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.

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Episodes

Sunday Sep 10, 2023

From hiking the infamous Kalalau Trail that overlooks the Napali Coast Wilderness to touring Lydgate Chocolate Farm, this episode of Big Blend Radio features travel writer Linda Ballou who talks about her recent adventures in Kauai. Lush with foliage, resplendent with waterfalls, and isolated by tumultuous surf, Kauai is the oldest island in the Hawaiian chain. WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/rmbSLeSAPEM You can read Linda's article about what she experienced in Kauai, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/kauai-an-island-apart/ You can also see her list of safe swimming beaches in Kauai, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/safe-swimming-beaches-on-kauai-hawaii/ Linda Ballou is a Southern California-based travel writer, and author. You will find a host of travel articles on her site https://lostangeladventures.com. For more about her novels and travel books go to http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thursday Sep 07, 2023

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Thursday "Travel Tulare County" Show focuses on what you can experience in California's Sequoia Country from outdoor adventures like hiking, camping, and fishing, to exploring the local public art, and attending farmers markets, and seasonal festivals and events like the Tulare County Fair. WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Fl5-GjLPkSw Featured Guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council- Denise Alonzo - Sequoia National Forest & Giant Sequoia National Monument. Info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/sequoia - Suzanne Bianco - Visit Visalia. Info: https://www.visitvisalia.com/ 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. Plan your visit: https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Friday Sep 01, 2023

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Parks & Arts" Show features Tanya Ortega, photographer and founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), who talks about the organization's unique month-long artist residencies in locations like Logegrhead Key in Dry Tortugas National Park, Hawai'i Volcano National Park, and Chaco Canyon and Fort Union in Northern New Mexico. Hear about how these artist resdency opportunities are perfect for composers, songwriters, lyricists, musicians, singers, and dancers. NPAF is a non-profit offering unique Artist-in-Residence Programs, Museum In-Loan Programs, and Workshops inspired by our National Parks, National Monuments, and World Heritage Sites. NPAF has supported over 300 programs, over 120 artists, and been the conduit for over a million dollars in artwork donations. Learn more: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tuesday Aug 29, 2023

Recorded onsite, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Vacation Station" Travel Show features Bob & Tiffany Bertram, owners and innkeepers of Tiffany's Bed & Breakfast located near Hot Springs, Arkansas.Tiffany’s Bed and Breakfast is a lovely log-cabin style lodging destination that's beautifully situated on 62-acres of woodlands, in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains in Bismarck. There are walking trails to explore, an outdoor firepit, gardens, and a full-length front porch that provides an excellent bird watching vantage point. All rooms feature luxury bedding, private baths (2 with jetted tubs), and home cooked breakfasts. There is so much to experience in the area including the city of Hot Springs which is part of Hot Springs National Park, Garvan Woodland Gardens, Crater of Diamonds State Park, DeGray Lake State Park, Lake Ouachita State Park, Lake Catherine State Park, Magic Springs & Crystal Falls. On April 8, 2024, the solar eclipse path of totality will pass directly over Tiffany’s Bed and Breakfast. Learn more and see the special packages available at https://www.tiffanysbedandbreakfast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monday Aug 21, 2023

Gettysburg is a small town of less than 8,000 residents that attracts more than a million visitors who come to explore the Gettysburg National Military Park. As travel writer Jessica James shares on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with IFWTWA, this small farming community became famous as the result of a three-day battle in 1863—but you don’t have to be a student of history to enjoy its rich history and small-town ambiance. Check out Jessica's article that outlines you can experience in Gettysburg: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/gettysburg-its-not-just-a-battlefield/Jessica James is an award-winning novelist who combines her passions for history and travel by exploring the back roads of America. Her blog Past Lane Travels has been named the #1 history and travel blog in the USA, and features places of historical interest as well as hidden gems she discovers during her travels. Follow Jessica’s travels and writing at https://pastlanetravels.comLearn more about the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) at https://www.ifwtwa.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Friday Aug 18, 2023

From India and Canada to Guatemala and Maruitius, it's all about Lake Destinations and more on Big Blend Radio's "Travel Writers Panel Discussion" Show with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). Featured Guests:MICHELLE FEDOSOFF is a writer and photographer who has travelled to 13 countries and is always on the look out to find unique and interesting things to do. From counting turtle eggs in Mexico to looking for tigers in India, eating Haggis in Scotland and pig snout in Spain, drinking Chai tea from street vendors in India to black sesame hot chocolate in Canada, she is willing to try almost anything once. * Michelle's Story featuring Lake Osoyoos in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley: https://tinyurl.com/mrx2ty7m SUCHETA RAWAL is an award-winning South Asian food and travel writer, author of 'Beato Goes To' series of children's books, and founder of the non-profit, Go Eat Give. She has personally traveled to over 100 countries across seven continents and writes about her experiences from her firsthand perspective. Sucheta’s mission is to promote meaningful and sustainable travel for the betterment of the global community.* Sucheta's Stories on Lake Destinations: - Dal Lake in India - https://tinyurl.com/ykz662h9 - Ganga Talao in Mauritius - https://tinyurl.com/ufwas6ds - Lake Atitlan in Guatemala - https://suchetarawal.com/category/guatemala/ Learn more about the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association at https://www.ifwtwa.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thursday Aug 03, 2023

From visiting the iconic Giant Sequoia Trees and Fishing on Kaweah Lake and Lake Success to Viewing the Stars at the Dark Sky Festival or attending the Annual Dinuba Raisin Day Festival, this episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Thursday "Travel Tulare County" Show with the Sequoia Tourism Council focuses on the end-of-summer summer experiences you can enjoy in the parks, forest, and local communities.WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/UKAB7Qs15OMFeatured Guests:- Denise Alonzo - Sequoia National Forest & Giant Sequoia National Monument. Info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/sequoia- Suzanne Bianco - Visit Visalia. Info: https://www.visitvisalia.com/- Heathe Jones - Dinuba Chamber of Commerce. Info: https://www.dinubachamber.com/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. Plan your visit: https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Friday Jul 21, 2023

Planning an Antarctic Adventure? This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with IFWTWA features travel writer and photographer Judi Cohen, who has cruised in Antarctica three times on both small expedition ships and mainstream cruise ships. Hear about her experiences and tips on that to consider before booking your Antarctic adventure. Read her article here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/a-guide-to-planning-your-antarctic-adventure/ WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Qs408nNXwF0 Canadian Travel and Cruise Writer, Judi Cohen (aka Traveling Judi), has travelled to over 90 countries on six continents and is an expert on small ships, expedition cruising, and off-the-beaten-path destinations. Judi has seen Canada from sea to sea to sea and is continuing to gather memories and document her journey along the way. Follow her adventures: https://travelingjudi.com/ Special thanks to the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) - https://www.ifwtwa.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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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.



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