For Craig Romano, exploring the trails of Washington State wasn't just a passion - it was his way of inspiring others to discover the great outdoors. Little did he know his guidebooks would take readers on a journey that not only revealed the beauty of nature, but also uncovered stories of historical and ecological importance. What new wonders will Craig uncover on his next exploration?

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Discover the Alien World Underwater with Scuba Jess

When Scuba Jess moves to Seattle and discovers a passion for the mysterious underwater world, she sets out to explore it, facing danger and unexpected challenges along the way in her quest to become a 'trekkie' of the sea.

I feel like scuba diving was the passion that I was missing in my life or my purpose. - Scuba Jess

My special guest is Scuba Jess

Meet Scuba Jess, an avid underwater photographer with a passion for exploring the marine life in Washington State. Born in New York and raised in Utah, Jess moved to Bellevue, Washington in 2008, where she discovered her love for scuba diving. Since then, she has accumulated over 1300 dives, exploring her favorite dive locations and capturing stunning photographs of the local sea creatures. A self-proclaimed Trekkie and coffee enthusiast, Jess has turned her underwater adventures into a lifestyle, sharing her knowledge and love for diving with fellow enthusiasts.

This is Scuba Jess's story:

Scuba Jess, was living in Utah, made the journey to Bellevue, Washington in pursuit of adventure and a newfound passion – scuba diving. Born Jessica Alexanderson, she quickly adopted the moniker "Scuba Jess" as her enthusiasm for diving grew. Her love for nature, the ocean, and underwater photography blossomed as she immersed herself in the vibrant marine life of the Pacific Northwest. Scuba Jess's first dive in cold water opened a whole new world for her, and she began to see herself as an underwater explorer, embarking on countless adventures with her fellow divers. Over the years, she has developed a deep appreciation for the local marine critters, such as the Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker and hermit crabs. Scuba Jess's dedication to capturing the beauty of underwater life has not only made her a part of a tight-knit diving community but also an advocate for marine conservation.

In this episode, you will be able to:

Dive into captivating scuba diving experiences in Puget Sound and Vancouver Island. Recognize the vital role of ocean conservation, pollution reduction, and cleanup dives in preserving marine ecosystems. Grasp essential scuba equipment, safety measures, and useful diving tips for novice adventurers. Uncover the enchanting world of underwater photography, marine life, and top dive locations on the planet. Explore Scuba Jess's personal interests, hobbies, and how Star Trek shaped her passion for the underwater realm.

Scuba Diving in Puget Sound Good scuba diving in Puget Sound requires proper planning due to its strong currents and the presence of ferry lanes. By staying aware of these challenges, divers can experience an incredible underwater world filled with fascinating marine life. However, divers must remain cautious and follow safety guidelines to avoid dangerous situations. Scuba Jess emphasizes the importance of being mindful of the currents and ferry lanes when diving in Puget Sound. During the podcast, she describes her experiences overcoming these difficulties to access breathtaking dive sites. She notes that divers who manage to navigate these hazards can witness an amazing underwater environment teeming with life.

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Bradley Lockhart is a designer, musician, and professor from Washington State. He is the designer of the official Bellingham Flag, owner of Lariat Creative, and championing the state of Washington to update their state flag.

Bradley Lockhart has always had a love for adventure, from his childhood days of playing in the forts and tree houses of rural Whatcom County to his teenage years of skateboarding and playing in punk rock bands. He was determined to make something creative out of his love for art and music.

After learning about graphic design, Bradley started making posters for his band, eventually leading him to a job at a Bible software company in Bellingham.

When the Downtown Bellingham Partnership asked for help designing a flag for the city, Bradley jumped at the opportunity, using his knowledge of the city's history and of the art scene to create something special. His flag was adopted by the city in 2017 and has grown in popularity ever since.

You will learn:

1. How did a rural Whatcom County kid go from sleeping on the shores of the Nooksack River to designing a city flag that is now one of the most popular in the country? 

2. What is Vexelography/Vexalology and how does it affect a flag's design and its use in the public domain? 

3. How did an animator at a Bible software company turn a flag-designing contest into an unexpected career opportunity?

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Nancy Pearl is an American librarian, best-selling author, literary critic, and the former executive of the Washington Center for the Book at Seattle Public Library. She is known for her work promoting reading and libraries, and is the inspiration behind the popular "Librarian Action Figure".

You will learn:

1. How Nancy Pearl, a retired librarian, used her childhood library to pursue a career in librarianship and how she has gone on to make an impact on the profession. 

2. The story of how Nancy Pearl became the model for the first librarian action figure. 

3. The benefits of listening to audiobooks and how they can enhance the reading experience.

Nancy was a wonderful guest and if you are a fan of books you cannot miss this episode. Great stories of a life filled with reading and storytelling.

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This episode features a visit with John Tillison, also known as Park Ranger John.

John grew up in a military family, and moving to Washington state as a kid, he quickly fell in love with the state. He describes himself as the kid that was always outdoors. John spent time in Boy Scouts, achieving Eagle (and yes, our producer Todd agrees that Citizenship in the Community merit badge was a pain). The monthly camping trips with the Scouts introduced him to the many parks and wilderness areas of the state.

First day at work for the Washington State Parks? 101 degrees cleaning up garbage after a raccoon attack.

Here's what I cover with John Tillison in this episode:

1. Exploring the Secret World of Park Rangers: A Day in the Life 

2. Uncovering the History Behind National Parks and Affiliated Sites 

3. Surviving Rattlesnake Bites and Other Outdoor Dangers

John has a wonderful website with tons of information about parks and special sites around Washington. Check it out at https://www.parkrangerjohn.com.

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Nancy Croisier joins us to discuss her career educating people about Washington state wines.

A former corporate HR career through a year of layoffs led Nancy to search for a new career that would bring happiness back into her life. She describes how she found her new passion through a local educational opportunity. A love of wine and food pairings led into helping wineries advertise their offerings and educate their customers.

Nancy also accomplishes the unheard of task of getting Scott to acknowledge our neighboring state to the South might actually do something better than Washington.

You will learn:

1. Biodynamic Farming: Discover the “woo woo” of a farming method that uses cow dung, phases of the moon, and teas to create nutrient-rich crops.

2. Washington Wine: Uncover the secrets of the region's high-quality, low-cost wines that are gaining traction in the industry.

3. Wine and Food Pairings: Explore the unique pairings of Washington wines and artisan cheeses that create an unforgettable experience.

Nancy Croisier is a wine writer and marketer from Washington State, turning consumers onto the exceptional wines of Washington and Oregon. She has a certificate in wine and food pairing from the Northwest Wine Academy and has been a wine buyer for a local kitchen shop.

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Bob Antone returns to talk Sasquatch and serial killers in Washington state.

Bob and his wife started offering Bigfoot walking tours in 2017. His interest began in his childhood, listening to family members telling stories and then later got his wife interested. They introduce the topic to people on their tours by familiarizing them with some of the names for these beings used by Native tribes and then launching into some of the traditional stories and folklore.

"Whenever children are in danger or being abused or whenever innocence is in danger, these beings, the Sasquatch, the benevolent form, will show themselves." - Bob Antone

No matter where you stand on the issue, Bob is a wonderful storyteller and has researched the subjects for many years. Bob shares some of the historical mentions of Sasquatch which form a documented part of our state history.

You will learn:

1. The connection between serial killers in the Northwest and the subject of Bigfoot/Sasquatch

2. Stories of Bigfoot sightings, including a strange occurrence during a walking tour 

3. The agreement between Bigfoot and the human world to protect and watch out for each other.

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Daniel Winlker, a passionate treasure hunter, embarks on a journey to explore the captivating and often overlooked world of mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest, a place of great abundance, but also of hidden dangers and cultural heritage.

You will learn:

1. What is the impact of colonial powers on native cultures and their foraging knowledge?

2. How does one safely identify and forage for edible mushrooms?

3. What is the history and culture of the Grateful Dead, and how has it influenced Daniel Winker?

Daniel Winkler is a mushroom travel researcher, author and photographer born in Munich, Germany and living in the greater Seattle area. He is the founder of the website Mushroaming, which focuses on the exploration of mushrooms and their ecology.

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Meet Kate Evans, a professor of horticulture at Washington State University campus in Wenatchee. Kate oversaw the development of the cosmic crisp apple, you’ll learn more about apples in this episode than you could ever possibly imagine. Kate Evans is an experienced apple and pear breeder. She is known internationally for her research in plant molecular biology and tree fruit breeding.

In this episode, you will learn the following: 

1. What process does a plant breeder use to create new varieties? 

2. How did Cosmic Crisp become one of the most popular apples in the US? 

3. What methods were used to come up with the name 'Cosmic Crisp'?

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Meghan Grah is our guest today. Meghan is an adventure elopement photographer in the Tacoma area. She got her start in photography while attending Pacific Lutheran University and has been a professional photographer over ten years now.

Meghan describes getting her start in photography and what a typical day looked like and then how that led into what she's doing today. We discussed the ins and outs of adventure elopement shoots, especially in terms of Washington's (ahem) predictable weather. There are descriptions of some memorable shoots involving bridal dresses and hiking boots as the parties get to some amazing locations.

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