Parks & Travel

Lessons Learned from Travel: High Sierra Adventure & Wilderness Safety

July is Parks & Recreation Month, making it the perfect time to celebrate the beauty of America's public lands while learning how to explore them safely and responsibly.
In this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures" Podcast, award-winning travel writer Linda Ballou shares one of the most unforgettable stories from her memoir "Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler's Tales." Inspired by naturalist John Muir, Linda embarked on a horseback journey through California's magnificent High Sierra wilderness where unexpected accidents, injuries, and a dramatic helicopter rescue became powerful lessons in outdoor adventure.
As part of her Lessons Learned from Travel series, Linda discusses how to choose reputable outfitters, why guide training matters, the importance of emergency medical evacuation insurance, and how proper preparation can help travelers safely enjoy national parks, wilderness areas, and other outdoor destinations.
Whether you're planning a hiking trip, horseback ride, rafting adventure, or visit to a national or state park, this episode offers practical advice for exploring responsibly while protecting the wild places we love.
Resource Links
📖 Read Linda's companion article:https://nabbw.com/expert-columns/travel/adventure-travel/not-all-outfitters-are-created-equal/ 
🎧 Listen to the audiobook edition of Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler's Tales:https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Angel-Walkabout-Travelers-Tales/dp/ 
🌍 Linda Ballou:https://www.LindaBallouAuthor.com https://www.LostAngelAdventures.com 
🎧 Subscribe:https://lost-angel-travel-adventures.podbean.com 
📖 Explore the NEW Lost Angel Travel Adventures Digital Podcast Magazine:https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/podcast-retrospective/ 

America the Beautiful Road Trip: History, Adventure & Hidden Gems

This shared episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Jo Goes Everywhere!” travel podcast with writer Jo Clark celebrates the beauty and diversity of America with an unforgettable road trip through scenic landscapes, historic landmarks, cultural treasures, and memorable local experiences.
From soaring above Upstate New York in a glider and marveling at West Virginia's New River Gorge Bridge, to winding through the Blue Ridge Mountains, exploring South Carolina's Lowcountry, discovering Gettysburg's rich Civil War history, and visiting California's Point Reyes National Seashore, this episode highlights the incredible variety of destinations that make the United States so rewarding to explore.
Along the way, Jo shares travel tips, local food and wine experiences, farmers markets, and the stories of communities that preserve America's heritage, including the rich traditions of the Gullah Geechee people. Whether you're planning your next road trip or simply looking for travel inspiration, this episode celebrates the history, nature, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered across America.
📖 Read Jo's companion article: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/america-road-trip 
📖 Check out Jo's New "JO GOES EVERYWHERE!" Digital Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/kkbr/ 
📲 Follow Jo: https://haveglasswilltravel.com/  | https://recipestravelculture.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JoGoesEverywhere Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaveGlassWillTravel/ 
🎧 New episodes air every 2nd Sunday. Listen:https://jogoeseverywhere.podbean.com/ 

Gettysburg: Art, History & America's Stories

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features Tanya Ortega, founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), in a fascinating conversation about Gettysburg National Military Park, its enduring artistic legacy, and the vital role artists play in preserving America's history.
As part of the ongoing Big Blend Radio NPAF Retrospective, Tanya explores how artist residencies help interpret the stories, landscapes, and emotions that make Gettysburg one of America's most significant historic places. From the iconic Gettysburg Cyclorama painting and inspiring memorials to innovative virtual reality experiences and contemporary artistic interpretations, the discussion highlights how art keeps history alive for new generations.
The conversation also delves into Gettysburg's Civil War legacy, the Gettysburg Address, the importance of preserving cultural heritage, and the power of public lands to connect us with our nation's shared history. Along the way, Tanya shares stories about the Klingel House, personal reflections on Gettysburg, and why artists continue to play an essential role in helping us understand the past while inspiring future generations.
This episode is part of the Big Blend Radio NPAF Retrospective, celebrating ten years of conversations with National Parks Arts Foundation artists-in-residence and the remarkable places that continue to inspire creativity across America's public lands.
🏛️ Plan Your Visit to Gettysburg National Military Park:https://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm 
🎨 Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation:https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ 
📖 Explore the "Artists in Parks" Digital Publication:https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/qryf/ 
🎙️ Listen to more Toast to The Parks & Arts episodes:https://parks-arts.podbean.com/ 

California's Sequoia Country Through Time: Parks, People & Places

Journey through the history of California's Sequoia Country as we explore the parks, people, and places that have shaped Tulare County—from giant sequoias and Indigenous heritage to military history, railroads, agriculture, and the communities that continue to preserve the region's remarkable legacy.
In this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's California's Sequoia Country podcast, discover the fascinating stories behind Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the General Grant Tree, Colonel Allensworth, Native American tribes, historic communities, museums, and the agricultural traditions that continue to define this remarkable region. Learn how nature, history, and culture come together to create one of California's most inspiring destinations.
Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include:* Suzanne Bianco – Visit Visalia: https://www.visitvisalia.com/ * Holly Streit – Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: https://nps.gov/seki/index.htm * Shannon Schroth – Exeter Chamber of Commerce: https://www.exeterchamber.com/ * Dwight Miller – Exeter Historian
📍 PLAN YOUR VISIT: * Sequoia Tourism Council: https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/ * Museum Alliance of Tulare-Kings Counties: https://matkc.org/ * California's Sequoia Country Podcast: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/california-s-sequoia-country-podcast * Big Blend Radio's "California's Sequoia Country" Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/california-s-sequoia-country-magazine 
📡 This episode celebrates America 250 and Parks & Recreation Month (July 2026). 

Exploring Fernie, British Columbia: Mountain Adventures, Wellness & Local Flavor

Discover one of British Columbia's most welcoming mountain destinations on this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Sip, Savor & Travel" Podcast with travel writer Linda Kissam, the "Food, Wine & Shopping Diva." 
Featured guest Christine Grimble of Tourism Fernie shares insider tips on exploring Fernie, a four-season destination known for spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery, outdoor adventure, vibrant arts and culture, local cuisine, and wellness experiences.
Whether you're planning a scenic road trip, ski vacation, hiking getaway, or relaxing mountain escape, Fernie offers something for every traveler. Learn about the area's rich history, world-class skiing, hiking and biking trails, the Elk River, artisan food and beverage experiences, wellness retreats, and why this charming mountain community continues to attract visitors year-round.
📍Travel Resources & Inspiration- Read Linda's article: Fernie BC: A Must Do Road Trip Adventure: ps://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/fernie-british-columbia-road-trip 
- Plan your visit: https://www.tourismfernie.com 
- Follow Linda Kissam's adventures: https://foodwinetravelchix.com/ 
- Explore Linda's "Sip, Savor & Travel" Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/sip-savor-travel-magazine 
- Listen to more episodes of Big Blend Radio's "Sip, Savor & Travel" Podcast: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/sip-savor-travel-podcast 

Beautiful and Historic Beaufort, South Carolina: St. Phillips Island and Hunting Island

Celebrate Great Outdoors Month with this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Jo Goes Everywhere" Travel Podcast that takes us to the Beaufort area of South Carolina, where travel writer and photographer Jo Clark explored two stunning barrier islands: St. Phillips Island and Hunting Island. 
Jo shares the story of billionaire conservationist Ted Turner, who once owned St. Phillips Island and built a five-bedroom house there that visitors can actually rent today. She also talks about South Carolina's old-growth forests, the historic Hunting Island Lighthouse, the eerie beauty of Boneyard Beach, and the CCC's role in building the state park system. 
The conversation also covers Civil War and Spanish-American War history, the charm of downtown Beaufort (including where to eat and stay), the Port Royal Cypress Wetlands, and a visit to Pat Conroy's grave near Penn Center, a cornerstone of Gullah history and culture. Plus, wildlife lovers will hear about ospreys, alligators, egrets, pelicans, and more.
Read Jo's full article: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/st-phillips-island-hunting-island-state-park-sc 
📖 Check out Jo's New "JO GOES EVERYWHERE!" Digital Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/kkbr/ 
📲 Follow Jo: https://haveglasswilltravel.com/  | https://recipestravelculture.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JoGoesEverywhere Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaveGlassWillTravel/ 
🎧 New episodes air every 2nd Sunday at 7pm ET. Listen: https://jogoeseverywhere.podbean.com/ 

Wild, Wonderful Alaska: A Windstar Cruise Through The Last Frontier

Celebrate Great Outdoors Month with this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's Quiltripping Travel" Podcast. Travel expert, photographer and host Rose Palmer joins producer Lisa D. Smith from France — where she's in between trips — to share her unforgettable experience aboard Windstar's brand-new Star Seeker on its inaugural Alaska cruise. 
Unlike the big-ship experience, the Star Seeker's small size unlocked a side of Southeast Alaska most travelers never see.
Rose takes us deep into Misty Fjords National Monument by zodiac, up close to the Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm, and through the authentic streets of Wrangell — one of Alaska's last truly uncrowded towns. She shares wildlife encounters including humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions, bald eagles, and even a mother black bear and her cubs in Ketchikan.
Along the way, Rose explores the Tongass National Forest — one of Earth's last great coastal temperate rainforests — and reflects on why slow travel is the only way to truly experience Alaska's wild, pristine beauty.
📰 READ ROSE'S ARTCILES:🔗 Sailing Off the Beaten Path on a Windstar Cruise to Alaska: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/windstar-cruise-to-alaska 🔗 Windstar Star Seeker Review: https://quiltripping.com/windstar-star-seeker-review/ 🔗 Rose's Full Alaska Cruise Article: https://quiltripping.com/windstar-cruise-to-alaska/ 
🎙️ Rose Palmer shares her travel adventures every second Thursday on Big Blend Radio. Find her at:https://quiltripping.com https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/rose-palmer-travel-writer-photographer 

When Travel Becomes a Pilgrimage: Lessons from the White Lions of South Africa

What happens when you travel — not for sightseeing, but for the soul?In this shared and heartfelt episode of Big Blend Radio's "Soul Diving Sunday" Show, Live & Die Happy Coach Shelley Whizin shares her extraordinary pilgrimage to South Africa, where she spent time on the sacred land of the White Lion Global Protection Trust alongside lionhearted leadership author Linda Tucker and spiritual activist Andrew Harvey.
Shelley traveled in real physical pain — dealing with a bulging disc and sciatica — yet refused to stay home. What unfolded was a profound journey of healing, stillness, grief, and transformation. From a shattering 40-minute ceremony invoking Mother Earth and the white lions, to sitting in silence with wild lions on the African savanna, to confronting the brutal reality of canned hunting farms, this conversation goes deep into what it means to truly be present.
Big Blend Radio host Lisa Smith — who has lived in both South Africa and Kenya — joins Shelley for a richly layered conversation about the cycle of life, the web of nature, trophy hunting, and the healing power of stepping outside your comfort zone.
LINKS & RESOURCES- Shelley's Article: https://shelleywhizin.substack.com/p/the-lionesses-the-mothers-and-me - Shelley's Substack: https://shelleywhizin.substack.com - Shelley's Website: https://www.liveanddiehappy.com/ - Shelley's Podcast: https://www.liveanddiehappy.com/podcast - More from Big Blend Radio: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/