GPO Summer Travel Series: Cave Dwellers, Fossil Finders and Dinosaurs Galore

July 20, 2018

Is it just us, or is the thought of dinosaurs roaming … and ruling … the Earth pretty mind-blowing? If you’re as captivated by the early days of Earth as we are, you’re going to love this next destination in our GPO Summer Travel Series. But first, all the prehistoric talk has got us feeling prehistoric ourselves. Let’s stop for some coffee. You’re going to want to be awake for this expedition … we’re on our way to Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in Nebraska!

Before we get there, order your Official National Park Handbook Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska. It provides a glimpse of what life was like in North America 20 million years ago, long before the arrival of man, when now-extinct creatures roamed the land that we know as Nebraska. The handbook, brought to you by the National Park Service and Department of the Interior, explains why this land became part of the National Park System, what fossils are found there, and where this monument is located. It includes tips to visitors, a reading list, and information on other sites in the National Park System. The most numerous fossils found at Agate were the remains of the pony-sized rhinoceros Menoceras. The site is also known for fossils of the gazelle-like camel Stenomylus and the early horse Miohippus. The handbook provides sketches of and information on these early animals. In addition to fossils, the park has an extensive collection of Plains Indian art and artifacts, including a shirt from the famous Sioux chief, Red Cloud, who lived on the land in the 1800s.

Have we got you eager to find more fossils? Lucky for you, there are more than 230 other national parks that preserve fossils today! Junior Paleontologist Activity Book includes a map of those parks that preserve fossils across the United States. So take a look! Fossil finding adventures may be closer than you realize. This booklet also helps children ages 5 and up dig for clues as Paleontologists do. They’ll learn about ancient life, complete fun activities, and explore just some of the national parks that offer a look into the past. Play a game to learn about how fossils form and discover different fossil types such as vertebrate and invertebrate fossils. Plus, interested to know when the first fish or flower appeared on Earth? Read fascinating descriptions of the eras of geological time, all the way from the Precambrian to the Cenozoic Era.

Did you know caves are ideal places to preserve fossil remains for thousands or even millions of years? Grab your headlamps and helmets and get ready to be amazed by stalactites, stalagmites and cave-dwelling creatures. With the Junior Cave Scientist Activity Book, you and your family will explore a fascinating and fragile underground world, learn about the values of caves and karst landscapes, and complete fun educational activities. Etiquette isn’t just for the dinner table. Before your big cave expedition, read through this book so you (and your junior cave scientists) know how to practice proper cave etiquette. Yes, it’s a real thing! As the booklet points out, it’s important to never disturb the fossils you find while on a caving adventure. The book also provides useful tips on being cave safe. The National Park Service recommends going into a cave with not one, not two, but three reliable sources of light. It really is as dark as it seems in a cave!

Thanks for coming along the road to fossilization. Rest up and we’ll see you back here again for more summer travels.

More from our Summer Travel Series:

GPO Summer Travel Series: Beach Health and Safety

GPO Summer Travel Series: California, Here GPO Comes

GPO Summer Travel Series: Exploring the Everglades

GPO Summer Travel Series: A Cape Cod Vacation

GPO Summer Travel Series: Your Trip to Yellowstone

GPO Summer Travel Series: Discover the Grand Canyon

GPO Summer Travel Series: What to Do and See in Washington DC

Don’t forget to check out our latest catalog America The Beautiful.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Blogger contributor Cat Goergen is the PR Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.

Leave a Comment » | Children, Family, National Park Service, National Park Service, Travel and Tourism | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

GPO Summer Travel Series: Beach Health and Safety

July 17, 2018

If you’ve been following our summer travel series thus far, you know we’ve been busy sightseeing, hiking, and exploring National Parks all across the country. Phew, we are exhausted. You’ve earned a break! It’s island time. That is, time to bury our toes in the sand, embrace the ocean breeze, kick back and relax before heading off to our next destination. Make sure you’ve got your flip flops, plenty of sunscreen, a good book and your boogie board. It’s back to the beach for us, our trusty travelers! But first, let’s make sure we’re equipped for a safe and healthy trip.

While the boogie board isn’t a requirement for good times by the Oceanside, that sunscreen sure is! Did you know there’s actually a right way to apply sunblock? And even with sunscreen on, those tricky UV rays can still get through to your skin! According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer, and the number of skin cancer cases has been on the rise. In fact, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Protect the little beach bums in your life and teach them healthy habits while they’re still young! It’s true. Applying sunscreen can be a messy drag. But GPO and the American Cancer Society are here to tell you this: it really doesn’t have to be all that miserable. Prepared with the support of the American Cancer Society, Mission: Sunwise Activity Book from the GPO Bookstore provides puzzles and pages to color about how to be safe in the sun and how to use sunscreen. It will be so worth it when you avoid that terrible sunburn … owiee … and can keep building as many sandcastles, hunting as many ghost crabs, collecting as many seashells and bobbing over as many waves as you want!

And while it’s important to keep ourselves safe and healthy at the beach, it’s also equally as important to make sure the ocean itself stays safe. According to thankyouocean.org, marine debris is defined as “any man-made, solid material that enters waterways directly through littering or indirectly through rivers, streams and storm drains.” Included in debris are plastic food wrappers, plastic bottle caps, grocery bags, plastic straws, plastic bottles, soda cans, balloons, glass bottles, cigarette butts, and fishing nets. All of these items, and many more, can potentially harm marine life. How? Animals often become entangled in the debris, causing them to have trouble eating, breathing and swimming. Many birds and fish also may mistake the debris for food. For example, plastic bags floating in the water strongly resemble jellyfish. This poses a major problem for the sea turtle, who often mistakes plastic bags for one of his favorite meals! What’s just as gross? This debris can even transfer up the food chain to humans, as we often enjoy fish and other seafood from the ocean. Help children learn about this very serious issue and become passionate about saving our marine life. Understanding Marine Debris is an activity booklet from the Department of Commerce and the National Marine Fisheries Service. A booklet for all ages, it contains an assortment of puzzles, brain-teasers and coloring activities to help children understand the problem of marine debris while having fun at the same time.

With its salty air, crashing waves, ocean spray and wild sunsets, the beach has the potential to create the absolute best memories. But it’s important to protect ourselves and our beaches and oceans while we can. Make your beach vacation a positive experience for the entire family with these publications from the GPO Bookstore. Rest up for now … under the protection of an umbrella, of course. There’s more summertime to come and more adventures to be had.

More from our Summer Travel Series:

GPO Summer Travel Series: California, Here GPO Comes

GPO Summer Travel Series: Exploring the Everglades

GPO Summer Travel Series: A Cape Cod Vacation

GPO Summer Travel Series: Your Trip to Yellowstone

GPO Summer Travel Series: Discover the Grand Canyon

GPO Summer Travel Series: What to Do and See in Washington DC

Don’t forget to check out our latest catalog America The Beautiful.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Blogger contributor Cat Goergen is the PR Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.

Leave a Comment » | Children, Environment, Family, National Cancer Institute | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

GPO Summer Travel Series: California, Here GPO Comes

July 10, 2018

We’re having the best summer ever traveling the country with you, and we can’t wait to make it to our next destination. It’s home to warm weather, palm trees, movie stars and surfer dudes. Not to mention, it’s also a great place to experience some of the most beautiful National Parks in the country. Oh man, we knew the movie star hint was too obvious. Yep, you guessed it – California, here GPO comes!

Our journey begins in the southern part of the Golden State in Joshua Tree National Park. Here, two desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together. This park is filled with Sacred Datura, cacti, Brittlebush, and the quirky Joshua tree whose limbs twist and turn every which way, forming wishbone-like shapes. While in the park, put your little Junior Rangers to work. The Joshua Tree National Park Junior Ranger Official Program and Activity Booklet from the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service offers challenges for kids ages four and up who are visiting Joshua Tree National park. Activity booklet in hand, these Junior Rangers will be on wildlife watch and scavenger hunts throughout the park which contains about 800,000 acres of unspoiled desert.

Next we’re headed to the far northwest part of the state to Redwood National and State Parks. It’s a little bit of a hike, but we promise your breath will be taken away once you’re transported to this endless world of wistful redwoods. Towering high above their admirers, these trees are so full of nobility and grandeur that you won’t help but feel humbled by them. Make sure to bring along Redwood: A Guide to Redwood National and State Parks, California for an introduction to the parks and the movement to preserve redwoods, which are world’s tallest trees. This handbook explores redwood natural history, the work of restoring logged lands, and North Coast Indian culture. Get lost while meandering beneath billowing trees, beside trickling streams, and across wooden bridges. We didn’t mean literally get lost! Pull out that handbook. It includes a travel guide and reference materials for touring the parks. And don’t forget entertainment for the kids! Junior Park Ranger Redwood Activity Book Ages 4 and Up helps children on the trip earn cool badges while exploring the parks. Activities incorporate important tips on poison oak, beaches, wildlife safety, and much more.

All aboard! It’s time to hop on the California Zephyr, a long train that travels daily between San Francisco and Chicago, through the heart of the Rockies. Have your cameras ready because this train ride is considered one of the most beautiful in all of North America. The Zephyr route contains over 2,400 miles long of overwhelming scenery and takes about 52 hours to complete. Junior Ranger California-Zephyr: An Explorer’s Activity Guide Onboard AMTRAK provides an opportunity for children ages 8-18 to test their skills at researching places, identifying unusual animals and reading about great cities and local experiences along the way.

We came, we saw, we conquered California and beyond. But there’s still much more to see and conquer! Stay tuned for GPO summer travel destinations to come.

More from our Summer Travel Series:

GPO Summer Travel Series: Exploring the Everglades

GPO Summer Travel Series: A Cape Cod Vacation

GPO Summer Travel Series: Your Trip to Yellowstone

GPO Summer Travel Series: Discover the Grand Canyon

GPO Summer Travel Series: What to Do and See in Washington DC

Don’t forget to check out our latest catalog America The Beautiful.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Blogger contributor Cat Goergen is the PR Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.

Leave a Comment » | Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Park Service, Travel and Tourism | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

GPO Summer Travel Series: Exploring the Everglades

July 2, 2018

Visiting the same old summer vacation spot year after year can become mundane. So GPO’s Summer Travel Series is bringing you a new and different sanctuary like you’ve never experienced before. This isn’t a beach retreat. Nope, it isn’t a mountain resort either. Today we’re equipping you with resources for a subtropical wonderland excursion. Ladies and gents, spray the bug repellant, grab your favorite outdoor hat, pack the poncho, and don’t forget the camera … we’re heading to the Everglades in South Florida!

If you’re a fan of vegetation and wildlife (and yes, the wet), prepare to be amazed by Everglades National Park. Abundant in plants and animals, the Everglades includes both tropical species and species from the Temperate Zone. It’s a paradise where wildflowers bloom year round, lily pads lazily float down the river, trees form canopies, and algae paint the water a vibrant green. Birds, mammals, reptiles and orchids can be spotted among the community. And keep your eye out for alligators, which are considered the keeper of the Everglades.

Eager to learn more? Go into your trip an Everglades expert. Everglades Wildguide from the GPO Bookstore presents the story of the Everglades National Park and its plants and animals, some of which can’t be found anywhere else in the United States. Read as the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service take you through what you can expect to experience at various parts of the park. And gain knowledge on the park’s history and transformation and the Federal Government’s efforts to restore its ecosystem.

If you aren’t able to take a trip to the Everglades right now, you can still get a little piece of it from GPO’s Bookstore. Created by an artist with the National Park Service, Everglades National Park poster captures the natural beauty of the Everglades in brilliant color. It is guaranteed to delight both young and old as they try to identify all the hidden animals from alligators to armadillos to bears to butterflies and birds.

You’re armed with the best resources out there. Now call your most adventurous buddies and go explore the Everglades!

More from our Summer Travel Series:

GPO Summer Travel Series: A Cape Cod Vacation

GPO Summer Travel Series: Your Trip to Yellowstone

GPO Summer Travel Series: Discover the Grand Canyon

GPO Summer Travel Series: What to Do and See in Washington DC

Don’t forget to check out our latest catalog America The Beautiful.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Blogger contributor Cat Goergen is the PR Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.

Leave a Comment » | Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Travel and Tourism | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Light Up Your Independence Day with These Historic Posters

June 26, 2018

The Fourth of July is easily one of the most anticipated holidays in America. It’s part of what makes summertime so darn sweet. And who can blame us? What’s more fun than a day of bobbing up and down over our nation’s shining seas while the smell of saltwater and sunscreen lingers in the air? It’s a day when messy watermelon hands are welcomed and our tummies are happily full from hamburgers and hot dogs. And no doubt, nothing beats the feeling that overwhelms us as each firework shoots into the warm night air, lights up in a blinding sparkle, and gradually drips away like a chandelier in the sky.

But with all the soirees and excitement of the Fourth, it’s easy to go the whole day without really thinking twice about why we’re doing all these fun activities. So this Independence Day, order posters from GPO’s Bookstore that will help remind you of the meaning and origin of this important day. The poster Continental Soldier in the War for American Independence gives detailed information about how the infantry fought, who the army commanders were, and the nearly impossible conditions American soldiers endured. Philadelphia, 1776 offers detailed information about Philadelphia, including its intellectual awakening of the Enlightenment, its budding architecture, and its economic prosperity, during the Revolutionary War.

Give your July 4th party that little extra dash of patriotism with these two posters. You and your guests may feel just a little more grateful for your freedom when you do. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to order one for the kid in your life to hang in their room.

Let freedom ring!

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Blogger contributor Cat Goergen is the PR Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.

Leave a Comment » | National Park Service, National Park Service, U.S. History | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

GPO Summer Travel Series: A Cape Cod Vacation

June 20, 2018

Our GPO Summer Travel Series is back. And let’s be honest. What is summer vacation without a retreat to the coast? So if you’re in the mood to ditch reality for colored sands, saltwater, spectacular sunsets, and communal history, consider a vacation to Cape Cod, the world’s largest glacial peninsula.

Cape Cod is the first place the Mayflower Pilgrims landed in 1620 and is where many American maritime cultural traditions, such as using carved bird decoys, were founded. The area once attracted seamen who sailed around the world hoping to bring home wealth and exotic treasures. Dating back to the 1800s, authors have been fascinated by the solitary and quaint life of Cape Codders such as lighthouse keepers and skip-wreck scavengers.

Today, the cape experiences much more activity and is one of America’s most popular public parks. But its traditional seafaring culture can still be felt by anyone who visits the destination. Full of wild inhabitants, summer cottages and colorful boats, it’s no wonder the shore attracts more than five million visits each year. And don’t miss out on majestic old lighthouses like Nauset Light, which you may recognize from your potato chip bags. The restored lighthouse is still used today to alert mariners off Eastham’s Atlantic coast.

Want to know more about this charming seashore? Order The Cape Cod Official National Park Handbook, produced by the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service, from the GPO Bookstore. Written by longtime resident Robert Finch, the handbook offers endless information about the cultural and natural history of Cape Cod. It examines the land, the sea, and recent transformations in the peninsula. Maps and a travel guide make this a great resource for those traveling to the Cape. Whether you’re interested in the bountiful sea, clambakes, or the historic attractions at Cape Cod, this handbook is guaranteed to make your Cape Cod experience even richer than it otherwise would be.

More from our Summer Travel Series:

GPO Summer Travel Series: Your Trip to Yellowstone

GPO Summer Travel Series: Discover the Grand Canyon

GPO Summer Travel Series: What to Do and See in Washington DC

Don’t forget to check out our latest catalog America The Beautiful.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Blogger contributor Cat Goergen is the PR Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.

Leave a Comment » | Family, National Park Service, National Park Service, Travel and Tourism | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

National Veteran Health Equity Report

June 18, 2018

In an effort to improve upon and monitor the health care needs of Veterans, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has produced for the first time the “National Veteran Health Equity Report” that details patterns and provides comparative rates of health conditions for vulnerable Veteran groups.

The National Veteran Health Equity Report is designed to provide basic comparative information on the socio-demographics, utilization patterns and rates of diagnosed health conditions among the groups over which the VHA Office of Health Equity (OHE) has responsibility. The OHE monitors, evaluates and acts on identified disparities in access, use, care, quality and outcomes.

Most importantly the report allows the VA, Veterans, and stakeholders to monitor the care vulnerable Veterans receive and set goals for improving their care.

Data for the National Veteran Health Equity Report are from centralized, national VHA administrative databases of enrollment, outpatient, inpatient, and Non-VA (Fee) medical care, but do not include long-term care services or care received privately by VHA users. All of the report chapters are drafted by VA subject matter experts.

This new publication is now available as a FREE PDF download through the U.S. Government Bookstore at bookstore.gpo.gov.

The report is a primary medical reference for health policy decision-makers, medical providers and trainees. Physicians and medical students involved with U.S. Veterans’ healthcare may also be interested in this information. Individuals compiling medical statistics related to U.S. Veterans’ health quality and their families involved with caregiving may also find this data helpful.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.

Leave a Comment » | Department of Veterans Affairs, Digital Publishing, ebooks | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

GPO Summer Travel Series: Your Trip to Yellowstone

June 13, 2018

Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

We hope you enjoyed your last stop in the Grand Canyon. What’s that? Still in the mood to see some great natural wonders? Perfect, so are we! Pile in, folks. We’re headed north to the very first national park in the world. As Naturalist John Muir described it back in the 1880s, prepare to see “Nature at work as a chemist”. We’re stopping in to admire bison, steam clouds of sulfur, and the world’s greatest geyser collection at Yellowstone National Park!

With more active geo-thermal features than the rest of the world, Yellowstone is wild and alive. Sure, you’ve heard of the famous Old Faithful. But altogether there are actually more than 10,000 thermal features at Yellowstone, including geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles. Here, you’ll experience a rainbow of vivid color as water flows from hot springs, starting with yellow, then orange and green. The unique activity in the park provides geologists with a glimpse into what goes on thousands of miles beneath the Earth’s surface. In all its bubbling and erupting wonder, Yellowstone has been regarded as a sacred place by the groups of people who have lived near it throughout time. In fact, it’s believed that early Native American visitors to Yellowstone left offerings at thermal features to show their respect.

Interested in seeing the work of the oldest living things in the world? Check out Mud Volcano at Yellowstone. Its single-celled organisms are so old and different from the bacteria covering Earth’s surface today that they are classified into their own kingdom, the Archaea. Amazingly, they create mudpots by metabolizing sulfur and water into rock-dissolving sulfuric acid. Alright, that’s enough science for us too.

Make the most of your adventure at this historic and wondrous site. Yellowstone National Park Trip Planner offers a vast amount of information to plan a vacation to Yellowstone, including the top five road trips to the park, an overview of the five park entrances, a map, what to do if you only have 48 hours in the park, and a guide to lodging and camping in the park.

The Yellowstone Official National Park Handbook from the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service will walk you through the history, geography and wildlife of the park.

Loved Yellowstone so much you want a view of it every day? Bring the park home. The poster Greater Yellowstone depicts scenic park features and the large basin created by a massive volcanic eruption 600,000 years ago.

More from our Summer Travel Series:

GPO Summer Travel Series: Discover the Grand Canyon

GPO Summer Travel Series: What to Do and See in Washington DC

Don’t forget to check out our latest catalog America The Beautiful.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Blogger contributor Cat Goergen is the PR Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.

Leave a Comment » | Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Travel and Tourism | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

New Out of the Crucible Publication

June 11, 2018

America’s military is considered the world’s most powerful fighting force. During the 21st Century U.S. troops fought in conditions of great stress; not only due to natural battle conditions, but also in geographic areas that are climatically and geologically challenging.

The dedication of our military leaders to the well-being of the troops in the field as well as to families at the home front have always played an important role in constantly improving the US Military Health System’s ability to care for the wounded from the point of casualty through full rehabilitation. During the past decade the Military Health System learned from failures and built on successes; and in doing so made incredible strides in both the rehabilitation and re-integration of the wounded into civilian life.

The Department of Defense Borden Institute has published a new publication entitled, Out of the Crucible that documents each of these extraordinary advances and provides stories of individual service members who benefited from them. This new publication is now available in paperback, and as a FREE eBook download.

At the U.S. Government Publishing Office bookstore.gpo.gov you can learn how these incredible life-saving advances became realities. Military or civilian, it represents the finest in how the Federal government serves it’s warriors at a most critical time in their lives.

Out of the Crucible: How the US Military Transformed Combat Casualty Care in Iraq and Afghanistan

During the last decade, the US Military Health System—while caring simultaneously for combatants fighting two wars and for millions of service members, dependents, and military retirees at home—completely transformed its approach to combat casualty care. From the point of injury on the battlefield to rehabilitation and reintegration of wounded warriors into their communities, military innovators rapidly devised, implemented, refined, and spread new techniques and technologies throughout the force.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.

Leave a Comment » | Afghanistan, Department of Defense, ebooks, Iraq | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

GPO Summer Travel Series: Discover the Grand Canyon

June 7, 2018

We’re back again with another installment of our GPO Summer Travel Series. And today we’re talking about your trip to discover a natural wonder with layers, colors, rocks and ridges that tell a story like nowhere else on earth. Folks, we’re headed for an adventure at the Grand Canyon in Arizona!

Not sure where to begin planning for your great expedition? Check out The Grand Canyon Trip Planner from the GPO Bookstore. Published by the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service, the Trip Planner is a great resource that contains a guide so you can make the most of your trip. In it you’ll find hiking maps and tips.

And we’ll even give you a head start now. The rumors are true … high elevation is likely to affect you differently than your home environment. If you and other family members or friends aren’t used to hiking in high elevations, you’ll want to come extra prepared. Drink lots of water, take breaks if you need to, and protect your skin with sunscreen and hats.

If you’ve got kiddos coming along in your group, don’t leave home without the Grand Canyon South Rim Junior Activity Book. This fun booklet teaches children about wildlife, geology, land and historic site preservation at the Grand Canyon. Activities in the booklet include recording animal sightings, studying rocks, and decoding the name of each layer of the canyon. And if you return the completed book to Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Verkamp’s Visitor Center, or Tusayan Museum, your child can receive a badge for their good work. We guarantee the adults in the group will a thing or two, too! After all, witnessing something so grand can make us all feel small again.

So what are you waiting for? You’ve got the tools. Get out there and experience the magic that is the Grand Canyon.

GPO Summer Travel Series: What to Do and See in Washington DC

Don’t forget to check out our latest catalog America The Beautiful.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Blogger contributor Cat Goergen is the PR Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.

Leave a Comment » | Family, National Park Service, National Park Service, Travel and Tourism | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Remembering the Attack on the Aleutian Islands

May 31, 2018

While most people know something about the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, few are aware of the Japanese attack and invasion of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands from June 3 to 7, 1942. Attu is the westernmost of the Aleutian Islands and one of the Near Islands. On Attu Island, the Japanese captured 42 residents of Attu, including the island’s school teacher. Forty people were transported to Otaru, Hokkaido Island, Japan. They were held as prisoners of war from September 1942 until 1945. Twenty-one people died during their internment, including four babies, born in Japan. In 2012, the National Park Service published Nick Golodoff’s Attu Boy. Golodoff was six when his family was captured and sent to Japan. This book combines transcriptions of the oral histories of Attu survivors with Golodoff’s memoir. Sadly, during the war, Golodoff’s village was destroyed, and the United States Government opted to annex the island for military purposes. The Aleuts were not allowed to return.

Today, Attu is part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument and the Alaska National Maritime Wildlife Refuge. Want to read more about the Aleutian Islands in World War II? See the Army Corps of Engineer’s View to the past which recounts the history of the Army on Amaknak Island and Unalaska Island. And to learn more about the experience of the native people, check out The National Park Service’s publications, Forced to leave the removal of the Unangax̂ of Unalaska, 22 July 1942 and Lost Villages of the Eastern Aleutians: Biorka, Kashega, Makushin.

In June 1942, the United States launched its first offensive in the Pacific, the Aleutian Campaign. From June 1942 to May 1943 Japan held the Island of Attu. The Battle of Attu took place May 11−30, 1943. With Canadian support, U.S. forces defeated Japanese forces in what was the second deadliest battle in the Pacific Theater. More than 3,000 Japanese and Americans died fighting on Attu. Attu: the Forgotten Battle, a new book by John Haile Cloe, explores that battle and its impact on the island. Aleutian Islands from The U.S. Army Center of Military History provides an overview of the Aleutian Islands Campaign.

Major Fleet-Versus-Fleet Operations in the Pacific War, 1941-1945, a publication of the Naval War College, explores three major naval operations of World War II initiated by imperial Japan that resulted in the battles of the Coral Sea, Midway/Aleutians, and the Philippine Sea.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Cynthia Earman is a Cataloging & Metadata Librarian in the Library Services & Content Management division of the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

Leave a Comment » | Center of Military History, Department of Defense, Military History, U.S. Army, World War II | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

GPO Summer Travel Series: What to Do and See in Washington DC

May 21, 2018

The kids are out of school, the sun is blazing and the suitcases are packed. Summer has returned in all her glory, which means it’s time to travel. And this season, we’re bringing you our GPO Summer Travel Series. We’ll provide you with places to go, things to do and, of course, resources from the GPO Bookstore to help you plan, so you can make the most of your travels.

If you live in the United States (or really anywhere for that matter), a trip to our nation’s capital is a must. There are endless exciting things to do in DC.; so here are just a few ideas and resources to help you plan a trip you won’t forget.

Start your journey in DC by taking a stroll around the U.S. Capitol. On a nice day, you’ll find the area filled with everyone from students on field trips, to engaged citizens peacefully protesting, to working men and women in fancy business suits. You never know who you may bump into – be on the lookout for Members of Congress! Order the Congressional Pictorial Directory so you can address the Congressmen and women by name … and maybe ask them to take a selfie … if you spot them out and about.

Just a short walk from the U.S. Capitol, stop and smell the roses (and lots of other plants) at the U.S. Botanic Garden. Go in prepared with A Botanic Garden for the Nation from the GPO Bookstore. It includes full-color photos of the building and plants as well as helpful information such as how to read a plant label at the Botanic Garden and a map of both the Conservatory building and Bartholdi Park outside.

Next, it’s time to see what it’s like to live like the POTUS. Requests for a tour of The White House can be submitted through one’s Member of Congress. If you’re bringing along any junior rangers, make sure you’ve got The White House Junior Ranger Activity Guide Book. It’s packed with activities that teach children about the history of The White House.

Depending on the time of year, you may be able to stroll among a wonderland of blossoming cherry trees that border the Tidal Basin and frame the Jefferson Memorial. Before you go, make sure to have in hand this National Park Service Handbook that describes the Jefferson Memorial and includes a biography of Thomas Jefferson. The National Park Service also offers a handbook on the Lincoln Memorial.

Take a break from the city life and get your nature on at Rock Creek Park! A Photographer’s Path: Images of National Parks Near the Nation’s Capital from GPO’s Bookstore includes a collection of colorful photographs from the park as well as other natural and historic sites in the Greater Washington DC area.

And last but certainly not least, don’t forget to visit the history exhibit on the first floor of the Government Publishing Office during the week. Not to toot our own horn, but you’ll be amazed to see historic materials such as White House menus, inauguration invitations, hand bookbinding tools and more.

Don’t forget to check out our latest catalog America The Beautiful.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Blogger contributor Cat Goergen is the PR Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations office.

Leave a Comment » | Landmarks & Monuments, National Park Service, Travel and Tourism, U.S. Botanic Garden, U.S. History | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

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