Parks & Travel

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures with Linda Ballou" podcast is all about the scenic drives, historic highlights, and recreational opportunities you can experience along Colorado's San Juan Skyway. 

The San Juan Skyway is a 236-mile loop through the most sublime scenery Colorado has to offer. The drive takes you through sage-littered plains up vibrant river valleys to lofty peaks streaked with snow and tops out at glacier cirques at 11,500 feet. Read Linda's story about her hiking and horseback riding adventures around this historic byway, making stops at Mesa Verde National Park, Durango, Telluride, Ouray, and Silverton, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/flying-high-on-the-san-juan-skyway/ 

Follow Linda Ballou's adventures at https://lostangeladventures.com/ and learn more about her books at http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/ 

Listen to Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures" Show every 3rd Wednesday at High Noon PST,  here on YouTube:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm3Bmktgu8osUzx2VOF35dgO&feature=shared 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Parks & Travel" Show features Thomas Miller, acclaimed aerial cinematographer who filmed Zion and Olympic National Parks for the new National Geographic series, "National Parks: USA."  Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/z42Ph8A2Uh8?feature=shared 

From Zion and Yellowstone to Katmai, the Everglades and Olympic, each park presents its own cast of animal characters. NATIONAL PARKS: USA features a blend of wildlife weaved seamlessly with stories of rich culture, history and geological landmarks. In addition to illuminating each park’s beauty, set against the backdrop of dynamic wildlife, NATIONAL PARKS: USA reveals Indigenous stories from some of today’s tribes to link the past with the present, highlighting the importance these lands have had through countless generations and the need for these national treasures to remain for the future. You can stream the series now on Hulu: https://on.natgeo.com/3Qor0Ko 

Follow Big Blend Radio's Network of Podcasts: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Featured images courtesy of National Geographic. 

From the Dark Sky  Festival to the Tulare  Chamber Crush Party, a country fair and unique musical concert, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast focuses on early fall fun in Tulare County. 

Located in Central California, Tulare County is home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest, and charming art and agricultural communities including Visalia, Tulare, Exeter, Dinuba, Porterville, Three Rivers, Lindsay, and Woodlake.  

Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include Holly Brown - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Suzanne Bianco - Visit Visalia,  and Cassidy Collins - Tulare Chamber of Commerce.

 Plan your visit with these websites mentioned in the podcast:

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's WANDER THE WORLD WITH SHARON podcast with Sharon K. Kurtz, she shares her experience with Pursuit Glacier Park Collection, where she and 5 other travel writers learned the art of fly fishing.

The Middle Fork of the Flathead River, bordering Glacier National Park in Montana, is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, stunning scenery, and exceptional rafting and fishing opportunities. But what truly sets it apart for a fly-fishing float is the thrill of navigating rapids, adding an adventurous twist to the experience amidst breathtaking wilderness. Read about Sharon's adventures, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/fly-fishing-the-flathead-river/ 

Big Blend Radio's "Wander the World with Sharon" Podcast features award-winning travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz. New episodes air every first Wednesday at 12pm CST at  https://wandertheworldwithsharon.podbean.com/ 

Sharon Kurtz is an accomplished travel writer and award-winning photographer based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to exploring the world and sharing her adventures through compelling storytelling. Her travels have taken her to more than 50 countries on six continents—her carry-on is always packed, ready for the next adventure. Enjoy Sharon’s writing at https://sharonkkurtz.com/. 

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" Podcast, Debbie shares her Colorado River running adventures through Utah's Cataract Canyon with OARS. 

Cataract Canyon is a section of the Colorado River between Moab, above Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon. The river flows through the heart of Canyonlands National Park, the largest national park in the state. In addition to superb whitewater, those who run “Cat” are rewarded with a sublime landscape and fascinating geology. Check out Debbie's article and podcast about her adventure, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/ride-the-wave-train-through-utahs-cataract-canyon/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Road Trip Radio" Podcast focuses on the fun places and experiences Steve & Karen Wilson "Mr & Mrs Wild" enjoyed on their Western Kentucky Road Trip with stops in Tennessee and South Carolina. Highights included JBJ's in Nashville, Casey Jones Distillery, a Caboose Farm Stay, Rock the Dam Festival, National Corvette Museum, Downtown Bowling Green, White Squirrel Brewery, Mammoth Cave National Park, and a Scott Stapp Concert in Greenville. Check out their article, map, and video here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/western-kentucky-road-trip/ 

FEATURED GUESTS:

- MARIAH HUGHES - National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where you can learn about the evolution of the Corvette—America’s Sports Car. More: https://www.corvettemuseum.org/ 

- CODY TURNER - Casey Jones Distillery in Hopkinsville, Kentucky who are known for their award-winning bourbon, barrel cuts, and shine. More: https://www.caseyjonesdistillery.com/ 

Celebrate the Anniversary of America's National Park Service (August 25, 1916) with this podcast panel discussion on Big Blend Radio's "Parks & Travel" Show. 

FEATURED GUESTS:

- BOB & TIFFANY BERTRAM, innkeepers and owners of Tiffany's Bed & Breakfast near Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. View their Inn: https://www.tiffanysbedandbreakfast.com/ 

- STEVE & KAREN WILSON, innkeepers and owners of The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast in Asheville, North Carolina, talk about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the Inn: https://www.lion-rose.com/ 

- MARIA CHAMBERLAIN and her husband Brian own and run The Inn at Oxbow Acres in Milan, New Hampshire. Hear about their state's only national park service unit, Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site. See the Inn: https://www.oxbowacresnh.com/ 

- GLYNN BURROWS is the owner of Norfolk Tours, a custom tour company in England. Learn more here: https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/ 

Celebrate the Anniversary of America's National Park Service (August 25, 1916) and American Adventures Month with this podcast panel discussion on Big Blend Radio's "Parks & Travel" Show. 

FEATURED GUESTS:

- ROSE PALMER, travel writer and photographer, talks about her houseboat adventure in remote Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. Follow Rose's travels: https://quiltripping.com/ 

- JOHNNY SCHAEFER, award-winning winger-songwriter, talks about his honeymoon trip to Mount Rainier and Crater Lake National Parks. Keep up with Johnny at https://hearjohnny.com/ 

- KATHLEEN WALLS, travel writer and author, talks about recent visit to Congaree National Park in South Carolina. Check out her story:  https://americanroads.net/congaree-national-park-72624.htm 

- ELAINE MASTERS, travel writer and author, discusses her visit to American Samoa National Park. See her photo gallery on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3I7xIHB3X6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 

In celebration of American Adventures Month and the anniversary of the National Park Service (August 25, 1916), this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Parks & Travel" Show focuses on three NPS park units in New Mexico. 

FEATURED GUESTS:

PARK ARTICLES & RESOURCES:

From the Colorado River, American River and Green River, to the Salmon River, Tatshenshini, and Pacuare River, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures with Linda Ballou" podcast covers six of Linda's favorite river experiences. You can read her article about her "river rat" adventures, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/confessions-of-a-river-rat/  

Expanded essays on Linda's trips on the Green River, Salmon River, and the Tatshenshini, (also known as Raven’s River) are included in "Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler’s Tales." Sections of the story Tough Cookies in Costa Rica details her time on the Pacuare River. "Destination Deep Time" about rafting the Grand Canyon and a story about Georgie White the Wild Cat of the Canyon, winner of the Solas Award for Best Destination at Travel Tales publications, are included in "Lost Angel Unleashed: Stories from the Heart." 

Follow Linda Ballou's adventures at https://lostangeladventures.com/ and learn more about her books at http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/ 

Listen to Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures" Show every 3rd Wednesday at High Noon PST,  here on YouTube:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm3Bmktgu8osUzx2VOF35dgO&feature=shared