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

May 9, 2023

38 min

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s 2nd Tuesday “Food, Wine & Travel” Show with IFWTWA, Sherrye Wyatt discusses the various nature and outdoor adventures, as well as the art and cultural highlights, wine, culinary, and lodging experences you can enjoy on Whidbey and Camano Islands. Also hear about the region being part of the new Maritime Washington National Heritage Area, and it's journey of becoming a regenerative and transformational travel destination. WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/X8lYyn__upILocated in Washington State, Whidbey and Camano Islands are located in the middle of Puget Sound and an easy drive from Seattle. A great antidote for big city pressures, these rural islands feature wide-open beaches, scenic vistas, outdoor adventures, great art, fine dining, and more. See: https://whidbeycamanoislands.com/For more about the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) visit https://www.ifwtwa.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 9, 2023

35 min

From food, festivals, and shopping, to outdoor adventures and family actiivities, this episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Thursday "Travel Tulare County" Show with the Sequoia Tourism Council focuses on late spring and early summer fun in the communities that make up California's Sequoia Country.WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Ugv50e1hp1oFeatured Guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council:- Donnette Silva Carter - Tulare Chamber of Commerce - http://www.tularechamber.org/- Suzanne Bianco - Visit Visalia - https://www.visitvisalia.com/- Denise Alonzo - Sequoia National Forest & Giant Sequoia National Monument. Info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/sequoiaLocated 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.

May 5, 2023

1hr 8 min

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast To The Arts & Parks" Show focuses on Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.FEATURED GUESTS:- Tanya Ortega, Founder of National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), who discusses their unique artist residenty programs, one of which is at Hawai'i Volcanoes NP. More at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/- Elizabeth Fien, President & CEO for the Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (FHVNP) who talks about their various programs that support the park. More at: https://www.fhvnp.org/ Located on the island of Hawaii, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Spanning over 500 square miles, this park boasts over 150 miles of hiking and biking trails, and showcases the results of at least 70 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution in the Hawaiian Islands. Designated as an International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is also a refuge for the island’s native plants and animals and a link to its human past. More: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 29, 2023

49 min

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Vacation Station" travel show features travel writer, author, and novelist Linda Ballou who talks about her newest book, "Lost Angel Unleashed: Stories from the Heart (Lost Angel Travel Series Book 3)." In this captivating collection of tales, Linda shares how her lust for adventure was spawned early in the wilds of southeast Alaska. As we follow her in the footprints of such legendary trailblazers as Jack London and Isabella Bird, we come to understand why being in nature is the cornerstone of her work. She seeks to know the joy and wonder of those who have gone before her on a deep and personal level. IFrom safari in Africa, to cringe-worthy rafting in the wilds of Alaska, trekking in far-flung Patagonia, or hiking in mystical New Zealand, Linda leads the way. The book is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Angel-Unleashed-Stories-Travel-ebook/dp/B0BYQP711D/Keep up with Linda at http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 28, 2023

41 min

This episode of Big Blend Radio features Jessica Carter, Director of Parks and Public Engagement for the Save The Redwoods League, who discusses the upcoming Second Annual California State Parks Week.This special park celebration is presented by California State Parks, Save the Redwoods League, Parks California, and California State Parks Foundation. Held June 14-18, 2023, State Parks across the state will offer special community events with in-person and virtual programming. This week-long event celebrates California’s 280 state parks and the people who visit and help protect these iconic places. A complete list of the week’s events and how to participate are available at https://castateparksweek.org/Airing every third Friday, this episode is part of Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Series in collaboration with Margot Carrera, a fine art nature photographer who is passionate about the environment. More: https://www.carrerafineartgallery.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 26, 2023

51 min

From Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and ‘Akaka Falls State Park to the Hawai‘i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden and Earth Heritage Gallery, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Vacation Station" Travel Show features travel writer Debbie Stone who shares her adventures exploring the Island of Hawai'i. Read her story here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/explore-nature-and-culture-on-the-island-of-hawaii/Travel writer Debbie Stone appears on Big Blend Radio every third Tuesday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 22, 2023

13 min

If you’ve ever thought of just leaving your current life behind and spending a year accomplishing something you’ve always yearned to do, you need to read “FERAL: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America’s National Parks” by Emily Pennington. On this episode of Big Blend Radio, travel writer and outdoor adventurer Debbie Stone discusses the new memoir FERAL. Read her review here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/a-yearlong-adventure-through-our-countrys-national-parks/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 18, 2023

51 min

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 3rd Tuesday "Go to Natchitoches" show focuses on Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Park in Natchitoches, the oldest city in Louisiana. Featured guests are park ranger Felicia Brand and Arlene Gould, Executive Director of Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau. Plan your visit to Natchitoches at: https://natchitoches.com/Located on Cane River Lake in Natchitoches, Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Park is a replication of the original Fort, which was set up just a few hundred yards away, by founder Louis Antoine Juchereau de St. Denis in 1714. Get a sense of the French Colonial life on a tour through the fort, museum, and historic buildings. It's also the final destination on the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail, and one of historic sites within the Cane River National Heritage Area. More: https://www.lastateparks.com/historic-sites/fort-st-jean-baptiste-state-historic-siteFollow Big Blend Radio's "Go to Natchitoches" show here: https://shows.acast.com/go-natchitoches-louisiana Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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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