WORLD FOOTPRINTS

Today World Footprints will go on an American Ride, experience exhilarating thrills and preview a month-long California Wine Festival. Television show host, historian and motorcycle buff Stan Ellsworth breaks the mold of the stereotypical high school history teacher.  A former NFL player, Stan is the Harley Davidson-riding host and creator of BYU-TV’s American Ride.  Join us as we hop on the “iron horse” with Stan as he takes us through American history.

As the author of “America’s Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks” Pete Trabucco knows a thing or two about high-speed thrills.  Pete is taking his need for speed and death-defying adventures to the airwaves in a new show, Thrill Ride Maniacs, and he’ll share the best places to enjoy a thrill in America.

California wineries celebrate Earth Day ann year long but during the annual event vineyards showcase their commitment to our planet with a month-long celebration called “Down to Earth Month.”  Gladys Horiuchi of The Wine Institute shares the festivities and some up and coming wine regions in California.

On today’s World Footprints radio show we will showcase some remarkable young women who are doing extraordinary things. World Footprints was invited to attend the Girl Up Leadership Summit in Washington, DC.  Girl Up is an innovative campaign of the United Nations Foundation that gives American girls the opportunity to become global leaders and channel their energy and compassion to raise awareness and funds for United Nations programs that help some of the world’s hardest-to-reach adolescent girls. We are pleased to share highlights from this first Girl Up Leadership Summit which included remarks from actress Monique Coleman from High School Musical; Sarah Hurwitz, Speechwriter for President Obama; and moments between Girl Up teen advisors and young girls from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Also, we are delighted to introduce a dynamic teenager who is making waves on the air with her weekly radio show—Pavlina’s Kids Place.  Pavlina Osta shares interviews with celebrities, politicians and newsmakers.  In addition to her radio show, Pavlina is an honor-roll student and an accomplished steel drum musician. Truly a wonderful role model.

Birmingham, Alabama is known as "The Magic City" and the "Pittsburgh of the South" because of its steelmaking prowess and civil rights legacy.  Walking through the city offers a powerful history lesson and inspiring life stories of those who sacraficed for freedom.

World Footprints will revisit two attractions that takes us back to a dark chapter in America's history:  the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church where a tragic bombing changed the course of history.  Our tour guide is Barry McNealy, a teacher and master tour guide who has been seen on CNN. 

Join World Footprints as we walk through Birmingham's and American history.

Today World Footprints will talk travel; specifically international travel and study abroad programs with Yahoo! Travel's Paula Froelich.  Our conversation follows an invitation to the White House to participate in a travel summit focused on encouraging more travel, voluntourism and study-abroad opportunities for Americans.  Of course, as Yahoo! Travels editori-in-chief, Paula will share some of her recent travels, top destination picks and travel philosophy.

Then, take a stroll through history as we explore San Antonio, Texas.  The city of San Antonio is one of the oldest European settlements in Texas and, for decades, its largest city.  Thousands of years before the Spanish settlements began the city was populated by various cultures of indigenous people.  Today, San Antonio is investing energy in preserving its cultural heritage and ecosystem for future generations to come.  We will discover the development initiatives taking place in San Antonio and get an update on the city's possible inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Finally, everyone knows Orlando, Florida as the theme park capital of the world.  However, we will discover another side of Orlando as we explore the Maitland Arts Center--the city's first National Historic Landmark.

World Footprints will take you on a journey as we explore the artifacts from America’s greatest family battles, discover a catalyst for promoting Latin American arts and culture, and take a sip of sustainable California wines (yum!). The home of Randall McCoy, the patriarch of the famed McCoy family, and the site of the deadly 1888 New Year’s Day showdown between the Hatfields and McCoys has been unearthed by National Geographic “Diggers” Tim “Ringmaster” Saylor and “King” George Wyatt.   Tim “Ringy” stops by to share their historic discoveries. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is the leading source of development financing for Latin American and the Caribbean.  IDB has an extensive and dynamic cultural education outreach program and Ivan Duque Marquez, Culture, Creativity and Solidarity Division Chief, joins us to talk about the unique role culture plays in Latin America’s economic development. Sustainability has taken hold in the wine industry.  One of the leaders in the vanguard is Allison Jordan, Executive Director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, a non-profit that promotes environmental and social responsibility in the industry.  Cheers!

World Footprints travels from inside the Beltway to the banks of the mighty Mississippi River as we bridge two cities--Washington, DC and New Orleans with two guests who know a thing or two about both places.  What better way to explore the city of New Orleans with the "Ragin' Cajun" James Carville and his powerhouse wife and newcomer to the Big Easy, Mary Matalin.  James and Mary are known as forces in the political world but this political power couple have also become a force for good in the Crescent City.

Note:  We interviewed them separately to avoid the potential for going off topic since travel is an A-political topic.  (In actuality, Mary was at a television station doing an interview.)

World Footprints takes you on a unique journey as we explore the life and work of a paleontologist.   We'll travel through Montana’s Missouri River Country to search for dinosaur bones and we'll spend time to pan for gold.  First, we’ll go in search of Carl the Dinosaur with the help of Dave Trexler and Sue Frary of the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station as they take us digging for dinosaur bones.  We’ll introduce you to Brenda Koss, whose family-owned ranch has produced some major dinosaur fossils, including one discovered by her daughter Kennedy.   Then it’s off to Zortman, an interesting gold rush era town nestled in Montana’s Little Rocky Mountains that’s filled with lot of character and characters alike, and we’ll learn about this quirky place from one of the town’s resident entrepreneurs, John Kalal.

On today's World Footprints radio show we will take flight across America with pilot Field Morey as he prepares for his Capital Air Tour.  Field and fellow pilot Conrad Teitell are embarking on an adventurous flight in a small aircraft to all the state capitals in the United States lower 48 plus Alaska in only two weeks.  The pilots plan to raise awareness about the importance of smaller airports to the tourism industry and to provide a virtual geography lesson to school children across America.

We will also enjoy some time in middle America; namely Ohio, as we enjoy a walk through the roller coaster capital of the world--Cedar Point.  This Sandusky landmark is a place that holds special memories for us because every childhood summer was spent daring ourselves to ride the latest roller coaster.  This visit was no different because the Park's Bryan Edwards led us to an old favorite--The Blue Streak; and we enjoyed soaring through the air on the newest giant--The Gatekeeper.  Enjoy exploring the "best amusement park in the world" with us.

Finally, one of the decisive battles in the War of 1812 took place in Lake Erie's Put-In-Bay where Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry captured the British squadron and raised the now famous "Don't Give Up The Ship" flag on board the US Brig Niagara.  National Park Ranger Marianne Duvendack takes us on a tour around the International Peace Monument and shares more about Ohio's role in the War of 1812.

Travel is one of the most transformative life experiences anyone can have.  It can renew one’s energy, bring immeasurable joy, even inspire a life’s direction and encourage hope.  The Make A Wish foundation understands the power of travel.  Since 1980 the organization has granted over a quarter of million wishes for children with life-threatening diseases.  75% of the wishes involved travel.  Josh deBerge from Make A Wish joins us to share some inspiring stories and how the organization (with your help) can continue bringing hope and joy into children’s lives.

For people like us we felt we needed to choose between our legal careers (yes, we are both lawyers) and travel.  However, Chun Wright, combined law with her passion for travel led her fill a void in the travel industry.  Chun has carved her space as an Adventure Travel Lawyer and is considered the preeminent attorney in this emerging legal field. 

Bob Hemphill has spent the better part of a decade racking up millions of airline frequent flier miles traveling the Globe helping to build a multi-billion dollar solar energy company from a start-up.  From his service in the Vietnam War to international business negotiations and unique cultural practices, Bob has seen and done it all.  In his new book,  Dust Tea, Dingoes and Dragons: Adventures in Culture, Cuisine and Commerce from a Globe-Trekking Executive, Bob shares hidden gems and 5 rules for international business travelers.

Mackinac Island, named by Native Americans for its shape as a turtle, is a northern Michigan island made famous by the Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour movie, "Somewhere in Time".  Just as the Victorian-period movie reflected, Mackinac Island has maintained its old world charm.  Many of the buildings reflect Victorian architecture and there are only two ways to travel around the 9 mile island--by bicycle or horse drawn carriage.  Join World Footprints as wel explore the island by horse drawn carriage today.

There are only two ways to travel to the island from the mainland--small plane or ferry.  World Footprints had the pleasure of meeting Chris Shepler of Shepler's Ferry on one such journey between the island and the lower peninsula of Michigan.  Chris shared the imporance of his family's legacy and Shepler Ferry's philanthropic mission.  Chris also gave Tonya and opportunity to play Captain as she navigated the waters of Lake Huron at the helm.

Finally, World Footprints had a chance to meet representatives from a number of East Coast destinations at a Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) conference.  We did a bit of speed dating with each travel destination to discover the special things that each offers to travelers.  Pack your bags and stay tuned to see what adventures await.