Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast

By Matt and Karen Smith

Personal Journals Society & Culture Places & Travel

What's Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast about?

In Dear Bob and Sue, authors Matt and Karen Smith share stories of their travels to all of the U.S. National Park as well as other spectacular public lands. From adventures gone awry to memorable moments and Q&As from readers, get to know the couple behind the books and get inspired to go on some adventures of your own.

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#135: Mailbag: Our Favorite...

09.28.2023

In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · Recommendations ...

Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast episodes:

09.28.2023 #135: Mailbag: Our Favorite National Park Campgrounds, and More! In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · Recommendations ...
09.14.2023 #134: Wrangell - St Elias National Park and the Road to McCarthy Hugging the eastern border of Alaska, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is a breathtaking example of raw and untamed nature. At a staggering 13.2 million acres, it holds the title of the largest national park in the United States. ...
09.07.2023 #133: Sand in Our Shoes: Sand Dune National Parks Our country’s national parks protect a huge variety of landscapes, and today, we’re playing in the sand in some of the national parks that feature sand dunes. These unique landforms offer a wide variety of activities, from hiking, saucer-sliding, tranquil ...
08.25.2023 #132: Mailbag: Celebrating the National Park Service and Much More! In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · The ...
08.17.2023 #131: Our Favorite Cabins in the National Parks Nothing makes you feel like you’re in a national park more than staying in a rustic, historic cabin in the woods. (Or on an ocean bluff or the rim of the Grand Canyon.) In this episode, we describe many of ...
08.10.2023 #130: Easy Bucket-List National Park Hikes Welcome to another episode of our podcast, where we're diving into the heart of America's most iconic national parks and highlighting some easy bucket-list hikes that are both breathtaking and accessible. Whether you're an avid hiker looking for a leisurely ...
08.03.2023 #129: Archive Episode, Top-Rated Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park In our Archive Episodes, we focus on a specific destination or topic we’ve covered in a previous episode, re-play that portion of the show, and add our updated comments. Today, we’re re-sharing our best hiking recommendations in Rocky Mountain National ...
07.27.2023 #128: Bug Off: Five Products for Hikers and Campers to Keep Insects at Bay In this archive episode we’ve pulled together a couple excerpts from previous shows where we talked about our challenges with bugs while hiking and camping. Today, we’ve added additional information about five products we’ve used in the past on our ...
07.20.2023 #127: Archive Episode, The Beaches of Olympic National Park Our Archive Episodes focus on a specific destination or topic we’ve covered in a previous episode. We re-play that portion of the show and add our updated comments. Today, we’re exploring the Pacific Coast beaches of Olympic National Park. Unlike ...
07.13.2023 #126: Archive Episode, Gateway Arch National Park In our Archive Episodes, we focus on a specific destination or topic we’ve covered in a previous episode, re-play that portion of the show, and add our updated comments. Today, we take you back to Gateway Arch National Park, one ...
07.06.2023 #125: Archive Episode, The Enchanted Many Glacier Area of Glacier National Park In our Archive Episodes, we focus on a specific destination or topic we’ve covered in a previous episode, re-play that portion of the show, and add our updated comments. Today, we take you back to the Many Glacier area of ...
06.29.2023 #124: Mailbag! Our Thoughts on Bigfoot and More In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · How ...
06.22.2023 #123: Visiting North Cascade’s Hidden Gem: Stehekin A trip to Stehekin, tucked away in a valley in the North Cascades National Park complex, feels like a visit to an island. But instead of being completely surrounded by water, this remote village is hemmed in by spectacular alpine ...
06.15.2023 #122: The Underground World of Jewel Cave and Wind Cave The Black Hills of South Dakota are home to not one but two of the world’s longest cave systems. Both in the National Park system, Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park are must-see destinations. Located just 20 ...
06.08.2023 #121: Five Fabulous State Parks State parks are a special kind of public land, beloved by locals but often as spectacular and exciting as their national park cousins. In episode #30, we featured six of our favorites, but our list of fabulous state parks is ...
06.02.2023 #120: The Beartooth Highway Since its completion in 1936, the Beartooth Highway has thrilled millions of visitors with jaw-dropping views of one of the most beautiful and wild areas in the lower 48 states. It seems fitting that a road built 90 years ago ...
05.25.2023 #119: Mailbag! In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · Which ...
05.18.2023 #118: Where the Bison Roam The American Bison symbolizes a bygone era when the Great Plains, with their millions of acres of tallgrass prairie, were undisturbed by railroads, fences, farmland, and towns. While we nearly squandered this extraordinary natural resource into extinction, instead of becoming ...
05.04.2023 #117: 12 US Wonders to See in Your Lifetime America is home to some of the world's most awe-inspiring landscapes and natural marvels. In this episode, we've chosen twelve stunning destinations that are also relatively easy for most people to experience. While there are many more beautiful sights to ...
04.27.2023 #116: Mailbag! Visiting Channel Islands National Park and More In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · Visiting ...
04.13.2023 #115: National Parks and the Civilian Conservation Corps This year marks the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Started in 1933 during the Great Depression as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal Program, the CCC was created to put young men back to work. ...
04.06.2023 #114: Theodore Roosevelt National Park It’s unlikely that anyone has had a more significant positive impact on our U.S. public lands than Teddy Roosevelt, which is why it’s fitting that he has a national park named after him. Tucked into the Badlands of North Dakota, ...
03.30.2023 #113: Must-See Navajo Parks The Navajo Nation is home to one-of-a-kind natural wonders and irreplaceable cultural treasures. It’s also where you can find several parks worth putting on your bucket list. In this episode, we share our experiences and suggestions for making the most ...
03.23.2023 #112: Mailbag! In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · How ...
03.09.2023 #111: Driving Tour of Washington's National Parks, Part Two The fun doesn’t stop at the end of the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway. Our road trip continues, so grab some extra snacks on Whidbey Island and head west with us as we travel to Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks. ...
03.02.2023 #110: Washington's Cascade Loop Scenic Byway, Part One Ah, the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway. This 440-mile route winds through the heart of Washington State's Cascade Mountains, revealing an abundance of natural beauty that is truly awe-inspiring. From the shore of Lake Chelan to the rugged peaks of North ...
02.23.2023 #109: Mailbag! Devils Tower, Carlsbad Caverns, and More In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · Whether ...
02.16.2023 #108: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Situated in both North Carolina and Tennessee, this park is a natural wonderland that seems too good to be true. It's a place where misty mountains rise from the forest floor, and crystal-clear streams cut through verdant valleys. With over ...
02.02.2023 #107: Isle Royale National Park Isle Royale National Park is a serene, isolated wilderness in the middle of Lake Superior, making it the least-visited national park in the contiguous United States. Despite its remote location, those who make the journey are rewarded with breathtaking scenery, ...
01.25.2023 #106: Mailbag! Shenandoah NP in a Weekend, and More In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · A ...
01.19.2023 #105: Chaco Culture National Historical Park Many consider Chaco Culture the crown jewel of the ancient Puebloan ruins in the American Southwest. It's a must-see add-on to any adventure in the Four Corners area. The sixteen archeological sites in the park tell a story of a ...
01.05.2023 #104: Planning Your Trips to Alaska’s National Parks Alaska is home to eight national parks, each unique and stunning. And if visiting them is on your bucket list, planning your trips may seem daunting. It was for us. Alaska is wild and beautiful, and its parks are nothing ...
12.29.2022 #103: Twelve Great National Parks for Snowshoeing We used to think that winter was for hunkering down inside and planning for warm-weather activities in the parks. But that all changed one day when we rented snowshoes in Yellowstone on a zero-degree February day. After an exciting day ...
12.08.2022 #102: Mailbag! White Sands, Hot Springs, and More In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · How ...
11.24.2022 #101: Grandma Joy’s Road Trip Join us for an inspiring conversation with 92-year-old Grandma Joy and her grandson Brad, who are on a journey to visit all 63 national parks. After taking her on a camping trip seven years ago in Smoky Mountains National Park ...
11.17.2022 #100: Glacier Bay National Park Over two hundred years ago, a 4,000-foot-thick glacier covered what is now Glacier Bay National Park. Since then, the massive glacier has receded, leaving us a spectacular bay and landscape to explore. Sitting a mere 50 miles west of Alaska’s ...
11.10.2022 #99: Matt and Karen’s Annual Gift Guide Are you ready for the most wonderful time of the year? We’re here to help you fill out your holiday shopping list before that last-minute panic sets in. And while you’re at it, you might even find an item or ...
11.03.2022 #98: Best of Canyonlands National Park Radiating out from the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers in southeastern Utah is a landscape full of spectacular canyons, unusual rock formations, and some of the most challenging backroads anywhere in America. Separated into four distinct districts, Canyonlands ...
10.27.2022 #97: Haunted National Park Lodges If the historic national park lodges could talk, they’d tell us chilling stories about strange things happening over the years within their walls. From the sound of mysterious parties coming from deserted ballrooms to presidential rocking chairs moving by themselves, ...
10.20.2022 #96: Hiking Utah’s Kanarra Falls The trail to Kanarra Falls in southwestern Utah has it all: beautiful scenery, a pristine creek running through a slot canyon, and a picturesque waterfall. It’s just the right length at about 3.5 miles roundtrip and is only moderately strenuous. ...
10.06.2022 #95: Custer State Park and the Black Hills South Dakota might not be the first place you think of as a vacation destination, but the Black Hills and surrounding areas are packed with incredible sights and activities. In this episode, we take you to the epicenter, Custer State ...
09.29.2022 #94: Mailbag! Wildlife, Solar Chargers, and Hiking Boots In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · Our ...
09.22.2022 #93: Everglades National Park Now is the perfect time to plan a winter trip to Everglades National Park. While the park's rainy season is typically April through November, the other months are a great time to visit. In this episode, we talk about hiking ...
09.08.2022 #92: The Grand Circle Tour It’s time for another road trip! The Grand Circle Tour is a driving itinerary that takes you to some of the most amazing natural wonders in southern Utah and northern Arizona. Travel along with us in this episode as we ...
09.01.2022 #91: Best National Parks to Visit in the Fall Once summer vacation season ends and kids go back to school, the parks are a little less crowded, making fall the perfect time to visit our incredible national parks. In this episode, we took our fall travel suggestions from Episode ...
08.25.2022 #90: Mailbag! Our Favorite Waterfalls and Much More! In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · Which ...
08.11.2022 #89: Our Ten Favorite Day Hikes in the National Parks Whether you prefer hiking through forests, deserts, or to the top of mountains, this list covers them all. It wasn’t easy narrowing the list to just ten, but these are the hikes we find ourselves doing over-and-over again when we ...
07.28.2022 #88: Mailbag! Hiking in Big Bend National Park and More In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · Some of ...
07.14.2022 #87: Our Favorite Slot Canyons in the Southwest Breathtaking trails through narrow canyons lie hidden in the vast desert landscapes of the Southwest. These slot canyons, as they’re called, often have walls so close that you can reach out and touch both sides of the canyon – at ...
06.30.2022 #86: Mailbag! How Many Days to Spend in Great Sand Dunes NP and More! In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · National ...

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