Parks & Travel

Sharon K. Kurtz - Fly Fishing on the Flathead River

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's WANDER THE WORLD WITH SHARON podcast with Sharon K. Kurtz, she shares her experience with Pursuit Glacier Park Collection, where she and 5 other travel writers learned the art of fly fishing.
The Middle Fork of the Flathead River, bordering Glacier National Park in Montana, is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, stunning scenery, and exceptional rafting and fishing opportunities. But what truly sets it apart for a fly-fishing float is the thrill of navigating rapids, adding an adventurous twist to the experience amidst breathtaking wilderness. Read about Sharon's adventures, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/fly-fishing-the-flathead-river/ 
Big Blend Radio's "Wander the World with Sharon" Podcast features award-winning travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz. New episodes air every first Wednesday at 12pm CST at  https://wandertheworldwithsharon.podbean.com/ 
Sharon Kurtz is an accomplished travel writer and award-winning photographer based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to exploring the world and sharing her adventures through compelling storytelling. Her travels have taken her to more than 50 countries on six continents—her carry-on is always packed, ready for the next adventure. Enjoy Sharon’s writing at https://sharonkkurtz.com/. 

Rafting the Colorado River in Cataract Canyon, Utah

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" Podcast, Debbie shares her Colorado River running adventures through Utah's Cataract Canyon with OARS. 
Cataract Canyon is a section of the Colorado River between Moab, above Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon. The river flows through the heart of Canyonlands National Park, the largest national park in the state. In addition to superb whitewater, those who run “Cat” are rewarded with a sublime landscape and fascinating geology. Check out Debbie's article and podcast about her adventure, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/ride-the-wave-train-through-utahs-cataract-canyon/ 

Western Kentucky Road Trip

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Road Trip Radio" Podcast focuses on the fun places and experiences Steve & Karen Wilson "Mr & Mrs Wild" enjoyed on their Western Kentucky Road Trip with stops in Tennessee and South Carolina. Highights included JBJ's in Nashville, Casey Jones Distillery, a Caboose Farm Stay, Rock the Dam Festival, National Corvette Museum, Downtown Bowling Green, White Squirrel Brewery, Mammoth Cave National Park, and a Scott Stapp Concert in Greenville. Check out their article, map, and video here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/western-kentucky-road-trip/ 
FEATURED GUESTS:- STEVE & KAREN WILSON own and run The Lion and The Rose Bed & Breakfast in the heart of the Montford Historic District in Asheville, North Carolina. Visit:  https://www.lion-rose.com/ 
- MARIAH HUGHES - National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where you can learn about the evolution of the Corvette—America’s Sports Car. More: https://www.corvettemuseum.org/ 
- CODY TURNER - Casey Jones Distillery in Hopkinsville, Kentucky who are known for their award-winning bourbon, barrel cuts, and shine. More: https://www.caseyjonesdistillery.com/ 

National Park Destinations in America and England

Celebrate the Anniversary of America's National Park Service (August 25, 1916) with this podcast panel discussion on Big Blend Radio's "Parks & Travel" Show. 
FEATURED GUESTS:- LISA EVANS, travel writer and author of "100 Things To Do in Coastal Mississippi Before You Die," talks about Gulf Islands National Seashore. Keep up with Lisa at http://www.writerlisa.com/ * See her Gulf Islands articles:https://issuu.com/foodwinetravelmagazine/docs/favorite/s/15121604 https://playstayeat.com/2021/01/10/coastal-mississippi-play/ https://www.gonomad.com/153145-mississippis-coast https://gypsywithadayjob.com/weekend-coastal-mississippi/? 
- BOB & TIFFANY BERTRAM, innkeepers and owners of Tiffany's Bed & Breakfast near Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. View their Inn: https://www.tiffanysbedandbreakfast.com/ * Learn more about Hot Springs NP: https://www.nps.gov/hosp/index.htm 
- STEVE & KAREN WILSON, innkeepers and owners of The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast in Asheville, North Carolina, talk about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the Inn: https://www.lion-rose.com/ * Learn more about Great Smoky Mountains NP: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm 
- MARIA CHAMBERLAIN and her husband Brian own and run The Inn at Oxbow Acres in Milan, New Hampshire. Hear about their state's only national park service unit, Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site. See the Inn: https://www.oxbowacresnh.com/ * Check out Victoria Chick's article about the famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/sculptor-augustus-saint-gaudens/ 
- GLYNN BURROWS is the owner of Norfolk Tours, a custom tour company in England. Learn more here: https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/ * Hear about England's National Park Service and parks, and see Glynn's article about them, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/discover-englands-national-parks/ 

Adventures in America's National Parks

Celebrate the Anniversary of America's National Park Service (August 25, 1916) and American Adventures Month with this podcast panel discussion on Big Blend Radio's "Parks & Travel" Show. 
FEATURED GUESTS:- JO CLARK, travel writer and photographer, covers Blue Ridge Parkway. Follow Jo's travels: https://www.haveglasswilltravel.com/ * See her online Blue Ridge Parkway travel guide: https://recipestravelculture.com/blue-ridge-parkway-usa-favorite-drive/ 
- ROSE PALMER, travel writer and photographer, talks about her houseboat adventure in remote Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. Follow Rose's travels: https://quiltripping.com/ * Plan your visit to Voyageurs: https://www.nps.gov/voya/index.htm 
- JOHNNY SCHAEFER, award-winning winger-songwriter, talks about his honeymoon trip to Mount Rainier and Crater Lake National Parks. Keep up with Johnny at https://hearjohnny.com/ * More about Mount Rainier: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/mt-rainier-a-mountain-paradise/ * Plan your visit to Crater Lake: https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm 
- KATHLEEN WALLS, travel writer and author, talks about recent visit to Congaree National Park in South Carolina. Check out her story:  https://americanroads.net/congaree-national-park-72624.htm 
- ELAINE MASTERS, travel writer and author, discusses her visit to American Samoa National Park. See her photo gallery on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3I7xIHB3X6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== ** More of Elaine's National Park Stories:https://www.tripwellgal.com/driving-four-western-us-national-parks/ https://www.tripwellgal.com/dancing-trees-of-redwood-national-park/ https://www.tripwellgal.com/visiting-us-national-parks-yosemite-valley-in-the-morning/ https://www.tripwellgal.com/dangerous-beauty-yellowstone-park-safety-tips/ 

New Mexico National Parks - Caves, Cliff Dwellings and Ceremonial Sites

In celebration of American Adventures Month and the anniversary of the National Park Service (August 25, 1916), this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Parks & Travel" Show focuses on three NPS park units in New Mexico. 
FEATURED GUESTS:- TANYA ORTEGA, a photographer and the founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation, covers Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Learn more: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ - VICTORIA CHICK, a contemporary figurative artist based in Silver City NM covers the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Learn more: https://victoriachick.com/ - DEBBIE STONE, a world traveler and travel writer based in Santa Fe NM talks about Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Learn more: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/debbie-stone-travel-writer/ 
PARK ARTICLES & RESOURCES:- CHACO CULTURE NHP:  https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/chaco-culture-national-historical-park/ - GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS NM: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/gila-cliff-dwellings-national-monument/ - CARLSBAD CAVERNS NP: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/explore-carlsbad-caverns-national-park/ 

Linda Ballou - Confessions of a River Rat

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 

The Then and Now of Art and Artists in Parks

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/