Chris talks with Sandy Price and Monte Mudd from the Big Bend Chamber of Commerce about visiting South Brewster County. A small group of communities in a BIG landscape, Terlingua, Study Butte, Lajitas and Terlingua Ranch offer a unique culture,  first-class outdoor activities and vibrant small businesses right at the edges of Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. But be aware – during the busiest seasons (especially Spring Break), the high number of visitors is putting a strain on the infrastructure and services of these little towns, so please do your part to help keep your impact to minimum!

Chris talks with Alpine Cowboys General Manager Kristin Cavness, Team Manager Sean Persky and Third Baseman James Prockish talk small-town baseball! Alpine's beloved Cowboys baseball club start their 2022 season off at the start of June and face some brand new oppponents in the Pecos League. And all of the action happens in beautiful, historic Kokernot Field, built in the 1940s on the o6 Ranch by Kristin's Great-Grandfather, Herbert L. Kokernot, Jr.

Chris is joined by Justin Bragiel, lead counsel for the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association to talk about...hotel taxes! What?!? Taxes!?!? No, really – What are they for? How do they help the community? Why can't we use the money to fill that pothole or fix the sewers? Find out how Alpine uses HOT funds, and you'll even get to hear Justin say nice things about us!

Chris talks with local musicians Rick Ruiz and John Ray about Alpine's small but vibrant and welcoming live music scene: the local bands, the venues, the events and festivals. We'll even tell you where to bring your instrument whenever you are ready to jump in and join us!

Chris talks to Kerri Blackman and Rachel Maxwell, masterminds behind a new and unique culinary event in Alpine: the Spirits of the West Wine & Beef Festival, May 27-29, 2022! Eleven Texas wineries, distilleries and breweries will offer three days of exquisite pairings of wine and spirits with signature appetizers, most using Big Bend ranch-raised beef. The event will also feature live music, fine art, workshops and more.

Chris talks with four members of the Chihuahuan Desert Gem and Mineral Club about the booths, displays, demonstrations and more that visitors will find at the annual Alpine Gem & Mineral Show in mid-April. We also talk about the history of rock collecting in the Big Bend, the region's distinctive agates, rock hunting trips in the area and the small rock shops in Alpine, Marfa, Fort Davis and Balmorhea.

After giving a general overview in our last episode, Big Bend National Park Chief of Interpretation Tom VandenBerg returns to tell Chris and Heather the details about actually visiting what we lovingly call "THE Park". Entrance fees, speed limits, camping reservations, river trip outfitters, and info on the ONLY official US border crossing into Mexico where there is a burro waiting to take you into town for tacos!

Chris and Heather finally make it to Big Bend National Park! They talk with Chief of Interpretation Tom VandenBerg about some of what makes BBNP the best park anywhere ever. Did we say that out loud? Anyway, we cover the Basics – the unique convergence of desert ecosystems that makes the Park truly special and, of course, Tom's favorite hike. What is it? Listen and find out!

Chris and Heather talk to Linda Beranek, President of the Marathon Chamber of Commerce, about visiting Alpine's sister to the East. From the Gage Hotel to the Post Park, and all of the restaurants, gardens, galleries and shops in between!

February 2022 marks the 75th anniversary of the first broadcast of our podcast production partner KVLF radio in Alpine. In this episode, Chris talks with Martin Benevich, the current owner of KVLF (AM) and KALP (FM), and with Ray Hendryx, who ran the stations for almost 40 years after taking over from his father Gene Hendryx, who started working at KVLF within weeks of its founding in 1947.