Parks & Travel

Kathleen Walls - Flint Hills Tallgrass Prairie in Kansas

A small portion of America's historic tallgrass prairie is preserved in the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma. Only about 4% of tallgrass prairie still exists and it is one of the most diverse biological environments on earth. 
In celebration of American Adventures Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Parks & Travel" Show features travel writer Kathleen Walls who shares her Tallgrass Prairie experiences touring the Flint Hills Discovery Center and Konza Prairie Biological Station in Kansas. Read her story, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/flint-hills-tallgrass-an-amazing-ecosystem/ 
Kathleen Walls is publisher/writer for American Roads and Global Highways at https://www.americanroads.net/.  She is also an author. See her books at https://katywalls.com/ 
This podcast is also shared on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend" and "Nature Connection" shows. Keep up with Big Blend Radio's Network of Podcasts, here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Aaron Jumper - Visit Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania

From sampling local brews and ice cream to hiking and bicycling, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel Show" with the International Food Wine & Travel Association features Aaron Jumper of Visit Cumberland Valley who shares what you can experience year-round in this beautiful region of southcentral Pennsylvania. 
You're guaranteed a memorable getaway in Cumberland Valley where you can dine, play, and explore as you seamlessly travel rural back roads between charming downtowns and serene landscapes. Experience outdoor adventure, discover the region's rich history, find seasonal festivals, savor an abundance of locally-made food, sip delightful craft beverages, and shop for the perfect souvenir at inviting boutiques. Plan your visit here: https://www.visitcumberlandvalley.com/ 
Learn more about the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association at https://www.ifwtwa.org/  
Photos courtesy of Visit Cumberland Valley 

Wildlife Safari in Etosha National Park, Namibia

We're going on a wildlife safari through Etosha National Park in Namibia on this episode of Big Blend Radio's JO GOES EVERYWHERE! Podcast with travel writer and photographer Jo Clark. 
Etosha is the largest salt pan in Africa, and is Namibia’s largest wildlife sanctuary that's home to a wide variety of birdlife as well as lions, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, two different zebras, hyenas, springboks, elands, Black and White rhinos, and the elusive leopard. Read Jo's article about her experience here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/etosha-national-park-safari/ 
Jo Clark is a travel writer and photographer based on South Carolina’s Grand Strand. She has a thirst for knowledge, history, great food, and wine! Her Big Blend Radio podcast "Jo Goes Everywhere!" airs every 2nd Sunday at 7pm EST. Follow the show on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/yfkjm8sd 

Mountaineer Fay Fuller Climbs Mount Rainier

This episode of Big Blend Radio shares the story of Fay Fuller, the first woman to climb Mount Rainier in Washington. She first reached the summit on August 10, 1890, and climbed the mountain again in 1897. Read by Big Blend Radio host Lisa D. Smith, from this story: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/climbing-above-paradise/ 
This episode is featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend," "Women Making History," "Way Back When," and "Parks & Travel" Podcasts. Check out the Big Blend Radio Network of Shows, here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Travel Writer Barbara Redding Explores Wonderful Wales

From Castles and Roman City Walls to the lively capital city of Cardiff, Snowdonia National Park, and the Wales Coastal Path, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with IFWTWA travel writer Barbara Redding focuses on what you can experience in Wales. On a recent visit to Wales, Barbara quickly discovered that this small country of 3.2 million people is rich in historic castles and fortresses, natural wonders, crescent beaches, coastal trails, vibrant cities with Michelin-recommended restaurants, and more sheep than Scotland. Read her article abut her experiences, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/wales-rich-in-castles-natural-wonders-and-the-lively-capital-of-cardiffLearn more about the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) at https://www.ifwtwa.org/Follow this podcast here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1chVylr9kzBMftUgBoLS-m 

August Adventures in Asheville, North Carolina

From the Pisgah National Forest and Great Smoky Mountain National Park to Wellness Retreats and Foodie Fun, this episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Tuesday "Adventures in Asheville" Show celebrates the month of August as American Adventures Month.
Featured Guests are Big Blend Radio regulars Steve & Karen Wilson, owners and innkeepers of The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast, a stunning pink lady in the Montford Historic District. More: https://www.lion-rose.com/ 
Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Show airs every 1st Tuesday. Follow the show on PodBean: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/ 

Poet Carissa Garcia and Artist Chelsea Bighorn

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "A Toast to The Arts & Parks" Podcast features National Parks Arts Foundation artists-in-residence Carissa "Lucky" Garcia and Chelsea Bighorn.
Carissa “Lucky” Garcia is an Indigenous/Chicana writer, poet, performing artist, community organizer, anti-oppression educator and Indigenous Justice advocate. Her NPAF residency was in Chaco Culture National Historical Park in Northern New Mexico. Hear her initial interview about her writing and poetry, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/poet-carrisa-garcia-goes-to-chaco/
A mixed media artist, Chelsea Bighorn’s work is the result of her combining traditional Native American design with elements from her Irish American heritage. Her NPAF residency was in Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. Hear her initial interview about her art, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/artist-chelsea-bighorn-in-saguaro-national-park/
Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation’s unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ 

End-of-Summer Family Fun in California's Sequoia Country

Celebrate American Adventures Month in Tulare County, California! From park adventures and downtown public art and walking tours to concerts, fairs and festivals, museums, and where to shop, eat and play, it's all about end-of summer family fun on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast. 
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,  and Cassidy Collins - Tulare 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/ - Big Blend Radio interview with painist Hunter Noack: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/classical-pianist-hunter-noack-in-haleakala-national-park/