Everybody's National Parks

Description:

I had the great honor to speak about the legacy of American icon, Ansel Adams with his son Michael, grandson Matthew and internationally known photographer and Ansel’s last darkroom assistant, Alan Ross. We talk about family camping trips, his sense of humor and outlook on life, his passion for nature, photography and conservation and the new book Ansel Adams’ Yosemite: The Special Edition Prints by Little, Brown and Company. (For complete show notes, visit our website.)

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Ready to make your own Yosemite memories? Plan your park adventure by listening to previous episodes in this Yosemite series. Our trip report in episode 19.1 will help you navigate crowds and prepare for seasonal challenges. A park naturalist schools us in the Yosemite’s fascinating flora and fauna on episode 19.2. And singing historian Tom Bopp recounts the famous John Muir/Theodore Roosevelt camping trip of 1903 in episode 19.3.

GUESTS IN THIS EPISODE:

Michael Adams is the son of Ansel Adams, a retired pilot and physician, and the current chairman of The Ansel Adams Gallery board of directors. He is also an advisor to The Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona in Tucson and a council member for the Yosemite Conservancy.

Alan Ross is a master photographer and photographic educator. He was Ansel Adams’ last darkroom assistant and, in 1975, was named by Adams to be the exclusive printer of the Yosemite Special Edition negatives, making each print by hand from the original negatives. Alan’s essay about his mentor and friend appears in the new book.

Matthew Adams is the grandson of Ansel Adams and president of The Ansel Adams Gallery, which has operated out of Yosemite National Park as a family business since 1902.

DISCUSSION INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

A son’s perspective on the life of Ansel Adams the father and the career of Ansel Adams the photographer, from camping trips to multiple Guggenheim Fellowships to the cover of Time Magazine [4:32]

But first, there was the music [7:01]

Half Dome and the shift from incidental pursuit to professional endeavor [8:45]

Burros, backpacks, and glass plates were the modern photographer’s gear of choice [10:52]

Incorporating 35mm film and Polaroid technology into the mix [12:00]

Michael recalls a favorite Yosemite camping memory with dad at the Lyell fork [13:48]

Alan shares what it was like to work alongside the jokester/master in the darkroom [15:21]

Mabel Dodge Luhan’s Santa Fe, NM salons and Paul Strand’s influence on Ansel [17:30]

More than landscapes [18:25]

A passion for shining a light on injustices [19:07]

A book excerpt: How the ordinary paves the way for the extraordinary [19:53]

Ansel’s classic Moonrise Hernandez image [20:37]

Math and the zone system, or how to calculate the luminescence of a moonlit scene without an exposure meter [22:49]

Ansel’s contributions to the art and science of photography [24:08]

Imogen Cunningham and microwave ovens [25:36]

Lessons from a life spent in the dark(room) [26:27]

Signatures and initials [26:57]

Moonrise Glacier Point, Yosemite Special Edition prints, and the range of Ansel’s work [29:08]

Alan’s tips for photographers visiting the park today [30:28]

Michael weighs in on what his grandfather would’ve thought about modern digital photography and smartphones [33:29

Ansel’s conservation activities [36:35]

Where would Ansel have stood on the crowds now flocking to Yosemite, not least because of his photography and John Muir’s writing [37:47]

The legacy of Ansel’s photography as it relates to conservation and environmental activism [40:20]

Ansel’s contribution to the first large-format book dedicated to conservation, the Sierra Club’s This is the American Earth [41:55]

What to see and do at Yosemite National Park, including a visit to the Ansel Adams Gallery, a Happy Isles hike, and a tour of the Yosemite Museum [43:18]

Camping with dad in the Tioga pass and poking around a ghost town [45:03]

“He was just grandpa to me”: Ansel’s Presidential Medal of Freedom and his front page obituary in the Los Angeles Times [47:49]

The unassuming artistic giant listed in the Carmel, CA phone book [48:50]

Description:

A visit to Yosemite National Park is incomplete without an evening of entertainment listening to musician and historian Tom Bopp perform in the piano lounge of the Wawona Hotel.

Tom, Bryan and Danielle talk about the famous 1903 three-day wilderness camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir. The camping buddies sidelined the media. Therefore, what we know about the trip is pieced together from research and anecdotes from government ranger Charlie Leidig, who accompanied the gentlemen on this trip. Tom recounts the trip that took the two naturalists from Mariposa Grove to Sentinel Dome and Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley. Tom has spent a lot of time thinking about the songs the two men may have sung together on their rides on horseback in between campsites. Listen to the podcast to hear Tom sing some of these timeless songs. 

Tom Bopp has been performing at the Wawona Hotel and The Ahwahnee since 1983. Tom performs an eclectic range of music as well as programs on Wawona history, Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir's 1903 camping trip to Yosemite, Yosemite music and culture, and a film documentary called Vintage Songs of Yosemite.

Click here for complete show notes.

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If you tend to go it alone when visiting the parks, Danielle’s conversation with Yosemite National Park Ranger Erik Westerlund will entice you to seek out ranger-led activities and possibly even take a crack at yodelling.

Ranger Erik Westerlund is one of the most knowledgeable and passionate ambassadors you’ll ever encounter on Yosemite’s trails. A park naturalist since 1992, he’s been known to take backcountry hikes with an eight-pound copy of An Illustrated Flora of Yosemite National Park at the ready. His encyclopedic mind is filled to the brim with information on the park’s vast plant population. From Western Wallflowers to the Western Azalea, the weirdly wonderful Snow Plant to blueberries and cranberries, there isn’t a leaf he hasn’t overturned -- and then some. “I'm really getting into the fungus and finding mushrooms,” he says. “So, if you’re going for a walk with me, that’s the sort of stuff that we’re going to try to bring out.”

That “stuff” includes Yosemite’s animal inhabitants as well. While bears and deer understandably enjoy top billing with visitors, Erik’s mission is to encourage a deeper appreciation for the park’s little creatures. Hummingbirds and squirrels can be every bit as interesting as the big mammals. Case in point, the Mount Lyell salamander. “My prized book possession is called Animal Life In The Yosemite... One of the highlights of that whole book was this little salamander. And if you startled one of these salamanders, they will roll into a ball and roll down the hill.”

But a nature walk with Erik isn’t all bullet-point facts. He’s fond of performance tools more akin to a seasoned vaudeville performer than a scholarly park ranger. “I love pop culture references. Any way I can engage whoever I’m with, connecting the plants, the animals, the bugs to a pop culture reference is always fun.” His effusiveness is routinely on display at Yosemite Theatre where he hosts Creative Fusion: Exploring the Nature of the Sierra Nevada. But you’ll most likely catch him out on a hike teaching through impersonations, songs, impromptu mini-dramas, and riddles. And, if you’re very lucky, you might even find yourself aboard Erik’s popular tram tour, yodelling as you take in Yosemite’s stunning seasonal beauty.

Ready to plan your own Yosemite adventure? Be sure to check out our Trip Report in episode 19.1 and our upcoming episodes in this series including conversations on President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir’s famous 1903 camping trip, the Buffalo Soldiers’ legacy, photographer Ansel Adams, mountain climbing and more.

Discussion includes the following:

Ranger Erik’s journey from department store clerk to naturalist at Yosemite with stops along the way at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center and Keystone Science School. Erik also provides a helpful definition for the word naturalist [3:03]

Turning people on to the wonders of Yosemite with songs and some silliness  [4:39]

Ranger Erik gets a little in-episode yodelling participation from your host [7:15]

The distinctive artwork of Charley Harper and the show it inspired: Creative Fusion: Exploring the Nature of the Sierra Nevada at the Yosemite Theatre (Tip: If you or your children love I Spy games or Where’s Waldo, Ranger Erik suggests taking a closer look at Charley Harper’s National Parks posters) [10:50]

Phenology or observing Yosemite’s seasons like a naturalist [17:35]

Themed walks for every interest: flora to fauna and Native AmErikan history to pioneer stories [20:24]

Summer: High season on the valley floor vs the park’s higher altitudes [21:30]

Autumn: Changing colors and smaller crowds (22:58]

Winter: Paradise for photographers and winter sports enthusiasts [24:20]

Spring: Waterfalls and where to find gorgeous wildflower blooms (they’re not where you might expect) [28:52]

The spectacular, psychedelic scarlet-red snow plant and the best place to spot it [31:11]

Hummingbirds and Yosemite nature notes [34:26]

The Mount Lyell salamander and Ensatina salamander [36:06]

Biologist E.O. Wilson, an Ensatina salamander, and family star in Ranger Erik’s favorite Yosemite memory [41:20]

Description:

Yosemite National Park in all of its wonder-- from Cook's Meadow and Glacier Point to hiking the Vernal and Nevada Falls Trails and beyond-- is stunning. However, it wasn’t simply the awesome views, granite walls and falls that stunned our family, but the sheer amount of people immersing themselves in the Yosemite National Park experience. Danielle, Bryan and the girls reminisce about their trip in early May 2019 and offer tips and recommendations for others wanting to visit and avoid crowds.

Our Discussion Includes the Following:

Why Bryan feels that planning is important when visiting Yosemite (2:45)

How we spent our time in Yosemite-- after hitting the “weather lottery” (5:23)

Challenges to planning your trip in Yosemite (6:32)

How adjusting your expectations may help you enjoy the crowds and camaraderie in Yosemite Valley (7:19)

Arriving in the park and getting our bearings at the Visitor Center (10:00)

Court settlement - original names of several iconic lodging are reinstated (13:00)

Mirror Lake (14:15)

Advantage of visiting in spring - waterfalls (15:09)

Unforgettable Vernal-Nevada Falls - strenuous, popular hike that is worth testing the limits of your kids! (15:53)

Biking around the Valley to Happy Isles  (25:16)

Ansel Adams Gallery Camera Walk (30:48)

Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center (Sierra Club) (32:27)

Housekeeping Camp Beach (33:06)

The Ahwahnee (34:20)

Starry Night Skies over Yosemite through Yosemite Hospitality in Cook’s Meadow (36:18)

Stops along the way from Yosemite Valley to Wawona starting with El Capitan, including tips for viewing climbers and parking (38:34)

Bridalveil Falls, Tunnel View, Glacier Point (39:44)

Wawona and the Wawona Hotel (42:14)

Tom Bopp’s Yosemite Music at the Wawona Hotel (42:56)

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (45:11)

Tip: Check the date of The Yosemite Half Marathon when choosing dates and planning your trip! (47:31)

Something different that Danielle wants to do on the next visit to Yosemite (48:36)

Lottery for the backcountry campsites to visit the High Sierras (49:16)

Our youngest daughter’s take on our Yosemite trip- Night skies, Vernal & Nevada Falls a rainbow joke, Tom Bopp  (52:18)

The “Firefall” around February (57:14)

Our oldest daughter shares her favorite memories - bike riding to Happy Isles, waterfall hike, waterfall joke, Giant Sequoia facts (59:42)

Tips for your Travels:

Talk to a ranger at the Visitor Center when you first arrive at Yosemite. There is 20 minute parking at the Camp Store.

Plan around the Yosemite Half Marathon if you wish to participate or avoid it.

In cooler months, you may want to pay up for a heated tent at Camp Curry. It gets chilly.

Plan ahead! It will likely be crowded as there seems to be no true “shoulder season” in Yosemite.

Many of the waterfalls do not flow year-round, so if that is something you would like to see, plan to visit in spring.

Bring plenty of water, especially on a hike like Vernal & Nevada Falls in warm weather.

Check the park newspaper for special programs in Yosemite.

You need a permit for back-country camping in the High Sierras.

Don’t touch the large pinecones in Mariposa Grove! They will stain your clothes.

Don’t forget your camera for some gorgeous and dramatic natural photos. In Yosemite, whenever you see those information signs, there is a photo opp!

When traveling with family, schedule a day of solo photography ahead of time.

Use a hotel shower cap to protect your camera from the rain in a pinch.

Use what you have on hand, like a wallet or boulder, if a tripod isn’t available to you.

Always backup your photos

Always check the weather!

Additional Resources From This Episode:

Tree Ecology and the Giant Sequoia

Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 59 Parks (Travel Guide)

Become a Patron through Patreon to continue this great podcast resource and our journey through these beautiful parks.

Explore more adventures through beautiful parks.

“Part of the experience of Muir Woods [National Monument] is that you are in a primeval forest-- that you’re really in a place where time takes a different pace.”

Did you know that not many bugs enjoy eating the wood of a coastal redwood? What is the impact of climate change on our ancient, glorious coastal redwood trees?

I had the chance to learn so much about the giant coastal redwood trees of Muir Woods National Monument with ranger Cassie Anderson. Cassie Anderson is currently serving as a supervisory park ranger at Muir Woods National Monument, and has devoted much of her life to our national parks.

Cassie helps reiterate why these redwood trees are so phenomenal-- what makes them so resilient and beautiful, and how their many stewards throughout the centuries, from the natives of Mexico to William and Elizabeth Kent and Teddy Roosevelt, helped to protect them.

Cassie also helps us to understand improvements made to Muir Woods to help its million visitors per year enjoy the park without destroying the fragile ecosystem. It is interesting to explore this ecosystem, from the scarcity of birds to the thriving banana slug population. Banana slugs love our redwoods!

We explore different hikes to take, including those on the main trail and on others, such as the Canopy View Loop and the Hillside Trail. Also, be sure to check the website and ask at the visitor center for various ranger-led programs for the family such as a guided sunrise hike.

Cassie and I discuss not only what makes these redwoods absolutely stunning to see in person,  but also the significance of protecting these marvelous trees, especially in light of the Earth’s changing climate.

Our Discussion Journey:

Cassie describes the background of Muir Woods (2:29)

Cassie’s journey into the National Park Service through volunteerism (4:29)

An overview of Muir Woods National Monument (5:31)

What constitutes an “old growth forest?” (7:21)

Where can I find old growth coastal redwoods? (8:57)

What makes coastal redwoods special? (9:36)

What is the biggest threat to the redwood? (12:03)

Where are the trees specifically located presently? (14:36)

Where can I find the tallest redwood tree? (15:07)

Cassie describes just how tall the tallest tree is (15:41)

How did Muir Woods National Monument come about (16:43)

How did Muir Woods survive the California Gold Rush and the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906? (17:53)

Why this area was named Muir Woods. (19:44)

What improvements have been made in the park to help conserve the redwoods? (21:19)

What is the ecosystem in Muir Woods? (23:39)

Why aren’t there many birds in Muir Woods? (26:24)

When is salmon spawning season in Muir Woods? (28:53)

Cassie’s tips for visitors (30:05)

Recommended hikes for visitors (34:50)

Photography tips for capturing the beauty of redwoods (38:00)

Programs to attend while at Muir Woods (39:18)

Cassie’s special memory involving the rescue of the salmon of Redwood Creek (42:00)

Tips for your Travels:

You need to make a reservation for Muir Woods in advance. You can either reserve a parking spot in 30 minute increments or reserve a seat on a shuttle online.

Learn about the salmon of Redwood Creek and the NPS efforts to conserve them.

Follow Muir Woods National Monument on Facebook!

Come visit Muir Woods either at the beginning or end of the day for a more personal experience.

More ranger programs are available around midday.

Get lost in the quiet atmosphere and be mindful of volume to fully experience the majesty of Muir Woods.

Check the Muir Woods website for special tours that you need to plan ahead for.

Use panorama function on your camera to get photos of the entire tree.

Resources from the Show:

Adventure in Muir Woods National Park, but make a reservation first!

Mount Tamalpais State Park

Point Reyes National Seashore

Become a Patreon to continue our great journey through these beautiful parks.

Explore more adventures through beautiful parks.

Contact us to tell us about your family adventures or ask a question.

There are more than 30 National Park Service sites around the San Francisco Bay area. In this Trip Report, Bryan, Danielle and the girls discuss their visits to Muir Woods, the Presidio and Fort Point, and Rosie the Riveter WWII Homefront National Historic Park.

Our Discussion Journey:

Bryan and Danielle discuss Muir Woods and the sights of San Francisco (2:03)

Reservation requirements for visiting Muir Woods (4:55)

Who founded Muir Woods? (6:21)

What are you going to see as you approach the Muir Woods National Monument (7:54)

Bryan and Danielle discuss the experience of Muir Woods and how they interacted with the natural space (8:57)

We talk “Tree Talk” adventures and sunrise walks (12:30)

Why the redwoods are so captivating (14:15)

Exploring the panoramic views and the history of Hawk Hill (16:42)

About Fort Point and the Presidio (18:55)

The perspective our girls had on Rosie the Riveter WWII Homefront National Historic Site (23:17)

Bryan’s take on a valuable lesson Rosie has for all of us (26:44)

What the Homefront National Park has to offer beyond Rosie (27:42)

Danielle’s eldest daughter shares her Muir Woods experience (29:57)

The tallest, the biggest, the oldest of the trees  (31:05)

How do redwoods get their water & how climate change impacts this (32:56)

Daughter’s joke of the day (33:51)

Why daughter loves Rosie the Riveter & other takeaways from Fort Point  (34:28)

Insights from Danielle’s youngest daughter (37:01)

Tips for your Travels:

You need to make a reservation for Muir Woods in advance. You can either reserve a parking spot in 30 minute increments or reserve a shuttle online.

Get lost in the quiet atmosphere and be mindful of volume to fully experience the majesty of Muir Woods.

Check the Muir Woods website for special tours that you need to plan ahead for.

Don’t forget your camera.

Always check the weather!

Carry more water than you think you need!

Resources from the Show:

Adventure in Muir Woods National Park

Explore Hawk Hill

The Presidio of San Francisco

Journey in Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Park

Fort Point and the Immigrant Yarn Project!

Become a Patron to continue our great journey through these beautiful parks.

Explore more adventures through beautiful parks.

Contact us to tell us about your family adventures or ask a question.

Description:

Author of Photographing National Parks and partner with the “National Parks at Night” program, Chris Nicholson’s expertise and advice for both amateur and professional photographers interested in capturing the beauty of National Parks is absolutely indispensable.

From the dynamic shoots of Acadia to the stunning coastline of Oregon, Chris shares his journey into photography and tips of the trade as a nature photographer. While sharing personal stories, we learn how Chris ventured into photographing the National Parks and what led him to publish a book on the subject.

While my old camera and smartphone may be enough for my trips with family, Chris shares gear that is important for a true photography adventure into the wild.

Whether you are just beginning to discover the art of photography or you’re a pro, Chris has fantastic experience to answer some of your pressing questions. How  can you navigate your photography goals? Should your family be there? What gear is helpful when capturing nature? How does Chris manage his photos during and after a trip?

Using his personal and professional experience, all of these questions and more are explored in remarkable detail.

Our Discussion Journey:

Chris shares how he became interested in photographing the National Parks. (2:37)

How a comical misunderstanding led to Photographing National Parks. (5:10)

Chris describes how his book is helpful when photographing National Parks. (6:02)

Chris and Danielle discuss common struggles when traveling with non-photographers, including what gear to pack (8:02)

Chris explains the importance of knowing your purpose while traveling (9:48)

Weather-proofing your equipment (12:45)

Chris gets specific about helpful bags to carry while taking photos in National Parks (14:52)

Tips for casual photographers to ensure success in National Parks (16:29)

Photography techniques for photographing nature (18:52)

Recommendations for choosing the right park photography workshop (21:34)

Additional tips on finding photography workshops (23:38)

How to judge the quality of a workshop (24:48)

Chris discusses three National Parks he enjoys visiting and why (26:24)

Does Chris have favorite natural features that he enjoys photographing? (28:44)

Managing photos both during and after a trip to a park (31:27)

Chris shares some stories and why he’s not afraid of the dark anymore (33:45)

Tips for your Travels:

Photographer ready to travel? Make sure you have the right equipment to carry your items!

When traveling with family, schedule a day of solo photography ahead of time.

Use a hotel shower cap to protect your camera from the rain in a pinch.

Use what you have on hand, like a wallet or boulder, if a tripod isn’t available to you.

Always backup your photos

Always check the weather!

Resources from the Show:

Check out Chris’ website and purchase his book, Photographing National Parks!

Explore the National Parks at Night in one of Chris’ workshops!

National Parks at Night photography adventure workshops

B&H OPTIC Conference

B&H Photography

Peak Design Travel Gear

Gimbal Stabilizer

Adobe Lightroom for editing and managing your photos

Listen to other podcast episodes featuring Chris!

Reach Chris on social media:

Facebook: @PhotographingNationalParks

Twitter: @PhotoNatPark

Instagram: @photographingnationalparks

Become a Patron to continue our great journey through these beautiful parks.

Explore more adventures through beautiful parks.

Contact us to tell us about your family adventures or ask a question.

Description:

Abigail Trabue and her family run the RV Miles Network and host the RV Miles and America's National Parks podcasts. As RV enthusiasts who travel full-time with three young boys, Abby and her husband have a lot of great experience and advice for traveling with a family in RVs and balancing reality and expectation while exploring the world.

Abby’s wealth of knowledge on RV travels with families and how to make the most out of national parks in almost every area of the country will help any aspiring traveler have a truly memorable experience in our parks.

Along with general travel tips for exploring various beautiful national parks in different areas of the country and sage guidance to help families determine if the RV life is a good fit, Abby shares some of her family’s favorite park experiences. From her eldest son’s obsession with a video at the Harry S. Truman Historical Site in Missouri, their recent stay at Zion National Park, to lesser known gems like the Gulf Island National Park Reserve and Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota, Abby has ideas that are sure to appeal to the entire family! She even has suggestions for those family members who like a little urban access during their adventures into the natural world.

Her practical RV travel tips coupled with her vast travel experience will help your family plan a National Parks adventure that is both well-suited for the family and memorable.

Our Discussion Journey:

What sparked Abby’s family to leave their Chicago belongings behind and live in a converted bus? (4:31)

From theatre to bus living to the RV Miles Network (5:45)

Why Abby and her family needed to say goodbye to the converted bus and what comes next  (9:13)

What surprised and challenged Abby the most about transitioning to an RV lifestyle? (11:27)

Important travel lessons that Abby has to share about living an RV travel lifestyle. (15:18)

Managing your expectations as traveling parents (18:07)

Dispelling the “RV size” myth and camping in the national parks. (21:57)

Rules of traveling with an RV in the National Parks (23:22 )

Park suggestions  for the last-minute RV trip (25:16)

Abby discusses “dispersed camping” versus Bureau of Land Management (BLM) camping  and what travelers should expect. (26:48)

Are there enough RV camp sites across national park lands? (28:31)

How is the RV Miles podcast different from a typical travel or National Park podcast? (30:10)

Ways to try the “RV lifestyle” before committing to it. (31:55)

Different ways to rent an RV. (32:55)

Abby shares some of her family’s favorite park trips (35:46)

Why New Mexico should be on everybody’s travel and adventure list. (37:54)

National Parks that offer both urban and natural experiences. (39:15)

Abby shares a memory from the Gulf Shores of Pensacola. (41:21)

Resources from the Show:

Check out RV Miles website, the RV Miles podcast and RV Miles on Facebook, RV Miles on Instagram and RV Miles on YouTube!

Stay updated with Abby’s family’s adventures on her blog: Our Wandering Family blog, Our Wandering Family on Facebook, Our Wandering Family on Instagram and Our Wandering Family on YouTube.

Tour Wander Bus on YouTube, “Inside Our Home on Wheels - School Bus Converted into an RV.”

Tour Abby’s new RV on YouTube, “Introducing Our New RV - Our Wandering Family”

Hear stories from the national parks and subscribe for free to America’s National Parks Podcast, follow The National Parks Podcast on Facebook and The National Parks Podcast on Instagram.

Join a community of national park enthusiasts on the America’s National Parks Facebook group.

Reserve your national park RV campsite on recreation.gov

Become a Patron to continue our great journey through these beautiful parks.

Explore more adventures through beautiful parks.

Contact us to tell us about your family adventures or ask a question.

“Traditionally, it was believed that the Saguaro [cactus] was a human being.” - Tina Andrew on the Saguaro’s cultural significance to the Tohono O’odham Nation

Join Danielle and Park Ranger Tina Andrew on a journey into the native ancestry of Saguaro National Park. Tina Andrew is a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, hosts the podcast “Cultivating Indigenous Voices,”  and serves as an ancestral park ranger who works to connect youth and the community to the native roots of Saguaro National Park.

As both a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, a tribe native to the lands of Saguaro National Park, and as a park ranger serving for over five years, Tina Andrew offers a complex and unique perspective on the significance of the Saguaro National Park to different communities of people. She brings a deeply personal perspective into the cultural and ancestral significance of Saguaro alongside a keen awareness of the importance of exploration by both native and non-native people, especially youth.

As we walk down this winding ancestral path, we discuss the beautiful blooms during the months of May through July, important traditions of the Tohono O’odham Nation, such as the Saguaro Fruit Harvest, and how Tina uses her unique position as both a tribe member and ancestral park ranger to help native youth connect with their ancestry.

Listen closely as Tina shares how natives interacted with the land, discovered food in the rugged territory, and crafted medicine from Saguaro’s plant life. Learn how natives maintain some of these traditions, and how Tina works to engage younger generations with their ancestral traditions.

In this episode, she shares her personal connection to the park’s’ great tribal history and her work to implement programs to keep the native culture thriving in Saguaro’s rich, shared spaces.

Join us as we revel in Saguaro National Park’s vast impact on many communities of people, then and now.

Our Discussion Journey:

Tina discusses her role as an ancestral park ranger in Saguaro National Park (3:24)

Tina shares how working as an ancestral park ranger in Saguaro National Park allows her to connect with youth and members of the Tohono O’odham Nation, whose ancestral lands are contained within the boundaries of the park. (5:23)

Tina shares how connecting native youth to their Tohono O’odham Nation ancestry cultivates a sense of shared pride within Saguaro National Park. (6:24)

Tohono O’odham Nation and the cultural significance of the Saguaro cactus. (8:36)

The Saguaro Fruit Harvest and its cultural importance to the native Tohono O’odham Nation. (9:42)

Tina discusses the historical context of the Fruit Harvest in  Western region of Saguaro National Park. (11:04)

The Tohono O’odham Nation’s word-of-mouth Saguaro Fruit Harvest demonstrations and how they spark joy for natives and non-natives! (12:18)

Tina shares cultural legends, stories, and the significance of the harvest season to natives. (15:13)

How partnering with schools and youth is important to help carry on native traditions and culturally-rich histories of Saguaro National Park. (17:26)

Tina discusses various traditionally edible and medicinal plants in Saguaro and whether they are still used today. (18:03)

How is the land used for traditional entertainment in Saguaro? (20:21)

How the natives of Tohono O’odham Nation sing for the mountains of the park. ( 22:26)

The traditional story of how a coyote and buzzard spread the saguaro cacti all over the park. (23:21)

What is one thing that Tina, as a native of the land, wants visitors and non-natives to understand about Saguaro and the native people to that space? (25:19)

Tina shares why the Saguaro National Park is still so special to her and how she hopes that connecting the youth, both native and non-native, to the environment and the land of Saguaro might make a lasting impact for the future of science and natural spaces. (29:02)

Tina shares a bit about her podcast, “Cultivating Indigenous Voices.”

As you travel to explore these natural beauties, be sure to remember some tips from seasoned travelers and park professionals.

Tips for your Travels:

Pair the following tips with the sample itineraries from our recent family adventure to make the most of your Saguaro National Park visit:

Always check the weather!

Come during the summer for the biodiversity, but be wary of the heat!

Allow for extended time to complete more challenging “elevation” hikes in Saguaro.

Carry more water than you think you need!

If traveling in the summer, map your hikes so you finish early - before 9am! - and save trips to visitors centers for midday when the temperatures climb

Winter is an amazing time for backcountry camping

November through April are the busiest months and parking is limited so consider coming later in the day and plan sunset hikes

Leave your pets at home as encounters with wildlife can be deadly

Loop drives offer great views with pull-offs for picnicking and trails for quick hikes

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a short drive from the park and features historic collections, live plants, and desert animals such as the javelina in a zoo-like setting

Resources from the Show:

Visit Saguaro National Park for more information.

Check out Tina’s podcast, “Cultivating Indigenous Voices!”

Become a Patron to continue our great journey through these beautiful parks.

Make sure to listen to the previous episode on Saguaro National Park for more great information.

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Description:

Join Bryan and Park Ranger Jeff Walner on an adventure into the wild history and culture within Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. As the only full-time, year-round ranger in Saguaro National Park, Jeff shares his insight into the origins of Saguaro National Park, its history, and its inextricable and enduring connection to American culture, Hollywood, and the world.

Discussion includes the following:

Ranger Jeff Walner shares his background with Saguaro National Park (3:21)

Jeff describes how immigrants led to the unique western ranching culture and history of Saguaro National Park. (4:46)

Jeff describes the rise of traditional “cowboy” within Saguaro National Park (6:10)

Jeff explains the impact of the arrival of the railroad in Tucson, Arizona (8:03)

How did the mix of Mexican, Native American, and American culture influence cowboy culture in Arizona? (9:01)

We learn what exactly the cattle were grazing out in the desert (11:04)

How did the homesteaders using the lands of the Saguaro National Park live, build, and survive? (13:42)

The origins of how homesteader generosity eventually gave us the gift of Saguaro National Park (16:15)

Is there any truth to Hollywood’s depiction of John Wayne’s iconic feats using the Saguaro and barrel cacti?

How does Hollywood and pop culture fit within the Sonoran desert and Saguaro National Park? (21:56)

How Hollywood, Peanuts, and pop culture helped make the Saguaro cactus iconic throughout the world (22:26)

How people view the symbol of the Saguaro differently. (24:12)

Why is Saguaro National Park significant to American and Native American culture? (25:23)

Jeff’s favorite story from Saguaro National Park. (27:35)

Tips for your Travels:

Pair the following tips with the sample itineraries from our recent family adventure to make the most of your Saguaro National Park visit:

Always check the weather!

If you come during the summer for the biodiversity, be wary of the heat!

Allow for extended time to complete more challenging “elevation” hikes in Saguaro.

Carry more water than you think you need!

If traveling in the summer, map your hikes so you finish early - before 9am! - and save trips to visitors centers for midday when the temperatures climb

Winter is an amazing time for backcountry camping

November through April are the busiest months and parking is limited so consider coming later in the day and plan sunset hikes

Leave your pets at home as encounters with wildlife can be deadly

Loop drives offer great views with pull-offs for picnicking and trails for quick hikes

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a short drive from the park and features historic collections, live plants, and desert animals such as the javelina in a zoo-like setting

Resources:

Visit Saguaro National Park for more information.

Review the park’s safety guidelines especially when visiting in hotter months.

For the life of the workers on large area ranches, read Patricia Preciado Martin's oral history books: Beloved Land and Images and Conversations. The latter has reminiscences of Frank Escalante, well-known as a cowboy/vaquero in the Rincon valley and mountains.

The Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, adjacent to Saguaro East, has a history that is unpublished. You may see their website for a highly rated "dude ranch" that still hires "cowboys" and is a park concessionaire.

Become a Patron to continue our great journey through these beautiful parks.

Make sure to listen to the previous episode on Saguaro National Park for more great information.

Explore more adventures through beautiful parks.

Contact us to tell us about your family adventures or ask a question.