On this episode of Big Blend Radio's Vacation Station Travel Show, travel writer Debbie Stone shares her epic hiking experience on New Zealand’s Tongariro Alpine Crossing, an unforgettable 12.1-mile trek that’s often regarded as one of the top ten one-day hikes in the world by the likes of National Geographic. The Crossing, as it is often called, is located within Tongariro National Park, a dual World Heritage Area, recognized for both its Maori culture and outstanding volcanic features. Read her story on NationalParkTraveling.com.

Featured music is “traveler” by the Walk-A-Bout Band.

From the Cane River Film Festival to the Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s special Spring Travel Showcase focuses on spring activities and events in historic Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Founded in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, Natchitoches is the original French Colony and oldest city in Louisiana, and celebrates a vibrant blend of French, Spanish, African, Native American and Creole cultures. Home to the Cane River Creole National Historical Park, it is part of the Cane River National Heritage Area, and is the final destination on the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail.

Featured guest is Kelli West of the Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Featured music is “Luke’s Stomp” form the album “Luke’s Dream” by Johnny Mastro & Mama’s Boys.

From the annual UNC Greeley Jazz Festival to the Wildflowers of Pawnee National Grassland, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s special Spring Travel Showcase focuses on spring activities and events in Greeley and Weld County in Northeast Colorado. Perfectly situated on the high plains with panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains, Greeley is the seat of Weld County and is located mid-way between Denver and Cheyenne, WY at the confluence of Cache la Poudre and South Platte Rivers. Weld County is home to charming small towns, thriving cities and 4,000 square miles of wide open sky and beautiful mountain views.

Featured guests include Amy Dugan of Visit Greeley, and Jennifer Finch of Weld County. Featured music is “Mile High Soul” from the album “Be Kind” by Brian Bourgault.

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s special Spring Travel Showcase, focuses on spring activities and events in Tulare County, Central California. Home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest, the region is a year-round destination offering a variety of outdoor activities, a calendar full of events and festivals, and an eclectic selection of shopping and dining opportunities in the local communities.   

Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include: Sintia Kawasaki-Yee - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Gary Rogers - Sequoia Parks Conservancy, Denise Alonzo - Sequoia National Forest, Donnette Silva Carter – Tulare Chamber of Commerce, Suzanne Bianco - Visit Visalia. 

Featured music is “Hey, Hey California” by Everett Coast

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s special Spring Travel Showcase, it’s all about Spring Vacation in City Destinations Across America. Deborah Wakefield of CityPASS shares how the company creates discounted, bundled admission tickets for the top attractions in 14 North American destinations. From desert wildflowers to baseball and music festivals, Douglas MacKenzie of Visit Phoenix discusses the spring events, attractions, and activities in beautiful Phoenix, central Arizona.  

Thanks to the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) for sponsoring this segment. Featured music is “Travel Song” from the album “Double Take” by guitarist Micha Schellhaas.

In Norfolk, being surrounded by beautiful countryside, the early part of the year is beautiful. The colors of Spring in England, are mainly green, yellow and white, but, if we look closely, there are many other colors prevalent. On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s Nature Connection show, Glynn Burrows of Norfolk Tours talks about the flowers, birds, and wildlife during the spring season in Norfolk, England. See his article on NationalParkTraveling.com.

Featured music is “Chair Beneath the Tree” by Wally Lawder.

Marilee Eaves grew up in the elite world of Uptown New Orleans, a world of Mardi Gras parades and exclusive balls. She spent nearly five decades of her life struggling to be herself in the midst of the elitist Mardi Gras societies that ruled her home city. Finally, in her fifties and sixties, she expanded her perspective, started questioning assumptions about the way she’d grown up, and carved her own path. On this episode of Big Blend Radio, she discusses her life and book, “Singing Out Loud: A Memoir of an Ex-Mardi Gras Queen.”

Featured music is “Nola Rolls” by Jon Roniger.

This episode of Big Blend Radio features Bonnie S. Hirst, the mother of Lacey Hirst-Pavek who was sentenced to life in prison in a murder-for-hire case in 2009. And now, 10 years later, She Writes Press has released Bonnie's book, "Test of Faith: Surviving My Daughter's Life Sentence," which shares her spiritual journey following her daughter's life sentence in prison. This story was the subject of a documentary on Oxygen.

Featured music is “Wheel of Destiny” by guitarist James Saunders.

Join hosts Nancy Reid & Lisa Smith, the mother-daughter travel team and publishers of Big Blend Magazines, for Big Blend Radio’s Way Back When History show. On this episode, genealogist and author Holly T. Hansen “Miss Holly GenTeacher” discusses spring celebrations and observations such as Easter, Mother’s Day , Father’s Day, and Memorial Day, offer terrfic opportunities to dig deeper into your family history. See her story on BlendRadioandTV.com.

As an author, lecturer, editor, and publisher, Holly been instrumental in helping thousands understand the principles, strategies, and sources they can use to trace their roots in today’s ever-changing technological environment. She is the mastermind behind more than 50 Family History Expos held across the United States, and is dedicated to helping individuals and families, one-on-one, with their personal research needs. Currently, she is involved creating more books, podcasts, webinars, and video presentations to help people move forward in their family history endeavors from the comforts of home.

 

Featured music is “Da Da Da” by The Madisons.

The California Supreme Court ruled nearly two years ago that the Golden State’s Wage Orders required a new test to determine who is, and is not, an independent contractor under the Orders.  It is called the ABC test because it has three elements.  The hiring business must prove all three, or the worker will be an employee. Last year, the California Legislature decided to apply that same test to all most all employment laws, not just the Wage Orders.  It also exempted many industries, jobs, and working relationships from AB5 and the ABC test, but some of the exemptions are hard to apply. As San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs shares on this episode of Big Blend Radio, now, many more workers and businesses in various job categories and industries want exemptions or less limiting ones.  In many cases, such as Uber, they are fighting for them! Read Ward's article on BlendRadioandTV.com.

Featured music is “Mrs. Lackey” by The Loose Hinges.