Conversations with guests and experts about different aspects of America's National Parks including favorite hikes and activities with kids, nature, wildlife, history and issues affecting the parks.
Danielle Jacobs-Erwin and Bryan Erwin
national parks, trip planning, planning a trip, np, visiting, travel, great resource, america, kids, experts, experiences, family, depth, helpful, personal, fun, great podcast, interviews, highly recommend, learn.
Listeners of Everybody's National Parks that love the show mention:Everybody's National Parks returns to family park travel and with that, the podcast after a long hiatus during the pandemic. Hear what we've been up to and upcoming episodes to look forward to including Cuyahoga Valley, Indiana Dunes and Glacier National Parks.
Yes, you can enjoy the national park system and stay safe during a pandemic. Danielle celebrates the 104th birthday of the NPS with guests Jason Everson of RV Miles Network and Bradley Kerouac of Hello Ranger. The trio explores pragmatic strategies for family travel in an otherwise unpredictable year. Discussion includes the following: [00:02] Introduction: National Parks Service Founders Day, Bradley Kerouac/Hello Ranger, Jason Everson/RV Miles, Soul Trak Outdoors [03:39] Reports from the road: Dinosaur National Monument, Mesa Verde National Park, Saguaro National Park, Mount Lemmon, Yellowstone National Park [08:17] Logistics and locations: Glacier National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Canaveral National Seashore, Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Arches National Park [11:37] Choose your (safe) adventure: Yellowstone National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak, Garden Of The Gods, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Dinosaur National Monument, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blue Ridge Mountains/Shenandoah National Park [18:45] Inside jokes [20:00] Practical tips for making your choice [27:28] Backyard parks and return visits: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Glacier National Park [33:15] Park safety: Mesa Verde National Parks, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Dinosaur Quarry, Zion National Park, Big Bend National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Allegheny State Park [41:00] Before you RV…: Cruise America [46:23] A final word on safety [47:04] A final word on places to visit: Selma To Montgomery National Historic Trail, Freedom Riders National Monument, Pullman National Monument [48:57] Guest contacts: RV Miles, The RV Miles podcast, America's National Parks podcast, The See America podcast, Hello Ranger Actions: Subscribe to our podcast. Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Visit our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks and @everybodysnationalparks
Nicole Jackson of #BlackBirdersWeek and the brand new @blackinnpsweek talks about Black in National Parks Week 2020 this upcoming week. Listen to this joint interview phone call with @everybodysnationalparks and @hellorangerusa. Official Hashtag #BlackInNationalParksWeekIG: @blackinnpsweek Twitter: @BlackInNPSWeek Actions: Subscribe to our podcast. Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Visit our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks and @everybodysnationalparks
For the third in our Big Bend National Park series, Bryan takes an epic trip through eons with Dr. Thomas Shiller, assistant professor of geology at Texas' Sul Ross University. From uplift to erosion, inland seas to volcanic action, the pair discuss this desert park's changing topography and its once-thriving dinosaur population. The hardest hitting questions, however, came from Everybody’s National Parks’ junior geologists, making this episode a real family affair. Discussion includes the following: [00:02] Introduction: ENP Big Bend National Park Series, Dr. Thomas Shiller [01:13] Geological timeline of Big Bend, Chisos Mountains, Santa Elena Canyon [12:03] Night Skies program [12:30] Big Bend: The once-great western interior seaway [13:15] Big Bend’s rich deposit of fossils [17:17] Digging deeper into the park’s Cretaceous Period [17:40] Big Bend’s unique flora and fauna fossils [19:50] Old school tricks of the geologist trade [20:26] Big Bend fossil stewardship [24:21] ENP Grand Canyon geology episode [25:20] More Big Bend fossil stewardship: Paleo Lab at UT Austin [26:33] Big Bend Fossil Discovery Exhibit [30:30] Big Bend ranger programs [30:53] Science Knights in the Morning: YouTube, Facebook, KVLF [32:47] Missing time: Big Bend’s black conical hills and the great extinction event [35:40] ENP’s junior correspondents take the mic (Part I): Western interior seaway facts [35:46] ENP’s junior correspondents take the mic (Part II): A dinosaur census For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. DUE TO COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS, BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK WAS IN PHASED REOPENING AT TIME OF PUBLISHING THIS EPISODE. PLEASE CHECK NPS WEBSITE FOR ACCESS UPDATES. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast. Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Visit our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks and @everybodysnationalparks
For the second in our Big Bend National Park series, Danielle chats with Courtney Lyons-Garcia, executive director of Big Bend Conservancy, a major advocate for the park. From scenic drives to family-friendly hikes, and fossil experiences Courtney shares practical tips and activities suited to every kind of traveller Discussion includes the following: [00:02] Introduction: HelloRanger [02:22] Guardians of Big Bend National Park: Courtney Lyons Garcia and Big Bend Conservancy [03:15] Getting acquainted with Big Bend: An overview of the park and its conservancy [05:35] Getting to the park: Interstate travel, suggestions for East and West Coast visitors [09:03] Stocking up: Advice on retail options and supporting special dietary needs [10:53] Best times of year to visit Big Bend [13:21] Seasonal explorations [16:28] An itinerary overview [17:51] Perfect pairs: Suggestions for combining Big Bend with other areas of interest Big Bend State Park, Balmorhea State Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Del Rio, Fort Davis [19:34} Do, see & learn - River District: Rio Grande Village Visitors Center, Nature Walk, Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry, Boquillas Village, Mexico, Ernst Tinaja Primitive Roadside Campsite, Hot Springs Historic Trail [23:05] Do, see & learn - Dinosaurs & Desert District: Fossil Discovery Exhibit, Grapevine Hills Trail [26:27] Do. See. Learn - Mountain District: Window Trail, South Rim Trail, Emory Peak Trail/The Pinnacles, Lost Mine Trail [28:01] Spotting the bears of Big Bend: Pine Canyon Trail [28:43] More To Explore: Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Castolon Historic District, Santa Elena Canyon Trail, The Blue Creek/Horner Wilson Ranch [30:27] Big Bend Accessibility [31:53] More outdoor fun: River rafting with Big Bend’s preferred concessionaire Far Flung Outdoor Center, DIY paddleboard and canoe considerations [34:58] An artists’ paradise [35:25] Stargazing: Big Bend’s Night Skies program [37:41] Lodging suggestions: Front country camping, Chisos Mountains Lodge. RV sites, Stillwell Ranch camping & RV sites [41:06] Lodging suggestions: Backcountry camping reservations [41:16] Courntey’s favorite park memory For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. NOTE: DUE TO COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS, BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK WAS CLOSED AT TIME OF RECORDING THIS EPISODE. PLEASE CHECK NPS WEBSITE FOR UPDATES. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast. Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Visit our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks and @everybodysnationalparks
The world may have changed since Danielle, Bryan, and the girls took their early February trip to Big Bend National Park in Texas, but hope for future family adventures springs eternal. With those eventual vacations in mind, Everybody’s National Parks presents the first episode in its Big Bend roundup. Painted landscapes, dark skies, and lessons in border policy await at the stunning junction where the US and Mexico meet. And this wouldn’t be a family trip roundup without eyewitness reports from Everybody’s National Parks junior ranger correspondents. Discussion includes the following: [00:01] Introduction to Big Bend podcast series. [01:14] Danielle & Bryan set the scene - with a little help from TripPossible: Big Bend National Park, ENP Yosemite National Park series, ENP Yosemite TripPossible episode [06:01] Know before you go: gateway cities El Paso, TX and Midland-Odessa, TX [07:50] Know before you go: car rental issues, Avis [08:40] Oil country: reflections on a drive through the permian basin [10:18] Know before you go: when and where to stock up on supplies Terlingua, Marathon, Marfa [11:23] Beautiful views and home base options: Chisos Mountains Lodge, Chisos Basin Campground, Chisos Mountains Lodge Restaurant & Patio DAY 1 [13:08] West Side: Chisos Mountains Visitor Center, ranger programs, Fossil Discovery Center [15:22] Touching extinction: K-Pg Boundary site [16:22] East Side: Rio Grande Overlook, Rio Grande Visitor Center Rio Grande Village Nature Trail [17:18] Know before you go: Boquillas, Mexico border crossing [20:51] Boquillas Canyon Trail [22:02] Nightcap: Ending the day at Hot Springs Historic Trail DAY 2 [26:32] West Side explorations: Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Panther Junction Visitor Center [28:04] West Side highlight: Santa Elena Canyon, Castolon Visitor Center, Cottonwood Campground, seeing prairie dog. [29:18] Desert hiking: Lower Burro Mesa Pour-off Trail [29:39] Day 2 activity run-down: Sam Nail Ranch, Sotol Vista Lookout, Mule Ears Spring Trail, Tuff Canyon, Castolon Visitor Center, Santa Elena Canyon [30:55] Bryan’s trip highlight: Santa Elena Canyon DAY 3 [32:40] Divide and conquer: Lost Mine Trail [34:06] Divide and conquer: Ranger tales [35:15] Window Trail, Chisos Basin campground [35:59] Starry night cap: Night Sky program DAY 4 [38:32] One last hike: Grapevine Hills Trail to Balanced Rock [39:20] Junior Ranger swearing in [39:36] Big Bend bucket list: Exploring the region’s Native American history, Persimmon Gap Visitor Center, The Comanche Trail, Empire Of The Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne [40:48] Junior Ranger report, part I: Bear facts, Night Sky review, Hot Springs Canyon Trail review, javelina facts [47:58] DIY joke: Royal dinos [48:52] Junior Ranger report part II: Lost Mine Trail review, palm tree fun fact, roadrunner fun fact [52:58] DIY quiz: Big Bend origins story [53:53] Ocean origins and lemurs [55:20] Night Sky review NOTE: DUE TO COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS, BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK WAS CLOSED AT TIME OF RECORDING THIS EPISODE. PLEASE CHECK NPS WEBSITE FOR UPDATES. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast. Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Visit our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks and @everybodysnationalparks
What makes the Emmy Award-winning show Rock The Park must-see tv? Bryan goes behind the scenes with Jack Steward, the show's co-creator and co-host, to find out how Rock The Park captures friendship and adventure for the camera. Then, Jack answers listener questions, including one from a 7-year-old fan. Discussion includes the following: [00:58] - Origins story: Jack Stewart and Colton Smith friendship; Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, WY. [06:05] - Rock The Parks from idea to episodes; ENP Isle Royale [09:24] Rock The Park’s formula for adventure [10:50] Big Cypress National Preserve; Rock The Park s6 ep21 [11:55] Adventure, beauty, and danger; Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park; Carlsbad Caverns National Park [16:08] People make the park experience; Everglades National Park [18:30] Sentimental park favorites: Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Death Valley National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Virgin Islands National Park, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park [21:07] Rock The Park’s Daytime Emmy Award moments [23:20] Listener questions: Rock The Park’s future plans [25:50] Listener questions: Park tallies and what’s missing; Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Kobuk Valley National Park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park [27:07] Listener questions: An invitation to Whiskeytown National Recreation Area [27:53] Listener questions; Managing friendship and national park trips [30:48] Jack reflects on his most transcendent park moments; Fossil Butte National Monument For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. Resources: Those Park Guys Jack Steward on Instagram Note: This episode is coming out in summer of 2020 during COVID-19 please be safe and follow recommended guidelines. If you are going to a national park, check the website for specific closures and guidelines for that park. The content of this interview is to inspire travel once it is safe to do so. Thank you and we hope you and your loved ones stay healthy. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast. Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Visit our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks and @everybodysnationalparks
Epic adventures require meticulous planning - and a trusted guidebook. Moon Guides author Carter G. Walker joins Danielle with recommendations for planning a two-week expedition covering three of the country’s best-loved national parks: Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier based on her book Moon Yellowstone to Glacier National Park Road Trip. Discussion includes the following: [00:02] Introduction - Carter G. Walker, Moon Yellowstone to Glacier National Park Road Trip: Jackson Hole, the Grand Tetons & the Rocky Mountain Front (Travel Guide); Suggested additional reading Yellowstone Resources and Issues Handbook (updated yearly) [01:48] Pandemic park travel planning plus additional Moon Guide resources by Carter G. Walker [04:33] Time Travel: What’s the perfect amount of time to allot for your Yellowstone-to-Glacier road trip? [06:20] Car rental tips: Montana’s gateway cities maximize your budget - Billings, Missoula, Great Falls [07:53] Stocking up: Tips for buying road trip provisions in Jackson Hole (Grand Teton National Park), Bozeman, Livingston (Yellowstone National Park), and Great Falls, Kalispell, or Missoula (Glacier National Park) [08:58] Let’s Go: An overview of your epic journey [10:35] Beginning in Bozeman, MT: Tips and resources for your first days in Yellowstone, NPS Yellowstone app, recommended ENP episodes for Yellowstone 4.1 through 4.8, Mammoth Hot Springs, National Geographic May 2016, Upper Geyser Basin [14:18] Seasonal timing for your trip and the Yellowstone winter snow coach [15:58] Bozeman sightseeing [16:46] On to Jackson Hole, WY: Daytrips to Grand Teton and things to do [18:12] All about Grand Teton: Seasonal highlights and activities at Jenny Lake, Two Ocean Lake, Snake River, Jackson Lake [21:03] Jackson Lake Lodge activities and its environs: Signal Mountain, Oxbow Bend, Elk Island, DuBois, WY, Moran Junction, Ocean Lake, Emma Matilda Lake [22:45] Lodge booking tips [23:13] Yellowstone’s east side: Canyon Village, Tower Junction/Roosevelt, Mammoth Hot Springs, Paradise Valley, Lamar Valley [24:08] Paradise Valley area highlights:Gardiner, MT Chico Hot Springs, Chico Saloon [25:57] Rocky Mountain Front, MT to Great Falls, MT: Sluice Boxes State Park, Wishaw, MT, White Sulphur Springs, O’Haire Motor Inn and Sip 'n Dip Lounge, Piano Pat Spoonheim [28:12] Browning, MT: Glacier Country activities and lodging: Museum of the Plains Indian, Blackfeet Nation [29:03] Browning to Many Glacier highlights and camping resource [31:32} Seasonal challenges: avoiding the crowds, backcountry safety, Highline trail [34:04] Glacier National Park: Ranger-led programs and activities, St. Mary Visitor Center, [35:27] Glacier Institute programs and multi-day camps [36:37] Everything you need to know about Going-To-The-Sun Road [37:43] Lake McDonald Valley and Lake McDonald Lodge area highlights and activities [39:28] Crowd control: Planning your Highline or Going-To-The-Sun hikes including shuttle tips [42:19] Lake McDonald to Whitefish, MT: Activities and lodging in nearby Essex, MT at Izaak Walton Inn [43:28] Ending the trip in Bozeman: Flathead Lake, Jewel Basin, National Bison Range, Missoula, MT, Mission Mountains, Flathead Indian Reservation, Seeley Swan Valley, Helena, MT Thank you to Moon Travel Guides for sponsoring this episode. For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. Resources: Buy your copy of Moon Yellowstone to Glacier National Park Road Trip Carter Walker http://www.cartergwalker.com Yellowstone Resources and Issues Handbook Note: This episode is coming out in spring of 2020 during COVID-19 please be safe and follow recommended guidelines. If you are going to a national park, check the website for specific closures and guidelines for that park. The content of this interview is to inspire travel once it is safe to do so. Thank you and we hope you and your loved ones stay healthy. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast. Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Visit our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks and @everybodysnationalparks
Description: This is a replay. Bryan speaks with Park Ranger Shelton Johnson and Sergeant Elizy Bowman, a Buffalo Soldier in the 9th Cavalry in Yosemite (portrayed by Shelton Johnson). Sergeant Bowman discusses what it was like to be a Buffalo Soldier, the name given to African-American cavalry troops of the U.S. Army who were among the first park rangers. Ranger Shelton talks about diversity in the national parks. This is episode number 19.5. This is the fifth episode in our series on Yosemite National Park. For complete show notes, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. If this is your first time tuning in, go back and listen to the other episodes in our Yosemite series including our trip report, a conversation with park naturalist Erik Westerlund, Tom Bopp sings for us while recounting the 1903 camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir, and a wonderful conversation about Ansel Adams’ Legacy with his son, grandson and internationally known photographer and Ansel’s last darkroom assistant, Alan Ross. Upcoming topics in our Yosemite series include Mountaineering, geology and tips for planning your own trip to Yosemite. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
The reality of our new normal could spark renewed interest in an old favorite: the great American road trip. Danielle chats with Moon Route 66 Road Trip author Jessica Dunham about the allure of this iconic highway. With a focus on family fun, Jessica shares her top Route 66 picks including man-made kitschiness, scenic lookouts, and national park access. And, keep those engines revved up because Jessica gives a sneak peek into her forthcoming book The Open Road: 50 Best Road Trips In The USA. Discussion Includes the Following [0:02] Listener comment - Piñon Flats Camp Ground, Great Sand Dunes National Park [2:58] Jessica Dunham, author: Moon Route 66 Road Trip and The Open Road: 50 Best Road Trips In The USA [6:48] History of Historic Route 66: Federal-Aid Highway Act, National Park Service Corridor Preservation Program [9:58] Route 66 Family Road Trip: Overview [10:54] Midwest Region: Route 66 Association Hall Of Fame and Museum, Gateway Arch National Park, Indiana Dunes State Park, World’s Largest Route 66 Rocking Chair [16:02] Great Plains Region: Cars on the Route, Cadillac Ranch [19:34] Southwest Region: Musical Highway, Wigwam Village Motel [25:02] National Parks Along The Route - Part I: Petrified Forest National Park, Grand Canyon National Park [26:23] NPS Dark Skies Program [27:12] Arizona’s big sky vistas and Meteor Crater [29:15] More Grand Canyon Attractions: Grand Canyon Railway, Phantom Ranch [32:01] National Parks Along The Route - Park II: Mojave National Preserve, Joshua Tree National Park [34:16] Saguaro National Park [36:12] End Of The Route: Los Angeles, CA and Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA [38:27] National Parks To Ponder on The Lonliest Road: The Open Road: 50 Best Road Trips In The USA, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison, Great Basin National Park [40:00] A Great Texas Road Trip: Big Bend National Park, Alpine, Marfa, McDonald Observatory, Marfa Burrito [46:00] National Astronaut Day, Girl Scouts, NPS Dark Skies Program, Shenandoah National Park, [47:20] California Road Trip Favorites: Yosemite National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Redwood National And State Forest For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. Note: This episode is coming out in spring of 2020 during COVID-19 please be safe and follow recommended guidelines. If you are going to a national park, check the website for specific closures and guidelines for that park. The content of this interview is to inspire travel once it is safe to do so. Thank you and we hope you and your loved ones stay healthy. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast. Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Visit our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks and @everybodysnationalparks
Celebrate Parks to Kids Day on May 16, 2020 with the National Park Trust from your home. Due to COVID-19, the National Park Trust has developed many ways to bring the national parks to kids this year. Hear all about the activities they have available on their website and all of the virtual experiences available on the ParkPassport app. The National Park Trust teamed up with Blue Star Families to bring over 500 virtual park experiences from the app. Visit https://kidstoparks.parktrust.org Share your activities. Follow and Tag @NationalParkTrust and @everybodysnationalparks #ParksToKids #BuddyBison #everybodysnationalparks
“Half the Park is After Dark.” Think your park day is over once the sun sets? Think again! Tyler Nordgren, PhD, joins Bryan for an illuminating look at the Night Skies program. As a Night Sky ambassador, Dr. Nordgren supports The National Park Service’s efforts to ensure that the celestial landscape remains visible to future generations. And speaking of young park-goers, stick around after the Carl Sagan story and travel tips as Everybody’s National Parks special junior ranger correspondents ask a few hard-hitting astronomical questions of their own. Discussion Includes the Following: [00:54] - Introduction: Night Skies program, Big Bend National Park [01:17] - Dr. Tyler Nordgren: Cornell University and Carl Sagan [02:46] - International Dark Sky Association and Dark Skies sites, the Milky Way, Natural Bridges National Monument [03:51] - Ancient skies, ancient stories: Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, John Muir [06:02] - Evening Ranger programs: Around the galaxy, through the seasons [08:41] - Astronomical math [10:22] - The Drake equation [11:06] - Teaching insignificance via a grapefruit and sundae sprinkles; Big Bend National Park, Kuiper Belt; Alpha Centauri [14:29] - Native American oral traditions and the story of Ursa Majoris; Corona Borealis [17:18] - Dr. Nordgren’s seasonal tips for travelers: Grand Canyon National Park, Acadia National Park, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park [20:41] - Eclipse events: Mapping out the five years; Crater Lake National Park, Great Basin National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Lake Powell National Recreation Area, Mesa Verde National Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Niagara Falls National Heritage Site [24:05] - Letchworth State Park [24:30] - Carl Sagan’s 'Cosmos' [24:47] - Questions from junior rangers [26:35] - Our collision course with Andromeda Galaxy For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. Note: This episode is coming out in spring of 2020 during COVID-19 please be safe and follow guidelines to stay at home in social distance. If you are going to a national park, check the website for specific closures and guidelines for that park. The content of this interview is to inspire future travel once it is safe to do so. Thank you and we hope you and your loved ones stay healthy. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks and @everybodysnationalparks
Bryan speaks with Moon Travel Guide author Joshua Berman all about camping and visiting the national parks in Colorado. His book Moon Colorado Camping comes out May 12, 2020. Discussion includes the following: 0:32 Thank you to sponsor, Moon Travel Guides 2:18 Description of Moon Colorado Camping guidebook 5:20 Camping and Visiting Colorado’s National Parks 10:35 Estes Park and other Gateway Towns to Rocky Mountain National Park 12:19 Camping at Rocky Mountain National Park 14:07 Fourteeners and High Peaks of Colorado 14:58 Visiting and Camping at Black Canyon of the Gunnison 18:06 Visiting, Camping or Staying at the Lodge in Mesa Verde National Park 20:15 Dark Sky Certification 20:37 Josh’s Favorite National Monuments: Colorado National Monument and Bent’s Old Fort 23:50 Visiting and Camping at Great Sand Dunes National Park 26:27 Colorado Off-Season 28:05 RV Camping 29:28 Josh Shares a Favorite Colorado Camping Moment Resources: Get the updated guidebook, Moon Colorado Camping Follow Joshua Berman Twitter :: @tranquilotravel Instagram: @tranquilotravel Website :: http://joshuaberman.net Note: This episode is coming out in spring of 2020 during COVID-19 please be safe and follow guidelines to stay at home in social distance. If you are going to a national park, check the website for specific closures and guidelines for that park. The content of this interview is to inspire future travel once it is safe to do so. Thank you and we hope you and your loved ones stay healthy. For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
This week, we’re doing something a little different. It’s National Park Week, and we’re teaming up with other National Park podcasters, authors, bloggers, and other content creators to celebrate. The theme for Today, Thursday, April 23rd is “Throwback Thursday,” so a few of us podcasts decided to band together for a “best-of” sort of episode. We’re going to play you a clip each from, Gaze at the National Parks, Everybody’s National Parks, Parklandia, and America’s National Parks. These throwback episodes are some of our favorites. We hope you enjoy. Thank you to America's National Parks for producing this episode. Discussion includes the following: 1:25 We began with full-time RVers Matt and Brad Kirouac, who travel the county with one goal: to visit as many national parks as possible, producing the Parklandia Podcast. We threw back to Parklandia’s first episode ever as they sat down for a glass of wine made in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 7:30 In Dustin Ballard and Michael Ryan’s Gaze at the National Parks Podcast, each episode features one hiking trail in one national park, one park at a time. The clip is from Episode 10 – Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park. After getting on the Angel’s Landing Trail right at 7am, Mike and Dusty make it all the way to the top of the Chains. Dusty’s fear of heights keeps him clutching to a boulder while Mike walks to all of the edges and takes all of the photos. 13:03 Everybody’s National Parks is an audio guide podcast promoting family adventure in our national parks — like having a ranger in your pocket. Danielle along with her husband Bryan and their 2 junior rangers have new episodes that come out every other Tuesday. Each series of episodes includes a trip report and interviews with experts, tips and insight on what makes that park special. Everybody’s National Parks has in-depth multi-episode series on dozens of parks, along with special guests episodes. We featured a few different clips: An excerpt from the Yosemite trip report from May 2019, a clip of Historian – musician Tom Bopp performing “Yosemite, O Land of Cliffs and Waterfalls,” ending with a clip from their interview with Ken Burns from April 2019. Everybody’s National Parks 8–part podcast series on Yosemite also includes a wonderful conversation about Ansel Adams’ legacy with his son Michael, grandson Matthew and internationally known photographer and Ansel’s last darkroom assistant, Alan Ross, and so much more. 16:46 Finally, a clip from the America’s National Parks podcast, produced and hosted by Jason Epperson and Abigail Trabue, as they travel the country with their three boys. They tell stories from the past, spotlight conservation efforts, and bring you the latest news from the parks. The clip came from our episode “37 Days in Yellowstone,” which tells the story of Truman Everts, who was separated from the Washburn expedition that set out to explore the wild and wondrous land that is now Yellowstone National Park. Blunder after blunder led everts to lose both his horse and a supply horse, a pistol, and two knives. He lit the forest on fire twice, accidentally slept in a bear’s den, and spent days in a tree after being chased up it by a mountain lion. Yet miraculously, he survived. Find Gaze at the National Parks, Parklandia, Everybody’s National Parks and America’s National Parks on any podcast app. We hope you’ll subscribe to them all. And please make sure to join in the National Park Week Fun by checking out all of the posts from the National Parks Creative Exchange and the National Park Service on any of our social media accounts, and by following the hashtag #NationalParkWeek. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Celebrate Junior Ranger Day at Home and in Your Own Backyard Saturday, April 18th, 2020 is Junior Ranger Day and the first day of National Park Week. Unfortunately, we are under a state home orders due to COVID-19 so this is a different sort of Junior Ranger Day and National Park Week that we will be celebrating from our homes and virtually. In this bonus episode I talk with my two little pink junior rangers about being a junior ranger. #nationalparkweek #findyourpark #FindYourVirtualPark Discussion includes the following: Why they like being a junior ranger Fun fact about palm trees Fun Fact about roadrunners Fun Fact about Javelinas Responsibilities of a junior ranger Favorite junior ranger activities Promo for upcoming episode on Night Skies with Tyler Nordgren How to celebrate junior ranger day at home Junior Ranger joke Clip from Shenandoah Trip Report from March 2017 of kids talking about astronomy program and volunteering to save monarch butterflies. National Park Creative Exchange collaboration For Everybody's National Parks Junior Ranger Day Activities go to https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/juniorranger Please tag @everybodysnationalparks For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. Celebrate National Parks Week with the National Parks Creative Exchange. Each day from April 18 through April 26, 2020 explore the National Parks with a host of podcasters, bloggers, vloggers and parks enthusiasts. Follow along on their websites, with their podcasts, and on their Instagram accounts. Everybody’s National Parks Gaze At The National Parks Parklandia Podcast America’s National Parks Our Wander Filled Life Park Chasers The Parks Expert Moon Travel Guide author Becky Lomax @headalongwithheart Resources to #FindYourVirtualPark: Junior Ranger Day Backyard Activities and "Backyard National Park" Badge America’s National Parks: Virtual Passport Cancellations Google Arts and Culture: Hidden Worlds of the National Parks Google Arts and Culture: Explore more from the National Park Service Google Earth National Park Virtual Tours Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy: Kid Crafts that bring the National Parks Home Happy 150th Birthday Golden Gate Park Virtual Celebration NPS Celebrates: Games and Challenges NPS Celebrates: Earth Day 2020 Going Digital NPS: Junior Ranger Programs and Books NPS: (More) Junior Ranger Books NPS: Teacher Resources Parkasaurus: Tracking #NPSLIVE Events Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Danielle speaks with author Jason Frye. His updated guidebook, Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park is available starting April 21, 2020. Jason offers tips for avoiding crowds, how to see the synchronous fireflies and off the beaten path places to explore. Note: This episode is coming out in spring of 2020 during COVID-19 please be safe and follow guidelines to stay at home in social distance. If you are going to a national park, check the website for specific closures and guidelines for that park. The content of this interview is to inspire future travel once it is safe to do so. Thank you and we hope you and your loved ones stay healthy. Discussion includes the following: 0:02 About Jason Frye and Moon Travel Guides 3:23 Jason talks about how Great Smoky Mountains National Park has not changed much since its inception. Every visit brings back memories from his youth. 4:46 Danielle recalls Ken Burns’ interview on Everybody’s National Parks (episode 13) when he talks about how it is equally important with whom you see these places. 7:08 How to see the fireflies at the Great Smoky Mountains 13:12 Description of Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park 16:02 Suggested weekend itineraries: Tips for Visiting Cades Cove, Abrams Falls Tuckaleechee Caverns, Townsend, TN; Rocky Top 20:08 Suggested Off the Beaten Path Weeklong Itinerary - Fontana Lake, Bryson City, NC; Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Cosby, Roaring Fork, Asheville, NC 24:22 Solitude on a Weekend Backpack Advenure around Fontana Lake 27:17 Intro to Family Backpacking with Kids at Catalouchee 30:56 Visiting the Smokies in Fall, Spring and Summer 33:14 Tips to Avoid Cars and Crowds in Fall: Foothills Parkway, Cattalouchee, Blue Ridge Parkway 36:38 Additional Recommendations for Gateway Towns: Knoxville and Gatlinburg 41:27 A Brief Description of the Blue Ridge Parkway 45:59 Jason’s Favorite Moment Resources: Follow Jason Frye on Instagram @beardedwriter Get the updated guidebook, Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Listen to Everybody’s National Parks podcast series on Great Smoky Mountains National Park (episodes 6.1-6.7) Thank you to Moon Travel Guides for sponsoring this episode. We love Moon Travel Guides. Whenever our family is deciding where we want to go next, we consult our copy of Moon USA National Parks. This is a great follow up to our podcast series on the Smokies that came out in June of 2018: Everybody’s National Parks episodes 6.1-6.7. If you're planning a trip, you'll want to listen to those episodes and get the new moon guidebook. For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Camping is not just in a tent. Danielle talks with Stephanie Puglisi of The RV Atlas podcast and co-author of See You at the Campground: A Guide to Community, Connection, and a Happier Family in the Great Outdoors, about the benefits of staying in a campground setting rather than a hotel during your national park visit. Stephanie shares how there is a camping situation to fit everyone’s needs and comfort: cabin, tent or RV. Note: This episode is coming out March 21, 2020 during Covid-19. Please be safe and follow guidelines to stay at home and social distance. If you are going to a national park, check the website for specific closures and guidelines for that park. The content of this interview is to inspire future travel once it is safe to do so. Thank you and we hope you and your loved ones stay healthy. Discussion includes the following: 4:25 - Why Stephanie prefers the campground experience. 8:11 - Different types of camping - Find the style that suits you. 15:13 - Staying at campgrounds right outside Glacier National Park with all of the amenities. 15:40 - Examples of selecting camping situation for every trip depends on the situation and research (Badlands, Utah) 18:07 - Unique camping situations in the Pacific Northwest 25:37 - Tips for how to rent your first RV: motorized, small side Class B or C Peer to peer rental: RV Share or Outdoorsy - look for best reviews, responsive and supportive Cruise America - RVs made specifically for renters and provide a lot of support. More pricey than peer to peer rental. 30:55 - Camping is not necessarily cheaper, but gives you more control of your costs so it can be cheaper 32:34 - How to choose the right campground for your family? It depends on what is important to your family. 35:00 - Stephanie shares some favorite campgrounds around national parks. 37:50 - Packing tips 40:08 - Camp food tips 46:29 - Tips for camping with family and friends who are not campers. 49:52 - Stephanie shares her favorite family national park camping experience at Glacier National Park hiking to Grinnell Glacier. 53:11 - Go to the RV Atlas website to listen and subscribe to the RV Atlas podcast and read their blog. See you at the Campground is available wherever books are sold. They also have a private RV Atlas Facebook group if you're looking for more advice on camping. Hear our interview, “5 Amazing National Park Lodges” on the RV Atlas podcast. For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. We have covered parks including: Biscayne, Crater Lake, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Olympic, Rock Creek, Saguaro, Shenandoah, Virgin Islands, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. We also have special conversations with a diverse group of national park champions. (Ep. 13) Acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns took time out of his busy schedule to discuss the creation and legacy of the National Park Service and celebrate the tenth anniversary of his series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. (Ep. 14) Author Becky Lomax chatted with Danielle and Bryan about her guidebook and offered travel tips to lesser-known parks. (Ep. 19.5) Ranger Shelton Johnson introduced listeners to the Buffalo Soldiers of Yosemite National Park Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Danielle chats with Grandma Joy and her grandson Brad Ryan of Grandma Joy's Road Trip. They started their national park adventure together when she was 85. They have visited 53 national parks - and counting! They share their favorite scenic drives in national parks and their top ten list of national parks for accessibility. Discussion includes the following: 0:02 - Introducing Grandma Joy Ryan and Brad Ryan: CBS This Morning Interview 1:55 - Reunited: From losing touch to regaining Joy Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Old Faithful, Redwood National and State Parks 5:08 - The adventure begins 6:47 - The life-changing magic of slowing down 10:15 - Age, accessibility, and Grandma Joy’s “best of…” list: Mammoth Cave National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park 13:10 - Shenandoah National Park 15:09 - Driver’s delight: Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona’s Painted Desert, Historic Route 66 17:54 - Diversity in the desert: Saguaro National Park, Joshua Tree National Park 19:52 - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, The General Sherman Tree 21:15 - Saguaro National Park and environs: Desert Discovery Trail, El Paso, TX lodging/Hyatt Hotels, White Sands National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park 22:44 - Tales from the passenger’s seat: Badlands National Park, Yellowstone National Park 26:14 - Big Bend National Park 28:30 - Grand Teton National Park 29:47 - Arches National Park, Zion National Park 31:12 - Sunrise over Grand Canyon National Park 33:01 - Glacier National Park, park shuttle service, Going-To-The-Sun Road 33:40 - Fishercap Lake, a moose encounter, and a wildlife reminder 35:42 - A veterinarian’s viewpoint 38:02 - Bear aware, Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Cades Cove Scenic Road 40:35 - Gatlinburg, TN, Clingmans Dome 41:45 - The glittering aspens of Rocky Mountain National Park 43:00 - Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park 43:41 - Assessing accessibility challenges: Channel Islands National Park 46:40 - Practical logistics 48:06 - Trip tips and ranger recommendations 50:09 - A Wind Cave National Park coyote story 51:42 - Bad weather/good mood: Why attitude is everything when travelling 52:15 - Isle Royal National Park misadventure 55:44 - Adventures counted in moments, not N.P.s: Craters Of The Moon National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument 56:56 - Transformative travel rewards 59:02 - What’s next for Brad and Grandma Joy: Brad’s book, National Park of American Samoa, Alaska’s multiple parks and places 1:01:11 - The power of Grandma Joy’s example For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. We have covered parks including: Biscayne, Crater Lake, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Olympic, Rock Creek, Saguaro, Shenandoah, Virgin Islands, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. We also have special conversations with a diverse group of national park champions. (Ep. 13) Acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns took time out of his busy schedule to discuss the creation and legacy of the National Park Service and celebrate the tenth anniversary of his series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. (Ep. 14) Author Becky Lomax chatted with Danielle and Bryan about her guidebook and offered travel tips to lesser-known parks. (Ep. 19.5) Ranger Shelton Johnson introduced listeners to the Buffalo Soldiers of Yosemite National Park Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Bryan talks with Dayton Duncan who, along with his creative partner Ken Burns, wrote and produced The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. How has our majestic national park system faired in the decade since PBS first aired that multi-episode documentary? The prolific author offers some insight and takes us on an emotional tour of his favorite park. Also listen to the Everybody’s National Park’s Ken Burns podcast episode 13 in your podcast app or click here. Discussion Includes the Following: 0:02 - Introduction to Dayton Duncan: The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, Out West: A Journey Through Lewis And Clark's America, ENP #13 - Ken Burns Interview 2.27 - Ken Burns films Baseball and Country Music, Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980; Yosemite National Park 5:56 - Citizen Activism, Part I: Adina Emilia de Zavala, the Alamo 9:34 - The American Antiquities Act, National Park Service Centennial, national lands protected under the Obama administration 13:24 - Citizen Activism, Part II: Marjory Stoneman Douglas, John Muir 17:32 - Preservation And Shrinking Public Lands: Bears Ears National Monument, Yellowstone National Park 18:39 - Continuing land management challenges, Grand Canyon National Park 21:37 - Transcendence, Part I: The open space of democracy, Old Faithful, TerryTempest Williams 24:21 - Parks Promote Relationships 25:15 - Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon National Park 27:00 - Badlands National Park, Dinosaur National Monument 28:24 - Transcendence, Part II: A multi-generation connection to the parks and keeping memories safe 33:54 - The National Parks: America’s Best Idea companion book, John Muir 34:55 - Ken Burns’ Mark Twain biography 36:00 - Revisiting an old favorite: Glacier National Park 38:30 - Bearing Witness To Climate Change And The Call To Act: Joshua Tree National Park, Many Glacier Hotel, Grinnell Glacier 42:51 - ENP 2020 plans and preparations 45:07 - Dayton Duncan, Honorary Park Ranger For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. We have covered parks including: Biscayne, Crater Lake, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Olympic, Rock Creek, Saguaro, Shenandoah, Virgin Islands, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. We also have special conversations with a diverse group of national park champions. (Ep. 13) Acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns took time out of his busy schedule to discuss the creation and legacy of the National Park Service and celebrate the tenth anniversary of his series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. (Ep. 14) Author Becky Lomax chatted with Danielle and Bryan about her guidebook and offered travel tips to lesser-known parks. (Ep. 19.5) Ranger Shelton Johnson introduced listeners to the Buffalo Soldiers of Yosemite National Park Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
One of Isle Royale National Park’s most famous attractions is one that visitors rarely see: wolves. Bryan had the opportunity to speak with Park Ranger Mark Romanski, Division Chief of Natural Resources, about the park’s most elusive resident. Discussion includes the following: 0:02 - Past episodes listening suggestions: Ken Burns interview, Biscayne National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Everglades National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Olympic National Park, Saguaro National Park, Shenandoah National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Zion National Park 1:04 - Mark Romanski, Division Chief, Natural Resources, Isle Royale National Park 1:56 - When and how wolves made their way to Isle Royale 2:54 - Population Programs: From a 1948 collaboration with Detroit Zoo through today 3:55 - Shifting policies, shifting populations of an island ecosystem 6:00 - The big bear question (and answer), “Why are there no bears on Isle Royale?” 6:53 - Collecting data on Isle Royale’s current wolf population with Michigan Technological University 8:16 - Caucusing: The winter study with Dr. Rolf Peterson and John Vucetich 11:02 - Modern tech, modern tracking 11:25 - Wolves: Social lives and relationship structures 13:53 - Wolves: Hunting and adaptability 17:01 - Collecting data, part II 18:22 - Moose: Not the easiest kill 19:32 - Slim chances of seeing (or hearing) Isle Royale’s most elusive residents 23:47 - Wolf calls 25:21 - Beauty beyond the wolf 26:27 - Femur finds 27:20 - Wolf observation plans for 2020 28:18 - Ranger Mark shares his favorite wolf-related Isle Royale story For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. We have covered parks including: Biscayne, Crater Lake, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Olympic, Rock Creek, Saguaro, Shenandoah, Virgin Islands, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. We also have special conversations with a diverse group of national park champions. (Ep. 13) Acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns took time out of his busy schedule to discuss the creation and legacy of the National Park Service and celebrate the tenth anniversary of his series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. (Ep. 14) Author Becky Lomax chatted with Danielle and Bryan about her guidebook and offered travel tips to lesser-known parks. (Ep. 19.5) Ranger Shelton Johnson introduced listeners to the Buffalo Soldiers of Yosemite National Park Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Although notoriously difficult to get to (and, in Bryan’s case, off of), Isle Royale National Park rewards visitors with acres of solitude and Superior vistas. Park Ranger Liz Valencia, the park’s Chief of Interpretation and Cultural Resources, joins Bryan to discuss the island’s mystique and why it’s rugged beauty is more approachable than you think. Discussion Includes the Following: 0:02 - Past episodes listening suggestions: Ken Burns interview, Biscayne National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Everglades National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Olympic National Park, Saguaro National Park, Shenandoah National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Zion National Park 1:10 - Park Ranger Liz Valencia, Chief of Interpretation and Cultural Resources at Isle Royal National Park 1:26 - Minnesota or Michigan? Getting to Isle Royale by boat: Ranger III, Isle Royale Queen IV, Voyageur II, Sea Hunter III 4:03 - Daytripper strategies: Grand Portage, MN and Copper Harbor, MI 8:40 - Seaplane service 9:42- Extended exploring aboard Voyageur II 10:25 - Island hopping and harbor stopping: Daytrip and overnight options at Windigo, McCargoe Cove, Belle Isle, Tobin Harbor, Rock Harbor, Daisy Farm, Malone Bay, Chippewa Harbor 12:28 - Rock Harbor Lodge water taxi 12:45 - Huginnin Cove Loop Trail 13:28 - Hiking the spine: The Greenstone Ridge Trail 16:16 - Weather considerations and planning for the unexpected 20:02 - Daytrip hikes from Rock Harbor: Scoville Point, Suzy’s Cave, Lookout Louise, Mount Franklin, Tobin Harbor, Ojibway Fire Tower 24:24 - Rock Harbor paddling recommendations 25:46 - Daytrip hikes from Windigo: Windigo Nature Trail, Grace Creek Overlook, Minong Overlook, Rock of Ages Huginnin Cove Loop 27:15 - Backcountry treks: Feldtmann Ridge Trail 29:25 - Backcountry portages 30:19 - Islands and inland lakes: Beaver Island, Lake Richie, Chickenbone Lake 31:49 - Backcountry camping permits and logistics 33:30 - Backcountry popularity 35:44 - Sailing around Isle Royale and the outer islands 36:27 - An underwater museum: cold-water diving amongst the preserved remains of 10 major shipwrecks 40:52 - Ranger programs on land and water 45:44 - Inside the park’s wolves and moose population with Isleroyalwolf.org and the fictional Winter Study by Nevada Barr 47:48 - Slim shoulder-season 49:52 - Pests 51:20 - Seasonal transitions 53:47 - Ranger Liz shares a favorite Isle Royale memory 57:15 - Don’t be shy. Ask a ranger! For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. We have covered parks including: Biscayne, Crater Lake, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Olympic, Rock Creek, Saguaro, Shenandoah, Virgin Islands, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. We also have special conversations with a diverse group of national park champions. (Ep. 13) Acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns took time out of his busy schedule to discuss the creation and legacy of the National Park Service and celebrate the tenth anniversary of his series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. (Ep. 14) Author Becky Lomax chatted with Danielle and Bryan about her guidebook and offered travel tips to lesser-known parks. (Ep. 19.5) Ranger Shelton Johnson introduced listeners to the Buffalo Soldiers of Yosemite National Park Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Getting to Isle Royale National Park proves easier than getting off the famously difficult to reach island for Bryan and his buddies. In this episode, he’s joined by brother Dan and Dr Jeff Greenberger, their former-teacher-turned-honorary-highschool-buddy, for a post-trip recap. Danielle closes the show with a look at riding out an Isle Royale storm from ENP headquarters. Discussion includes the following: [0:46] Past episodes listening suggestions: Ken Burns interview, Biscayne National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Everglades National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Olympic National Park, Saguaro National Park, Shenandoah National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Zion National Park, and 2019 Year In Review [01:52] The adventure begins:: Grand Marais, MN, Grand Portage, MN, Sea Hunter Ferry, Isle Royale National Park [05:00] First impressions, lasting memories: Windigo, Washington Harbor, Lake Superior, The SS America [07:00] A first-name basis welcome and check-in procedures [08:40] Day 1: Agates, beavers, and Tolkien vibes on Huginnin Cove Trail [13:00] Windigo camper cabins and visitors center review [13:56] Day 2: Morning moose-spotting and the ferry to McCargoe Cove [17:36] Hiking highlights: Lake Richie, Chickenbone Lake, and meeting a trail regular [21:00] Our backcountry campsite and a dip with the neighboring moose [22:25] Wolf tales and loon calls [24:40] The joys of sleeping soundly in a bear-free park [26:45] Day 3: Greenstone Ridge Trail, Three Mile campground [27:35] Daisy Farm [28:50] The gadget man (powdered root beer, cylinder stick stove) [29:43] Inclement camping: ominous weather forecasted [32:51] Day 4: Tobin Harbor, Lake Superior, and the trail to Rock Harbor {34:00] Moose tales [36:01] Rock Harbor Lodge cabins [37:00} Juxtaposition: Isle Royale’s grand past and mining history [38:58] Lodge dinner and libation recommendations: Redjacket Amber Ale and Widowmaker by Keweenaw Brewing Company and Isle Royale Cream Ale from Midland Brewing Company [40:51] The (return) adventure begins: rough crossings and returns [44:20] Bonus Day 5: witnessing the very best in our NPS staff [46:30] Bonus day recollections [48:30] Back into civilization: Duluth and Minneapolis, MN [51:00] Isle Royale wish lists: full-island traverse and kayak-camping [54:08} Lasting impressions [57:27] Homefront POV: Danielle minds mission control during the guys’ bonus day snafu For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. We have covered parks including: Biscayne, Crater Lake, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Olympic, Rock Creek, Saguaro, Shenandoah, Virgin Islands, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. We also have special conversations with a diverse group of national park champions. (Ep. 13) Acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns took time out of his busy schedule to discuss the creation and legacy of the National Park Service and celebrate the tenth anniversary of his series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. (Ep. 14) Author Becky Lomax chatted with Danielle and Bryan about her guidebook and offered travel tips to lesser-known parks. (Ep. 19.5) Ranger Shelton Johnson introduced listeners to the Buffalo Soldiers of Yosemite National Park Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Bryan talks with Jonathan Waterman about his new breathtaking hardcover published by National Geographic, Atlas of the National Parks, his passion for the parks, as well as the role humans play in their survival. Jon also shares his list of favorite off-the-beaten-path parks you should visit. Jon Waterman is an award-winning author, filmmaker, and former park ranger. This is the latest resource for Everybody’s National Parks trip-planning to national parks. DISCUSSION INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: [1:49] Books by Jonathan Waterman: Running Dry and In the Shadow of Denali: Life And Death On Alaska's Mt. McKinley [2:20] Beyond a guidebook: National Geographic’s role in creating the National Park System (NPS) [6:15] Climate change chips away at natural wonders large and small: Tidewater glaciers, Everglades National Park, pileated woodpecker, Burmese python, cheatgrass [8:03] Landscape fragility study: University of California, Berkeley Institute for Parks, People, and Biodiversity [10:45] Dire NPS budget cuts for 2020? [11:29] Staying on the beaten path (Part I): loop roads and popular trails at Yosemite National Park, Zion National Park, Glacier Bay National Park [13:52] Limited Access and park privatization: weapons in the fight of loving the parks to death? [16:36] Considering lesser-known park areas: Cades Cove vs Cataloochee, Great Smokey Mountain National Park, College Canyon, Zion National Park, [17:55] Opting out of the Grand Circle: Leaving Grand Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park for less-visited parks Crater Lake National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, Gates of the Arctic National Park, North Cascades National Park, Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park, Michigan’s Isle Royal National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park in the Gulf of Mexico, and Utah’s Canyonlands National Park [23:06] Staying on the beaten path (Part II): Visiting Wonder Lake in Denali National Park and Preserve like a tourist...and why that’s okay; National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions [25:07] The city parks: Shenandoah National Park, Saguaro National Park, Petrified Forest National Park [26:30] Park science [28:30] Summits and ceremonial scarves: John shares a favorite Denali memory JOHN WATERMAN CONTACT: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter For complete show notes and blog post, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. We have covered parks including: Biscayne, Crater Lake, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Olympic, Rock Creek, Saguaro, Shenandoah, Virgin Islands, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. We also have special conversations with a diverse group of national park champions. (Ep. 13) Acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns took time out of his busy schedule to discuss the creation and legacy of the National Park Service and celebrate the tenth anniversary of his series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. (Ep. 14) Author Becky Lomax chatted with Danielle and Bryan about her guidebook and offered travel tips to lesser-known parks. (Ep. 19.5) Ranger Shelton Johnson introduced listeners to the Buffalo Soldiers of Yosemite National Park Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: Hello, brand new year! Since hindsight is 20/20, Danielle, Bryan, and the girls take this episode to reminisce on their 2019 park travels and look ahead to what they’ve planned for 2020. They add to their already extensive bucket list and answer a listener’s question about budget planning for a national park visit. And, of course, this wouldn’t be a family episode if it didn’t end with a joke or two. Discussion includes the following: 1:19 - South Florida Itinerary: Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park 2:15 - Government shutdown: what effect a shutdown can have on the NPS and how South Florida volunteers stepped in 4:41 - Bryan discovers the beauty, diversity, and chickee huts of Everglades National Park 5:47 - Biscayne National Park: from boat excursions to paddleboarding adventures in Jones Lagoon 6:25 - Saguaro National Park adventure (by of a snowstorm-thwarted Petrified Forest National Park visit) and bucket list items for the future 7:58 - Shenandoah National Park and Yorktown Battlefield 8:41 - San Francisco Bay, West Coast Adventure Part I: Muir Woods National Monument, The Presidio, Rosie The Riveter WWII historical site 9:03 - Yosemite National Park, West Coast Adventure, Part II: Ranger Shelton Johnson on Instagram, Glacier Point, High Sierra camping and site lottery 11:37 - East Coast Adventure, Part I: Boston Harbor, The Freedom Trail, USS Constitution, Fort McHenry National Monument 12:03 - East Coast Adventure, Part II: Fire Island National Seashore, the lighthouse, and the sunken forest plus Monarch butterfly migration 13:37 - East Coast Adventure, Part III: Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt and Sagamore Hill National Historic Site 14:20 - East Coast Adventure, Part IV: Saratoga National Historical Park and Alexander Hamilton’s Schuyler House 15:27 - East Coast Adventure, Part V: Springfield, MA and Harpers Ferry Amory and Arsenal National Historic Park 16:00 - Favorite Interviews, Part I: reminiscing with Ken Burns on the tenth anniversary of his documentary series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea 17:33 - Favorite Interviews, Part II: Park Ranger Shelton Johnson and the Buffalo Soldiers 17:56 - Favorite Interviews, Part III: Becky Lomax, author of the Moon Guide USA National Parks: A Guide To All 59 Parks 18:48 - Twitter Patter: a trip to the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site for a live meetup of #parkchat participants 19:04 - A question from a listener prompts a discussion about trip budgets 20:04 - Budget Tip #1: the cost benefits of shoulder season travel 21:04 - Budget Tip #2: getting comfortable with camping 22:32 - Budget Tip #3: accommodation ideas from AirBnB to gateway towns to KOA campgrounds 23:02 - Budget Tip #4: the travelling (not-so) gourmet 24:11 - Budget Tip #5: you CAN take (most of) it with you if you fly Southwest Airlines (and even if you can’t, there are companies that can pack and deliver everything you need right to your campsite) 25:38 - Budget Tip #6: the Every Kid Outdoors program gets you in free with a fourth-grader (really!) or you can opt for an annual NPS pass 27:14 - Looking Ahead to 2020: Trips to Big Bend National Park in Texas and Montana’s Glacier National Park as well as an episode on Bryan’s guys-only trip to Isle Royale National Park 29:13 - Highlights from 2019, Part I: sunrises at Flamingo Campground, Everglades; hiking Saguaro’s Garwood Dam and Wildhorse Tank Loop Trail; walking Yosemite’s Vernal and Nevada Fall trails; seeing Tom Bopp, the singing historian of Yosemite, perform at Wawona Hotel 30:53 - Highlights (and a lowlight) from 2019, Part II: starlight and super crows in South Florida, the Fen Boardwalk at Happy Isles, Yosemite 32:05 - Yorktown Battlefield Historic Site: Bryan’s personal connection 33:44 - Gettysburg National Military Park and Matt Atkinson, park ranger extraordinaire 34:15 - Statue of Liberty National Monument 34:51 - A Second-Grader Reflects On Her 2019 Travels: fireplaces fit for performances at Yosemite’s Wawona and Ahwahnee hotels, storytime with Tom Bopp, Firefall history at Yosemite’s Curry Village, Vernal Falls hiking, 41:26 - A Fifth-Grader Reflects on Her 2019 Travels: Snorkelling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park invasive iguanas, a snowball fight along Yosemite’s John Muir Trail, and the Shark Valley Tram Tour in Southern Florida For complete show notes and blog post, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. If this is your first time tuning in, go back and listen to past episodes: Listen to the entire Everglades & Biscayne series here (episodes 11.1 - 11.5). The Saguaro trip series begins here (episodes 15.1 - 15.5). Check out the Shenandoah episodes here (episodes 2.1 - 2.4.2). Get to know Yosemite National Park by starting here (episodes 19.1 - 19.8). 2019 was also the year of special conversations with a diverse group of national park champions. Author Becky Lomax chatted with Danielle and Bryan about her guidebook and offered travel tips to lesser-known parks. Ranger Shelton Johnson introduced listeners to the Buffalo Soldiers of Yosemite National Park while historian and entertainer Tom Bopp delighted everyone with a song. But the highlight of the year was a visit with acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns. The filmmaker took time out of his busy schedule to discuss the creation and legacy of the National Park Service and celebrate the tenth anniversary of his series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. We also have covered other parks including: Crater Lake, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Olympic, Rock Creek, Virgin Islands, Yellowstone, and Zion. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
We want to wish everyone Happy Holidays from Everybody's National Parks. This short episode features some fun jokes from our 2 pink junior ranger girls. We also offer a sneak peak for 2020 and a quick overview of our podcast archive. We wish you all a Happy, Healthy, Safe Holiday Season and fun National Park adventures in 2020! To check out our archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: This episode, number eight in our Yosemite National Park series, is for the geology geeks and climbing enthusiasts. If neither of those monikers interests you right now, just wait: you’ll want to pick up a rock hammer or clip yourself to a rope by the end of the show -- possibly both! To start, Bryan chats with Park Geologist and Ranger Greg Stock on the forces that shaped Yosemite’s stunning scenery and the toll our warming climate is having on the park. Then, Danielle dives into mountaineering with Dave Bengston, director of Yosemite Mountaineering School, to learn about the highs and lows of this perennially popular park activity. Discussion includes the following: 0:01 - Introduction to the episode’s guests: Yosemite’s Park Geologist and Ranger Greg Stock and Dave Bengston, director of Yosemite Mountaineering School, plus Danielle reads a sweet note from a listener. 2:54 - Bryan exposes a geologist’s best-kept secret and gets to know Greg Stock 4:08 - Fatal rockfalls and shifting attitudes toward climate challenges drive the National Park Service to hire a geologist for Yosemite National Park 5:44 - A geological timeline: The formation of Yosemite’s iconic granite peaks El Capitán, Half Dome, Cathedral Peak, Lembert Dome, and Pothole Dome 7:26 - The Merced River 8:10 - A closer look at the processes of exfoliation, glacial erosion, and rockfalls 9:41 - The dynamic, year-round forces that trigger rockfalls 12:29 - Quantitative rockfall hazard risk and assessment and front-country campsite safety; an incident at Curry Village (2008) 15:20 - Yosemite’s fading ice: The Lyell and Maclure glaciers 16:38 - Replicating John Muir’s 1872 Maclure glacier survey 18:22 - The alarming truth about the future of Yosemite’s glaciers 19:51 - Greg tips his rock hammer to John Muir 22:23 - Hiking, rappelling, and taking modern measurements in the backcountry 24:39 - Dome upon cliff upon dome: Greg shares his favorite Yosemite memory 26:24 - Danielle dives into mountaineering at Yosemite and gets to know Dave Bankston 28:48 - From climbing to skiing: Four seasons of activity 31:18 - Universal language: Yosemite’s international mountaineering appeal 32:22 - Coming to terms with climbing lingo 33:20 - Newbies and indoor climbers welcome! 37:25 - Outdoor climbing vs sport climbing 38:56 - The perfect climbing spots for every level: From Toulumne Meadows, Swan Slab, and Puppy Dome for beginners to pitch climbing on East Buttress for intermediate climbers and El Capitán for advanced climbers 41:51 - All about pitch climbing 44:26 - Mountaineering School: Screening process 45:12 - Mountaineering School: Classes, climbs, and conditions 47:41 - Mountaineering tips for families 48:30 - Female climbers on the ascent 49:05 - Plan ahead for peak season climbing 49:51 - Free Solo Climbing 51:57 - A trip up Mount Conness: Dave shares his favorite climbing memory For complete show notes, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. If this is your first time tuning in, go back and listen to the other episodes in this Yosemite series including our trip report, a conversation with park naturalist Eric Westerlund, musician and historian Tom Bob sings for us while recounting the 1903 camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir, and a wonderful conversation about Antal Adams' legacy. Episode 19.5 features park ranger Shelton Johnson and his alter ego Sergeant Elizy Bowman, a Buffalo Soldier with the ninth cavalry in Yosemite. Episodes 19.6 and 19.7 discuss visiting Yosemite in different seasons and planning your trip. Listen to the the complete Yosemite Series: 19.1 Yosemite: Trip Report 19.2 Yosemite: Curious Characters In Nature - Parasitic Plants, Psychedelic Salamanders, And A Yodeling Ranger 19.3 Yosemite: John Muir And Theodore Roosevelt Camping Trip Told Through Song, An Interview With Tom Bopp 19.4 Yosemite: Ansel Adams’ Legacy ENP 19.5 Yosemite: Ranger Shelton Johnson On The Buffalo Soldiers And Diversity In The National Parks ENP 19.6 Yosemite: Things To Do By Season With Yosemite Conservancy And Yosemite Hospitality ENP 19.7 Yosemite: Plan Your Trip With TripPossible Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: Danielle speaks with Nick Mock, owner of TripPossible. They are experts in vacation planning and travel advice and they specialize in planning trips to the national parks. Nick shares his tips and time-saving advice about travelling to a national park like Yosemite. He planned a trip there with his family in May 2019 and wants to help you make the most out of your visit there. (This episode is sponsored by TripPossible) Discussion Includes the following: 2:04 - TripPossible: how it started, what it is, and why you should consider using it for your next trip 3:35 - Encountering the National Parks via the slow lane 5:31 - Variety + Flexibility = when & where to go 8:09 - Yosemite in the spotlight: perception vs reality 10:29 - Best kept secret: Yosemite West lodging options 12:14 - Editing your must-see list down to a less-is-more trip 14:29 - Inside the park lodging options from Yosemite Hospitality: Curry Village, Ahwahnee Lodge, Wawona Hotel 15:36 - The principles of packing for a four seasons in one day trip 18:08 - Trail weather along the Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls hikes 19:00 - Mirror Lake memories 21:31 - Overcoming common traffic frustrations in places like Yosemite Valley and Zion National Park 25:24 - Practical tips for enjoying Yosemite no matter the weather 27:22 - Itinerary planning: how not to see it all 29:32 - Yosemite memories big and small 32:32 - Additional TripPossible contact information Resources: TripPossible https://www.mytrippossible.com/ Phone number for weather updates Yosemite National Park Current Conditions https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm Call 209-372-0200 (press 1 then 1) for the most up-to-date conditions. For complete show notes, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. If this is your first time tuning in, go back and listen to the other episodes in this Yosemite series including our trip report, a conversation with park naturalist Eric Westerlund, musician and historian Tom Bob sings for us while recounting the 1903 camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir, and a wonderful conversation about Antal Adams' legacy. Episode 19.5 features park ranger Shelton Johnson and his alter ego Sergeant Elizy Bowman, a Buffalo Soldier with the ninth cavalry in Yosemite. Episode 19.6 features recommendations for visiting Yosemite in each season with Yosemite Conservancy and Yosemite Hospitality. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: Danielle gets tips and recommendations for visiting Yosemite National Park in every season from Adonia Ripple from Yosemite Conservancy, the park’s official nonprofit partner and Lisa Cesaro from Yosemite Hospitality, the park’s concessionaire. A winter stay at the Glacier Point Ski hut and a summer backpacking trip around the High Sierra Camps are on the bucket list. Discussed in this episode: 3:25 - Adonia RIpple of Yosemite Conservancy describes her background 5:07 - About Yosemite Conservancy 9:21 - Description of Yosemite National Park and the different regions of the park 12:13 - Hetch Hetchy 12:55 - Tom Bopp interview and Ken Burns Interview 13:29 - How long to visit and how to avoid crowds 16:51 - Spring itinerary 23:09 - Summer itinerary 28:05 - Fall itinerary 32:53 - Winter itinerary 35:03 - Yosemite Conservancy Programs 43:06 - Yosemite Conservancy Bookstores 45:22 - Climbing Cathedral Peak and the wisdom of this timeless environment 47:38 - Lisa Cesaro talks about Yosemite Hospitality 48:13 - Yosemite Hospitality accommodations 51:22 - High Sierra Camps 55:12 - Yosemite Hospitality Activities 1:00:15 - Yosemite in winter 1:03:52 - Glacier Point Ski Hut 1:05:12 - Lisa shares how special it is to live in Yosemite year-round For complete show notes, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. If this is your first time tuning in, go back and listen to the other episodes in this Yosemite series including our trip report, a conversation with park naturalist Eric Westerlund, musician and historian Tom Bob sings for us while recounting the 1903 camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir, and a wonderful conversation about Antal Adams' legacy. Episode 19.5 features park ranger Shelton Johnson and his alter ego Sergeant Elizy Bowman, a Buffalo Soldier with the ninth cavalry in Yosemite. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: Bryan speaks with Park Ranger Shelton Johnson and Sergeant Elizy Bowman, a Buffalo Soldier in the 9th Cavalry in Yosemite (portrayed by Shelton Johnson). Sergeant Bowman discusses what it was like to be a Buffalo Soldier, the name given to African-American cavalry troops of the U.S. Army who were among the first park rangers. Ranger Shelton talks about diversity in the national parks. This is episode number 19.5. This is the fifth episode in our series on Yosemite National Park. In this episode, For complete show notes, visit everybodysnationalparks.com. If this is your first time tuning in, go back and listen to the other episodes in our Yosemite series including our trip report, a conversation with park naturalist Erik Westerlund, Tom Bopp sings for us while recounting the 1903 camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir, and a wonderful conversation about Ansel Adams’ Legacy with his son, grandson and internationally known photographer and Ansel’s last darkroom assistant, Alan Ross. Upcoming topics in our Yosemite series include Mountaineering, geology and tips for planning your own trip to Yosemite. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: I had the great honor to speak about the legacy of American icon, Ansel Adams with his son Michael, grandson Matthew and internationally known photographer and Ansel’s last darkroom assistant, Alan Ross. We talk about family camping trips, his sense of humor and outlook on life, his passion for nature, photography and conservation and the new book Ansel Adams’ Yosemite: The Special Edition Prints by Little, Brown and Company. (For complete show notes, visit our website.) -- Ready to make your own Yosemite memories? Plan your park adventure by listening to previous episodes in this Yosemite series. Our trip report in episode 19.1 will help you navigate crowds and prepare for seasonal challenges. A park naturalist schools us in the Yosemite’s fascinating flora and fauna on episode 19.2. And singing historian Tom Bopp recounts the famous John Muir/Theodore Roosevelt camping trip of 1903 in episode 19.3. GUESTS IN THIS EPISODE: Michael Adams is the son of Ansel Adams, a retired pilot and physician, and the current chairman of The Ansel Adams Gallery board of directors. He is also an advisor to The Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona in Tucson and a council member for the Yosemite Conservancy. Alan Ross is a master photographer and photographic educator. He was Ansel Adams’ last darkroom assistant and, in 1975, was named by Adams to be the exclusive printer of the Yosemite Special Edition negatives, making each print by hand from the original negatives. Alan’s essay about his mentor and friend appears in the new book. Matthew Adams is the grandson of Ansel Adams and president of The Ansel Adams Gallery, which has operated out of Yosemite National Park as a family business since 1902. DISCUSSION INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: A son’s perspective on the life of Ansel Adams the father and the career of Ansel Adams the photographer, from camping trips to multiple Guggenheim Fellowships to the cover of Time Magazine [4:32] But first, there was the music [7:01] Half Dome and the shift from incidental pursuit to professional endeavor [8:45] Burros, backpacks, and glass plates were the modern photographer’s gear of choice [10:52] Incorporating 35mm film and Polaroid technology into the mix [12:00] Michael recalls a favorite Yosemite camping memory with dad at the Lyell fork [13:48] Alan shares what it was like to work alongside the jokester/master in the darkroom [15:21] Mabel Dodge Luhan’s Santa Fe, NM salons and Paul Strand’s influence on Ansel [17:30] More than landscapes [18:25] A passion for shining a light on injustices [19:07] A book excerpt: How the ordinary paves the way for the extraordinary [19:53] Ansel’s classic Moonrise Hernandez image [20:37] Math and the zone system, or how to calculate the luminescence of a moonlit scene without an exposure meter [22:49] Ansel’s contributions to the art and science of photography [24:08] Imogen Cunningham and microwave ovens [25:36] Lessons from a life spent in the dark(room) [26:27] Signatures and initials [26:57] Moonrise Glacier Point, Yosemite Special Edition prints, and the range of Ansel’s work [29:08] Alan’s tips for photographers visiting the park today [30:28] Michael weighs in on what his grandfather would’ve thought about modern digital photography and smartphones [33:29 Ansel’s conservation activities [36:35] Where would Ansel have stood on the crowds now flocking to Yosemite, not least because of his photography and John Muir’s writing [37:47] The legacy of Ansel’s photography as it relates to conservation and environmental activism [40:20] Ansel’s contribution to the first large-format book dedicated to conservation, the Sierra Club’s This is the American Earth [41:55] What to see and do at Yosemite National Park, including a visit to the Ansel Adams Gallery, a Happy Isles hike, and a tour of the Yosemite Museum [43:18] Camping with dad in the Tioga pass and poking around a ghost town [45:03] “He was just grandpa to me”: Ansel’s Presidential Medal of Freedom and his front page obituary in the Los Angeles Times [47:49] The unassuming artistic giant listed in the Carmel, CA phone book [48:50]
Description: A visit to Yosemite National Park is incomplete without an evening of entertainment listening to musician and historian Tom Bopp perform in the piano lounge of the Wawona Hotel. Tom, Bryan and Danielle talk about the famous 1903 three-day wilderness camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir. The camping buddies sidelined the media. Therefore, what we know about the trip is pieced together from research and anecdotes from government ranger Charlie Leidig, who accompanied the gentlemen on this trip. Tom recounts the trip that took the two naturalists from Mariposa Grove to Sentinel Dome and Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley. Tom has spent a lot of time thinking about the songs the two men may have sung together on their rides on horseback in between campsites. Listen to the podcast to hear Tom sing some of these timeless songs. Tom Bopp has been performing at the Wawona Hotel and The Ahwahnee since 1983. Tom performs an eclectic range of music as well as programs on Wawona history, Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir's 1903 camping trip to Yosemite, Yosemite music and culture, and a film documentary called Vintage Songs of Yosemite. Click here for complete show notes. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast wherever podcasts are available. We also want to hear about your adventures. Email us at Hello@everybodysnps.com. You may write us a message or even record a short voice memo on your phone and then attach it to the email. You may also send comments at https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/contact. You may be featured on an upcoming episode. Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
If you tend to go it alone when visiting the parks, Danielle’s conversation with Yosemite National Park Ranger Erik Westerlund will entice you to seek out ranger-led activities and possibly even take a crack at yodelling. Ranger Erik Westerlund is one of the most knowledgeable and passionate ambassadors you’ll ever encounter on Yosemite’s trails. A park naturalist since 1992, he’s been known to take backcountry hikes with an eight-pound copy of An Illustrated Flora of Yosemite National Park at the ready. His encyclopedic mind is filled to the brim with information on the park’s vast plant population. From Western Wallflowers to the Western Azalea, the weirdly wonderful Snow Plant to blueberries and cranberries, there isn’t a leaf he hasn’t overturned -- and then some. “I'm really getting into the fungus and finding mushrooms,” he says. “So, if you’re going for a walk with me, that’s the sort of stuff that we’re going to try to bring out.” That “stuff” includes Yosemite’s animal inhabitants as well. While bears and deer understandably enjoy top billing with visitors, Erik’s mission is to encourage a deeper appreciation for the park’s little creatures. Hummingbirds and squirrels can be every bit as interesting as the big mammals. Case in point, the Mount Lyell salamander. “My prized book possession is called Animal Life In The Yosemite... One of the highlights of that whole book was this little salamander. And if you startled one of these salamanders, they will roll into a ball and roll down the hill.” But a nature walk with Erik isn’t all bullet-point facts. He’s fond of performance tools more akin to a seasoned vaudeville performer than a scholarly park ranger. “I love pop culture references. Any way I can engage whoever I’m with, connecting the plants, the animals, the bugs to a pop culture reference is always fun.” His effusiveness is routinely on display at Yosemite Theatre where he hosts Creative Fusion: Exploring the Nature of the Sierra Nevada. But you’ll most likely catch him out on a hike teaching through impersonations, songs, impromptu mini-dramas, and riddles. And, if you’re very lucky, you might even find yourself aboard Erik’s popular tram tour, yodelling as you take in Yosemite’s stunning seasonal beauty. Ready to plan your own Yosemite adventure? Be sure to check out our Trip Report in episode 19.1 and our upcoming episodes in this series including conversations on President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir’s famous 1903 camping trip, the Buffalo Soldiers’ legacy, photographer Ansel Adams, mountain climbing and more. Discussion includes the following: Ranger Erik’s journey from department store clerk to naturalist at Yosemite with stops along the way at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center and Keystone Science School. Erik also provides a helpful definition for the word naturalist [3:03] Turning people on to the wonders of Yosemite with songs and some silliness [4:39] Ranger Erik gets a little in-episode yodelling participation from your host [7:15] The distinctive artwork of Charley Harper and the show it inspired: Creative Fusion: Exploring the Nature of the Sierra Nevada at the Yosemite Theatre (Tip: If you or your children love I Spy games or Where’s Waldo, Ranger Erik suggests taking a closer look at Charley Harper’s National Parks posters) [10:50] Phenology or observing Yosemite’s seasons like a naturalist [17:35] Themed walks for every interest: flora to fauna and Native AmErikan history to pioneer stories [20:24] Summer: High season on the valley floor vs the park’s higher altitudes [21:30] Autumn: Changing colors and smaller crowds (22:58] Winter: Paradise for photographers and winter sports enthusiasts [24:20] Spring: Waterfalls and where to find gorgeous wildflower blooms (they’re not where you might expect) [28:52] The spectacular, psychedelic scarlet-red snow plant and the best place to spot it [31:11] Hummingbirds and Yosemite nature notes [34:26] The Mount Lyell salamander and Ensatina salamander [36:06] Biologist E.O. Wilson, an Ensatina salamander, and family star in Ranger Erik’s favorite Yosemite memory [41:20]
Description: Yosemite National Park in all of its wonder-- from Cook's Meadow and Glacier Point to hiking the Vernal and Nevada Falls Trails and beyond-- is stunning. However, it wasn’t simply the awesome views, granite walls and falls that stunned our family, but the sheer amount of people immersing themselves in the Yosemite National Park experience. Danielle, Bryan and the girls reminisce about their trip in early May 2019 and offer tips and recommendations for others wanting to visit and avoid crowds. Our Discussion Includes the Following: Why Bryan feels that planning is important when visiting Yosemite (2:45) How we spent our time in Yosemite-- after hitting the “weather lottery” (5:23) Challenges to planning your trip in Yosemite (6:32) How adjusting your expectations may help you enjoy the crowds and camaraderie in Yosemite Valley (7:19) Arriving in the park and getting our bearings at the Visitor Center (10:00) Court settlement - original names of several iconic lodging are reinstated (13:00) Mirror Lake (14:15) Advantage of visiting in spring - waterfalls (15:09) Unforgettable Vernal-Nevada Falls - strenuous, popular hike that is worth testing the limits of your kids! (15:53) Biking around the Valley to Happy Isles (25:16) Ansel Adams Gallery Camera Walk (30:48) Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center (Sierra Club) (32:27) Housekeeping Camp Beach (33:06) The Ahwahnee (34:20) Starry Night Skies over Yosemite through Yosemite Hospitality in Cook’s Meadow (36:18) Stops along the way from Yosemite Valley to Wawona starting with El Capitan, including tips for viewing climbers and parking (38:34) Bridalveil Falls, Tunnel View, Glacier Point (39:44) Wawona and the Wawona Hotel (42:14) Tom Bopp’s Yosemite Music at the Wawona Hotel (42:56) Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (45:11) Tip: Check the date of The Yosemite Half Marathon when choosing dates and planning your trip! (47:31) Something different that Danielle wants to do on the next visit to Yosemite (48:36) Lottery for the backcountry campsites to visit the High Sierras (49:16) Our youngest daughter’s take on our Yosemite trip- Night skies, Vernal & Nevada Falls a rainbow joke, Tom Bopp (52:18) The “Firefall” around February (57:14) Our oldest daughter shares her favorite memories - bike riding to Happy Isles, waterfall hike, waterfall joke, Giant Sequoia facts (59:42) Tips for your Travels: Talk to a ranger at the Visitor Center when you first arrive at Yosemite. There is 20 minute parking at the Camp Store. Plan around the Yosemite Half Marathon if you wish to participate or avoid it. In cooler months, you may want to pay up for a heated tent at Camp Curry. It gets chilly. Plan ahead! It will likely be crowded as there seems to be no true “shoulder season” in Yosemite. Many of the waterfalls do not flow year-round, so if that is something you would like to see, plan to visit in spring. Bring plenty of water, especially on a hike like Vernal & Nevada Falls in warm weather. Check the park newspaper for special programs in Yosemite. You need a permit for back-country camping in the High Sierras. Don’t touch the large pinecones in Mariposa Grove! They will stain your clothes. Don’t forget your camera for some gorgeous and dramatic natural photos. In Yosemite, whenever you see those information signs, there is a photo opp! When traveling with family, schedule a day of solo photography ahead of time. Use a hotel shower cap to protect your camera from the rain in a pinch. Use what you have on hand, like a wallet or boulder, if a tripod isn’t available to you. Always backup your photos Always check the weather! Additional Resources From This Episode: Yosemite Lodging Yosemite Camping Reservations Wawona @ Yosemite National Park Sierra Club Yosemite Conservancy Programs Aramark: Experience Yosemite National Park - activities, tours, programs Guided Ranger Tours @ Yosemite Tree Ecology and the Giant Sequoia Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 59 Parks (Travel Guide) Become a Patron through Patreon to continue this great podcast resource and our journey through these beautiful parks. Explore more adventures through beautiful parks. Contact us to tell us about your family adventures or ask a question. Visit our website for complete show notes.
“Part of the experience of Muir Woods [National Monument] is that you are in a primeval forest-- that you’re really in a place where time takes a different pace.” Did you know that not many bugs enjoy eating the wood of a coastal redwood? What is the impact of climate change on our ancient, glorious coastal redwood trees? I had the chance to learn so much about the giant coastal redwood trees of Muir Woods National Monument with ranger Cassie Anderson. Cassie Anderson is currently serving as a supervisory park ranger at Muir Woods National Monument, and has devoted much of her life to our national parks. Cassie helps reiterate why these redwood trees are so phenomenal-- what makes them so resilient and beautiful, and how their many stewards throughout the centuries, from the natives of Mexico to William and Elizabeth Kent and Teddy Roosevelt, helped to protect them. Cassie also helps us to understand improvements made to Muir Woods to help its million visitors per year enjoy the park without destroying the fragile ecosystem. It is interesting to explore this ecosystem, from the scarcity of birds to the thriving banana slug population. Banana slugs love our redwoods! We explore different hikes to take, including those on the main trail and on others, such as the Canopy View Loop and the Hillside Trail. Also, be sure to check the website and ask at the visitor center for various ranger-led programs for the family such as a guided sunrise hike. Cassie and I discuss not only what makes these redwoods absolutely stunning to see in person, but also the significance of protecting these marvelous trees, especially in light of the Earth’s changing climate. Our Discussion Journey: Cassie describes the background of Muir Woods (2:29) Cassie’s journey into the National Park Service through volunteerism (4:29) An overview of Muir Woods National Monument (5:31) What constitutes an “old growth forest?” (7:21) Where can I find old growth coastal redwoods? (8:57) What makes coastal redwoods special? (9:36) What is the biggest threat to the redwood? (12:03) Where are the trees specifically located presently? (14:36) Where can I find the tallest redwood tree? (15:07) Cassie describes just how tall the tallest tree is (15:41) How did Muir Woods National Monument come about (16:43) How did Muir Woods survive the California Gold Rush and the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906? (17:53) Why this area was named Muir Woods. (19:44) What improvements have been made in the park to help conserve the redwoods? (21:19) What is the ecosystem in Muir Woods? (23:39) Why aren’t there many birds in Muir Woods? (26:24) When is salmon spawning season in Muir Woods? (28:53) Cassie’s tips for visitors (30:05) Recommended hikes for visitors (34:50) Photography tips for capturing the beauty of redwoods (38:00) Programs to attend while at Muir Woods (39:18) Cassie’s special memory involving the rescue of the salmon of Redwood Creek (42:00) Tips for your Travels: You need to make a reservation for Muir Woods in advance. You can either reserve a parking spot in 30 minute increments or reserve a seat on a shuttle online. Learn about the salmon of Redwood Creek and the NPS efforts to conserve them. Follow Muir Woods National Monument on Facebook! Come visit Muir Woods either at the beginning or end of the day for a more personal experience. More ranger programs are available around midday. Get lost in the quiet atmosphere and be mindful of volume to fully experience the majesty of Muir Woods. Check the Muir Woods website for special tours that you need to plan ahead for. Use panorama function on your camera to get photos of the entire tree. Resources from the Show: Adventure in Muir Woods National Park, but make a reservation first! Mount Tamalpais State Park Point Reyes National Seashore Become a Patreon to continue our great journey through these beautiful parks. Explore more adventures through beautiful parks. Contact us to tell us about your family adventures or ask a question.
There are more than 30 National Park Service sites around the San Francisco Bay area. In this Trip Report, Bryan, Danielle and the girls discuss their visits to Muir Woods, the Presidio and Fort Point, and Rosie the Riveter WWII Homefront National Historic Park. Our Discussion Journey: Bryan and Danielle discuss Muir Woods and the sights of San Francisco (2:03) Reservation requirements for visiting Muir Woods (4:55) Who founded Muir Woods? (6:21) What are you going to see as you approach the Muir Woods National Monument (7:54) Bryan and Danielle discuss the experience of Muir Woods and how they interacted with the natural space (8:57) We talk “Tree Talk” adventures and sunrise walks (12:30) Why the redwoods are so captivating (14:15) Exploring the panoramic views and the history of Hawk Hill (16:42) About Fort Point and the Presidio (18:55) The perspective our girls had on Rosie the Riveter WWII Homefront National Historic Site (23:17) Bryan’s take on a valuable lesson Rosie has for all of us (26:44) What the Homefront National Park has to offer beyond Rosie (27:42) Danielle’s eldest daughter shares her Muir Woods experience (29:57) The tallest, the biggest, the oldest of the trees (31:05) How do redwoods get their water & how climate change impacts this (32:56) Daughter’s joke of the day (33:51) Why daughter loves Rosie the Riveter & other takeaways from Fort Point (34:28) Insights from Danielle’s youngest daughter (37:01) Tips for your Travels: You need to make a reservation for Muir Woods in advance. You can either reserve a parking spot in 30 minute increments or reserve a shuttle online. Get lost in the quiet atmosphere and be mindful of volume to fully experience the majesty of Muir Woods. Check the Muir Woods website for special tours that you need to plan ahead for. Don’t forget your camera. Always check the weather! Carry more water than you think you need! Resources from the Show: Adventure in Muir Woods National Park Explore Hawk Hill The Presidio of San Francisco Journey in Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Park Fort Point and the Immigrant Yarn Project! Become a Patron to continue our great journey through these beautiful parks. Explore more adventures through beautiful parks. Contact us to tell us about your family adventures or ask a question.
Description: Author of Photographing National Parks and partner with the “National Parks at Night” program, Chris Nicholson’s expertise and advice for both amateur and professional photographers interested in capturing the beauty of National Parks is absolutely indispensable. From the dynamic shoots of Acadia to the stunning coastline of Oregon, Chris shares his journey into photography and tips of the trade as a nature photographer. While sharing personal stories, we learn how Chris ventured into photographing the National Parks and what led him to publish a book on the subject. While my old camera and smartphone may be enough for my trips with family, Chris shares gear that is important for a true photography adventure into the wild. Whether you are just beginning to discover the art of photography or you’re a pro, Chris has fantastic experience to answer some of your pressing questions. How can you navigate your photography goals? Should your family be there? What gear is helpful when capturing nature? How does Chris manage his photos during and after a trip? Using his personal and professional experience, all of these questions and more are explored in remarkable detail. Our Discussion Journey: Chris shares how he became interested in photographing the National Parks. (2:37) How a comical misunderstanding led to Photographing National Parks. (5:10) Chris describes how his book is helpful when photographing National Parks. (6:02) Chris and Danielle discuss common struggles when traveling with non-photographers, including what gear to pack (8:02) Chris explains the importance of knowing your purpose while traveling (9:48) Weather-proofing your equipment (12:45) Chris gets specific about helpful bags to carry while taking photos in National Parks (14:52) Tips for casual photographers to ensure success in National Parks (16:29) Photography techniques for photographing nature (18:52) Recommendations for choosing the right park photography workshop (21:34) Additional tips on finding photography workshops (23:38) How to judge the quality of a workshop (24:48) Chris discusses three National Parks he enjoys visiting and why (26:24) Does Chris have favorite natural features that he enjoys photographing? (28:44) Managing photos both during and after a trip to a park (31:27) Chris shares some stories and why he’s not afraid of the dark anymore (33:45) Tips for your Travels: Photographer ready to travel? Make sure you have the right equipment to carry your items! When traveling with family, schedule a day of solo photography ahead of time. Use a hotel shower cap to protect your camera from the rain in a pinch. Use what you have on hand, like a wallet or boulder, if a tripod isn’t available to you. Always backup your photos Always check the weather! Resources from the Show: Check out Chris’ website and purchase his book, Photographing National Parks! Explore the National Parks at Night in one of Chris’ workshops! National Parks at Night photography adventure workshops B&H OPTIC Conference B&H Photography Peak Design Travel Gear Gimbal Stabilizer Adobe Lightroom for editing and managing your photos Listen to other podcast episodes featuring Chris! Reach Chris on social media: Facebook: @PhotographingNationalParks Twitter: @PhotoNatPark Instagram: @photographingnationalparks Become a Patron to continue our great journey through these beautiful parks. Explore more adventures through beautiful parks. Contact us to tell us about your family adventures or ask a question.
Description: Abigail Trabue and her family run the RV Miles Network and host the RV Miles and America's National Parks podcasts. As RV enthusiasts who travel full-time with three young boys, Abby and her husband have a lot of great experience and advice for traveling with a family in RVs and balancing reality and expectation while exploring the world. Abby’s wealth of knowledge on RV travels with families and how to make the most out of national parks in almost every area of the country will help any aspiring traveler have a truly memorable experience in our parks. Along with general travel tips for exploring various beautiful national parks in different areas of the country and sage guidance to help families determine if the RV life is a good fit, Abby shares some of her family’s favorite park experiences. From her eldest son’s obsession with a video at the Harry S. Truman Historical Site in Missouri, their recent stay at Zion National Park, to lesser known gems like the Gulf Island National Park Reserve and Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota, Abby has ideas that are sure to appeal to the entire family! She even has suggestions for those family members who like a little urban access during their adventures into the natural world. Her practical RV travel tips coupled with her vast travel experience will help your family plan a National Parks adventure that is both well-suited for the family and memorable. Our Discussion Journey: What sparked Abby’s family to leave their Chicago belongings behind and live in a converted bus? (4:31) From theatre to bus living to the RV Miles Network (5:45) Why Abby and her family needed to say goodbye to the converted bus and what comes next (9:13) What surprised and challenged Abby the most about transitioning to an RV lifestyle? (11:27) Important travel lessons that Abby has to share about living an RV travel lifestyle. (15:18) Managing your expectations as traveling parents (18:07) Dispelling the “RV size” myth and camping in the national parks. (21:57) Rules of traveling with an RV in the National Parks (23:22 ) Park suggestions for the last-minute RV trip (25:16) Abby discusses “dispersed camping” versus Bureau of Land Management (BLM) camping and what travelers should expect. (26:48) Are there enough RV camp sites across national park lands? (28:31) How is the RV Miles podcast different from a typical travel or National Park podcast? (30:10) Ways to try the “RV lifestyle” before committing to it. (31:55) Different ways to rent an RV. (32:55) Abby shares some of her family’s favorite park trips (35:46) Why New Mexico should be on everybody’s travel and adventure list. (37:54) National Parks that offer both urban and natural experiences. (39:15) Abby shares a memory from the Gulf Shores of Pensacola. (41:21) Resources from the Show: Check out RV Miles website, the RV Miles podcast and RV Miles on Facebook, RV Miles on Instagram and RV Miles on YouTube! Stay updated with Abby’s family’s adventures on her blog: Our Wandering Family blog, Our Wandering Family on Facebook, Our Wandering Family on Instagram and Our Wandering Family on YouTube. Tour Wander Bus on YouTube, “Inside Our Home on Wheels - School Bus Converted into an RV.” Tour Abby’s new RV on YouTube, “Introducing Our New RV - Our Wandering Family” Hear stories from the national parks and subscribe for free to America’s National Parks Podcast, follow The National Parks Podcast on Facebook and The National Parks Podcast on Instagram. Join a community of national park enthusiasts on the America’s National Parks Facebook group. Reserve your national park RV campsite on recreation.gov Become a Patron to continue our great journey through these beautiful parks. Explore more adventures through beautiful parks. Contact us to tell us about your family adventures or ask a question.
“Traditionally, it was believed that the Saguaro [cactus] was a human being.” - Tina Andrew on the Saguaro’s cultural significance to the Tohono O’odham Nation Join Danielle and Park Ranger Tina Andrew on a journey into the native ancestry of Saguaro National Park. Tina Andrew is a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, hosts the podcast “Cultivating Indigenous Voices,” and serves as an ancestral park ranger who works to connect youth and the community to the native roots of Saguaro National Park. As both a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, a tribe native to the lands of Saguaro National Park, and as a park ranger serving for over five years, Tina Andrew offers a complex and unique perspective on the significance of the Saguaro National Park to different communities of people. She brings a deeply personal perspective into the cultural and ancestral significance of Saguaro alongside a keen awareness of the importance of exploration by both native and non-native people, especially youth. As we walk down this winding ancestral path, we discuss the beautiful blooms during the months of May through July, important traditions of the Tohono O’odham Nation, such as the Saguaro Fruit Harvest, and how Tina uses her unique position as both a tribe member and ancestral park ranger to help native youth connect with their ancestry. Listen closely as Tina shares how natives interacted with the land, discovered food in the rugged territory, and crafted medicine from Saguaro’s plant life. Learn how natives maintain some of these traditions, and how Tina works to engage younger generations with their ancestral traditions. In this episode, she shares her personal connection to the park’s’ great tribal history and her work to implement programs to keep the native culture thriving in Saguaro’s rich, shared spaces. Join us as we revel in Saguaro National Park’s vast impact on many communities of people, then and now. Our Discussion Journey: Tina discusses her role as an ancestral park ranger in Saguaro National Park (3:24) Tina shares how working as an ancestral park ranger in Saguaro National Park allows her to connect with youth and members of the Tohono O’odham Nation, whose ancestral lands are contained within the boundaries of the park. (5:23) Tina shares how connecting native youth to their Tohono O’odham Nation ancestry cultivates a sense of shared pride within Saguaro National Park. (6:24) Tohono O’odham Nation and the cultural significance of the Saguaro cactus. (8:36) The Saguaro Fruit Harvest and its cultural importance to the native Tohono O’odham Nation. (9:42) Tina discusses the historical context of the Fruit Harvest in Western region of Saguaro National Park. (11:04) The Tohono O’odham Nation’s word-of-mouth Saguaro Fruit Harvest demonstrations and how they spark joy for natives and non-natives! (12:18) Tina shares cultural legends, stories, and the significance of the harvest season to natives. (15:13) How partnering with schools and youth is important to help carry on native traditions and culturally-rich histories of Saguaro National Park. (17:26) Tina discusses various traditionally edible and medicinal plants in Saguaro and whether they are still used today. (18:03) How is the land used for traditional entertainment in Saguaro? (20:21) How the natives of Tohono O’odham Nation sing for the mountains of the park. ( 22:26) The traditional story of how a coyote and buzzard spread the saguaro cacti all over the park. (23:21) What is one thing that Tina, as a native of the land, wants visitors and non-natives to understand about Saguaro and the native people to that space? (25:19) Tina shares why the Saguaro National Park is still so special to her and how she hopes that connecting the youth, both native and non-native, to the environment and the land of Saguaro might make a lasting impact for the future of science and natural spaces. (29:02) Tina shares a bit about her podcast, “Cultivating Indigenous Voices.” As you travel to explore these natural beauties, be sure to remember some tips from seasoned travelers and park professionals. Tips for your Travels: Pair the following tips with the sample itineraries from our recent family adventure to make the most of your Saguaro National Park visit: Always check the weather! Come during the summer for the biodiversity, but be wary of the heat! Allow for extended time to complete more challenging “elevation” hikes in Saguaro. Carry more water than you think you need! If traveling in the summer, map your hikes so you finish early - before 9am! - and save trips to visitors centers for midday when the temperatures climb Winter is an amazing time for backcountry camping November through April are the busiest months and parking is limited so consider coming later in the day and plan sunset hikes Leave your pets at home as encounters with wildlife can be deadly Loop drives offer great views with pull-offs for picnicking and trails for quick hikes The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a short drive from the park and features historic collections, live plants, and desert animals such as the javelina in a zoo-like setting Resources from the Show: Visit Saguaro National Park for more information. Check out Tina’s podcast, “Cultivating Indigenous Voices!” Become a Patron to continue our great journey through these beautiful parks. Make sure to listen to the previous episode on Saguaro National Park for more great information. Explore more adventures through beautiful parks. Contact us to tell us about your family adventures or ask a question.
Description: Join Bryan and Park Ranger Jeff Walner on an adventure into the wild history and culture within Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. As the only full-time, year-round ranger in Saguaro National Park, Jeff shares his insight into the origins of Saguaro National Park, its history, and its inextricable and enduring connection to American culture, Hollywood, and the world. Discussion includes the following: Ranger Jeff Walner shares his background with Saguaro National Park (3:21) Jeff describes how immigrants led to the unique western ranching culture and history of Saguaro National Park. (4:46) Jeff describes the rise of traditional “cowboy” within Saguaro National Park (6:10) Jeff explains the impact of the arrival of the railroad in Tucson, Arizona (8:03) How did the mix of Mexican, Native American, and American culture influence cowboy culture in Arizona? (9:01) We learn what exactly the cattle were grazing out in the desert (11:04) How did the homesteaders using the lands of the Saguaro National Park live, build, and survive? (13:42) The origins of how homesteader generosity eventually gave us the gift of Saguaro National Park (16:15) Is there any truth to Hollywood’s depiction of John Wayne’s iconic feats using the Saguaro and barrel cacti? How does Hollywood and pop culture fit within the Sonoran desert and Saguaro National Park? (21:56) How Hollywood, Peanuts, and pop culture helped make the Saguaro cactus iconic throughout the world (22:26) How people view the symbol of the Saguaro differently. (24:12) Why is Saguaro National Park significant to American and Native American culture? (25:23) Jeff’s favorite story from Saguaro National Park. (27:35) Tips for your Travels: Pair the following tips with the sample itineraries from our recent family adventure to make the most of your Saguaro National Park visit: Always check the weather! If you come during the summer for the biodiversity, be wary of the heat! Allow for extended time to complete more challenging “elevation” hikes in Saguaro. Carry more water than you think you need! If traveling in the summer, map your hikes so you finish early - before 9am! - and save trips to visitors centers for midday when the temperatures climb Winter is an amazing time for backcountry camping November through April are the busiest months and parking is limited so consider coming later in the day and plan sunset hikes Leave your pets at home as encounters with wildlife can be deadly Loop drives offer great views with pull-offs for picnicking and trails for quick hikes The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a short drive from the park and features historic collections, live plants, and desert animals such as the javelina in a zoo-like setting Resources: Visit Saguaro National Park for more information. Review the park’s safety guidelines especially when visiting in hotter months. For the life of the workers on large area ranches, read Patricia Preciado Martin's oral history books: Beloved Land and Images and Conversations. The latter has reminiscences of Frank Escalante, well-known as a cowboy/vaquero in the Rincon valley and mountains. The Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, adjacent to Saguaro East, has a history that is unpublished. You may see their website for a highly rated "dude ranch" that still hires "cowboys" and is a park concessionaire. Become a Patron to continue our great journey through these beautiful parks. Make sure to listen to the previous episode on Saguaro National Park for more great information. Explore more adventures through beautiful parks. Contact us to tell us about your family adventures or ask a question.
Description Don Swann, a biologist who has worked at Saguaro National Park for over twenty years, joins Danielle to discuss the evolution of the biodiversity within Saguaro National Park. They discuss how the environment and biodiversity has changed within the national park overtime and how he both teaches and engages the community to investigate change with him as citizen scientists. Discussion includes the following: Don Swann discusses his biology background and his experience with Saguaro (3:05) How visitors, primarily in Tucson, can become “citizen scientists” to help research in Saguaro National Park (3:45) How do citizen scientists help with biodiversity research of the signature Saguaro cacti? (4:11) What types of changes have occurred in the Saguaro National Park over time? (5:20) How the loss of trees have impacted the Saguaro signature cacti (6:00) Interesting facts about the saguaro cacti (6:50) The legacy of National Parks and why it is important to visit (8:20) The impact of climate change on Saguaro (9:28) What adaptations do species have to survive in a desert climate (11:20) How environmental conditions led to a beautiful wildflower superbloom in Saguaro (12:00) Don’s favorite hikes, including child-friendly hikes (14:58) Recommendations for hikes with older children (18:28) The most fascinating aspects of the saguaro cactus (19:10) Don’s favorite plant and/or animal (besides the cactus) (21:23) Other rare and/or endangered species in Saguaro (23:00) The best time and season to visit the park (25:20) Don’s favorite Saguaro National Park experiences (27:30) Tips for your Travels: Pair the following tips with the sample itineraries from our recent family adventureto make the most of your Saguaro National Park visit: Always check the weather! Come during the summer for the biodiversity, but be wary of the heat! Allow for extended time to complete more challenging “elevation” hikes in Saguaro. Carry more water than you think you need! If traveling in the summer, map your hikes so you finish early - before 9am! - and save trips to visitors centers for midday when the temperatures climb Winter is an amazing time for backcountry camping November through April are the busiest months and parking is limited so consider coming later in the day and plan sunset hikes Leave your pets at home as encounters with wildlife can be deadly Loop drives offer great views with pull-offs for picnicking and trails for quick hikes TheArizona-Sonora Desert Museumis a short drive from the park and features historic collections, live plants, and desert animals such as the javelina in a zoo-like setting Resources from the Show: Visit Saguaro National Park for more information. Become a Patreonto continue our great journey through these beautiful parks. Make sure to listen to the previous episode on Saguaro National Parkfor more great information. Explore more adventuresthrough beautiful parks. Contact usto tell us about your family adventures or ask a question. Actions: Subscribe to our podcast wherever podcasts are available or from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ We also want to hear about your adventures. Email us at Hello@everybodysnps.com. You may write us a message or even record a short voice memo on your phone and then attach it to the email. You may also send comments at https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/contact. You may be featured on an upcoming episode. Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: Danielle chats with Saguaro National Park’s Community Engagement Coordinator Cam Juarez about the desert’s spectacular beauty and what he’s doing to ensure that Saguaro’s worldwide popularity has strong roots in the multicultural communities that surround it. You’d expect everyone in Tucson - a city sandwiched between Saguaro’s east and west districts - to be well acquainted with every inch of the park’s 91,000 acres. But Cam had never set foot in the park before becoming a ranger. Neither had many of his fellow Tucsonians. Since joining Saguaro four years ago, however, he’s extended park awareness by creating relevant and diverse programs that better reflect the region’s population. Inclusivity is another aspect of Cam’s mission to bridge the gap between the park and the people who live in its midst. To that end, Saguaro recently held a ceremony to posthumously award a civilian arrowhead to a member of the Tohono O'odham Nation. “We’re happy to be in partnership with them,” he says, “because it’s that close connection to First Nation peoples, but also to honor traditions that are millennia old.” The park’s diversity isn’t limited to humans. “We’re probably one of the most biodiverse deserts in the world,” says Cam. From dense stands of Saguaro cactus to Ponderosa pine forests to wildflower super blooms, there’s a broad range of flora to explore. The same is true of the birds, mammals, and reptiles that call the park home. “Sometimes we’ll take it for granted,” Cam says of Saguaro’s painted skies and verdant desert floor. But the more the local community interacts with the park he says, “It becomes something you want to protect.” Pair the following tips from Cam with the sample itineraries from our recent family adventure to make the most of your Saguaro National Park visit: Always check the weather! Carry more water than you think you need! If traveling in the summer, map your hikes so you finish early - before 9am! - and save trips to visitors centers for midday when the temperatures climb Winter is an amazing time for backcountry camping November through April are the busiest months and parking is limited so consider coming later in the day and plan sunset hikes Leave your pets at home as encounters with wildlife can be deadly Loop drives offer great views with pull-offs for picnicking and trails for quick hikes The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a short drive from the park and features historic collections, live plants, and desert animals such as the javelina in a zoo-like setting Danielle and Cam discuss the following: What is a Community Engagement Coordinator and why is Cam’s position important to the future of Saguaro National Park? [3:11] East vs West: What’s a rincon anyway? [7:02] Saguaro’s sky island ecosystem: what it is and how rangers protect it [7:37] The desert’s amazing biodiversity [9:15] Black bears, elf owls, and the occasional monster [10:38] Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum [13:18] What the Wild Kratts saw - or didn’t see [13:53] All about jumping cholla [16:09] Amazing facts about the park’s signature saguaro cacti [17:17] How desert creatures and humans use the saguaro while it’s alive and after it has died [20:04] Saguaro “boots” [21:40] Birds, bats, and bees help pollinate the cactus [23:15] Ceremonial uses of the saguaro fruit by the Tohono O'odham peoples [23:55] Remembering Stella Tucker, keeper of traditions at the Saguaro Fruit Harvest Camp [24:33] Waterfalls, washes, and tinajas: perennial water sources in the bimodal desert [25:40] Cam’s tips for taking in all that the park has to offer [29:28] How much water should you take with you? It’s more than you think [32:30] Cam shares his favorite park memories and invites everyone out to the desert before climate change has irreversible effects on Saguaro [35.15] Actions: Subscribe to our podcast wherever podcasts are available or from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ We also want to hear about your adventures. Email us at Hello@everybodysnps.com. You may write us a message or even record a short voice memo on your phone and then attach it to the email. You may also send comments at https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/contact. You may be featured on an upcoming episode. Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: A record-breaking snowstorm with whiteout conditions forces Danielle, Bryan, and the girls to ditch plans to visit the Petrified Forest in northern Arizona in favor of an impromptu visit to the Sonoran Desert -- and Saguaro National Park, located in southern Arizona. The city of Tucson, splits this park into two halves: the Rincon Mountain District to the east and the Tucson Mountain District in the west. First-timers will be amazed at the desert’s biodiversity. There’s a riot of flora and fauna here, from wildflowers to majestic seventy-foot tall Saguaro cactus to stubby nurse trees. Much of the park’s wildlife can be elusive. Birds, however, are easier to spot as many make their homes inside the park’s namesake plant. The east and west sides have their own robust visitor’s center with cultural exhibits and small learning gardens. Scenic drives also help you make the most of your visit. The Bajada Loop Drive takes you around the Tucson Mountain District while the Cactus Forest Drive circles the Rincon Mountain District. You can pick up trailheads or stop at overlooks along the way. There truly are activities for every type of park visitor, including several ADA-compliant walks. Our four-day trip included the following: Tucson Mountain District / West: ● The Hugh Norris Trail ● Several easy walks- the Valley View Overlook Trail, the Signal Hill Petroglyphs Trail, and the Desert Discovery Trail ● Bajada Loop Drive Rincon Mountain District / East: ● Cactus Forest Trail ● Freeman Homestead Trail guided hike ● Guided hike along part of the Tanque Verde Ridge Trailat sunset ● Mica View Loop ● Desert Ecology Trail ● The Garwood Loop Trail and Wildhorse Tank- a 6 miler that Danielle ranks as one of her favorite hikes of all time ● Cactus Forest Loop Drive We may not have originally planned to visit Saguaro National Park but we highly recommend that you do! A long weekend is all the time you need to enjoy this desert beauty. Discussion includes the following: ● An introduction to Saguaro’s east and west districts [5:37] ● The Hugh Norris Trail [9:28] ● The Freeman Homestead Trail [11:50] ● Plant life in the desert [15:58] ● The Tanque Verde Ridge Trail at sunset [18:03] ● Frontcountry and backcountry camping details [19:18] ● Speedway Blvd links the east and west districts [21:12] ● Gilbert Ray campground [21:20] ● The desert’s vibrant bird and animal populations [22:13] ● Saguaro and the city in one long weekend [24:26] ● Loop drives in the east and west districts [25:15] ● West Side recommendations [25:42] ● East Side recommendations [26:22] ● A kid’s eye view of Saguaro National Park - Part I: cactus hotels, Sonoran Desert signifiers, Junior Ranger responsibilities [30:01] ● A kid’s eye view of Saguaro National Park - Part II: cactus facts, cactus nursery schools, cactus jokes [36:50] Actions: Subscribe to our podcast wherever podcasts are available or from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ We also want to hear about your adventures. Email us at Hello@everybodysnps.com. You may write us a message or even record a short voice memo on your phone and then attach it to the email. You may also send comments at https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/contact. You may be featured on an upcoming episode. Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: Becky Lomax is the author of The Moon Guidebook USA National Parks - The Complete Guide To All 59 Parks. Just in time for National Parks Week, Danielle and Bryan talk with Becky about her favorite itineraries, tips for families planning summer trips, and her lifelong love affair with the National Park Service (NPS). For summer travel, Becky recommends looking to the mountain parks because they can offer some cooler hiking, biking and scenic drives. Some favorites on the east coast include Acadia National Park, Shenandoah National Park, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Other popular options are Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Glacier National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Parks generally to avoid in the summer and save for cooler months include Saguaro National Park, Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Big Bend National Park. At Bryan’s request, Becky dreams up some wonderful road trip itineraries if you want to hit multiple destinations in one vacation. East Coast: Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains connected by the Blue Ridge Parkway Central Mountains: Yellowstone and Grand Tetons with either Glacier or Rocky Mountain California: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park and Yosemite National Park Washington State: Olympic National Park, North Cascades National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park To enjoy the beauty of the national parks without the crowds, visit lesser known destinations such as Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon, Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Wind Cave National Park, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. If you do find yourself in a crowded spot, remember to hit the trails early for the best experience. Becky’s best recommendation is to take a deep dive into one park at a time. This approach cuts back on driving and gives you the time to go hiking, do some wildlife watching in the evening, to try fishing or kayaking or to swim in the lakes. As she says, “when you can sit in one park and have a whole plethora of experiences you go away essentially just loving that park because you've had such a rich, rich, full time there.” Discussion includes the following: National Park Week activities and free entry day - April 20th to the 28th (3:11) Reflections on National Junior Ranger Day (6:10) How to make the most of your family’s NPS vacation with suggested itineraries and lesser known parks (6:53) One of Becky’s early memories of backpacking as a child in Mount Rainier (15:41) Witnessing the effects of climate change and glaciers melting (18:48) Night Skies, the NPS program that protects nighttime views and one of Becky’s favorite park offerings (22:35) Becky’s favorite memories from Grand Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Kenai National Park, and Yellowstone National Park including a breathtaking moment with the Northern Lights reflecting off a glacier (26:06) Actions: Subscribe to our podcast wherever podcasts are available or from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ We also want to hear about your adventures. Email us at Hello@everybodysnps.com. You may write us a message or even record a short voice memo on your phone and then attach it to the email. You may also send comments at https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/contact. You may be featured on an upcoming episode. Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: Ken Burns revisits his acclaimed documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” In this personal, in depth conversation, Ken speaks to his perspective on the national parks ten years after the series broadcast on PBS: the parks as a patriotic paradigm for America at its best and his own family’s relationship to the parks. Resources: PBS - The National Parks: America's Best Idea Ken Burns Actions Subscribe to our podcast wherever podcasts are available or from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Send us your comments at https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/contact Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks. Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: Every spring people flock to Washington, DC to see the cherry blossoms and participate in the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Danielle speaks with Linda Samuel of KidFriendly DC, a go-to resource for recreation with kids in the Washington, DC-Metro area since 2010. Linda and Danielle share their tips for seeing the cherry blossoms and favorite events. Discussion includes the following: About KidFriendlyDC.com (2:17) Symbolism of cherry blossoms (4:44) How cherry blossoms came to Washington, DC (5:21) Cherry Blossom Festival (9:19) Cherry Blossom Watch (9:54) SAAM (Smithsonian American Art Museum) Cherry Blossom Celebration (11:24) Blossom Kite Festival (13:03) Cherry Blossom Parade (15:15) Sakura Matsuri street fair (16:37) Anacostia River Festival (18:02) Petalpalooza (18:57) “In Peak Bloom” Digital Art Exhibit at Artechouse (20:26) Transportation (21:42) Library of Congress (24:14) Hirschorn Museum (26:24) National Arboretum (27:08) Tips for Visiting Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin (30:27) Danielle’s cherry blossom tradition (30:50) Cherry Blossom Junior Ranger Activity Book (33:40) Potomac Cruises (34:42) Other places to see Cherry Blossoms (36:10) What Linda does with her family (38:59) Linda’s favorite cherry blossom memory (40:04) Resources: KidFriendly DC Tips for Families Viewing the Cherry Blossoms The Best Activities for Families during the Cherry Blossom Season Bloom Watch Cherry Blossom Festival Actions Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: In episode 11.5 Danielle speaks with Everglades National Park volunteer and naturalist Carmen Ferreiro about the Everglades ecosystem and the biodiversityfound in this rich and fragile environment. Discussion includes the following: · Volunteering at the park (1:55) · Ecosystem and biodiversity of Everglades (4:30) · Threats to the Everglades (6:44) · Alligators and crocodiles are indicator animals for health of ecosystem (8:45) · Wildlife often overlooked by visitors (12:48) · Pine Rocklands (15:05) · Hardwood Hammock (16:10) · Alligator Holes in slough areas (18:28) · Elusive Florida Panther (19:23) · Favorite areas of park to view wildlife (20:58) · Plume trade of late 1800’s (22:05) · Bird watching in the Everglades (23:59) · Plants of the Everglades (29:15) · Photography as a learning tool (33:38) · Dead whales and manatees found dead (36:36) · Roseate Spoonbill (40:50) · Carmen’s favorite experience at Everglades National Park (43:46) Resources: Everglades: Animals Carmen Ferreiro Naturalist Photography Monitoring American Alligators and American Crocodiles as Indicators of Everglades Restoration Long Pine Key Trails Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Florida Panther Actions Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: In episode 11.4 Bryan talks with Park Ranger Allyson Gantt about how people have affected the Everglades, conservation efforts and recommendations for how visitors may enjoy the park. Discussion includes the following: · What did the Everglades look like before settlement? (2:02) · Conservation efforts and relationship with agriculture (3:31) · Role of advocate Marjorie Stoneman Douglas’s The Everglades: River Of Grass(6:10) · Recreational activities (10:19) · Nike Missile site (10:33) · Backcountry excursions and beach or chickee camping (12:39) · Kayaking/canoeing day trips (17:15) · Airboats (18:14) · Bird watching (20:19) · Biking (22:22) · Hiking (24:39) · Dead Bryde’s Whale found in Florida Bay (26:09) · Allyson’s favorite activity, Wet walk (28:46) Resources: National Park Service: Everglades National Geographic Travel: “Discover the Largest Subtropical Wilderness in the U.S.” A Guide to Everglades National Park Friends of the Everglades Marjory Stoneman Douglas’s The Everglades: River of Grass Everglades: Wilderness Trip Planner Everglades: Backcountry Camping Everglades: Permitted Tour Guides Long Pine Key Trail Bike trail Everglades: Canoe and Kayak Trails 9 mile pond Beached whale dies off coast of Everglades National Park Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: In episode 11.3 Bryan talks with Park Ranger Denise Ratajczak about planning a visit to Biscayne National Park, including camping on the keys and her favorite spot for paddleboarding. Discussion includes the following: · Park creation (2:25) · Ecosystems and what makes up the park (5:35) · Iguanas and invasive species (10:50) · Fishing (14:12) · Swimming (17:50) · Camping (20:00) · Need for more boat service access (22:18) · Hikes (25:12) · Paddle Jones Lagoon (25:55) · Kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals (27:05) · Windsurfing with your own equipment (27:56) · Diving and snorkeling (28:29) · Visiting in different seasons (31:03) · Impacts of government shutdown on Biscayne (32:54) · Denise’s favorite story (35:33) Resources Biscayne National Park Camping in Biscayne National Park Biscayne: Canoeing and Kayaking rental Biscayne National Park Institute Experiences Guided Paddle to Jones Lagoon Maritime Heritage Trail Actions Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: In episode 11.2 Danielle, Bryan and their daughters talk about their trip to Biscayne National Park in Southern Florida. This is part 2 of the trip report. In Part 1 (episode 11.1), they talk about visiting Everglades National Park during the government shutdown. Discussion includes the following: · Support the National Park Foundation’s Park Restoration Fund (0.45) · About Biscayne National Park (2:25) · Boca Chita and other tours through Biscayne National Park Institute (6:05) · Limited accessibility to explore park (7:14) · Fishing (12:23) · Jetty Trail to Colonial Bird Protection Area near the picnic area at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center (13:03) · Adams Key, Elliott Key (islands) that make up Biscayne (14:33) · Kids’ impressions of Biscayne National Park (17:00) · John Pennekemp Coral Reef State Park (27:57) · Thank you to Park Chasers for listing Everybody’s National Parks on their list of Best National Park Podcasts to Listen to in 2019 (34:24) Resources: National Park Foundation's Parks Restoration Fund National Park Service: Biscayne National Park Biscayne National Park Institute Florida National Parks Association National Park Planner: Jetty Trail John Pennekemp Coral Reef State Park Park Chasers - The Best National Park Podcasts to Listen to in 2019 Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: In episode 11.1 Danielle, Bryan and their daughters talk about their trip to Everglades National Park during the government shutdown. The next episode will be part 2 of the trip discussing Biscayne National Park. Discussion includes the following: · How to help the National Parks recover from the impacts of the Government Shutdown (0:15) · Debate to cancel our trip during the Government Shutdown and current conditions of Everglades National Park (1:56) · Stop for fruit shakes at Robert is Here in Homestead (6:20) · Earnest Coe Visitor Center and Main Park Road to Flamingo Campground on Florida Bay (8:25) · Camping Mistake (9:40) · Anhinga Trail – A must see (13:35) · Shark Valley (20:00) · An invasive species, the Burmese Python (26:30) · Flamingo Marina – Kayaking and Boat tour, Crocodiles, Manatees (28:42) · Kids’ impressions of Everglades National Park (35:54) · Paurotis Pond and Pa-Hay-okee Overlook (45:14) · Overnight paddling and backcountry camping on Chickees (47:50) Resources: National Parks During a Government Shutdown and How You Can Help Everglades National Park Institute Florida National Parks Association National Park Service: Everglades National Park Anhinga Trail Anhinga Trail Webcam Flamingo Adventures at Everglades National Park Shark Valley Tram Tours Robert is Here Actions: Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/ Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks
Description: In episode 10.0 Danielle, Bryan and their daughters talk about their favorite experiences in exploring the National Parks, tips for families visiting and a preview of park we will visit in 2019. Discussion includes the following: · List of National Parks visited by Everybody’s National Parks (1:20) · Danielle and Bryan each share their top 5 National Park experiences to date (3:26) · Danielle and Bryan’s daughters share their favorite experiences and advice for kids (23:04) · Tips and what we’ve learned (31:58) · Where are we going next in 2019 (43:29) Resources Shenandoah Astronomy Event Schedule - Night Skies Olympic National Park Backpacking Crater Lake National Park Backpacking Smoky Mountains Cades Cove Hiking in the Smokies - Boogerman trail Virgin Islands National Park – Plan Your Visit Shenandoh Big Meadows Lodge Actions Subscribe to our podcast from our website Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks