Parks & Travel

A Big Blend Radio Travel Podcast covering Parks and Public Lands, Historic Sites and Landmarks, and their local communities, destinations, and recreational opportunities.

Episodes

Aug 21, 2024

43 min

From the Colorado River, American River and Green River, to the Salmon River, Tatshenshini, and Pacuare River, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures with Linda Ballou" podcast covers six of Linda's favorite river experiences. You can read her article about her "river rat" adventures, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/confessions-of-a-river-rat/  
Expanded essays on Linda's trips on the Green River, Salmon River, and the Tatshenshini, (also known as Raven’s River) are included in "Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler’s Tales." Sections of the story Tough Cookies in Costa Rica details her time on the Pacuare River. "Destination Deep Time" about rafting the Grand Canyon and a story about Georgie White the Wild Cat of the Canyon, winner of the Solas Award for Best Destination at Travel Tales publications, are included in "Lost Angel Unleashed: Stories from the Heart." 
Follow Linda Ballou's adventures at https://lostangeladventures.com/ and learn more about her books at http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/ 
Listen to Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures" Show every 3rd Wednesday at High Noon PST,  here on YouTube:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm3Bmktgu8osUzx2VOF35dgO&feature=shared 

Aug 17, 2024

1hr 20 min

In celebration of American Artists Appreciation Month and the upcoming National Park Service anniversary (Aug. 25, 1860), this episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick features photographer Tanya Ortega. Hear their discussion covering the Then & Now of Art and Artists in Parks and Public Lands. 
Talking about the history of art and artists in parks, VICTORIA CHICK is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Victoria spearheaded the Southwest Regional Museum of Art and Art Center  .* Read her articles about artists in parks:  https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/art-history-in-national-parks-and-public-lands * Visit Victoria's website:  https://victoriachick.com/ * Learn more about the Southwest Regional Museum of Art and Art Center: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/ 
Talking about "the now" of art and artists in parks, TANYA ORTEGA is a photographer and the founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation. NPAF is the only nationwide non-profit providing Artist-in-Residence Programs (AiR), Workshops, Exhibits and Museum Loans uniquely in cooperation with National Parks, National Monuments, State Parks, World Heritage Sites and other park locations. * Learn more about NPAF: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ * Check out Big Blend Radio's Interviews with NPAF artists-in-residence: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/national-park-arts-foundation/  
WATCH FOR BIG BLEND'S special digital retrospective publication featuring Victoria's articles and NPAF's artist interviews. It releases on Aug. 25, 2024 in honor of the National Park Service anniversary (Aug. 25, 1860). Subscribe to our Big Blend e-Newsletter to get your copy: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/join-our-newsletter/ 
Big Blend Radio's "World of Art" Show with Victoria Chick airs every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast:  https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 
Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks Show with NPAF airs every 1st Friday. Follow the podcast: https://arts-parks.podbean.com/ 

Aug 15, 2024

20 min

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 

Aug 13, 2024

29 min

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 

Aug 11, 2024

34 min

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 

Aug 10, 2024

4 min

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 

Aug 9, 2024

41 min

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 

Aug 6, 2024

34 min

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/ 

BIG BLEND RADIO'S PARKS & TRAVEL PODCAST 

Big Blend Radio’s "Parks & Travel” Channel features podcasts, interviews, and expert panel discussions covering travel advice and stories about parks, public lands, historic sites, and destinations across the country and around the world.  We also cover conservation and preservation issues. Follow the Podcast on Podbean, Apple, Spotify, YouTube, ListenNotes, iHeartRadio, and more.



Big Blend Radio podcasts are hosted and produced by Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, the mother-daughter publishing team behind Big Blend Magazines, and full-time travelers on the Love Your Parks Tour.



Subscribe to the Big Weekly Blend e-Newsletter to get the latest articles, podcasts and magazines, and visit NationalParkTraveling.com.



Join the conversation on our Park Travel Social Media including Twitter (X), Instagram, Park Travel Facebook Group, One Hour Walk Facebook Group, and Pinterest.

Big Blend Radio and Magazines

Version: 20241125