Join Nathan and Alicia as they wrap up their epic 11,775-mile summer camping adventure! When Alicia had a Chicago conference on the calendar, instead of just flying in for work, they turned it into the anchor point for a two-month cross-country journey. This episode covers their last week on the road - proving that work and travel can mix perfectly when you get creative.

While Alicia worked, Nathan explored solo: running the Lakefront Trail, catching a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, and hunting down One Chicago filming locations. Evenings at the peaceful campground brought couple time, plus adventures to Lottie's Pub and romantic dinners. In Nashville, they camped at Two Rivers Campground before hitting Tootsies on Lower Broadway and discovering Ole Smoky Moonshine's incredible flagship location.

Learn how they navigated two months on the road while balancing work responsibilities - no kids, just their cat Gremlin and the freedom to explore. Key takeaway: Don't wait for retirement. Take calculated risks and get creative with work-travel balance.

PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA: 

Food & Drink:

• HopCat, Lincoln

CHICAGO AREA:

Camping: 

• Chicago Northwest KOA Holiday - Union

Attractions: 

• Wrigley Field 
• Lakefront Trail 
• Navy Pier 
• One Chicago Filming Locations

Food & Drink: 

• Lincoln House & Co Coffee and Wine Bar - Huntley 
• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria - Elk Grove 
• Moore Brewing Company - Huntley 
• Sew Hop’d Brewery - Huntley 
• Lottie's Pub - Chicago 
• Abbondanza Cucina - Marengo 
• Garrett Popcorn O'Hare Airport and Online
• Jeni’s Ice Creams - Wrigleyville
• Alamo Drafthouse - Wrigleyville

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE:

Camping

• Two Rivers Campground

Food & Drink

• The Butter Milk Ranch
• Smith Creek Moonshine 
• Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery 
• Tootsie's Orchid Lounge

CORDELE, GEORGIA: 

Camping:

• Love's RV Stop

CONNECT WITH US: 

• Website: marryingyourpassions.com
• Blog (with exclusive photos): marryingyourpassions.blogspot.com 
• Social Media: @MarryingYourPassions (all platforms) 
• Follow Peppermint Patty's college football picks on Facebook (12-1 record!)
• Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps
• Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

UP NEXT: 

Join us next time as we set sail with Virgin Voyages! Discover why we've become fans of this adults-only cruise line, our favorite excursions, and why cruising might be the perfect getaway for couples who want adventure without the planning. Episode 11 coming soon!

In this follow-up to our previous Denver episode where we shared our own favorite places and experiences from living in the Mile High City, we're excited to bring you an interview with Ben and Jess Wiederholt, owners of two unique African-themed Airbnbs in Denver, Colorado - the Matooke House and the African Loft.

Our stop in Denver was a highlight of our cross country 2024 summer road trip that we've been chronicling throughout recent episodes, and it was made even more special by staying at the Wiederholt's beautiful Matooke House. 

Discover how their journey of adopting children from Ethiopia and Uganda led to founding the nonprofit Crazy Love Africa, which empowers women living with HIV through micro-business grants and education programs. Ben and Jess share their "life unscripted" philosophy and how they've woven their passion for Africa, entrepreneurship, and hospitality into both their Airbnb business and nonprofit work.

As Denver locals, they offer additional insider tips on the best places to eat, drink, and explore in the city - from hidden gem breweries and Ethiopian restaurants to mountain town getaways and scenic running trails. Whether you listened to our previous Denver episode, call Denver home, or you're just discovering the city, this conversation adds even more must-visit spots to your list.

We also discuss their upcoming Homecoming Gala fundraiser, international travel tips (including a memorable story about a lime and customs), and advice for anyone wanting to turn their passion into a family mission and business venture.

Featured in this episode:

• The connection between Airbnb hospitality and nonprofit mission work
• Denver restaurant recommendations such as: Sojourners Coffee, Beau Jo’s Pizza, Cherry Cricket, Konjo Ethiopian, African Bar and Grill
• Weekend getaway suggestions including: Red Rocks, Boulder's Chautauqua Park, hot springs, and Estes Park
• Craft brewery favorites and the Great American Beer Festival
• Practical travel tips for large families and international trips
• How to support Crazy Love Africa

Connect with Crazy Love Africa:

crazyloveafrica.com| @crazyloveafrica on Facebook and Instagram

Connect with us: 

marrinyourpassions.com | @MarryingYourPassions on social media

Rate, review, and share if this episode inspires your next adventure!

Visit us on our website: 

https://marryingyourpassions.com

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

Coming Up Next:

Join us in our next episode as we wrap up our reflection on our epic 2024 summer road trip with stops in Chicago, Nashville, and more!

Join us as we continue our epic 2024 summer road trip, heading west from Branson to the quirky Wizard of Oz-themed town of Wamego, Kansas, and then on to our former home of Denver, Colorado!

Hear about our first camper mishap and our SUV's "turtle mode" incident in 100+ degree heat—and why staying adaptable is key to any adventure!

Connect with us: 

marrinyourpassions.com, @MarryingYourPassions on social media, Blog: https://marryingyourpassions.blogspot.com

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

Places mentioned in this episode that we recommend!

Wamego, Kansas

• Wamego Historical Museum
• Oz Winery
• Paramour Coffee
• Calvin’s RV Camping
• Kreem Kup Diner

Denver, Colorado - Five Years of Favorites

AirBnb House:

• Matooke House on West Side of Denver

Must-Eat Spots:

• The Pig and Sprout
• Watercourse Foods 
• Esther's
• Birdcall
• Syrup 

Breweries & Distilleries: 

• Woods Boss
• Lowry Beer Garden
• Denver Beer Company
• Stranahan's (Nathan's favorite whiskey)

Top Attractions:

• Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge (see bison from your car!)
• Red Rocks Amphitheater
• Denver's incredible park and trail system
• Gaylord Rockies Resort sports bar

Day Trips: 

• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Garden of the Gods (park)
• Pikes Peak (famous high-altitude donuts and purple mountain majesty)
• Mount Blue Sky (highest city park in the United States)
• Georgetown Loop Railroad
• Breckenridge (ski, shop, dine, and more)

Join us next episode for an interview with Matooke House Airbnb owners sharing their inspiration and passion behind owning AirBnb's and running a nonprofit. Plus they share Denver insider tips!

Rate, review, and share if this episode inspires your next adventure!

We're so excited to share this special milestone episode with you—our very first guest on Marrying Your Passions! We sat down with Danielle, owner of Gliding Light Paddle Company, for an insider's guide to one of our favorite destinations: Branson, Missouri.

Danielle shares her inspiring journey from healthcare worker to paddle board business owner and how she's built a thriving community on Table Rock Lake that welcomes both locals and tourists alike.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• How to turn your passion into a business while building authentic community
• Insider tips for visiting Branson, including hidden gems like Dogwood Canyon, Clevenger Cove, and Eureka Springs
• Why different seasons offer unique experiences in the Branson area
• Local favorites like Andy's Frozen Custard, Buzzard Bar, and Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area
• The therapeutic power of paddle boarding and outdoor adventures
• Danielle's exciting international paddle boarding plans

Whether you're planning your first trip to Branson or you're a seasoned visitor looking for new experiences, this episode is packed with authentic recommendations and heartfelt stories about finding peace on the water. We've already added several of Danielle's suggestions to our list for our next visit!

Connect with Gliding Light Paddle Co:

• Facebook & Instagram: @glidinglightpaddleco
• Website: glidinglightpaddle.com (relaunching Spring 2026)
• Upcoming Fall Foliage Paddles: October 25 & November 1, 2025

Special thanks to our amazing Marrying Your Passions community for helping us reach nearly 1,000 followers on Facebook!

Connect with us: 

marrinyourpassions.com | @MarryingYourPassions on social media

Rate, review, and share if this episode inspires your next adventure!

Visit us on our website: 

https://marryingyourpassions.com

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

Dive deeper by checking out our blog at marryingyourpassions.blogspot.com

Next Episode: We'll continue our 2024 summer road trip, visiting an unexpected favorite place and a location we once called home.

Nathan and Alicia continue to discuss their 2024 cross-country adventure as they visit Lincoln, Nebraska and Branson, Missouri - a destination that's become one of their most beloved repeat visits over five years.

Episode Highlights:

Table Rock Lake Adventures

• The "Sail Swim Tour" catamaran with giant slides and water trampolines 
• Sunset paddleboard tours with wine tastings
• Scuba diving opportunities and state park activities

Food & Drink Must-Dos

• India Clay Oven - their never-miss restaurant for incredible Indian cuisine
• Smith Creek Moonshine tastings (free!) and St. James Winery
• Hurts Donuts with donuts "the size of your head"
• Hidden gems like Bella's Italiana food truck

Entertainment Worth Your Time

• Legends in Concert impersonator shows (Elvis is always a hit)
• SIX acapella group and Branson Belle dinner boat
• Why they drive an hour to Springfield for Alamo Drafthouse movies

Travel Philosophy 

Nathan and Alicia discuss balancing the comfort of returning to favorites versus trying new experiences - and how this unplanned COVID-era destination became a treasured annual tradition.

Coming up: Interview with local paddleboard business owner for insider Branson secrets, plus their journey continues back west to Colorado.

Connect: 

marrinyourpassions.com | @MarryingYourPassions on social media

Rate, review, and share if this episode inspires your next adventure!

Visit us on our website: 

https://marryingyourpassions.com

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

Places mentioned in this episode that we recommend!

State Parks:

Table Rock State Park

Restaurants/Distilleries/Etc.:

Vincenzo’s Italian Ristorante - Lincoln, Nebraska 

Indian Clay Oven - Branson, Missouri

Hurts Donuts - Branson, Missouri

Carly’s Healthy Cuisine - Branson, Missouri

Bella’s Italiana - Branson, Missouri

Places for Great Drinks - 

Smith Creek Moonshine - Branson, Missouri

Missouri Ridge Distillery - Branson, Missouri

St. James Winery - Branson, Missouri

Seven Arrows Taproom - Branson, Missouri

TAPS on Downing Street - Hollister, Missouri

Attractions We Enjoy

Gliding Light Paddle Co. - Hollister, Missouri

State Park Marina - Branson, Missouri

Legends in Concert (Impersonators Show) - Branson, Missouri

The SIX Show - Branson, Missouri

Alamo Drafthouse - Springfield, Missouri

Other helpful links:

Missouri Boating License Info

Our epic 2024 road trip adventure continues!

Join us as we explore Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, plus Laramie, Wyoming. We review Edge Steakhouse and Tekila Mexican Grill in Park City, visit the Park City Museum and Utah Olympic Park, and share our hilarious (and fly-filled!) experience at Great Salt Lake State Park.

Discover amazing vegetarian spots: Vertical Diner in Salt Lake City and Sweet Melissa's Cafe in Laramie, plus our favorite mead destination, The Great Untamed. We also recap camping at RJourney Laramie RV Resort and celebrating July 4th like the locals.

As always, we end with life takeaways on making your passions part of everyday life.

Visit us on our website: 

https://marryingyourpassions.com

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

Places mentioned in this episode that we recommend!

State Parks:

Great Salt Lake State Park

Campgrounds:

Laramie RV Resort by RJourney

Restaurants/Distilleries/Etc.:

Edge Steakhouse - Park City, UT

Tekila Mexican Grill and Catina - Park City, UT

Vertical Diner - Salt Lake City, UT

Sweet Melissa Cafe - Laramie, WY

The Great Untamed - Laramie, WY

Other helpful links:

Park City Museum

Utah Olympic Park

Stay tuned as our 2024 Summer Camping Trip adventure continues...

As always, we'd love to hear how you're marrying your passions to your everyday life! Share your stories with us on social media or send us a message.

Our epic 2024 Summer Camping Trip continues! In this episode, we share the story of how our decision to skip running a marathon led to an incredible extended adventure near the Grand Tetons and an unexpected visit to Yellowstone National Park.

• The Marathon Decision: How we chose to extend our trip by skipping a planned marathon
• Grand Tetons Extension: Why we decided to stay longer in this breathtaking area
• Yellowstone Visit: Our visit to one of America's most iconic national parks
• Hiking Adventures: Details about the trails we explored and what we discovered
• Food & Dining: Where and what we ate during our extended camping adventure
• Old Faithful Experience: Our visit to the famous geyser and what made it special
• Marrying Passions Tips: Practical advice on how to integrate your passions into everyday life

• Adventure Flexibility: How being open to change can lead to amazing experiences
• New Opportunities: The rewards of saying "yes" to different experiences
• Life Integration: Strategies for weaving your passions into daily routines

• Build flexibility into your own travel and adventure plans
• Make decisions that align with your passions
• Create space in your schedule for new opportunities
• Balance planned activities with room for serendipity

Visit us on our website: 

https://marryingyourpassions.com

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

Places mentioned in this episode that we recommend!

National Parks:

Grand Teton National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Campgrounds:

Fireside Buffalo Valley RV Park - Buffalo Valley - Moran, WY

Restaurants/Distilleries/Etc.:

Annie’s Thai Kitchen - Jackson, WY

Doran’s Pizza and Pasta Co - Jackson, WY

Other helpful links:

Old Faithful Visitor Information from the National Park Service

Watch Old Faithful Erupt Live on the Webcam

Stay tuned as our 2024 Summer Camping Trip adventure continues...

As always, we'd love to hear how you're marrying your passions to your everyday life! Share your stories with us on social media or send us a message.

The adventure continues as we leave Maine behind and head west on our epic cross-country camping journey! This episode, we explore three incredible destinations: Ohio's hidden gem Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the dramatic landscapes of Badlands National Park, and the wonders of Wind Cave National Park. Between parks, we reconnect with family, discover an amazing BBQ whiskey in Wisconsin Dells, and have an unexpected encounter with everyone's favorite cartoon bear. Join us for our signature park reviews, foodie finds, camping recommendations, and practical tips for weaving your passions into daily life. Whether you're planning your own national park adventure or just dreaming of the open road, this episode will fuel your wanderlust and inspire you to chase what you love!

Visit us on our website: 

https://marryingyourpassions.com

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

Places mentioned in this episode that we recommend!

National Parks:

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Badlands National Park

Wind Cave National Park

Campgrounds:

Lake Lauderdale -Cambridge, NY

Countryside Campground - Mogador, OH

Jellystonepark Wisconsin Dells - Wisconsin Dells, WI

Badlands Hotel and Campground - Interior, SD

Restaurants/Distilleries:

Hartville Kitchen - Hartville, OH

Farmer Boy Restaurant - Akron, OH

Other helpful links:

National Parks Annual Passes

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

We're back after a year-long hiatus! Join us as we kick off our epic 2024 cross-country road trip adventure. In this episode, we take you through the highlights of our first two weeks on the road, including stunning visits to Congaree and Acadia National Parks. We also share our experiences running two Mainly Marathon events in New Hampshire and Maine, complete with honest reviews and race insights. Plus, we dish out practical tips and hard-earned wisdom from our initial weeks of life on the road. Whether you're planning your own national park adventure, considering a marathon tour, or dreaming of a cross-country road trip, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice.

Visit us on our website: https://marryingyourpassions.com

Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps

Check Out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

Places mentioned in this episode that we recommend!

National Parks:

Congaree National Park

Acadia National Park

Marathons:

Mainly Marathons (The New England Series is featured in this episode)

Campgrounds:

Santee/Santee Lakes KOA Journey - Summerton, SC

Tippicanoe Campground - Goshen, NH

Cole's Mine RV Resort and Campground - Lebanon, ME

Hadley's Point Campground - Bar Harbour, NH

Restaurants/Distilleries:

Armando's Mexican Restaurant - Santee, SC

Lompoc Cafe - Bar Harbour, ME

The journey begins here!

In our very first episode, we're rolling out the red carpet and giving you the ultimate introduction to what Marrying Your Passions is all about. Get ready to dive into a world where travel adventures meet personal relationships, where running goals intersect with life dreams, and where passion isn't just a word—it's a way of living.

What you'll discover in this episode:

• Who we are and what drives our passion for life's greatest adventures
• A sneak peek into the exciting topics we'll be exploring in future episodes
• Our personal philosophy on how to blend travel, fitness, love, and personal growth into one incredible life journey
• What you can expect from this podcast community we're building together

Whether you're a wanderlust-filled traveler, a dedicated runner chasing your next PR, someone navigating the beautiful complexity of relationships, or just someone who believes life is meant to be lived passionately—this podcast is your new home base.

Perfect for: Adventure seekers, fitness enthusiasts, relationship explorers, and anyone ready to marry their passions with purpose.

This is just the beginning. Welcome to the community!

Learn more on Our Website at https://marryingyourpassions.com

Check out Alicia's reviews on Google Maps

Check out Nathan's reviews on Tripadvisor

Places mentioned in this episode we recommend:

Savannas Recreation Area