Description:

Bryan and Danielle talk about their family trip to the Grand Canyon at Christmas time with the grandparents. The kids also share their impressions of the Grand Canyon. We also briefly talk about Montezuma Castle National Monument, which we visited on our way back to the airport. 

Discussion includes the following:

· Logistics (2:02)

· Grand Canyon Lodging, South Rim (3:02)

· The Rim Trail (6:44)

· Grand Canyon Village (8:16)

· Trail of Time (12:05)

· Shuttle System (15:56)

· El Tovar (18:41)

· Yellowstone Winter Trip Report Episode 4.1 (21:58)

· Bright Angel Trail (22:36)

· History walk at Verkamp’s Visitor Center (27:10)

· Tusayan Museum and Ruins (28:55)

· Desert View Watchtower (30:20)

· South Kaibab Trail (33:25)

· Kids’ impressions (38:56)

· Montezuma Castle National Monument (42:50)

Resources:

Grand Canyon Lodging

Day Hike - Rim Trail – Grand Canyon National Park

Day Hiking the Rim Trail

Grand Canyon Village

Mary Colter’s Hopi House

Yavapai Geology Museum

Trail of Time

South Rim Shuttle Bus Routes

El Tovar Dining Room

Day Hike Bright Angel Trail - Grand Canyon National Park

Verkamp’s Visitor Center

Tusayan Ruin

Mary Colter’s Desert View Watchtower

Grand Canyon: South Kaibab Trail

South Rim Village - Ranger Programs

8 Facts About the Grand Canyon You Never Knew

Montezuma Castle National Monument

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Description:

In episode 7.5 Bryan speaks with lead coastal interpreter park ranger Jared Low about the wilderness of the Pacific coastline of Olympic National Park, what to see and do and a very special rescue effort. 

Discussion includes the following:

· Description of coastal stretch of Olympic National Park (1:42) 

· Unique characteristics (4:12)

· Marine species and tide pools (8:50)

· Weather, swimming and sunbathing (13:31)

· Endangered species and success story (16:52)

· From south to north (19:26)

· Kalaloch Campgrounds (24:16)

· Coastal Backpacking (25:20)

· Good beaches for tide pooling (29:32)

· Jared’s rescue story (31:55)

Resources:

Olympic National Park: Coast

Visiting Kalaloch and Ruby Beach

Visiting Mora and Rialto Beach

Visiting Ozette

Olympic National Park: Tides and Your Safety

NOAA Tide Predictions

Navigating Olympic Beaches with a Tide Chart

Wilderness Information Center

“Volunteers save young gray whale stranded in Olympic National Park”

Gray Whale Stranding Response

Actions:

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Description:

Bryan talks with park ranger Greg Marsh at Olympic National Park about Hurricane Ridge, why it is special and what to do when you visit. He also talks about the fun town of Port Angeles, his punk rock band and his annual spring family pilgrimage to see the whale migration.  

Discussion includes the following:

· What is Hurricane Ridge and what makes it special (2:06) 

· Bicycling Hurricane Ridge Road (3:06)

· Why is it called Hurricane Ridge (4:08)

· How the forest changes with elevation (5:11)

· Wildflowers (7:44)

· Wildlife (10:19)

· Parks and nature for mental health (14:10)

· Programs at Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center (16:19)

· Activities with Kids (18:36)

· Backpacking adventure (20:55)

· Snow activities (23:15)

· Port Angelis (28:25)

· Greg’s punk band, MCFD (31:29)

· Greg shares his most special experience in Olympic National Park (33:07)

· Whale Migration (35:27)

Resources

Olympic National Park Visitor Info – Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge Area Brochure

Day Hiking at Olympic

Hurricane Hill

Hurricane Hill Trail Project

Grand Valley

Wilderness Information Center

Wilderness Trip Planner

Discover Your Northwest (topography maps. Also available at visitor center)

Hurricane Ridge in Winter

Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard School

Weather and Road information line 360-565-3131

Hurricane Ridge Webcam

Hurricane Ridge Road Status Twitter site (winter only)

Visit Port Angeles

Olympic Discovery Trail

MCFD Facebook page

The Whale Trail

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Description:

Bryan talks with Rachel Berger, an interpretive park ranger at Olympic National Park about the Hoh Rainforest, why its special and what to do when you visit. 

Discussion includes the following:

· What is the Hoh Rainforest and why are there rainforests in the Pacific Northwest? (2:15)

· How did Hoh avoid being logged? (3:02)

· How much rain does the Hoh Rainforest get? (3:50)

· Description of Hoh Rainforest (4:31)

· What’s a moss mat (6:08)

· Description of ground cover (6:50)

· Rainforests in the United States (8:16)

· Hiking trails in Hoh Rainforest (9:40)

· Camping (13:49)

· Visiting with children (14:50)

o Junior Ranger Programs

o Ocean Stewards Program

· The health of the rainforest (17:25)

· Firewood (18:04)

· Types of trees (20:00)

· Fauna (20:26)

· Dog policies (23:48)

· Hoh Rainforest closure for road repairs beginning September 5, 2018, but Quinault Rainforest open (24:52)

· Rachel’s favorite things about Hoh Rainforest (26:44)

Resources

Olympic National Park

National Park Service – Temperate Rain Forests

National Park Service – Visiting the Hoh Rain Forest

Seven Wonders of Washington State: The Hoh Rain Forest

Discover Forks Washington: Day Trip to Hoh Rain Forest and Kalaloch Beaches

Olympic National Parking - Camping

Olympic National Park – Junior Ranger Program and Ocean Stewards Program

Actions

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Description:

Bryan talks with Penny Wagner, Public Information Officer for Olympic National Park about how to navigate Olympic National Park and tips for a week-long family vacation.

Discussion includes the following:

How to spend 1 day at Olympic (2:44)

Driving in the park and highway 101 rehabilitation (7:07)

How to organize a week-long family trip (10:09)

Understanding the cultural history of the park (18:48)

Camping and lodging in Olympic (22:07)

Multi-use trails (bikes, horses, wheel chairs) (28:00)

Black Bears (32:00)

Penny’s favorite Olympic moment (35:33)

Resources:

Makah Cultural & Research Center http://makahmuseum.com

Lodging inside the park https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/lodging.htm

Recreation.govhttps://www.recreation.gov/

Olympic Discovery Trail https://olympicdiscoverytrail.org/

Actions

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Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks

Description:

Bryan talks with his brother Dan about their trip to Olympic National Park in the fall of 2017. They discuss their highlights and challenges of visiting the park in the shoulder-season.

Discussion includes the following:

Dan’s ’84 Chevy (2:34)

Lake Quinault Lodge (3:52)

Enchanted Valley Hike to O’Reilly Creek-13miles (4:53)

Ruby Beach (12:55)

Hoh Rainforest (13:40)

Firewood challenge (18:22)

Bear canister challenge (19:53)

Ozette (21:00)

Sol Duc Hot Springs (27:30)

Roosevelt Elk (31:19)

Visiting with kids (35:00)

Resources:

Olympic National Park

Lake Quinault Lodge

Enchanted Valley Hike

Ruby Beach

Hoh Rainforest

Ozette

Sol Doc Hot Springs

Sol Duc Hot Springs Camping

Sol Doc Hot Springs Lodging

Roosevelt Elk at Olympic National Park

Washington Trails Association

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Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks

Description:

Bryan and Danielle speak with Liz Etnier, who became passionate about hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains at age 58. With 800 miles of trails, she set out a goal to hike every trail in the park before her 60thbirthday. Her book, the Day Hiker’s Guide to all the Trails in the Smoky Mountains,has resulted from her hours of planning, and from the subsequent urging by her hiking friends to write it all down. 

Discussion includes the following:

How did Liz set this goal? (2:47)

Description of Trails (5:09)

Favorite hike (8:54)

Hikes with children (13:38)

White Oak Sink (14:27)

Loving the parks to death (16:34)

Meeting our Junior Rangers (21:02)

Tips for front country hiking with families (22:43)

What is special about the Smokies for Liz (25:42)

Family friendly hikes (27:53)

Wildflower hikes (30:45)

Favorite story of mountain magic (32:10)

Resources:

Day Hiker’s Guide to all the Trails in the Smoky Mountains

Actions

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Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks

Description:

Bryan discusses the diverse and rich history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with park archeologist, Heath Bailey and interpretive park ranger Florie Takaki. Come for the great vistas and great hikes, stay for the cultural history.

Discussion includes the following:

· What is an archeologist and what does Heath do for the park? (1:09)

· Scope of archeology in the park and accessibility to visitors (4:54)

· Where to find known CCC lookout sites (6:57)

· Original Trails Preceding Park (8:25)

· Native American Sites (9:52)

· What to do if you come across artifacts (11:41)

· Archeological remnants of settlers and their lifestyle (14:26)

· Logging (18:47)

· Affluent visitors: Elkmont (21:50)

· Old growth forests (25:46)

· Heath’s favorite areas of the park (27:34)

· Interview with Florie Takaki on cultural history (30:23)

· Who originally lived in what is now Great Smoky Mountains National Park (31:00)

· Settlers and movement of people 1700’s (33:08)

· Displacement of Cherokee and other people (35:37)

· How did different people interact and agriculture (36:36)

· Creating the park in the early 20th Century (39:00)

· What Florie loves about the park (48:26)

Resources:

Archaeology in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Meet the Managers: Cultural History

NPS Profile: Uncovering the past

Museum of Cherokee Indian

Actions:

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Description:

Bryan first discusses the biodiversity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Paul Super, the Research Coordinator of the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center (1:03). Then Bryan speaks with Kris Johnson of the National Park Service about the health of the forest (28:04).

Discussion includes the following:

· About the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center (1:22)

· Species Mapper (2:30)

· Ecosystem and different habitats (4:39)

· Impact of humans on the park (7:16)

· Wildlife (11:44)

· Birds (18:03)

· Wildflowers (19:58)

· Discovering new species (22:22)

· Paul’s favorite spots in the park (24:41)

· Threats to the forest (28:47)

· Cross-section of eastern United States forests in one park (32:16)

· How to manage forest health in remote areas (33:46)

· Progress and success in identifying infected trees and combatting disease and pests (36:36)

· What visitors may do to not add to problem and be part of the solution (39:31)

· Grassy balds and heath balds (43:34)

· Wildfires and prescribed fires (47:48)

· Kris’ favorite part of the park (51:28)

Resources:

Great Smoky Mountains institute at Tremont

Species mapper

Nature and Science Education in the Park

Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center

Citizen science at Great Smoky mountains institute at Tremont

Spring Wildflower pilgrimage

A Wondrous Diversity of Life

Great Smoky Mountains: Forests

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Description:

This is episode 6.4, the fourth episode in our series on Great Smoky Mountains National Park. First, Bryan speaks with Dana Soehn, the parks spokesperson. Dana talks about recreation and how to tackle this vast and myriad park. Next, Danielle speaks with Brent McDaniel of the park’s nonprofit partner, Friends of The Smokies about insider tips for visitors.

Discussion includes the following:

· National Park Service plans to close Claude Moore Colonial Farm. Voice your opinion to save the farm. Visit 1771.org/savethefarm (0:28)

· Support the show on Patreon (1:18)

· Overview of the park’s services and activities (2:34)

· Recommendations for 1 week long trip (5:30)

· Kid-friendly hikes (9:07)

· Front country and backcountry camping (13:39)

· Lodging outside the Park and LeConte Lodge (20:40)

· Trout fishing (24:45)

· Cades Cove 11 mile loop bike ride (27:33)

· Guided horseback ride (28:27)

· Suggestions for mitigating crowds (29:22)

· Dana’s favorite Smokies Experience (32:31)

· Brent McDaniel’s Recommended hikes for families (36:30)

· Alternative activities – horseback riding, ranger programs, tubing, fishing (39:27)

· Other tips for planning a visit (44:34)

· Elk (47:52)

· Friends of the Smokies programs (50:38)

Resources:

Scavenger Hike Adventures (if website down, call Great Smoky Mountains Association to order by phone 888.898.9102, ext. 226.)

Hiking Trails of the Smokies

Day Hikes of the Smokies

Trillium Gap Trail

Three waterfall hike from Deep Creek Campground

Little Cataloochee

Things to Do

Quiet Walkways

Friends of the Smokies

Greenbrier hiking trails

Clingmans Dome

Gregory Bald

Great Smoky Mountains Ranger programs

Actions:

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Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks