Nestled in the far northwestern corner of Washington State is a little slice of paradise. It’s a destination with no stoplights, where foodies forage and create memorable cuisine that defines farm to table and orchard to glass. Here, you can smell the Salish Sea, wander through wildflower-strewn prairies or a fanciful sculpture garden. This is where a pig led the way to diplomacy and a Hawaiian shepherd takes credit for naming the only town on the island. Welcome to San Juan Island, Washington. Travel, food and wine writer Hilarie Larson discusses the history and natural beauty of Washington's San Juan Islands, and San Juan Island National Historic Park. Read Hilarie's San Juan Island article here: http://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/savor-the-salish-sea-historic-san-juan-island/

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Environmental artist and art educator Patricia Cummins talks about her art and National Parks Arts Foundation residency at Fort Union National Monument in New Mexico. Chief of Interpretation Lorenzo Vigil talks about the park's diverse history, and natural highlights. See www.PatCummins.com & www.NPS.gov/foun & www.NationalParksArtsFoundation.org

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From budget cuts to the dismantling of environmental protections and the review of 27 national monuments, wildlife/environment expert Adam M. Roberts “The Compassionate Conservationist”, discusses some of the numerous issues our national parks and public lands are currently facing, and what we can do to support our beautiful wild and historic places. Listen to more of Adam's Big Blend Radio interviews here: http://blendradioandtv.com/listing/adam-roberts/

Mixed media artist Rose B. Simpson talks about her art, and being the National Parks Arts Foundation artist-in-residence at Aztec Ruins National Monument and Chaco Culture National Historical Park, both in Northern New Mexico. Nathan Hatfield, Chief of Interpretation for both park units, provides an overview of the history and natural elements preserved in the parks. Websites: www.NationalParksArtsFoundation.org, www.RoseBSimpson.com, www.NPS.gov/azru and www.NPS.gov/chcu.

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Travel writer Debbie Stones shares her adventures on Wildland Trekking’s 5-Day Smoky Mountains Hiking Experience, through one of the most naturally and culturally significant mountain landscapes in the country - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The adventure started in Ashville, North Carolina, where she also visited the Biltmore House & Gardens. See her article here: http://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/hiking-the-great-smoky-mountains/

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Located in central Kentucky, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park was established on July 17, 1916 as the country’s first memorial to the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the park has two separate sites where Abraham Lincoln was born and lived early in his childhood. Listen to the Big Blend Radio interview with Stacy Humphreys - Chief of Interpretation at Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, and Stephanie McMillin – Executive Director of Springfield Tourism Commission. See> http://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/abraham-lincoln-birthplace-national-historical-park/

John Heiner - Chief of Interpretation, and travel writer Eva Eldridge, discuss Fort Davis National Historic Site in West Texas, one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the Southwest. www.NPS.gov/foda

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Hear about El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail with Arlene Gould - Executive Director of Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Steven Fullen – from Cane River National Heritage Area and El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association .The El Camino Real de Los Tejas was once a “royal road” that spanned approximately 2500 miles from Mission San Juan Bautista Guerrero, Mexico to Fort St. Jean Baptiste in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. Photo: Rebecca Blankenbaker Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc.
See> http://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/el-camino-real-de-los-tejas-national-historic-trail/

Steve Schneickert recalls the Hollywood History of Classic Movies filmed in Western National Park units including: 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', 'The Shining', 'E.T., The Extra-terrestrial', and 'Into the Wild'. For more of Steve's Hollywood History segments, see: http://blendradioandtv.com/listing/steve-schneickert-hollywood-history/

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Big Blend Radio interview with Tanya Ortega – photographer and founder of National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) that presents unique artist-in-residence programs in national parks, and Michelle Schwengel-Regala - scientific illustrator, fiber artist, naturalist and NPAF Invitation Artist. See www.NationalParksArtsFoundation.org .
**** Music featured in this segment is 'Ka'ena Dream' by Makana - see www.MakanaMusic.com.

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