Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast

By Matt and Karen Smith

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 mome... more

4.9

12551,255 ratings

FAQs about Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast:

How many episodes does Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 180 episodes available.

Best of Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: #177: A Fall Road Trip Through New Mexico
Fall is the ideal time of the year to visit New Mexico as the summer heat begins to cool down and the colors become more vibrant in the filtered autumn light. In this episode, we discuss our favorite things to do and see in the Land of Enchantment. Starting in the north and working our way south, we share some of our experiences exploring the unique landscape and cultural history of New Mexico. Whether you are planning a road trip through the state or looking for activities to add to an upcoming visit, we hope you find some inspiration in this episode. Some of the places we cover include: - Chaco Culture National Historical Park - Bandelier National Monument - Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument - Pecos and Fort Union National Historical Parks - Petroglyph National Monument - The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta - Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument - Three Rivers Petroglyph Site - White Sands National Park - Ruidoso, Capitan, and the Smokey Bear Historical Park - Carlsbad Caverns National Park - Guadalupe Mountains National Park - And more! Helpful Link: Learn more about the American Battlefield Trust and its work preserving America’s battlefields: American Battlefield Trust ----- We share our stories, photos, and videos in a few different places. Here’s where you’ll find them: Patreon – Behind-the-scenes updates, bonus audio, and more personal storytelling Email newsletter on Substack – Travel tips, suggestions, and whatever we can think to write about each week. Social Media – Everyday observations, humor, recommendations, and quick moments from our travels. Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok The best way to contact us is at: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 20, 20261h 2min
Number 2: #167: Three Perfect Days in Sedona, Arizona
Visitors flock to Sedona, Arizona, for a multitude of reasons: the red rock landscape, the concentration of incredible hiking trails, the culinary scene, and the focus on spiritual wellness. In this episode, we'll share some of our favorite experiences on our recent trip. We'll give you an overview of Sedona, including where it's located, the optimal times to visit, and some great food we discovered, like the best donuts, margaritas, and pizza. But the main attraction, where we focus much of our time, is talking about some of the most popular trails surrounding the town throughout Coconino National Forest. Hiking trails we discussed include, · Soldier Pass / Seven Sacred Pools · Devil's Bridge · Bell Rock / Courthouse Butte · The Birthing Cave · Munds Wagon Trail (Hangover Trail) · Airport Trail · Plus a few more! Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for a scenic stroll, Sedona has something for everyone. Join us as we explore this breathtaking area of Arizona! ----- The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
February 25, 202559min
Number 3: #174: 10 National Monuments That Feel Like National Parks
Across our U.S. public lands are more than 130 national monuments, each protecting a unique natural or cultural treasure. In this episode, we’re diving into ten that feel a lot like visiting a national park, but without the crowds. We share a mix of places we’ve visited over the years, and each one surprised us with just how much they have in terms of scenery, hiking, and overall experience. From towering rock formations and remote desert canyons to cultural sites with deep historical meaning, these monuments offer many of the same “wow” moments you expect from a national park. In this episode, we talk about: Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming and why it’s always worth a stop, Grand Staircase–Escalante in Utah and its endless options for adventure, Canyon de Chelly in Arizona and one of our favorite ranger-led tours, Chiricahua National Monument and its maze of rock spires, Natural Bridges National Monument and its out-of-this-world natural beauty, Colorado National Monument as an underrated scenic gem, Bandelier in New Mexico and its fascinating cultural history, Lava Beds in California (yes, caves… again), Rainbow Bridge and its surprisingly powerful setting, and Jewel Cave in South Dakota and its incredible underground world. If you’ve ever felt like the national parks are getting a little too crowded, or you’re just looking for new places to explore, this episode will give you a list of destinations that deserve a spot on your radar. Want more? If you enjoyed this episode, check out our recently published Substack article: 10 National Monuments That Feel Like National Parks (But Without the Crowds) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
March 19, 202653min
Number 4: #173: Pinnacles National Park: Caves, Condors, and the High Peaks
We recently returned to Pinnacles National Park, a place we hadn’t visited since our first trip in 2013. Situated about 75 minutes south of Monterey, California, Pinnacles is known for its dramatic volcanic rock formations, remnants of a once 8,000-foot volcano. When we first visited, Pinnacles had just become a national park, and we stopped there as part of our journey to visit all the U.S. national parks. This time, we had a different reason to return. Karen wanted to explore one of the park’s talus caves. In this episode, we discuss our visit to the park, where we hiked into the lower portion of Bear Gulch Cave, then to Bear Gulch Reservoir, and finally into the high peaks. We also dive into the park’s fascinating geology, its history as a national monument established by Theodore Roosevelt, and the role of the Civilian Conservation Corps in building many of the trails and structures still used today. And of course, no visit to Pinnacles would be complete without talking about California condors. Pinnacles is the only national park that actively manages a condor release site, and we explain how these remarkable birds were brought back from the brink of extinction. If you’re planning a visit to Pinnacles, this episode is for you, as we also share practical tips to help you make the most of your time in the park. ----- Follow this link to join us on Patreon. And don't forget to check out our Substack account where you can subscribe for free to our weekly articles. You do not need to set up a Substack account to read our posts or subscribe to our weekly email. If you are already familiar with Substack, look us up at mattandkarensmith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
February 06, 202644min
Number 5: #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 500,000 acres of rugged terrain, it's easy to get lost in the park's boundless beauty. In this episode, we discuss our favorite things to see and do when visiting the park and other highlights you'll want to put on your bucket list. Whether you're looking for stunning vistas or quiet solitude, the Smokies have it all: spectacular vistas, rushing streams and waterfalls, historic structures, and quiet groves of old-growth forest. It's no wonder it's the most visited national park in America. Here are links where you can find more information related to this episode: · The Park It Forward program, · Info about LeConte Lodge and how to make reservations, · Info about the Blue Ridge Parkway, · And you can check out Great Smoky Mountains NP’s website here Our Patreon account is now up and running with bonus content. Follow this link for more information about how to join. Don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
February 16, 20231h 4min