caves were also an absolute marvel.
(2) The wildflowers. The wildflowers truly blew my mind. The plethora of endemic plants native to the island was genuinely breathtaking. My favorite was the Dudleya gnoma.
(3) The island fox. These cute and mischievous little fellas were adorable. Please don't turn your back for too long on them, or you might lose some food.
(4) The Torrey pines. These stubby pine trees were so cool, and the pinecones they produce are huge!
I want to thank the Channel Islands National Park team for their fantastic work at preserving this beautiful corner of the earth. We will be back!" - Samuel Tobin



[Image descriptions: 1. Island fox stands on the trail. 2. Coastal view of Santa Rosa Island with gulls flying. 3 & 4. Island fox in a field. 5. Dudleya close up. 6. Santa Rosa Island pier in the distance with the island in the background and foreground. 7. Sparrow on a plant with yellow flowers. 8. Torrey pines shrouded in mist. 9. Santa Rosa Island pier towards the island. 10. Wildflowers on Santa Rosa Island. All photos/Samuel Tobin.]

The three colors most commonly seen in form line art, black, red, and turquoise occupy a special place in Tlingit artistic tradition. Blue paint has always occupied a unique place, as the shade of blue can often indicate where or by whom a pole was painted. To this day, most master carvers maintain their own unique shade of blue paint to honor this long-standing part of Tlingit cultural heritage.

Photo: close up of a bear and wolf figures on a totem pole in a forest painted blue-green, red, and black

Let’s talk essentials. Todays’s topic: food.

If out in a park for an extended amount of time, you should always be prepared for the possibility of changes to your plans. Pack an extra day's supply of food, preferably no-cook items that have good nutritional value in order to keep your energy high. Salty and easy to digest snacks (e.g. trail mix, nuts, and granola bars) work well for outdoor activities and the saltiness is the preferred choice of the bear behind you. Just kidding about the bear. They actually prefer a sweeter aftertaste. Again, kidding. Please, no emails. We’re gonna say it. Let’s not feed the wildlife anything.

In conclusion, pack snacks and don’t forget to stay hydrated. ⁣What are some essentials you always bring on a trip? ⁣

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm
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Image: A winding tree-lined trail meanders through Olympic National Park. NPS/Juran⁣

Spotted today: the legendary "Kilroy Was Here"! This iconic graffiti, featuring a doodle of a bald-headed man peeking over a wall, has a fascinating history dating back to World War II.

The phrase is believed to have started with James J. Kilroy, a shipyard inspector in Quincy, Massachusetts. To mark sections he had inspected, he would write "Kilroy Was Here."

American soldiers picked up on this and began marking it wherever they went, from the beaches of Normandy to the jungles of the Pacific, boosting morale and leaving their mark in foreign lands.

"Kilroy Was Here" became a symbol of American presence and resilience during WWII. It represented the widespread reach of American forces and provided a sense of camaraderie among soldiers.

After the war, it continued to appear in various media, becoming a nostalgic reminder of the war years and the soldiers who served.

Today, it serves as a quirky yet poignant reminder of the experiences and travels of American troops during one of the most significant conflicts in history. Have you ever seen this famous doodle? Share your Kilroy sightings!

Photo: NPS/L Bailey

It’s not the heat that gets you, it’s the dinosaurs.

Well, also the heat.

Summer inspires us all (let’s be honest, not all of us) to go outside and explore the great outdoors, but your friends may have been so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should. Been there.

If you do head out, hold onto your brochures, and remember that high temperatures and the risk of being stalked by a T-Rex, apologies, or heat illness can happen at any national park. That’s how it always starts, and then later, there’s running and screaming. Sorry about that. Where were we?

🦖 Stay hydrated! It’s important to drink plenty of water. Keep a cup on the dashboard to help quench your thirst while tracking the movement of large reptiles. A refillable water bottle also comes in handy.

🦖 Check the weather forecast before you hit the trail. Make sure and pay attention during your hike and be flexible with your plans in case you need to cut it short because of extreme heat or storms to catch the last shuttle to the dock or visitor center.

🦖 Don’t forget the sunscreen! Avoid becoming a “roast-a-saurus” and reapply sunscreen to protect as much skin as possible when out in the sun.

Finally, remember to thank a ranger for a lovely weekend. Stay cool, folks!

Image: Inflatable T-Rex costumed ranger stands on a low Badlands formation Badlands National Park. NPS/Wheeler

No one ever tells stories around the meecro-wah-vey. Sorry, microwave.

All right, maybe a few. Like that time, you forgot to put water in your cup of noodles causing the entire office to evacuate leading to a visit from a Smokey Bear impersonator who was not impressed with your commentary about putting a potato in the microwave, hitting the pizza button, and when it’s done it’s still a potato.

Classic.

We digress. This post is about campfires. Having an open fire is often an enjoyable part of camping. The pop and hiss of burning wood brighten any night out in the woods, mountains, the weekly sharing of ghost stories with the midnight society, or the beach.

However, you want to make sure you control your fire, and not the other way around! Each park has its own rules on WHERE and WHEN you can have a campfire. Not all campfires are the same! For some people, the idea of a campfire is two logs quietly burning in a fire ring, while for others, it means a four-foot-tall blazing pile of wood and brush. You know who you are. Different parks allow different sizes and types of fires. Don’t assume a bonfire is going to be ok in a busy campground full of kids, RVs, and trees. Ask at the visitor center or find the campground host to see if specific areas are set aside for fires, and if there are rules on the size of your blaze.

Most importantly, when you’ve had enough smoke in your face, (it keeps following me) never leave the fire unattended or go to sleep. If you have water available, be sure to put it in your cup of noodles, sorry, douse your fire and coals when you’re ready to call it a night.

We have a lot more campfire tips. We’d share them here, but we’ve already said so much. If you’re still reading this, good for you, you’ve made it farther than at least 70% of people scrolling on here. We made that number up but seems legit.

🔥Learn all the tips at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/campfires.htm

Image: A camper holding a marshmallow over a campfire.

Don’t mind us, just dune-scrolling, again…

You don’t like sand? Thanks for sharing, Anakin. For those that do, put that phone away, after you finishing swiping, go outdoors and experience dunes for real! For several national parks, the standout features are sand dunes. From California to Indiana, and Colorado to Michigan, you can explore dunes, get sand everywhere, and explore majestic sandy environments of all types.

Have you visited a park with dunes? Are you still finding sand?

Image: Sand dunes with snowcapped mountains in the distance at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, CO. NPS/Myers

A HUGE thank you to the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council who donated their 4th of July holiday week to helping the park. They cleared 2 miles of the Del Norte trail that had become extremely overgrown over the last year with all the winter rains. This work has significantly improved the safety for those hiking from Prisoners Harbor to the Del Norte backcountry campground. The Trails Council plans to come back throughout the summer and fall and clear more trails on the island.

The Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council is a volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing, preserving, and maintaining the public trail system throughout the Santa Monica Mountains and adjacent areas through education, advocacy, and partnership with public and private sectors. Learn more about their organization at: https://smmtc.org/

Photos: Santa Monica Trails Council
Photos of hiker group along trail near coast. Photos showing before trail work with over grown vegetation and after trail work with open trail.

Alright folks, tackle this Monday like a hungry magpie on the head of an elk, ready to feast on productivity (or bugs, whatever feels natural)! Don't forget to channel your inner elk strength and crush your goals to make this Monday so successful, it'll have you saying, 'Elk yeah!'

Fun fact: Put a bird on it. Did you know, large herbivores like elk or bison are often visited by “cleaner birds” like magpies, who pick the parasites from their skin or hair? TMI? It's a win win win situation. The elk gets groomed and the magpie gets dinner.

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Image: Magpie rests on the head of a young elk at Rocky Mountain National Park. NPS/Schonlau⁣

"Swimming is just like walking, but wetter." - Michael Scott

Does dripping with sweat while standing into the parking lot count? Swimming is a great way to beat the summer heat, but remember, swimming in natural waters (e.g. streams, rivers, lakes, oceans) is very different from a swimming pool. You don’t need to be superstitious or anything, but maybe a little stitious.

Things to keep in mind:

💧Water currents can tire you out and sweep you away.

💧Distance across water is greater than it looks even for someone very fast. Like somewhere between a snake and a mongoose...and a panther.

💧Cold water can shock your body and make it difficult to swim.

💧Water depth can suddenly change to above chin level.

💧Underwater hazard like trees and rocks can trap you and keep you from swimming back to shore.

Enjoy taking a splash in the water while keeping safe with more tips at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/swimming-safety.htm

Image: A lifeguard watches families enjoy their summer day swimming and relaxing at Smithfield Beach at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

“A Møøse once bit my sister…” - Monty Python and the Holy Grail

No realli!

We apologize for the fault in the captions. Those responsible are currently being chased by a moose.

Mynd you, møøse are pretti fast and can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour whether or not you’re carrying a sharpened tøøthbrush. Think you can escape in water or deep snow? Think again! Møøse have long legs that allow them to easily wade into lakes and rivers or through deep snow. Let’s just keep a safe distance and never try to scare a møøse, or do the Fandango. It will only lead to thunderbolts and lightning, very, very frightening. Once again, we apologize for the fault in the captions. Those responsible are still being chased by a møøse.

When will they learn?

Image: Bull møøse stands tall in shallow water at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, Alaska. NPS/J. Mills

🤩 Moments like these make our day!

One of our Park Rangers traded hats with one of our youngest (Jr. Ranger) visitors for a special moment. 🌟 It's these interactions that make our park truly magical. Come visit us and create your own unforgettable memories!

We are open Daily to include Independance Day with normal hours 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Birth Home Presentations, & Ebenezer Baptist Church talks will be all throughout the day. Click this link to check our web calendar for specific times.

https://ow.ly/ujQ650SuOG9

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Happy July 4th! National parks are home to many of the nation’s most beloved monuments, historic sites, hallowed grounds, and iconic landscapes.

On July 4th, revisit why we celebrate Independence Day by following the road to revolution and the creation of a new nation, remember the sacrifices of the American military through people, places, and stories in parks that share the military experience, and follow the journey of people continuing the fight for the freedom and liberty that our nation was founded on.

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/july4th.htm

Image: In 1776, the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia at what is now known as Independence Hall, originally the Pennsylvania State House. Independence NHP, Edgar Allan Poe NHS & Thaddeus Kosciuszko NM

'Cause baby, you're a firework…”

If you are a firework, just make sure and sparkle safely at home and not in a national park. Remember, possession or use of fireworks and sparklers within the boundaries of a National Park Service site is prohibited.

There are several parks that safely host firework displays for the public to enjoy, including at National Mall and Memorial Parks, or you can always look up at night sky and take in a park’s natural “fireworks.”

*Not responsible for rain, cloud cover, or the slight chance they will not leave you all in awe, awe, awe.

Learn more fire safety park tips at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fire/wildland-fire-safety-for-park-visitors.htm

Find a nearby park to enjoy the night skies at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nightskies/stargaze.htm

Image: Milky Way over Battleship Rock at Petrified Forest National Park. NPS/ Holgerson

Located 50 miles northwest of Baltimore, the small town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was the site of the largest battle ever waged during the American Civil War. Fought over the first three days of July in 1863, the Battle marked a turning point not only in the course of the war but for the future of the United States. At Gettysburg National Military Park, the stories, relics and history are forever preserved.

Have you experienced a visit to Gettysburg?

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/battle-anniversary.htm

Image: East Cemetery Hill at sunrise with cannon looking out at Gettysburg National Military Park.

National Park Service Words of Wisdom Part 2: Beyond the Bear Necessities

It’s the summer sequel nobody asked for. Do we really have words of wisdom? Define wisdom….anyways, we hope these enlighten, inspire, confuse, or bring you joy. If not, there will probably be a part three at some point. The revenge!

The Fresnel lens (pronounced "fray-nel") was invented by Augustin Fresnel in 1822. The lens, shaped like a bull’s eye or beehive, is created by hundreds of specifically cut pieces of glass surrounding a bulb. This lens was a huge step towards lighthouse technology and maritime safety. Fresnel lenses came in several sizes, or orders, from the largest, Hyper-Radial, to the smallest, the eighth order. Nearly all lighthouses in National Park units originally had a Fresnel lens, even Anacapa Island.

In 1932, a rotating third-order Fresnel lens was installed in the Anacapa Lighthouse, making it one of the most advanced lighthouse beacons in the world, with a 1000-watt incandescent bulb assembly. Powered by a diesel generator, its 600,000 candlepower made it visible for 24 miles! For 57 years, the light station aided ships traveling through the Santa Barbara Channel. In 1989, the Coast Guard replaced the historic Fresnel lens with a solar-powered acrylic lens.

The light and foghorn were converted to solar power in 1989. An acrylic lens replaced the original Fresnel lens and was carefully relocated to the Anacapa Visitor Center. These modern lenses are just small versions of the one invented in 1822 by Augustin Fresnel.

Today, while the park manages the island, the U.S. Coast Guard continues to operate the lighthouse and fog signal building. For safety reasons, visitors to Anacapa Island are not permitted to tour the lighthouse.

[Images: Fresnel lens in the Anacapa Island visitor center. NPS Photo. Blueprint drawings of the Fresnel Lens drafted in 1931.]