Americans are shunning the great outdoors. Why?
THE ECONOMIST

On July 4, normally the busiest public holiday of the year, tourists were put off by high gas prices and more than 300 wildfires raging across California. On Memorial Day, traditionally the beginning of the summer season, it was cold. In 1999 there was a grisly murder. In 1997 the Merced River flooded, inundating a hotel and wiping out hundreds of campsites. There are always excuses for the absence of people in Yosemite National Park.

Join Friends Of Joshua Tree for the 11th annual Climb Smart event, happening October 24-26, 2008. This year's event promises world-class athletes and world class climbing coming together in the spirit of community, education and service to kick off the climbing season in Josh this fall. Learn more at www.friendsofjosh.org and invite your friends now, as camping and parking are definitely limited. Check out pics from last year's event and get involved. http://www.friendsofjosh.org

Hey all FYI here is a good article on cell phone coverage at our national parks.

CALIFORNIA CAMPING | OUTDOORS + ADVENTURE
Comparing cellphone reception in national parks
Wireless coverage is spotty in most of California's national parks, but not everyone is similarly afflicted.
By Alana Semuels, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
03:23 PM PDT, June 30, 2008