Locals Know Best

Welcome to the third episode of Locals Know Best! I'm your host, Cindy. I'm a full-time RVer and lover of all things travel-related. Years of adventuring on the road have taught me one fundamental lesson; locals ALWAYS know best! Every episode of this podcast will dive into one local's perfect day of outdoor adventure in their town!

In this episode, we'll be visiting Manchester, Vermont through the eyes of nanny and tour guide, Retha Charette.

Join Retha and me as we explore Vermont on a beautiful fall day, including checking out a historical spot, picking apples, and hiking up to one of the best overlook spots in all of the Green Mountains!

• The best time of year to visit Vermont.
• What it takes to officially be called a "Vermonter."
• Why you shouldn't hike during mud season.
• Learn about a trail that stretches throughout the entire state of Vermont, from the Massachusetts border, through the Green Mountains, all the way to the Canadian border.
• The terrain of the Vermont mountains.
• The two best spots in town to see the sunset.
• The best breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Manchester.
• The best local spot for apple picking.
• One important tip for sunset hikes.
• And one Manchester activity that's worth skipping.

"This is a fall trip. You're doing some leaf-peeping, you're having the full Vermont fall experience here."

"I live here for the fall."

"I will never be a Vermonter cause to be an official Vermonter your family has to be here for three generations. The Vermonters are really intense about claiming that Vermonter title. And I totally respect that, but I'm definitely a local now."

"You're going to go to Mad Tom Orchard. Owned by the sweetest old couple you will ever meet. They're there every year. They're giving out, bags to put your apples in. You grab a little red wagon. Like this is like quintessential, New England stuff here."

"For those of you who don't know the amazingness that is an apple cider donut, it's like a cake doughnut, but it's really light. They mix within the batter some apple cider and they roll it in cinnamon sugar. If, if that doesn't make you want to come to Vermont … I mean, I don't know what will."

"I've done this hike up and down around sunset before, and it's worth it. It's gonna be the best way to end your day in the area."

Manchester, Vermont Hotels Mentioned:

• Hill Farm Inn

Manchester, Vermont Restaurants Mentioned:

• Little Rooster Café
• Thai Basil
• Zoey's Deli

Manchester, Vermont Things to Do Mentioned:

• Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
• Mad Tom Orchard
• Long Trail

Links to Additional Manchester Posts on Retha's Blog:

• Vermont Fall Foliage In Manchester
• Things To Do In Manchester VT You'll Love

And a big post from Retha about Vermont:

• 60 Things To Do [During Every Season] In Vermont

We love our listeners! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave me a comment below and let me know about your favorite part!

If you've been enjoying the show, please also consider leaving me a review in Apple Podcasts. It's super easy; click here and go to "ratings and reviews." I read and appreciate every single one! Each review helps new listeners find the podcast. Thank you!!

Follow Cinders Travels on Facebook or Instagram for Locals Know Best updates.

Today we'll be visiting Colorado Springs, CO, through the eyes of author and part-time RVer, Lindsey Nubern. Join Lindsey and me as we wake up, immediately tackle a significant workout challenge, move on to some beautiful hiking options, and learn all about the best places for tasty treats along the way!"

Lindsey's Website – Nuventure Travels

To tell you a bit more about Lindsey, she has not only authored three books but along with her husband, she saved up $62,000 to travel the world from 2014 to 2018, living off of a budget of $50 a day!

During that time, they traveled to 19 countries. Some of the highlights include campervanning in New Zealand, backpacking Southeast Asia, and Europe, and RVing across the United States.

After traveling full time, they decided to move back to Colorado Springs, CO, because, in all their travels, nowhere compared. Now they're excited to show their 6-month-old the world, too.

• The best (and worst) time of year to visit Colorado Springs.
• Get the scoop on a new hotel where even the locals are excited to stay!
• The best outdoor excursions near Colorado Springs.
• Where you can train like an Olympian while in town.
• Whether a local thinks Garden of the Gods is overrated or not.
• The best breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks in Colorado Springs.
• A taproom where you can dispense beer and wine like frozen yogurt.
• Where you should go if you have an extra day in town.
• And one crucial tip for all of your Colorado mountain climbing.

"There's nothing that compares to the people that know you, and you know them."

"We feel very blessed that we get to live here. It's a super special place."

"I did not grow up playing beneath the mountains. This is really special. I just love living here."

Colorado Springs, Colorado Hotels Mentioned:

• Kinship Landing
• Broadmoor Hall

Colorado Springs, Colorado Restaurants Mentioned:

• Loyal Coffee
• Urban Egg a daytime eatery
• Adam's Mountain Cafe
• Wimberger's Old World Bakery and Delicatessen
• Amanda's Cantina and Fonda
• The Mate Factor Cafe
• Axe and the Oak Whiskey House
• Paravicini's Italian Bistro
• Trails End Taproom

Colorado Springs, Colorado Things to Do Mentioned:

• Manitou Incline
• Garden of the Gods
• Manitou Springs Penny Arcade
• United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel
• Pikes Peak

We love our listeners! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave me a comment below and let me know about your favorite part!

If you've been enjoying the show, please also consider leaving me a review in Apple Podcasts. It's super easy; click here and go to "ratings and reviews." I read and appreciate every single one! Each review helps new listeners find the podcast. Thank you!!

Follow Cinders Travels on Facebook or Instagram for Locals Know Best updates.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Locals Know Best! Today we'll be visiting Bend, OR through the eyes of Swiss Williamson, acrobat, photographer, wildlife conservationist, and sponsored rock climber.

Join Swiss and me as we kick off the day with pastries (your choice of vegan/gluten-free or full-on butter fest), hiking and biking, and learn why you should always have a towel on hand in the Oregon wilderness!

About Swiss Williamson

Swiss's Website: Swiss Williamson

Swiss has spent a great deal of time traveling, including spending a year solo Touring South America. Other titles he's laid claim to include being a Sponsored Rock Climber, Wildlife Conservation Volunteer, Acrobat, and Van Lifer!

Currently Swiss is helping other people buy businesses and live their dream lives.

• The best time of year to visit Bend, OR, coveted by locals.
• Learn about quirky spots, including an old school that's been turned into a fantastic hotel and a small hidden indie movie theatre.
• The best hiking, biking & swimming excursions found around Bend.
• Bend's skinny dip friendliness!
• The number one mountain biking trail in North America.
• All of the different Oregon micro-climates and topography.
• What you should know about shared biking & hiking trail etiquette.
• And one Bend adventure that's worth skipping.

"There's a lot of beautiful places in the world. What made Bend so special is the intentionality that people have with their relationship with the environment surrounding Bend."

"The other thing about Bend is that, it's very skinny dip friendly!"

"That's also the great thing about Bend is that everyone's out on the trails, and everyone respects each other. … There's a lot of athletes in Bend, so do not feel ashamed if you come on the trails and … you get passed by a couple of Olympic runners. I'll even get passed on the road sometimes by the road skiers."

Bend, Oregon Hotels Mentioned:

• McMenamins

Bend, Oregon Restaurants Mentioned:

• Sparrow Bakery
• Foxtail Bakeshop
• Thump Coffee

Bend, Oregon Bars Mentioned:

• Brown Owl

Bend, Oregon Things to Do Mentioned:

• Tin Pan Theater
• Todd Lake Loop
• No Name Lake Trail
• McKenzie River Trail
• Lava Caves
• Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
• Deschutes River

We love our listeners! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave me a comment below and let me know about your favorite part!

If you've been enjoying the show, please also consider leaving me a review in Apple Podcasts. It's super easy; click here and go to "ratings and reviews." I read and appreciate every single one! Each review helps new listeners find the podcast. Thank you!!

Follow Cinders Travels on Facebook or Instagram for Locals Know Best updates.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE.

Travel expert Cindy Scott from CindersTravels.com chats with town locals as they take you through their neighborhood as if you're their best friend! They'll share their second to none outdoor adventure travel tips to help you plan the perfect trip to their region.

Go to LocalsKnowBestPodcast.com to learn more.