Today’s bright spot: El Morro National Monument in Ramah, New Mexico, spent September 12 and 13 with a guest list that had a little extra height. The park’s U.S. Camel Corps Commemoration brought reenactor Doug Baum, live camels and park staff together for a weekend of history, hands-on activities and ranger programs.
The National Park Service scheduled the free event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, with presentations and children’s programming through the afternoon. A free shuttle connected overflow parking with the visitor center.
There is a real historic thread beneath the delightful sight: an 1857 government-backed camel expedition traveled past El Morro while heading toward California. This weekend’s living-history program gave visitors a chance to meet that chapter of the Southwest with the animals in the picture.
Read the National Park Service event release.
Small, cheerful briefs
Wetland welcome: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosted Journey Through the Wetlands at the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center on September 13, with guided walks, bilingual nature talks, arts, crafts and hands-on activities for Latino Conservation Week. See the refuge event details.
Across the Funny News network
- Hilarious News: Waders, Work Gloves and Lunch follows a Sacramento waterfowl-season warm-up.
- Smile News: Congaree’s 50th Birthday looks ahead to a community forest celebration.
- Weird News: The Falkirk Wheel explores Scotland’s rotating boat lift.
- FunnyNews.lol: The Elevator’s Practice Room is a fictional comic-strip satire.
Editorial illustration: a historical reenactor and camel at a high-desert commemoration.