She escaped slavery alone at night. Then went back. Thirteen times.

In this episode, we dive deep into the full, extraordinary life of Harriet

Tubman — from her brutal childhood on Maryland's Eastern Shore, to her

daring escapes on the Underground Railroad, to her secret career as a

Union Army spy who led the most successful military liberation raid in

American history — freeing over 700 people in a single night.

We cover:

✅ Her complete biography — the real story, not the sanitized version

✅ How the Underground Railroad actually worked

✅ Her role as spy, scout & the first woman to lead a U.S. military raid

✅ The Harriet Tubman National Historic Sites — Maryland & Auburn, NY

✅ Where you can actually HIKE the Underground Railroad routes today

✅ The 2019 film "Harriet"

✅ Fascinating lesser-known facts that will leave you speechless

This is the Harriet Tubman most history books were too afraid to show you. It's about a woman who carried a pistol, ran a spy network entirely from memory, fought for women's suffrage into her 80s, and built a home for the elderly while living in poverty herself. She was, in every sense, extraordinary.

🗺️ PLAN YOUR VISIT:

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park (MD): nps.gov/hatu

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (Auburn, NY): nps.gov/hart

Full Byway Guide: harriettubmanbyway.org

👍 Like, subscribe, and share if this story moved you — because it should.

#HarrietTubman #UndergroundRailroad #BlackHistory #AmericanHistory

#HarrietTubmanMovie #CivilWarHistory #WomensHistory #MosesOfHerPeople

#HistoryPodcast #BlackAmericanHistory #HarrietTubmanNationalPark

#UndergroundRailroadHistory #CombaheeRiverRaid #Abolitionist

#TrueHistory #HistoryFacts #BlackHistoryMonth #AmericanHeroes

#HiddenHistory #WomensRights #SuffragistHistory #MilitaryHistory

#SpyHistory #NationalParks #HikingHistory #HarrietTubmanByway

#HarrietMovie #CynthiaErivo #HistoryLovers #UntoldHistory

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In 1933, with 25% of Americans out of work and the land itself in crisis, FDR launched one of the most ambitious — and successful — programs in American history: the Civilian Conservation Corps.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the CCC — how it was created in just 10 days, how 3 million young men were put to work across America's most iconic landscapes, and how the structures they built with their own hands still stand in our national parks today.

We cover:

→ The twin crises of the Great Depression and environmental collapse that forced FDR's hand

→ How Congress approved the CCC in just 10 days — the fastest peacetime mobilization in U.S. history

→ What daily life was really like in CCC camps: $30/month wages, Army discipline, and raging homesickness

→ The monumental work done in Shenandoah, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Zion, and beyond

→ The "NPS Rustic" architectural style the CCC spread to hundreds of parks nationwide

→ The complicated story of race, segregation, and the 250,000 Black men who served

→ The stories, poems, and personal accounts left behind by the men themselves

If you've ever hiked a trail, crossed a stone bridge, or stood at an overlook in a national park — you've likely seen the work of the CCC.

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In this episode of Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks, we cover TWO powerful stories connected by one theme: protecting the places and values that matter most.

🎥 PART 1 — THE RIVER AND THE WALL FILM SCREENING We attended a special community event hosted by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), Keep Big Bend Wild, Latino Outdoors, the San Antonio River Foundation, and the Big Bend Conservation Alliance at Confluence Park in San Antonio, TX. The evening featured a panel discussion with regional wildlife and conservation experts followed by an outdoor screening of the award-winning 2019 documentary "The River and the Wall." The film follows five friends — including conservation filmmaker Ben Masters, NatGeo Explorer Filipe DeAndrade, ornithologist Heather Mackey, and river guide Austin Alvarado — on a 1,200-mile journey by horse, mountain bike, and canoe from El Paso to the Gulf of Mexico. Their mission: document the wild Texas borderlands and explore what a border wall would mean for Big Bend National Park, wildlife migration, the Rio Grande, and the communities that call this region home. If you care about Big Bend, the Rio Grande, or wild public lands in Texas — this film is essential viewing.

🏛️ PART 2 — JIMMY CARTER NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK | Plains, Georgia We then take you to one of America's most personal and underrated National Park Service sites — FREE to visit and rich with history. From a Nobel Peace Prize to a boyhood peanut farm, Plains, Georgia tells the story of the 39th President of the United States and the rural Southern values that shaped him.

📍 Event Location: Confluence Park, San Antonio, TX 📍 Park Location: Plains, Georgia 🎟️ Park Admission: FREE 🥜 Don't skip: Peanut butter ice cream at Plains Peanuts! 🌿 Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks explores the intersections of culture, history, and the natural world — with a special focus on National Park Service sites and local hidden gems. New episodes drop regularly!

#TheRiverAndTheWall #BigBend #KeepBigBendWild #NPCATexas #LatinoOutdoors #SAriverFoundation #BigBendNationalPark #RioGrande #ConservationMatters #PublicLands #BorderWall #TexasWildlife #JimmyCarterNationalPark #NPS #NationalParks #PlainsGeorgia #TwoChicksWithHikingSticks #HikingOver50 #WomenWhoHike #TexasTravel #NationalParkService #FreeNationalParks #OutdoorWomen #GeorgiaTravel #PresidentialHistory #ConfluencePark #SanAntonioEvents #DocumentaryFilm #NatureConservation #ProtectOurParks

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What happens when one man tries to build the perfect world — and his workers say enough is enough? Welcome to Pullman, one of the most fascinating and layered history destinations in the entire United States.

In this episode, we're diving deep into Pullman National Historical Park on Chicago's far South Side, a place where utopian dreams, brutal corporate control, a nation-shaking labor strike, and the roots of the African American Civil Rights Movement all collide in one remarkable neighborhood.

We cover everything you need to know before you visit:

✅ The story of George Pullman and his ambitious "model town" built for railroad workers in 1880

✅ What daily life was REALLY like inside this company-controlled community

✅ The explosive Pullman Strike of 1894 — how 250,000 workers across 27 states brought the national rail system to its knees

🥾 FREE to visit | Open Wednesday–Sunday, 10AM–4PM | 610 E. 111th Street, Chicago, IL

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Join Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks as we explore the stunning landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park where two deserts collide to create one unforgettable adventure.

In this episode, we break down what to see, where to go, and essential travel tips for making the most of your visit. Whether you’re planning your first trip or just curious about this iconic national park, we’ve got you covered with practical advice, a little history, and plenty of real talk.

From the Mojave Desert’s famous Joshua trees to the Colorado Desert’s wide-open, rugged beauty, we’ll guide you through the park’s unique ecosystems, must-see stops, and beginner-friendly hikes perfect for all experience levels.

Whether you're here for the hiking, the views, or the stargazing, Joshua Tree offers a one-of-a-kind experience and we’re here to help you enjoy it without the rookie mistakes.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow along as we explore more National Park Service sites and hidden gems across the country.

Hashtags:

#JoshuaTree #NationalParks #TravelGuide #HikingLife #DesertAdventure #ExploreMore #OutdoorTravel #Over50Travel #ParkTips #TwoChicksWithHikingSticks

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Welcome back to Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks! In this episode, we takes you on a deep dive into one of the most beloved national parks on the East Coast: Shenandoah National Park in northwestern Virginia.

Whether you're planning your first visit or your fifth, this episode covers EVERYTHING:

•      ✅ Key facts and history — from the 1926 congressional authorization to the CCC to President Hoover's wilderness retreat

•      ✅ The natural world — ancient Blue Ridge geology, over 860 wildflower species, black bears, and the rare Shenandoah salamander

•      ✅ The cultural and historical story — the displaced mountain people, the CCC, the civil rights history of Lewis Mountain

📍 Location: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia | Along the Blue Ridge Mountains | ~75 miles from Washington D.C.

🎵 Stick around for the end-of-episode quiz questions! Test your Shenandoah knowledge in the comments below.

👍 If you love exploring National Parks and hidden gems with us, hit LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. And remember — HIKE YOUR OWN HIKE!

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Step back in time at Fort Scott National Historic Site in Kansas. It is a place where America’s frontier dreams, broken promises, and Civil War struggles all collided. Built in 1842 to enforce the Permanent Indian Frontier, Fort Scott quickly became a symbol of westward expansion, Native displacement, and the tension that fueled Bleeding Kansas. During the Civil War, it transformed into a Union supply depot and the birthplace of the First Kansas Colored Infantry. In fact, it was the first African American regiment from a Northern state to see combat.

In this episode, we explore Fort Scott’s cultural, natural, and historic impact—from its role in Native American history and frontier military strategy, to its preserved tallgrass prairie and Civil War legacy. Fort Scott isn’t just a fort. It's a story of America’s struggle with land, identity, and freedom.

#FortScott #NationalHistoricSite #CivilWarHistory #BleedingKansas #PermanentIndianFrontier #AfricanAmericanHistory #USHistoryPodcast #NativeAmericanHistory #KansasHistory #FrontierLife #AmericanHistory

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What if we told you that one of the most dramatic and consequential battles in American history happened in a small Michigan city — and almost nobody knows about it? In this episode of Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks, we explore River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, Michigan: the site of the War of 1812's greatest American defeat, the birth of the rallying cry "Remember the Raisin!", and a place where Native American, French, British, and American stories collide in one of history's most complex moments.

We cover everything you need to know for a perfect visit: the full history of the January 1813 Battle of Frenchtown and the River Raisin Massacre, the incredible cultural tapestry of the settlement at Frenchtown, the natural beauty of the River Raisin Heritage Trail and Sterling State Park, hiking options perfect for the 50+ crowd, a complete first-timer's itinerary, and all the other amazing things to do in Monroe, Michigan.

River Raisin is FREE to visit, beautifully interpreted, and unlike anything else in the National Park System. Don't miss this hidden gem of the Great Lakes.

🔔 Subscribe for more National Park and local history adventures!

📍 Location: Monroe, Michigan | 333 N. Dixie Hwy

🎧 Prefer audio? Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify & all major platforms.

📌 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• NPS River Raisin: nps.gov/rira

• River Raisin Heritage Trail: City of Monroe Parks & Recreation

• Sterling State Park: michigan.gov/dnr

• Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge: fws.gov

• Monroe County Historical Museum: monroehistory.org

#RiverRaisin #RiverRaisinNationalBattlefieldPark #Warof1812 #NationalPark #NPS #MonroeMichigan #Hiking #HikingMichigan #MichiganHiking #RememberTheRaisin #BattleOfFrenchtown #GreatLakes #NationalParks #USHistory #MilitaryHistory #MichiganTravel #HiddenGems #SterlingStatePark #BirdWatching #50PlusHiking #NatureWalks #TwoChicksWithHikingSticks #PodcastScript #HistoryPodcast #OutdoorAdventure #VisitMichigan #AmericanHistory #Tecumseh #GreatLakesTrails #FamilyTravel

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What do you do when a doctor tells you you'll be impaired for life — and you simply refuse to believe them?

Award-winning journalist, Peabody Award winner, and bestselling author Jo Giese joins Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks to share her extraordinary story of survival, determination, and defying medical odds after a catastrophic fall ruptured her Achilles tendon — and a botched surgery left her without one entirely.

In this episode, Jo opens up about:

✅ The accident and surgical nightmare that changed everything

✅ Being told she'd never walk normally again — and rejecting that verdict

✅ The 2.5-year recovery journey that doctors are calling a "medical miracle"

✅ The power of community, caregiving spouses, and having a medical advocate

✅ Her love of waterfall hiking, forest bathing & the science behind WHY nature heals

✅ Practical hiking safety tips for women hiking at any age or ability level

✅ Her new memoir: You'll Never Walk Alone: A Hiker's Memoir of Adventure, Tragedy, and Defying the Odds

Whether you're recovering from an injury, returning to hiking later in life, or just need a dose of pure grit and inspiration — this episode is for YOU.

📚 Get Jo's book anywhere you get your books

🎧 Available on Audiobook!

🥾 New to the show? Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks is your go-to podcast for women who love the outdoors — no matter your age, pace, or fitness level. We believe it's NEVER too late to hit the trails.

👇 Drop a comment: Have you ever hiked through an injury or comeback story? We want to hear it!

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#HikingInspiration #WomensHiking #HikingRecovery #AchillesTendon #MedicalMiracle #YoullNeverWalkAlone #JoGiese #TwoChicksWithHikingSticks #WaterfallHiking #HikingMotivation #Outdoors #NatureHeals #WomenWhoHike #HikingPodcast #ForestBathing #TrailLife #HikeSafe #OutdoorWomen #HikingLife #ReturnToTrails

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What if one of America’s most “hostile” landscapes turned out to be one of its most breathtaking?

In this episode of Two Chicks With Hiking Sticks, we explore Badlands National Park in South Dakota — a land shaped by 75 million years of erosion, ancient inland seas, prehistoric mammals, and powerful Lakota history.

We’ll walk through:

• Why the name “Badlands” comes from the Lakota word makȟóšiča
• How this landscape preserves some of the world’s richest Oligocene fossil beds
• The story behind its designation as a National Monument in 1939 and National Park in 1978
• Wildlife encounters with bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets
• The best hiking trails — including Notch Trail, Door Trail, and Castle Trail
• What makes this one of the most dramatic Dark Sky destinations in the country

From rugged spires to rolling prairie, this park tells a story of resilience — geological, ecological, and cultural.

If you love hiking, American history, national parks, and discovering the deeper stories behind iconic landscapes, this episode is for you.

Lace up your boots. Let’s hike into 75 million years of history.

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