Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast

Nestled below the granite cliffs of Yosemite Valley is a village bustling with visitors year-round. For over a century, Curry Village has welcomed guests who want to stay in this magnificent valley yet are looking for an affordable option to the other pricier accommodations nearby, namely The Ahwahnee Hotel and Yosemite Lodge. With over 500 rooms and tents, several eating options, a grocery store, a mountain outfitter, and more, visitors have everything they need to enjoy the valley without having to venture out of the park to find a place to stay. On our recent trip to the park, we spent a couple of nights in one of their cozy tents (ours had an optional heater) while we hiked to the nearby gushing falls during the day. While the place was packed with visitors, our experience was better than we expected, and we will for sure go back again. In this episode, we discuss the good, the bad, and the scary of Curry Village, including: - An overview of all the accommodations at Curry Village, - What our tent and the adjacent facilities were like, - The eating options within the village (spoiler alert - there were many, and all fantastic), - The proximity of the village to many of the activities in the valley, - Some of the aspects of the village that could have been better (the bad), - A couple of events from the past that might put a fright into even the most intrepid travelers, - And more! We now post ad-free versions of our episodes on our Patreon account (search for mattandkarensmith). If you are interested in joining, follow this link to check it out.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.  Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Facebook at mattandkarensmith, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by GO RVING™ Nothing says “All American Road Trip” more than loading up an RV, hitting the road, and having an adventure. And that's exactly what we did recently with the help from our friends at GO RVING™   In the spring of 2025, we rented an RV in Phoenix and drove up to Page, Arizona where we spent five days and four nights enjoying the Roam America Horseshoe Bend campground and exploring this incredible part of the Southwest.   The trip was an epic adventure, and in this episode, we'll discuss our experience as newbie RVers, the activities we did in the area, and some of the camping recipes we enjoyed cooking at our site. All this and more, coming up next!   Activities we discuss in this episode include, ·     Touring Cardiac Canyon (part of Antelope Canyon), ·     A visit to the Navajo Bridges on Highway 89A, ·     Kayaking the Colorado River from Petroglyph Point below Horseshoe Bend to Lees Ferry, ·     Seeing petroglyphs at Petroglyph Point on the Colorado River, ·     Hiking in Waterhole Canyon, ·     Viewing the dam from the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook, ·     Visiting the Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon Dam, ·     Hiking the Beehive Trail, (also known as The Wave 2), ·     Snaping our pic at the Shell Sand Cave, ·     And a few more suggestions for activities on Lake Powel!   Links to organizations and activities we mentioned in the episode: ·     GoRVing.com (our sponsor for this episode – check them out!) ·     RVShare (the site we used to rent our RV for this adventure) ·     Taadidiin Tours (for the Cardiac Canyon hiking tour) ·     Kayak the Colorado (for the kayak rental and backhaul taxi service on the Colorado River) ·     Roam America (we stayed at their “Horseshoe Bend” campground in Page, Arizona) ·     Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas (for the Rainbow Bridge boat tour) ·     Carl Hayden Visitor Center (at the Glen Canyon Dam)   -----   If you would like to support our podcast, please consider becoming a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, TikTok at @mattandkarensmith, or on Facebook at dearbobands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: ·     An alternative to visiting the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park while the road is closed due to flood damage, ·     Road trip suggestions for visiting the Washington and Oregon coasts, ·     How to deal with crowding in the parks and the consequences of reservations becoming so difficult to get, ·     Which district of Saguaro National Park we'd choose to visit if we only had one day, ·     Whether you need bear spray when visiting Washington State's three national parks, ·     And more! We now post ad-free versions of our episodes on our Patreon account (search for mattandkarensmith). If you are interested in joining, follow this link to check it out.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Visitors flock to Sedona, Arizona, for a multitude of reasons: the red rock landscape, the concentration of incredible hiking trails, the culinary scene, and the focus on spiritual wellness. In this episode, we'll share some of our favorite experiences on our recent trip. We'll give you an overview of Sedona, including where it's located, the optimal times to visit, and some great food we discovered, like the best donuts, margaritas, and pizza. But the main attraction, where we focus much of our time, is talking about some of the most popular trails surrounding the town throughout Coconino National Forest. Hiking trails we discussed include, ·     Soldier Pass / Seven Sacred Pools ·     Devil's Bridge ·     Bell Rock / Courthouse Butte ·     The Birthing Cave ·     Munds Wagon Trail (Hangover Trail) ·     Airport Trail ·     Plus a few more!  Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for a scenic stroll, Sedona has something for everyone. Join us as we explore this breathtaking area of Arizona! -----  The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

National parks, forests, and other federal lands are not the only incredible outdoor destinations in America. Wherever we travel, we make a point to check out the state parks along the way, and we're constantly amazed at the ones we find.  In episodes #30 and #121, we discussed some of our favorite state parks. In this episode, we bring you five more we've visited recently. From a spectacular cave in Montana to a dramatic rock spire on the edge of the Columbia River in Washington state, these five state parks hold wonders that are bucket list worthy. The parks we cover in this episode include, ·     Lewis and Clark Caverns – Montana, ·     Beacon Rock State Park – Washington, ·     Ecola State Park – Oregon, ·     Kodachrome Basin – Utah, and ·     Catalina State Park - Arizona ----- The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a reason to visit Olympic National Park any time of year. While summer is best, each season offers visitors a chance to enjoy this incredibly diverse natural resource. Regardless of how often we visit Olympic we always leave wanting to go back as soon as we can find another couple of free days. Olympic National Park might be more popular than most people realize. In 2023, it was the tenth most visited U.S. national park, with 2,947,503 visitors. Yet despite the number of visitors, it doesn't feel as crowded as some of the other national parks. Places on our top ten list include, ·     Hurricane Ridge, ·     Devil's Punchbowl, ·     Lake Crescent Lodge, ·     Marymere Falls, ·     Sol Duc Falls, ·     Rialto Beach, ·     The Hoh Rain Forest, ·     Ruby Beach, ·     The lodge and beaches in the Kalaloch area, and ·     Quinault Rain Forest Check out our companion blog post for this episode here. You'll find a summary of the items we discussed in this episode, a few photos, and a map. ----- The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you looking for a break from the cold, gray days of winter? We have a perfect solution: a road trip loop through the American Southwest that will take you to four national parks with some bonus stops along the way. We start and end the road trip at the Las Vegas airport. From there, we drive east to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park before heading south to the red rocks of Sedona for a couple of days. Continuing on, we make our way down to the Tucson area, where Saguaro National Park is waiting with its incredible desert landscapes. We also discuss the many other public lands and cultural attractions in and around Tucson before driving west to Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. From there, it's north to Death Valley National Park for a couple of days before returning to Las Vegas for our flight home. Not only can you escape the frigid temps up north, but touring this part of the country during winter is the perfect time to visit many of these places that can be extremely warm later in the year.  To see the detailed outline for this episode, check out our companion blog post here. ----- The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: ·     An overview of recent national park news, ·     A discussion about our trip to Italy and our experience in the beautiful Dolomites, ·     Our opinion about what not to miss on a visit to Cuyahoga National Park, ·     Whether it's worth visiting Yosemite National Park in April or May, ·     Ideas for a family vacation in the Southwest during March or April, ·     And more! The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.  Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.  Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Glacier National Park is considered the “crown of the continent” because of its pristine beauty, rugged wilderness, and magnificent wildlife. While the park is open all year, summer is the primetime for visitors. However, the window to visit while the park is relatively snow-free and the main roads are open is narrow. With a limited number of days to experience all the park offers, competition for lodging and activity reservations is keen. In this episode, we give an overview of what you need to know to plan a summer trip to the park and offer tips to provide you with the best chance at being prepared once you get there. We talk about the various areas of the park, details about the Going-To-the-Sun Road, the park's free shuttle, popular trails, lodging options inside and outside the park, campsites, and more. Here are a few links related to this episode: Glacier National Park's webpage regarding the free shuttle system Glacier National Park's webpage about the historic lodges and chalets Granite Park Chalet's website Sperry Chalet's website Learn more about boat tours in the park at Glacier Park Boat Company ·     Link to our Patreon account The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out. And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us.   In this episode, we cover these topics: ·     Zion National Park is working on a new visitor use management plan, ·     Issues related to Mount Rainier National Park's new timed-entry system this summer (2024), ·     Tips on making the most of a visit to Petrified Forest National Park, ·     Where to stay when visiting Yellowstone National Park, ·     When's the best time to visit both Death Valley and Yosemite National Parks, ·     And more!   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's on your bucket list? It's a topic everyone is talking about these days, and we have a few suggestions for anyone who loves our national parks and public lands.   Back in the day, our list was simple; visit all the U.S. national parks. But once we checked them all off, we realized our list was longer than when we started. In this episode, we talk about some of the most popular places to see and things to do that people put on their bucket list; what they want to do before they kick the bucket.   Many of the places we discuss we've been to before, some we haven't, and many more we'll probably keep going back to again and again. From once-in-a-lifetime wildlife viewing experiences to backcountry lodges and more, we share with you some awe-inspiring suggestions you might not have heard of before.   So, get out a pen and paper (or if you aren't as old as we are, feel free to type some notes into your phone) and join us as we imagine the bucket list possibilities our public lands hold in store.   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as we take you on an epic road trip to all four of Colorado's national parks!   These four parks are incredibly diverse, and this trip will have you driving through alpine forests in the Rocky Mountains, hiking up the tallest sand dunes in North America, climbing ladders as you explore cultural treasures, and standing on the rim of a seemingly bottomless dark canyon.   We've organized this episode with the road trip starting in Denver and driving clockwise around the state, but you can pick up our trail anywhere along the loop. And we've made suggestions for several add-on sites you'll also want to consider, including Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Chimney Rock National Monument, and a mountain pass highway in southwest Colorado with million-dollar views.   Summer is here, and it's time to hit the road. And we have the perfect itinerary planned for you – coming up!   Here are a few helpful links related to this episode: ·     Where to get Mesa Verde NP tour tickets ·     A link to Pike Peak's website where you can buy visitor and vehicle timed-entry tickets ·     More information about Rocky Mountain National Park's timed entry permit program ·     Link to our Patreon account   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carved by the once-wild Columbia River, the Columbia River Gorge is a dramatic canyon that snakes through the Cascade Range in the Pacific Northwest on its way to the Pacific Ocean. It's an area of stunning natural beauty with endless outdoor adventure options.   Using the town of Hood River, Oregon, as our home base, we recently visited the gorge in search of waterfalls. (The area has nearly 100.) And being that it was spring when we were there, the waterfalls did not disappoint -- especially the famous Multnomah Falls – the most-visited single natural attraction in the Pacific Northwest.   In this episode, we talk about several of the best waterfalls in the area, a couple of breathtaking trails to hike close to Hood River, a state park you won't want to miss, and some of the restaurants and breweries we visited. We also share a little history of the area.   A few links we mentioned in this episode: ·     KURU Footwear's website https://www.kurufootwear.com/ ·     A link to KURU's RIDGE Motion shoes ·     Link to our Patreon account   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Each year, the National Park Service celebrates National Park Week in April. And this year, they've planned events from April 20th through April 28th.   In this episode, we highlight some of the activities that will happen during National Park Week, give a brief history of the creation of the NPS, and interview our special guest, Jacob Wolfley, who recently spent a summer as an intern park range at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota.   Jacob will enlighten us on what it takes to score a job or internship at a national park, what it's like working as a ranger, and his ambitions for a possible career with the NPS.   So, tune in and get ready to learn about the NPS and all the exciting activities coming up in National Park Week.   Here are a couple of links related to the topics we discussed in this episode: ·     Find out more information about National Park Week here ·     Here is a link to the National Park Service's jobs site ·     Check out our interview guest, Jacob Wolfley, on Instagram   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us.   In this episode, we cover these topics: ·     An overview of some of the closures within the national parks this year, ·     Suggestions for hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, ·     Tips for avoiding altitude sickness when traveling to high-elevation parks, ·     Common mistakes people make when planning a trip to the national parks, ·     Relationship advice for couples who are together 24/7, ·     And more!   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 One of the most frequent questions we get from travelers is how to plan a visit to Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton NPs in a single road trip. In this episode, we cover all the details you'll need to do just that.   Without a doubt, these three parks are at the top of our “most spectacular” list. Each has its unique history and landscape, yet they're all great places to witness once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters. The other thing they have in common is that they all have mountainous regions. Given their elevations, winter weather can sneak up on you anytime during the year, which makes carefully choosing your dates to visit even more important than with many other destinations.   With the current popularity of the national parks, especially these three, embarking on a road trip to see them requires advanced planning. We suggest a year or more before your desired travel date. However, you can do it, and we'll share all the tips and tricks we know to help you.   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us.   In this episode, we cover these topics: ·     News about a faster way to enter Rocky Mountain National Park this summer, ·     Update about cabin demolitions within Olympic National Park, ·     Travel advice for a listener wanting to visit the Pacific Northwest this fall to see the mountain larches change colors, ·     Tips for visiting Virgin Islands National Park, ·     Our thoughts about a couple of our favorite “hard-to-get-to” national parks, ·     The ranger-led tours in Mesa Verde National Park ranked from easiest to most difficult, ·     National Parks that are good for kids, ·     And more!   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Long before the National Park Service was founded, the U.S. Army was put in charge of protecting America's national parks. One of the groups that played a crucial role in fulfilling this invaluable service to our country was the Buffalo Soldiers: African American officers and enlisted men serving in the Army.   When the regimen stationed in San Francisco was tasked with protecting and developing infrastructure in Sequoia and General Grant (now Kings Canyon) National Parks, these incredibly hardworking soldiers made jaw-dropping progress in their first season of duty.   Led by the infamous Captain Charles Young, who was later posthumously promoted to Brigadier General, this group of approximately one hundred men set out to guard and improve these priceless areas. They built roads into the parks and protected the land from poachers and trespassers, making it possible for future generations of visitors to these national treasures.   In this episode, we discuss the accomplishments of the Buffalo Soldiers, not just in these two parks but also in Yosemite and the surrounding public lands.   ---   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dry Tortugas National Park is in a category of its own: pre-civil war fort, 70 miles out to sea with nothing else around it, incredible history, beautiful tropical keys with campsites, and right in the path of the most powerful hurricanes on the planet. Nowhere else can you visit a place with world-class snorkeling and see the rooms where they held the most dangerous civil war prisoners.   In this episode, we discuss some recent updates about the park, provide details about visiting and camping there, and reminisce about our visit over a decade ago. What started out for us as a brief update episode has rekindled our interest in this incredible national park and our desire to revisit it someday. And when we do, maybe we'll camp. There's just one small detail you might want to know about the Dry Tortugas camping situation that makes Karen a little worried. You'll have to tune in and listen to find out what that is.   A couple of links where you can find important, up-to-date information: ·     Dry Tortugas National Park's website ·     Yankee Freedom boat ticket information   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is a companion to our previous release, #150: Exploring Joshua Tree National Park. So many travelers to this magical part of Southern California spend time in both Joshua Tree NP and Palm Springs that these back-to-back episodes would be perfect for anyone planning a trip to the area.   Today, we're focusing on hikes in and around Palm Springs, sharing a few of our favorite trails with you. From an easy hike through an oasis in the Indian Canyon area of the Agua Caliente Reservation to a ladder-aided scramble up a slot canyon on a Bureau of Land Management site, we discuss just a few of the fantastic hikes waiting for you in the Coachella Valley.   From fall to spring, this desert playground is a perfect place to get out into nature and challenge yourself with a heart-pounding hike before relaxing by the pool or enjoying a round of golf. And if you are looking for a real test of endurance, there is even a trail known to be the most difficult day hike in America. The Cactus to Cloud Trail rises from the desert floor over 10,000 vertical feet to the top of the San Jacinto Mountain range.   So, get out your notepad and prepare to jot down a few travel tips while we take you to Palm Springs!   Links to some of the things we discussed in this episode: ·     Info about the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway , and ·     Indian Canyons   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to our journey through the awe-inspiring landscapes of America's national parks! Today is part one of a two-part series about Southern California's desert playground, where we explore the magical and rugged terrain of Joshua Tree National Park. Located about 130 miles east of Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park is a world of its own. With over three million visitors annually, it's a favorite spring break destination, though the park reveals its unique charm throughout the year. In this episode, we give an overview of the park's most popular hiking trails and share our experiences hiking some of our favorites. We also provide a "lay of the land," including information about campgrounds, visitor centers, and a little vegetation education thrown in for good measure. And for those who want to wander outside the park boundaries, we recommend a couple of unique local attractions and places to eat and drink once the sun slips over the park's peaks. All this and a history story or two make this a must-listen episode for anyone planning a trip to the park. Next week, in part two, we'll move south of the park and talk about the diverse areas throughout the greater Palm Springs region, where you'll find some of the best hiking trails in southern California. Links to some of the things we discussed in this episode: ·     Joshua Tree NP's bird list ·     The Copper Room at Yucca Valley Airport ·     Visit Pioneertown ·     Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out. And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us.   In this episode, we cover these topics: ·     Our thoughts on visiting a state park in Arkansas where a visitor recently found 7-carat diamond, ·     Suggestions about fun hiking trails for young teenagers in Utah's national parks, ·     Places to visit in the Pacific Northwest when traveling from Mt. Rainier NP to Cannon Beach in Oregon, ·     Tips on how to prepare for a hike to Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon of Arizona, ·     And more!   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who knows better what could go wrong while hiking in a national park than the people whose job it is to rescue hikers? That's why we connected with a national park ranger to hear first-hand tips about hiking safety. In this episode, we interview Sara Shoemaker, a law enforcement ranger at Canyonlands National Park (Needles District) in southern Utah.   For several years, we've exchanged emails with Sara, and we recently met her while visiting her park. It was then we cooked up the idea to have her be a guest on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast to share practical advice on staying safe while on the trail. Hopefully, you'll pick up an idea or two from Sara that will help make your future hiking adventures enjoyable and safe.   We start the episode by briefly reviewing the ten essentials of hiking and sharing a few stories about our near-dangerous encounters while hiking when we were not fully prepared for what we encountered on the trail.   A link to a blog post about the hiking ten essentials: ·     Washington Trails Association Ten Essentials   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A national park that started out as a state park more than 90 years ago, Big Bend is often called Texas' gift to the nation. With over 1,200 square miles of pristine land, this park has a wide range of ecosystems, from sprawling deserts to mountains reaching nearly 8.000 feet.   From November to April, the weather is ideal for visitors to hike in several regions of the park. In this episode, we discuss some of our favorite trails in the desert, mountains, and along the Rio Grande River.   Another unique feature of this park is that it shares a border with Mexico. And unlike in the past, you can now cross the Rio Grande River during scheduled times and visit a charming Mexican village a short hike away. If you're planning an early November visit, check out the Terlingua Chili Cookoff in the small town by the same name, just a few miles to the west of the park.   A link to one of the places we discussed in this episode: ·     Terlingua Chili Cookoff information   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us.   In this episode, we cover these topics: ·     We reveal our ambitious 2024 New Year's resolution (and you can join us!), ·     Our gear suggestions for a family who wants to get started camping, ·     A discussion about the difference between “strenuous” and “dangerous” trail descriptions, ·     An overview of Glacier National Park's 2024 shuttle program, ·     Clarifying which reservations you'll need in 2024 to visit Carlsbad Caverns NP, ·     And more!   A few links related to the topics in this episode: ·     Where to purchase your self-guided tour tickets for Carlsbad Caverns ·     Family camping checklist from REI ·     And for all you Dirtlander fans, here is a link to our Floral Bison t-shirts   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For many visitors, hiking is their go-to activity in the national parks; it is for us. But there are so many other activities the parks have to offer. In this episode, we talk about a dozen or more things you can do in the parks that are unique and amazing. From dogsledding to synchronized firefly tours, the parks offer activities that will thrill the entire family. Here are a few of the ones we discuss: Walk on the catwalk underneath the New River Gorge Bridge, Horseback ride, Attend the bat flight program in Carlsbad Caverns NP, Raft down a wild river, Hike to and spend the night in a backcountry chalet or lodge, See the first sunrise in the US, Pick fruit in an orchard, And more! The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out. And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the temperatures drop up north, it's time to start thinking about warm-weather escapes. In today's episode, we have the perfect destination for you: Saguaro National Park and a whole bunch of other incredible public lands in Southern Arizona.   Join us as we take you on a journey through both districts of Saguaro NP, Catalina State Park, Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, and the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, all within a stone's throw from the always-bustling college town of Tucson.   We even take you on a few side trips an hour or two away from Tucson: Chiricahua NM, to the east; Casa Grande Ruins NM, north of town; and Organ Pipe Cactus NM, in the secluded desert to the west. And if you are missing the cold, snowy conditions back home, you can always take a day trip to the top of Mount Lemmon, where you can ski, do a little shopping, and be back down to the warmth of Tucson just an hour or so drive away.   A link to one of the places we discussed in this episode: ·     Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us.   In this episode, we cover these topics: ·     Glacier NP announced their vehicle entrance reservation plan for 2024, ·     Grand Canyon NP is temporarily closing a stretch of Bright Angel Trail until mid-April 2024, ·     We answer a question about where some of the best places in the national parks are to see moose, ·     Our opinion on which airport is the best to fly into when visiting the Grand Canyon, ·     Whether we have a goal to visit all the national parks in Canada, ·     And more!   A few links related to the topics in this episode: ·     Glacier NP's 2024 vehicle entrance reservation plan, ·     Detail about Grand Canyon NP's Transcanyon Waterline Project, including the the 2024 Bright Angel Trail closure, ·     And for all you Dirtlander fans, here is a link to our Bandana Moose t-shirts   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Southern Utah is home to five must-see national parks, but if you're traveling to this part of the American Southwest, you won't want to miss the other incredible things to see and do. In this episode, we take you to 20 of our favorite places we've discovered over the years. Each site is worth exploring, from slot canyons to one-of-a-kind landscapes to priceless cultural treasures.   Places we discuss in this episode: ·     Kanarra Falls ·     Cedar Breaks National Monument ·     Willis Creek Narrows ·     Kodachrome Basin State Park ·     Hole in the Rock Road ·     Lower Calf Creek Falls Hike ·     Goblin Valley State Park ·     San Rafael Swell ·     Dead Horse Point State Park ·     Corona Arch ·     Newspaper Rock State Historical Monument ·     Hovenweep National Monument ·     Bears Ears National Monument ·     Natural Bridges National Monument ·     Moki Dugway ·     Goosenecks State Park ·     Valley of the Gods ·     Monument Valley ·     Rainbow Bridge National Monument ·     Buckskin Gulch   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Find a comfortable seat and sit back as we take you with us on our boat tour to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, located just steps away from Lake Powell in a remote corner of southern Utah. On a recent road trip earlier this month, we were lucky enough to snag a reservation for a boat tour. And while the temps in early November can get downright cold on the lake, we had beautiful weather for our trip to this jaw-dropping national monument. Revered by the Navajo as a sacred site, Rainbow Bridge's remote location makes it accessible only by a multi-day backpack trip or boat ride. This remarkable natural wonder, famous for its impressive size and striking geological formation, is a majestic sandstone arch. Carved by erosion over millions of years, it stands as one of the world's largest known natural bridges, spanning 275 feet and reaching a height of 290 feet. In this episode, we talk about our experience visiting this natural wonder, stories of the early explorers to the area, and a bit of history about the formation of Lake Powell. Links we discussed on this episode: ·     Our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide, ·     Where to get more info or to sign up for the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out. And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.  Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listeners frequently ask us to create episodes about road trip itineraries, and in this episode, we outline a stunning 8-day driving loop through public lands in northern California and southern Oregon. On this journey, you'll visit three national parks and two national monuments, while driving 800 miles through a beautiful swath of the American West that's off the beaten path.   Starting in Redding, CA, we take you to Lassen Volcanic NP, Lava Beds NM, Crater Lake NP, and Oregon Caves NM before wrapping up the trip in Redwoods National and State Parks.   From some of the most dramatic volcanic landscapes in the country to the world's tallest trees along the Pacific Coast and more, this road trip is everything public lands and nature lovers would want.   All this and more, coming up next!   A link we discussed on this episode: ·     Where to watch Ken Burn's documentary The American Buffalo   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's that time of year again, so get ready to be scared out of your wits! Just kidding, but we do have a fun lineup of stories in this episode about ghost towns in the national parks. While you can find deserted towns, remnants of bygone boom/bust cycles, in many of our national parks, today we will focus on just a few.   From once thriving mining towns near Death Valley, to the site of a now-defunct copper mine in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska, to the Thurmond Ghost Town in New River Gorge National Park, we share the history and the stories of paranormal activity in these historic places.   But no episode would be complete without a mention of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, so imagine how happy Karen was when she learned that this week marks the Centennial of this natural wonder. And fittingly for this time of year, we're celebrating Bat Week. That's right, Bat Week, an entire week dedicated each year to these flying mammals, who, as you'll learn in this episode (spoiler alert), are NOT flying rats.   All this and more, coming up next!   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: ·     A change to the America the Beautiful park pass starting Jan. 1st, 2024, ·     Whether we ever considered van life and our opinions on this lifestyle, ·     Some safety considerations when camping in Big Bend National Park, ·     A discussion about previously designated national parks that have since been demoted, ·     And more! The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out. And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buckle up, folks, for another road trip loop! In this episode, we're taking you on an epic trip through the heart of Appalachia to four national parks and a national park service scenic byway. We'll travel to national parks in five states: Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, New River Gorge in West Virginia, Shenandoah in Virginia, and Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee. From the world's longest cave to one of the oldest rivers on earth to the most visited US national park, this 1500-mile road trip has it all! And as a bonus, we share some of our favorite places to eat along the way and suggestions for a few other must-see destinations. Here are a couple of links to items we mentioned in this episode: ·     Tickets for cave tours at Mammoth Cave National Park ·     Information about booking your New River Gorge Bridge Walk   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Great Basin National Park, located in eastern Nevada, is a stunning example of the diverse beauty of the American Southwest. In this episode, we talk about why you'll want to put a visit to this park in your wish bucket the next time you plan a trip to this part of the country. Home to the mesmerizing Lehman Caves, Great Basin NP is one of the best least-visited parks in the NPS system. The caves, one of the park's main attractions, are an intricate cavern system complete with stalactites, stalagmites, and unique shield formations that have been forming for over a half million years. In this episode's History Channel, Karen delves into the unique story of how Lehman Caves became a National Monument more than a hundred years ago, long before the area became a national park. We also describe the park that's above ground and its rich array of ecosystems and landscapes. From the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive up to the Bristlecone pine forest and on to the only glacier in Nevada, we share some of our favorite things to do and see in the park. And we take you to the small town of Ely, Nevada, just outside the park, where you can step back in time and experience its history by visiting the East Ely Nevada Northern Railway living museum, in addition to some very unique beehive charcoal ovens that were once used as hideouts for stagecoach bandits. If stargazing is your thing, few parks are better than Great Basin for viewing a brilliant night sky. Recognized as a Dark Sky Park, the absence of light pollution allows for unparalleled views of the Milky Way, shooting stars, and distant galaxies, making this park one of the best places in the country to gaze at the heavens above.   Here are a couple of links to items we mentioned in this episode: ·     Lehman Cave virtual tours ·     In Ely, Nevada - Nevada Northern Railway Co. museum and train ride info.   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us.  In this episode, we cover these topics: ·     Recommendations for public lands and hikes in Southern California's desert that are good to visit in winter and not crowded, ·     Cities and towns in the west that would make great home bases for working remotely and visiting national parks and other public lands, ·     How we research a visit to a national park or other outdoor destination, ·     Our favorite national park campgrounds, ·     And more! A link we promised to share: ·     The NPS website where you can find all the NPS sites in each state  The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.  And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.  Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.  Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.  To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hugging the eastern border of Alaska, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is a breathtaking example of raw and untamed nature. At a staggering 13.2 million acres, it holds the title of the largest national park in the United States. Its vast wilderness holds some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world, including the Wrangell Mountains and the coastal St. Elias Range, home to the second-highest peak in the U.S., Mount Saint Elias. The park is not just known for its geology and natural wonders; it also preserves numerous historic sites, including the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark. At the end of a 59-mile gravel road leading to the park's interior, visitors can explore the well-preserved mining company town of Kennecott and the nearby equally historic town of McCarthy. These sites offer a glimpse into the life and times of the early miners and settlers in the region. In this episode, we talk about our experience visiting this magnificent park and share our suggestions about what you might want to see and do in the park. There are even a few short history and geology channel mini-episodes as we describe this park's vastness and natural wonders. Here are a couple of links to items we mentioned in this episode: ·     Guided Wrangell-St. Elias Hiking Trips ·     Kennecott Glacier Lake & River Rafting – 4 Hour Trip  The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out. And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our country's national parks protect a huge variety of landscapes, and today, we're playing in the sand in some of the national parks that feature sand dunes. These unique landforms offer a wide variety of activities, from hiking, saucer-sliding, tranquil sunset watching, and even camping. We share stories of our adventures and misadventures in these incredible public lands. We also provide tips about other activities you might want to consider and suggestions for where to stay when visiting these parks. Here are a few of the sites we discus in this episode: ·     Great Sand Dunes National Park, ·     White Sands National Park, ·     Indiana Dunes National Park, ·     And we mention a few more parks with amazing dunes! Here are a couple links about things we mentioned in this episode: ·     Every Kid Outdoors (Fourth-Grader parks pass) ·     P.E.O. International (P.E.O. stands for Philanthropic Educational Organization) The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out. And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: ·     The anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service ·     A brief overview of our nation's newest national monument: The Baaj Nwaavjo (BAAHJ – NUH-WAAHV-JOH) I'tah Kukveni (EE-TAH – KOOK-VENNY) Grand Canyon National Monument, ·     Explanation of the NPS Junior Ranger Program, ·     Suggestions for where to stay when visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, ·     Thoughts on where to get your travel photos printed, ·     Which games we play when on our public lands road trips, ·     And more! A link we promised to share: ·     A list of the NPS sites that charge an entrance fee and how much ·     Just Go Travel Studios where you can have high-quality posters made of your photos   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nothing makes you feel like you're in a national park more than staying in a rustic, historic cabin in the woods. (Or on an ocean bluff or the rim of the Grand Canyon.) In this episode, we describe many of our favorite cabins throughout the NPS system and recount our experiences staying in them. With views of everything from stunning mountain lakes to the rugged Badlands and bugling elk and brown bears hanging out just yards from our front porches, these cabins offered us a unique and unforgettable park experience. It was fun for us to reminisce on all our cabin stays, and we hope our stories encourage you to check a few of them out for yourself as you travel through the national parks. Here are a few of the cabins we discus in this episode: ·     Lake Crescent Lodge – Olympic NP, ·     Cedar Pass Lodge – Badlands NP, ·     Zion Lodge, ·     Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim, ·     Bryce Canyon Lodge, ·     Big Meadows – Shenandoah NP, ·     Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel – Yellowstone NP, ·     Colter Bay Village – Grand Teton NP, ·     Brooks Camp Cabins – Katmai NP, ·     And many, many more! The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out. And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another episode of our podcast, where we're diving into the heart of America's most iconic national parks and highlighting some easy bucket-list hikes that are both breathtaking and accessible. Whether you're an avid hiker looking for a leisurely trek or a newbie just starting to dip your toes into the world of hiking, our list has got you covered.   Imagine standing beneath the massive rock structures of The Windows and Turret Arch in Arches National Park or gazing up at the ancient trees along the Congress Trail in Sequoia National Park. Envision yourself wandering through Bryce Canyon National Park's hoodoos on the Queens Garden/Navajo Loop or catching glimpses of Mt. Rainier as you hike the tranquil Naches Peak Loop. These are just a few of the many hikes we cover in this episode. So, lace up your hiking boots, grab your trail mix, and let's embark on an unforgettable journey together!   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Archive Episodes, we focus on a specific destination or topic we've covered in a previous episode, re-play that portion of the show, and add our updated comments. Today, we're re-sharing our best hiking recommendations in Rocky Mountain National Park. RMNP is a summertime favorite for many outdoor enthusiasts and family vacationers, so if you're heading there this summer, hopefully you'll find some valuable tips here.   We also share the feedback we've heard about the park's timed entry permit system they have in place during the busiest months of the year. For information on the permit requirements and updates on road conditions affecting wait time and lines to get into the park, check out the park's website here.   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this archive episode we've pulled together a couple excerpts from previous shows where we talked about our challenges with bugs while hiking and camping. Today, we've added additional information about five products we've used in the past on our outdoor adventures that have made our experiences much more bearable.   From headnets to lotions to a product you can spray on your gear to keep the insects away, we cover all our favorites and more. Don't let your fear of bugs or the annoyance of their stinging and biting keep you from enjoying your favorite outdoor activities. After listening to this episode, you'll have new confidence to go outside and reclaim your piece of nature.   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Archive Episodes focus on a specific destination or topic we've covered in a previous episode. We re-play that portion of the show and add our updated comments. Today, we're exploring the Pacific Coast beaches of Olympic National Park. Unlike any other coastline in the US, this stretch of wild and rugged beaches is a must-see for any visit to the park.   This episode includes an excerpt from episode #19, where we shared our experiences about camping on Shi Shi Beach, the furthest north beach in the park. We've also added here descriptions of the park's other beaches, tips on how to get to each, what you might see there, and a little about the accommodations in the area.   Here are a couple of links we mention in this episode: ·     The park's webpage about tidepool activities ·     NOAA's tide table resource page   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Archive Episodes, we focus on a specific destination or topic we've covered in a previous episode, re-play that portion of the show, and add our updated comments. Today, we take you back to Gateway Arch National Park, one of our newest national parks.   We've included in this episode an excerpt from episode #31 where we talked about our experience riding to the top of the arch and added a bit more information about the history of the park, the new visitor center and museum, and the area of the city surrounding this magnificent gateway to the west.   Here are a couple of links we mention in this episode: ·     Eero Saarinen's Tulip Chair ·     Where to buy tickets to ride to the top of the arch   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Archive Episodes, we focus on a specific destination or topic we've covered in a previous episode, re-play that portion of the show, and add our updated comments. Today, we take you back to the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park, one of the most concentrated regions of alpine splendor you'll find anywhere in the national park system.   From our favorite hikes to the various lodging options, we give you all the information you need to plan your visit to this special place.   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: ·     How we determined the order in which we would visit all the national parks, ·     Have we ever seen a Bigfoot, and do we think he (she) is real, ·     Where might you go to experience a white Christmas in a national park, ·     Why posted trail distances are always different than what your GPS app says, ·     Best national park-themed baby names, ·     And more! A couple of links we promised to share: ·     Patterson – Gimlin Bigfoot footage ·     Clallam Transit bus information to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic NP ·     Link to Karen's Bigfoot BELIEVER t-shirt at Dirtlander.com     The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A trip to Stehekin, tucked away in a valley in the North Cascades National Park complex, feels like a visit to an island. But instead of being completely surrounded by water, this remote village is hemmed in by spectacular alpine backcountry, making it impossible for cars or trucks to drive into or out of town.   Once frequented only by Native Americans on their trek through the mountains, this peaceful valley has been the site of sparse but consistent settlement since the late 19th century. With the National Park Service protecting the pristine area surrounding the few parcels of private land, the area feels like a land time forgot.   In this episode, we talk about our recent visit to Stehekin, what we did, where we stayed, and a bit of history about this unique area. We also provide information about other overnight accommodations in the area, transportation options, and a tip about where to find what we think are the best cinnamon rolls in the state of Washington. Join us for all this and more!   Here's a link you might be interested in: ·     Lake Chelan Boat Co.   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Black Hills of South Dakota are home to not one but two of the world's longest cave systems. Both in the National Park system, Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park are must-see destinations.   Located just 20 minutes away from each other, these two caves are different in so many ways. One features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations and the other glitters and sparkles with calcite crystals.   In this episode, we talk about what makes each cave unique, how they were discovered and developed more than a hundred years ago, and some important things to know before you go.   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State parks are a special kind of public land, beloved by locals but often as spectacular and exciting as their national park cousins. In episode #30, we featured six of our favorites, but our list of fabulous state parks is too long to end there. Here, we talk about five more must-see public lands.   From towering waterfalls you can walk under to breathtaking views of the churning ocean below, these places are worth visiting on your next road trip.   In this episode, we cover these five state parks: ·     Silver Falls SP, Oregon ·     Deception Pass SP, Washington ·     Babcock SP, West Virginia ·     Makoshika SP, Montana ·     Cathedral Gorge SP, Nevada   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since its completion in 1936, the Beartooth Highway has thrilled millions of visitors with jaw-dropping views of one of the most beautiful and wild areas in the lower 48 states. It seems fitting that a road built 90 years ago to take travelers to and from Yellowstone National Park would be as spectacular as the park itself.   In this episode, we talk about the stretch of highway that Charles Kuralt once called “the most beautiful roadway in America.” This 68-mile section of U.S. Highway 212, which runs between Red Lodge and Cooke City, Montana, climbs to almost 11,000 ft at Beartooth Pass, providing road trippers with panoramic views of several stunning mountain ranges, and of course, Beartooth Peak.   This scenic drive has become one of our favorite activities whenever we're in the area, and no trip to Yellowstone National Park is complete without experiencing this amazing and unique landscape. That is, during the few summer months in which the highway is cleared of snow and open to traffic.   The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.   And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.   Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.   Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.   To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices