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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Today we’re exploring one of the most beloved places in America — Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, this park is the most visited national park in the United States — and once you see the mist rolling across these ancient mountains, you’ll understand why.

In this episode of Hike & History, we explore:

Why the Smokies are some of the oldest mountains on Earth

The incredible biodiversity that makes the park famous

The best hikes for first-time visitors

The hidden Appalachian history preserved in places like Cades Cove

The stunning views from Kuwohi

We’ll also share tips for planning your first trip, including where to hike, what to see, and nearby towns worth visiting like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Whether you’re planning a visit or just love America’s national parks, this episode will help you discover why the Smokies are one of the most special landscapes in the country.

If you enjoy hiking, travel, and American history, be sure to subscribe for more Hike & History adventures across the National Park system.

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Discover the powerful history and lasting legacy of Vicksburg National Military Park — one of the most pivotal battlefields of the American Civil War. In this episode we explore how the 47-day Siege of Vicksburg helped shift the course of the war, giving the Union control of the Mississippi River and dividing the Confederacy forever.

We’ll walk through:

✔️ When and why the park was established

✔️ Key historic sites you must see, including earthworks, monuments, and the USS Cairo

✔️ The natural beauty and ecology of this preserved landscape

✔️ Visitor stats, cultural significance, and why this park matters today

Whether you’re a history buff, educator, or curious traveler, this deep dive into Vicksburg’s legacy will bring America’s past to life.

#VicksburgNationalMilitaryPark #CivilWarHistory #HistoricBattlefields #USS_Cairo #NationalParkService #AmericanHistory #VicksburgMississippi #HistoryPodcast

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Did you know you can walk through an actual Ice Age dig site in Texas?

In this episode, we explore Waco Mammoth National Monument, one of the most fascinating paleontological sites in the country — right in the heart of Central Texas. Discovered in 1978 and designated a national monument in 2015, this site preserves the only known nursery herd of Columbian mammoths in the United States.

We’ll cover:

• How 24 Columbian mammoths were discovered along the Bosque River
• Why this is one of the most unique Ice Age fossil sites in North America
• What makes seeing the fossils in place so powerful
• The natural landscape that buried — and preserved — these giants
• Trails you can hike while visiting the monument

Whether you're into national parks, Texas history, paleontology, hiking, or family travel destinations, this is a must-visit stop in Waco.

If you love exploring places where nature and history collide, make sure to subscribe for more Hike & History adventures across Texas and beyond.

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Join us on a moving journey through Andersonville National Historic Site, one of the most powerful and important historical sites in the United States. In this episode, we explore:

🔹 The harrowing history of Camp Sumter, a Confederate Civil War prison

🔹 The tragic story of tens of thousands of Union prisoners and nearly 13,000 who died here

🔹 What life was like inside the stockade — disease, starvation, and survival

🔹 The creation of Andersonville National Cemetery and its continuing role

🔹 How the National Prisoner of War Museum honors all American POWs

🔹 Why this site remains a crucial part of America’s collective memory

Whether you’re a history lover, Civil War enthusiast, or curious traveler, this episode sheds light on courage, sacrifice, and remembrance.

Let’s dive into a story that shaped the nation.

#Andersonville #CivilWarHistory #POWMemorial #NationalHistoricSite #HistoryPodcast #NationalParks #PrisonerOfWar #AmericanHistory #GeorgiaHistory

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lace up your boots and bring your appetite — it’s time for another adventure in our Hike & Feast series!

In this episode of Two Chicks With Hiking Sticks, we explore the beautiful Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne, Texas. From peaceful creekside trails and towering cypress trees to wide-open Hill Country landscapes, Cibolo is one of the best hidden gems for hiking near San Antonio.

After hitting the trails, we keep the adventure going with the “feast” part of the journey — because every great hike deserves a great meal.

Whether you’re looking for:

✅ Easy and scenic Texas hiking trails

✅ Family-friendly outdoor destinations

✅ Weekend getaway ideas in the Hill Country

✅ Nature, conservation, and local flavor

…this hike has something for everyone.

📍 Location: Cibolo Nature Center & Farm – Boerne, Texas

🎒 Trail Type: Easy to moderate walking trails

🌳 Best For: Nature lovers, casual hikers, photographers, and families

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss a hike with us!

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Put your walking shoes on and step into history with Two Chicks With Hiking Sticks as we explore Gettysburg National Military Park — one of the most important and emotionally powerful landscapes in America.

In this episode, we will talk about where the Battle of Gettysburg unfolded in July 1863. From Little Round Top and Devil’s Den to Pickett’s Charge and the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, we break down why this battlefield changed the course of the Civil War and the future of the nation.

Whether you’re a history lover, outdoor adventurer, or weekend explorer, this episode will inspire your next trip.

🎒 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more hiking adventures and national park stories!

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