Wildfulness: On Nature, Wellness, and Life in the Allegany Highlands Deep Creek

Wherein we explore the magical Cranesville Swamp, one of the only boreal peat bogs in the U.S., and learn how it has left us clues as to the immense creatures that roamed the area during the Pleistocene Epoch, the last Ice Age. Hear from conservation ecologist Deborah Landau, from the Nature Conservancy, who has been working to restore the swamp since 2001. It's home to some unique flora and fauna, and will readily release its secrets to those who come and journey along it's boardwalk. Come take a walk on the wild side, at the Cranesville Swamp!

Wherein we explore the whys and wherefores of America's Main Street, the National Road, that turnpike that led millions of settlers West to tame the wild frontiers. We'll hear the confounding stories of how the government came to fund its first and very controversial interstate, as well as the stories of the colorful characters who traversed it on their adventures westward. All at www.wildful.wordpress.com, the one-stop vacation station about life in the Allegany Highlands of Western MD.

Wherein we explore the opportunity that Winter affords us to slow down just a little, delve into the idea of paring back, scaling down, and simplifying. All the while hearing about a true and very entertaining story about a couple who decided to chuck it all and recapture what they believed to the best in life, out in the remote wilderness of Maine, with no modern amentities - NONE. Tune into hear it at Wildfulness, your one-stop vacation station about all there is to see, do, and experience in the mountains of Western Maryland.

The busyness of summer is over, the Autumn Glory Festival has come and gone, the docks have been pulled, the cabins winterized. It's the pause before the frantic crush of the holiday season, and then the snow/ski season. It's the time in between. How shall we spend it? New research shows that giving thanks changes your brain and your life for the better. What are you thankful for, here in the mountains of Western Maryland? Tune in to focus mindfully and joyfully on the pleasures of "The Time in Between." At www.wildful.wordpress.com. Your one-stop vacation station on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, and now on Alexa as well.

Wherein we explore some of the many highlight attractions, events, and gorgeous autumn scenery coming up in the award-winning Autumn Glory Festival in Oakland, MD. Hear the sounds of some of the unique ways to celebrate the season of the harvest, in the wild and wonderful hills of the Allegany Highlands of Western Maryland. October 10-14. Stop in at www.wildful.wordpress.com for details, photos, and insider tips, and listen to the audio on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Spreaker, Youtube, and now on Alexa, too.

Wherein we hear first hand from: program veterans, what this outdoor education/retreat is all about; from instructors, how much they love teaching at it; and finally how much fun and how inspiring it's been for those who've participated in it as "students." Classes include kayaking, birding canoeing, fly fishing, turkey hunting, camping, blacksmithing, tree identification, hiking. How about the stress management benefits of being out in Nature for three days? Priceless! All at www.wildful.wordpress.com. On iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Spreaker, Alexa, and more.

Wherein the sonorous voice and first person monologue of local historian Al Feldstein brings the dynamic personality and life story of John W. Garrett, the county's namesake, to life. Garrett's role in the B&O Railroad and his patronage of the beautiful train station in Oakland are also featured, and of note. At www.wildful.wordpress.com. On iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Wherein we explore the architectural and historical gem, the B&O Station in Oakland, MD, and discover how it connects the dots to so many themes in the development of the nation: industrial, cultural, transportation, Gateway to the West, and many more. Hear from the townspeople who worked hard over the years to bring the station back to its former glory; a local historian who channels John W. Garrett, and some good old Steam and Steel bluegrass tunes. All at www.wildful.wordpress.com. On iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, Youtube, and Alexa!

Wherein Garrett County native son Chris Nichols shows us the many facets of Deep Creek Lake's past, present, and future, through multiple layers of beautiful maps, both old and new. And celebrating our first "Vodcast," or video podcast.

This audio file omits all the introductory episode text and speaking from Episode #38, playing only the affirmations and background music, repeating over a 30 minute period. Download to your phone and listen your way to the Sandman!