Parks & Travel

Master Featherworker Rick San Nicolas Returns to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show features Rick Makanaaloha Kia'imeaokekanaka San Nicolas (Kanaka Maoli) who returned for the fifth time as the National Parks Arts Foundation artist-in-residence at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. 
Recognized as Ke Kumu Hulu Nui, meaning "Master of Hawaiian Featherwork of Old Hawai‘i," San Nicolas is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating this art form. Through his expertise and passion, he ensures that the traditions of feather lei making continue for generations to come. San Nicolas draws inspiration directly from the landscape of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, feeling a deep connection to the environment and its historical significance. He finds inspiration in the ancient Hawaiian featherwork tradition, particularly in the regalia worn by Hawaiian Royalty and warriors.
This year Rick travels to Washington D.C. to present his featherwork for inclusion in the collection of the Museum of the Department of Interior as well as having it on display in the office of Secretary Deborah Haaland (Laguna Pueblo). He is also a consulting advisor in historical featherwork on the upcoming TV Series "Chief of War," starring Jason Momoa. More at: https://www.hawaiianfeathers.com/  
Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ 

Wonderful Ways to Experience and Explore California's Sequoia Country

From hiking and cycling to kayaking and downtown public art and history walks, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast focuses on the various ways to explore and experience Tulare County. 
Located in Central California, Tulare County is home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest, and charming art and agricultural communities including Visalia, Tulare, Exeter, Dinuba, Porterville, Three Rivers, Lindsay, and Woodlake.  
Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include Sintia Kawasaki-Yee - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Suzanne Bianco - Visit Visalia,  Cassidy Collins - Tulare Chamber of Commerce, and Kristy Martin - Porterville Chamber of Commerce
 Plan your visit with these websites mentioned in the podcast:- Sequoia Tourism Council: https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/ - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm - Visit Visalia - https://www.visitvisalia.com/ - Tulare Chamber of Commerce - http://www.tularechamber.org/ - Porterville Chamber of Commerce - https://www.portervillechamber.org/ 

Sharon K. Kurtz - Winter Adventures in Jasper National Park

It's all about winter adventures in Jasper National Park on this episode of Big Blend Radio's WANDER THE WORLD WITH SHARON podcast with Sharon K. Kurtz. Here she uncovered the magic of winter in the Canadian Rockies, from the captivating Maligne Canyon Icewalk to the tranquil allure of snowshoeing on Pyramid Lake.
Nestled in the heart of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, Jasper National Park is the largest national park in Canada and covers more than 4,000 square miles of natural wonders. Known for its abundant wildlife and extensive trail network; visitors from all over the world travel here to experience this very special place in all seasons. Read Sharon's article about her adventures here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/winter-adventure-in-jasper-national-park 
Big Blend Radio's "Wander the World with Sharon" Podcast features award-winning travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz. New episodes air every first Wednesday at 12pm CST at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1ALXeV1vR6H10EtkPvgDW5 
Enjoy Sharon’s writing at https://sharonkkurtz.com/  or follow her on https://www.instagram.com/shar_kurtz/ 

Palm Springs Road Trip Adventures

From Joshua Tree National Park to the fascinating Integratron, it's all about Great Road Tripping Adventures on this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's 4th Saturday “Palm Springs Sunshine Stays” Show.
FEATURED GUESTS:* KIMBERLI MUNKRES from Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels, a consortium of independently-owned boutique hotels in the desert resort community of Palm Springs, in Southern California. View the hotels and sign up the the monthly Boutiquely Palm Springs newsletter here: https://www.palmspringspreferredsmallhotels.com/ 
* SANDI HEMMERLEIN is a writer and photojournalist. Based in L.A. but constantly on the prowl for new adventure, she spends most of her time nurturing her interest in birds, animals, neon, historic theaters, puppets, folk art, trains, and stained glass. Sandi documents everything on her own website https://www.avoidingregret.com which complements her work for PBS SoCal (as producer of the digital series SoCal Wanderer), Atlas Obscura, Los Angeles Magazine, Stacker, and many others. 
* KEVIN CARLOW has been a seeker of the strange and mysterious since his early childhood, spent reading in dusty corners of libraries and running amok in the woods of Massachusetts. While making a living in the service industry full-time in the Coachella Valley these days, he also has years of experience blogging and writing professionally about topics as varied as cocktails, movies, and tarot-reading. More: https://crypticcocktails.com/ 
Follow this Big Blend Radio Podcast here: https://palm-springs-sunshine-stays.podbean.com/ 

Debbie Stone - Exploring New River Gorge National Park

In celebration of National Park Week, this episode of Big Blend Radio features travel writer Debbie Stone who shares her adventures in New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. New River Gorge National Park conserves over 70,000 acres of land along the New River between the towns of Hinton and Fayetteville within the central part of southern WVA. This is the newest National Park in the U.S., having been granted this status in 2020, bringing the total number of National Parks to 63. Read Debbie's article about her experiences here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/exploring-west-virginias-new-river-gorge-national-park/  

Debbie Stone - El Chaltén Hiking Adventures in Argentine Patagonia

In Celebration of National Park Week, we are featuring this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" Podcast, where Debbie talks about her hiking adventures in El Chaltén, a small, Patagonian mountain town known as the “National Capital of Trekking” in Argentina. Located in the Southern Andes, in Los Glaciares National Park, El Chaltén is set amid a valley between two rivers, at the foot of the unmistakable Cerro Chaltén or Mt. Fitz Roy. Check out Debbie's article and photos, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/el-chalten-hiking-adventures-in-argentine-patagonia
 
And, learn more about her experiences at Estancia Cerro Guido that borders the eastern side of Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chilean Patagonia: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/immerse-yourself-in-the-soul-stirring-landscape-of-patagonia/
 
Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" podcast airs every 4th Tuesday. Follow the podcast here: https://global-adventures-debbie-stone.podbean.com/

Debbie Stone - Experience Southern Patagonia, Chile

In Celebration of National Park Week, we are featuring this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" Podcast, where Debbie shares her adventures in Southern Patagonia, Chile. Hear about her experiences at Estancia Cerro Guido that borders the eastern side of Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chilean Patagonia. The ranch covers an area of roughly 250,000 acres and is the largest estancia in the area. Torres del Paine National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the Eighth Wonder of the World. Read her story here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/immerse-yourself-in-the-soul-stirring-landscape-of-patagonia/ Check out Debbie's adventures in El Chalten, Argentine Patagonia: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/el-chalten-hiking-adventures-in-argentine-patagonia/ Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" podcast airs every 4th Tuesday. Follow the podcast here: https://global-adventures-debbie-stone.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Life of Artist, Author, and Traveler George Catlin

In celebration of National Park Week, this episode of Big Blend Radio with artist Victoria Chick is all about the art, life and legacy of George Catlin. George Catlin was an American painter, author, and traveler, who specialized in portraits of Native Americans in the American frontier. Many of the places he traveled through are parts of our National Park Service today. He explored the American West five times during the 1830s, and wrote about and painted portraits that depicted the life of the Plains Indians. Read Victoria's article about him here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/american-artist-author-traveler-george-catlin VICTORIA CHICK is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Visit: https://victoriachick.com/ Victoria appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3an38624 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.