Ward’s Adventure Travel Research & Trip Journal

Ward’s Adventure Travel Research & Trip Journal

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Bob (son) and Dave (father) plan hiking and backpacking trips together. Unscripted dialogue. Frequent off-topic excursions of added value. Lots of talk about books. Lots of talk about gear. Lots of talk about family. Language is usually PG-13, but content may sometimes wander toward adult themes of…

Bob and Dave Ward


    • Aug 19, 2015 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 4m AVG DURATION
    • 55 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Ward’s Adventure Travel Research & Trip Journal

    046 Plan to Backpack Yellow River Again and Doing So with Jack and Joe

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2015 71:08


    Dad and I talk about the next trip. Then we take the next trip, bringing Jack and Joe along with us. For any single ladies in the world, Joe offers his unique value proposition and leaves his phone number at the end.

    045 Truck Toppers and Panel Vans

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2015 66:27


    Moving forward with our next backpacking trip. Spent this episode discussing the options for an inexpensive vehicle that could double as a hard-shelled camper. We discuss the downsides of camping in truck toppers and panel vans–mainly the potential creepiness factor, thanks to a couple of infamous psychopaths who have used the same for kidnapping people … Continue reading »

    044 Riding Our Motorcycles to Lake McBride State Park

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2015 64:31


    Once we get our motorcycles to Lake McBride, we end up talking about hiking, backpacking, and camping–specifically about retrofitting a truck or a van into a motel on wheels for our future trips to national parks.

    043 We Decide To Saddle Up On Our Motorcycles Next

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2015 75:21


    We’ll be doing a few motorcycle adventures over the coming months. This is our first episode along those lines. We start talking about it near the end.

    030b – Completely Off Topic and Therefore Unpublish-able

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2015 64:31


    Finally making this lost episode public… This one is for true fans of the show, those who deserve to hear it. Please comment if you’d like to hear us do more podcasts, because we are considering how best to use our time in 2015 and beyond. Any feedback will help. Note: This episode was recorded … Continue reading »

    042E – BBNP Field Notes – South Rim to Laguna Meadow Trail to Chisos Mountain Lodge

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2015 51:55


    Part 5 of 5 of our Big Bend Nation Park trip. This will be our final podcast episode for a while, as we decide on where we’d like to backpack next.

    042D – BBNP Field Notes – Hot Springs to Boquillas Crossing to Hiking Plan

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2015 46:04


    042C – BBNP Field Notes – Pinnacle Trail to Boot Canyon Campsite

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2015 42:14


    042B – BBNP Field Notes – Lost Mine Trail to Stargazing Tour to Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2015 50:31


    042A – BBNP Field Notes – Chisos Basin Campground to Window Trail in Big Bend National Park

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2015 69:32


    Dad and I podcast live from Big Bend National Park. The first half is from our campsite the Tuesday evening we arrive. The second half is Wednesday during a lunch break while hiking Window trail. Partial Transcript: Bob: Okay, we’re live. Ward’s Adventure Travel Research and Trip Journal, and guess where we’re at…Big Bend National … Continue reading »

    041 How to Shoot Down Your Partner’s Good Ideas

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2015 62:34


    Before, after, or while listening to this episode, check on the pictures related to this post… Also, thanks to those who by my books! Pic 1: Picture of me trying on hat in the store next to the Mexican brown bear and the two friendly, smiling sales clerks. I’m clearly uncomfortable standing so close to … Continue reading »

    040 Big Bend Packing List and Critter Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2015 61:56


    In this episode, dad and I discuss ideas for packing. What to take. What can be left behind. How this trip is different from the SNP trip. Desert hiking with a base camp site will allow us more flexibility to have comforts readily at hand. Things we will want in the desert but didn’t have … Continue reading »

    039 Him – the Evolution from Humans to Heromans

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2015 62:35


    First half of show is completely off-topic. We’ll be in Big Bend National Park soon, and we aren’t really stressing out about the planning, which is good. Compared to planning the A.T. trip, this one is much more relaxed. Since we have a campsite reserved, we’ll just go down and hike whatever hike we want. … Continue reading »

    038 Curious Ways to Die or the Morbid Happy Hour

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2015 82:17


    037 New Years Eve 2014

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2015 67:31


    Here are some maps we used during the episode… Chisos Basin Satellite Map by Google Campground Site Numbers(White-numbered campsites may be reserved. Black-numbered are first come, first served.) Chisos Basin Campground Reservations Website Below Campsites Are Available for Reservation as of 31-Dec-2014(see black numbered sites above for first come, first served)      

    036 Big Bend Map Study – Primitive Campsites and Campgrounds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2015 62:30


    During this podcast episode, dad and I discuss Big Bend National Park primitive campsites for backpackers, as well as the Chisos Basin campground. The campground seems like a sensible option for backpackers, and dad and I plan to reserve a site to use as a base camp during our visit. On any given night, we … Continue reading »

    035 South Rim Loop and Chisos Mountain Lodge

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2014 81:27


    We discuss a 2 day, 1 night backpacking hike called the South Rim Loop in Big Bend National Park. The trailhead is just south of Chisos Mountain Lodge. Day 1 is a 5.25 miles ascent along Laguna Meadow Trail to a campsite along the Southwest Rim. Day 2 is an 8.6 mile descent back to … Continue reading »

    034 Flying Versus Driving To Big Bend National Park

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2014 57:42


    Great news! If you thought our episodes have been running long, this one will only use up 57 minutes of your life! Since you’ll never get those minutes back, I’d like to assure you they won’t be totally wasted. This is an important episode of Ward’s Adventure Travel Research and Trip Journal. As the title … Continue reading »

    033 Shifting Whispering Sands – Big Bend National Park

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2014 70:02


    Dad treats listeners to one of his favorite old cowboy songs (about 35 minutes into the show). The song is called Shifting Whispering Sands. In addition to the music, we continue our discussion of Big Bend National Park, and successfully move our trip planning forward. I used the following links in preparation for this episode: … Continue reading »

    032 Laura Explains Machu Picchu and More (35 Minutes of Pure Gold)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2014 77:40


    A surprise visit from Laura improves the quality of our podcast! She talks about her travels, including hiking to Machu Picchu. She enlightens me and dad on the logistics of that trip–how she got there, who she traveled with, and why to both. Intense mountain elevations, she got put on oxygen about 14,900 feet, loved … Continue reading »

    031 Researching Destinations For Our Winter Backpacking Trip

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2014 69:36


    We research U.S. national parks below latitude 35 ° N in hopes of finding somewhere awesome to hike and backpack in January or February. (Listener feedback with other options would be great! We’re looking for backpacking destinations that stay above freezing.) During this episode, we find Big Bend National Park, which sounds very promising. It’s … Continue reading »

    030 It Does Not Involve Dad Dressing Up Like Little Bo Peep

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2014 69:39


    We make important decisions about the future of this podcast. Why we decide to stick with backpacking adventures for now.

    029 Snowshoeing Basics, City Slickers, and Hollywood Stars Please Don’t Sue Us

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2014 65:05


    028 Sex, Drugs, and Rock-n-Roll

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2014 75:59


    How does this show title apply to adventure travel? Blame dad!

    027 Snowshoeing and Dogsledding and Winter Survival

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2014 55:44


    In this podcast episode, dad and I discuss what type of adventure we should try next. Winter is coming, so we’re thinking of snowy endeavors. If you have any ideas or suggestions, we’d be happy to consider them. You can post in the comments at EpicFieldNotes.com/027…

    026 Our Deep Afterthoughts On The Shenandoah National Park Backpacking Trip

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2014 83:45


    Dad and I discuss our completed backpacking trip to Shenandoah National Park.

    025E: SNP Field Notes: Hazeltop Mountain to Stayin Alive Test to Lewis Falls to Bear Cubs to Trips End

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2014 40:31


    025D: SNP Field Notes: Copperhead Snake Area to Two Speckled Fawns and Mama to Crying Black Bear to Rock Scramble

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2014 64:12


    025C: SNP Field Notes: Doe Buck and Squirrel to Pass Mountain Hut to Plan B to Rainy Night to Car

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2014 60:04


    025B: SNP Field Notes: Panorama to Byrds Nest 3 to Mary’s Rock to Pass Mountain Hut

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2014 63:52


    025A: SNP Field Notes: Start to Calf Mountain Hut to Plan B to Rainy Night to Dick

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2014 48:16


    025A (Part 1 of 5)        

    024 Backpacking Itinerary Elevations and Water Sources for our Shenandoah National Park Trip

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2014 63:13


    Published early because we’re leaving tonight at midnight. Here’s the pre-show research I did… From the PATC book, the number for reservations at Big Meadows Lodge is 800-999-4714 (however, this number is disconnected). So I called the number for federal and national park reservations (877-444-6777)–aka Recreation.gov–and the receptionist told me they only book campsites, and … Continue reading »

    023 Yellow River Backpacking Memories, Blisters, Chafing, Final Appalachian Trail Logistics

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2014 68:45


    Dad got blisters, and I got chafing. Here we throw off all modesty to discuss our personal trail ailments in the name of helping others avoid two very common dangers with backpacking. We will be leaving for Shenandoah National Park in 5 days, so this is our final logistics episode, then next week we will … Continue reading »

    022 Travel and Date Decisions, Worthy Podcasts, Bug Spray, Create Packing List, Phone Calls, 2 Night Weekend

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2014 69:52


    Really coming down to the wire on the Appalachian Trail adventure. In this podcast, we make final decisions about several logistical questions, including where to stay, when to depart, how to get to Luray, VA, and more. I discuss my phone call with the desk clerk at Shenandoah National Park headquarters. We also create a … Continue reading »

    021 Debate on Burning Garbage, 3 mil Ground Sheets, Flying or Driving, Brewery Stop, Snake In The Grass

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2014 62:10


    The first half of this episode, dad and I debate our differences of opinion. The second half is debate free.

    020 Dad Bashes Fiona Hill, We Discuss What Dick Said, Dad Tells Farm Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2014 63:29


    The first 30 minutes is a discussion about Fiona Hill from Bob’s novel Sea Turtles.

    019 Pausing To Find Answers To Appalacian Trail Parking and Airport Questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2014 60:24


    Visit the link below, then click the “A.T. Shuttle List” link for the PDF file dad and I discussed in this episode. http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hiking/find-a-hike/parking-shuttles-transportation

    018 Niagara Falls, Big Agnes Q-core, Training Hikes, Podcasting Benefits and Planning

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2014 70:02


    This episode begins with an overview of my family vacation to Niagara Falls. Next we discuss the Big Agnes Q-Core air mattress I purchased from REI. Then we talk about what training we’ve done–dad has a weight vest with approximately 40 lbs of weight for solo training–and what we plan to do to get in … Continue reading »

    017 A Good Time Trying To Podcast About Backpacking

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2014 65:03


    This is one of the most entertaining of the lot!

    016 Backpacking The Railroad Tracks Thru East To White Oak Hills

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2014 64:52


    More hiking, overnight camping, and gear testing. One of my favorite types of episodes! We discuss what worked, what didn’t, and what we thoroughly enjoyed. For example, we enjoyed several scenic rest stops (sitting on a railroad bridge over a large creek, lying in the grass on a beautiful breezy mid-morning day at two separate … Continue reading »

    015 Map Study – Highest Elevation (3837) and Best Hiking In Shenandoah National Park

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2014 62:32


    Once again, we stand over our maps in the map room and continue developing our trail plan. This is a good episode, with lots of factual details, such as trail huts, camp stores, and mileage in between.

    014 Backpacking Water Purification, Filters, Tablets, Protozoa, Bacteria, Viruses, and More

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2014 59:06


    We talk about Giardia and Cryptosporidium, etc., during the first 15 minutes of this podcast. The remaining time we spend talking about the new gear we’ve purchased and gear we still think we need. The previous week we drank water from the cattle pond, and since cattle host all sorts of nasty protozoa, bacteria, and … Continue reading »

    013 Simply Our Shortest Podcast Yet (Or The Morning After Camping)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2014 41:27


    I’ll add show notes later…

    012 Appalachian Trail Guidelines and Rules Within Shenandoah National Park

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2014 66:48


    I’ll probably have this episode transcribed. It’s loaded with factual information. Buy the Appalachian Trail Guide to Shenandoah National Park (with side trails) from the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.

    011 Simply Our Longest Podcast Yet

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2014 77:04


    I might add a detailed description later…

    010 Bob, Dave, and Jack Review Backpacking Gear During Overnight Trip

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2014 74:57


    Another outdoor episode! We enjoyed ourselves immensely, tramping six miles (once again) into the back-country, heading west toward two ponds under the sun, our packs fully loaded and Nature’s offering flawless. We are lucky where we walk–true, but a scratch on the surface of the world; to us it is everything. Our whole of it. … Continue reading »

    009 An Hour’s Worth of Interesting Talk About Adventure Travel

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2014 60:17


    I am simply amazed by this episode! Why? Because I just listened to the entire hour, and no episode so far has seemed to flow by faster. I would never have imagined that random bits and pieces of talk could move along so quickly and so interestingly. There seems to be an inexhaustible supply of … Continue reading »

    008 Hiking and Riding Motorcycles and Pitching Tarp Shelters That Fail

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2014 56:46


    We broke this episode into two halves. First, we talked about hiking, riding motorcycles, and pitching tarp tents. Then we paused the recording and went outside to test our ideas. When we came back in, we had new insights for the research journal, especially on how not to succeed in building a tarp shelter. This … Continue reading »

    007 Studying the PATC and AWOL Maps of Shenandoah National Park

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2014 65:16


    In this episode, we spread our AT maps on a table and discuss elevations, contours, trail features, huts, shelters, cabins, distances, fire roads, water sources, and so on. My map is produced by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC.net). Dad’s map is the A.T. Guide by David “AWOL” Miller (theATguide.com). Both of these guides prove … Continue reading »

    006 Outdoor Field Testing Gregory and Mystery Ranch Backpacks

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2014 69:46


    Hands down, my favorite podcast episode so far! We loaded our packs with 15 lbs of gear and journeyed out along Hog Barn Road toward West Pond. The weather and temperature were perfect! 46 degrees. Young Jack came along, as well as our two dogs, Woof and Fonz. After about 3 miles, we rested beside … Continue reading »

    005 Why Dad Chose the Gregory Backpack in Blue for the Appalachian Trail

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2014 64:26


    Dad got a pack! We had a great time inspecting it during this podcast episode. Make: Gregory Model: Baltero 65 Color: Prussian Blue Size: Medium Capacity: 67 Liters (3,966 Cubic Inches) Weight: 5 lbs, 10 oz He explains that he chose the blue only because he knew my pack was grey, and getting them confused … Continue reading »

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