Melissa Reardon, editor-in-chief of WNC Magazine, presents leaf-peeping experiences that are big on color and light on crowds and why the North Carolina mountains are the perfect place to discover fall. Find out what weather conditions make for great fall color and discover resources to keep tabs on the status of the leaf change. Peak color doesn’t just happen in a single weekend here in the mountains. It actually begins at the highest elevations and trickles down to the valleys below. So you can really catch peak color for a full 4 to 6 weeks if you know when to look. Tune in to learn more!  

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Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is the perfect place to spend quality time unplugging and immersing yourself in nature. And this fall is a lovely time to get outdoors and explore all the Park has to offer.

Emily Walker, Senior Naturalist at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park, explains why this season is so spectacular and shares all the unique opportunities to celebrate the season, like the popular Flock to the Rock event. Discover why fall bird migration is so intriguing and what birds are traveling through. And if you love leaf peeping, this is the place to be! Wildflowers, leaves and birds, oh my!

For more info and a list of all the activities you can enjoy, visit www.chimneyrockpark.com

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New Belgium’s Community Ambassador Mike Craft and Sustainable Coordinator Sarah Fraser explain how kindling social, environmental and cultural change as a business role model works for the community. New Belgium Brewing is of course the makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, but did you know it is recognized as one of Outside Magazine's Best Places to Work and one of Wall Street Journal's Best Small Businesses? They have an entire team of coworkers dedicated to understanding and improving New Belgium’s impact on ecosystems. Learn more about this 100% employee-owned company and their commitment to the planet and to their community. Dedicated to proving that business can be a force for good, come visit New Belgium Brewing in Asheville. Free tours and great beers! 

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Evie Ladin is a dancer, musician, vocalist, songwriter and square dance caller, balancing performing and traveling with hands-on teaching. She’s created a sustainable career doing all the creative things that she loves. Evie talks about her upbringing with music and dance as a part of social communication and how she balances her career and family, all saturated with music. She brings Appalachian traditions to collaborations with musicians and dancers of other styles, including West African, Afro-Cuban, African-American, Indonesian and more, bending and blending forms to create exciting new works. Evie also works extensively with her husband Keith Terry, renowned Body Musician, and his multi-cultural rhythm-based music and dance projects produced by the non-profit arts organization Crosspulse, Inc. Her music is a product of a lifetime immersed in the study of culture, as well as a depth of experiences, of total joys and deep disappointments, illuminating the paradoxes living life in this world.

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Speaking of Travel continues the Climate Listening Project Series with Dayna Reggero and some special guests. Sisters Amanda and Allison Rodriguez talk about inspiring stories of human connection to wild places and new ways of knowing and understanding the world and the interconnectivity of existence.  Amanda Rodriguez is a writer, poet, and climate activist who works protecting Southern forests with Dogwood Alliance. She recently produced a film series called, “Stories Happen in Forests” that features inspiring stories of human connection to wild places. Allison Maria Rodriguez is an interdisciplinary artist who creates immersive experiential spaces that challenge conventional ways of knowing and understanding the world. Her work focuses extensively on climate change, species extinction and the interconnectivity of existence. Her award-winning work includes the video installation “Wish You Were Here: Greetings from the Galápagos” and a residency at the Churchill Northern Studies.

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Chow Chow is a multi-day immersive experience held in Asheville, NC, from September 13-15, 2019, to celebrate the region’s vibrant culinary scene from farmers to brewers, chefs, crafts people and artists. Featuring nationally recognized chefs to multi-generational farmers to millers, bakers, potters, weavers, and brewers, Chow Chow is shining a light on the spirit of this region. Join guests Kevin Barnes, founder of Ultimate Ice Cream, Connie Matisse, co-founder of East Fork, Jael Rattigan, co-founder of French Broad Chocolate and Chef Katie Button of Katie Button Restaurants, and discover what makes this event different, including highlights of key events, Chow Chow's charity focus and the awesome activities guests and local makers will be doing over the weekend. Come celebrate with Chow Chow!

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Miranda Peterson is the founder and owner of Namaste in Nature, a yoga, hiking and meditation respite in Western North Carolina that helps relive stress and anxieties while celebrating and appreciating nature. She founded Namaste in Nature in 2017 to provide a fun, safe, unique and sustainable experience for both mind and body. Miranda has practiced yoga since 2008 and completed her RYT® 200 Yoga Teacher Training in traditional Hatha style yoga at Ayur-Yoga Eco Ashram in Southern India. She has led or participated in international classes and training across North America, South America, and Asia and believes yoga is for every body and should be accessible to everyone. Namaste in Nature offers multiple options for each person in the practices she guides so they are inclusive of everyone from beginners to experts. 

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Have you been thinking about learning another language? Cindy McMahon serves on the Buncombe County School Board and has over 25 years of management experience in nonprofits and small businesses. This summer, Cindy’s taking a sabbatical from her work to relax and have some adventures, including participating in a language immersion school in Cuenca, Ecuador. Cindy explains why she chose to dive head first into the deep end of language immersion in Cuenca, what it was like during her two-week stay, and how the community welcomed her with open arms. If you've ever considered taking the leap and participating in an immersion school, Cindy shares tips on how to research and what to look for in planning such an adventure. 

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Kelley Louise, founder of Impact Travel Alliance, the world's largest community for impact-focused travelers and travel professionals, provides insights and solutions for creating sustainable and positive travel experiences and how travelers are making a difference throughout the world. The organization aims to educate travelers on how to travel mindfully so our experiences protect the environment and empowers locals. Kelley discusses the importance of building resiliency in travel and shares stories from her recent visit to Puerto Rico and her time with ExplorEquity, a socially conscious travel company exploring food systems and sovereignty in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Whether you’re a local or visiting Western North Carolina for the first time, Leap Frog Tours offers fun opportunities to explore the area, from beer to art and everything in-between. They offer tours with set itineraries, custom excursions, and transportation services all over the area.

Ann Smith, owner and founder of Leap Frog Tours, explains why they love showcasing Western North Carolina. Discover how you can sip your way through the extensive craft beer scene, see elk in their natural habitat, learn about the benefits of hemp and CBD, explore the history of the French Broad River and so much more.

Visit leapfrogtours.com and book your tour today!

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.