Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast
Matt and Karen Smith
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In Dear Bob and Sue, authors Matt and Karen Smith share stories of their travels to all of the U.S. National Park as well as other spectacular public lands. From adventures gone awry to memorable moments and Q&As from readers, get to know the couple behind the books and get inspired to go on some adventures of your own.
Available episodes
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5 days ago
#112: Mailbag!
In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics:
· How to tell if a trail or road has steep drop-offs before starting your trip, and how to stay calm when you’re afraid of heights in these situations,
· Tips on how to keep track of your bucket list items and where the phrase “wish bucket” came from
· Suggestions on footwear for hiking the Sliding Sands trail in Haleakala National Park
· Where to find accessibility information about trails, sights, and facilities in the national parks, and a few suggestions as to the most accessible parks in the NPS system,
· And more!
A few links we promised to share:
· Where to find info about accessibility in the national parks
· A list of the most and least accessible national parks from the AgingInPlace.org website
· A link to info about the America the Beautiful Access Pass
The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.
And don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
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Mar 9, 2023
#111: Driving Tour of Washington's National Parks, Part Two
The fun doesn’t stop at the end of the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway. Our road trip continues, so grab some extra snacks on Whidbey Island and head west with us as we travel to Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks.
The first stop is Olympic National Park, where you can explore alpine peaks, moss-covered rainforest trails, or rugged beaches along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Better yet, take your time and experience them all.
After Olympic, we’ll drive through Washington’s state capital, Olympia, before heading east to the most majestic active volcano in the lower forty-eight, Mount Rainier. Here you’ll have opportunities to marvel at the historic park buildings near the southwest entrance before winding your way up the park road to Paradise. This mile-high area of the park is laced with spectacular hiking trails, each with stunning, close-up views of Rainier.
The drive continues to other regions of the park that you won’t want to miss, including the equally stunning Sunrise area, where hiking above the tree line will give you full-on views of Mount Rainier from fresh angles.
Here’s a link to the map of the loop that Karen promised Matt would draw.
Our Patreon account is now up and running with bonus content. Follow this link to check it out.
Don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 2, 2023
#110: Washington's Cascade Loop Scenic Byway, Part One
Ah, the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway. This 440-mile route winds through the heart of Washington State's Cascade Mountains, revealing an abundance of natural beauty that is truly awe-inspiring. From the shore of Lake Chelan to the rugged peaks of North Cascades National Park, the landscape is both spectacular and diverse.
But the Cascade Loop is more than just a showcase of nature's wonders. We'll tell you about charming small towns along the way that offer a glimpse into the region's rich history and culture. Places like Leavenworth, with its Bavarian architecture, sausages and lively festivals, and Winthrop, with its Old West charm and cowboy spirit. Plus, Matt will take you on a culinary tour of the bakeries along the route and explain the differences between cinnamon rolls and morning buns.
In this episode, part one of our two-part series on the scenic drives through all three national parks in northwest Washington, we discuss the logistics and highlights of the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway.
Here’s a link to the map of the loop that Karen promised Matt would draw.
Our Patreon account is now up and running with bonus content. Follow this link to check it out.
Don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feb 23, 2023
#109: Mailbag! Devils Tower, Carlsbad Caverns, and More
In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics:
· Whether Devils Tower is worth the 2-hour drive when visiting the Black Hills,
· Advice on an Alaska bucket-list trip,
· Rules about e-bikes in the national parks,
· Which tour tickets to buy at Carlsbad Caverns,
· Which hotel is best to stay at outside Bryce Canyon National Park,
· And more!
Our Patreon account is now up and running with bonus content. Follow this link to check it out.
Don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feb 16, 2023
#108: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Situated in both North Carolina and Tennessee, this park is a natural wonderland that seems too good to be true. It's a place where misty mountains rise from the forest floor, and crystal-clear streams cut through verdant valleys. With over 500,000 acres of rugged terrain, it's easy to get lost in the park's boundless beauty. In this episode, we discuss our favorite things to see and do when visiting the park and other highlights you'll want to put on your bucket list. Whether you're looking for stunning vistas or quiet solitude, the Smokies have it all: spectacular vistas, rushing streams and waterfalls, historic structures, and quiet groves of old-growth forest. It's no wonder it's the most visited national park in America.
Here are links where you can find more information related to this episode:
· The Park It Forward program,
· Info about LeConte Lodge and how to make reservations,
· Info about the Blue Ridge Parkway,
· And you can check out Great Smoky Mountains NP’s website here
Our Patreon account is now up and running with bonus content. Follow this link for more information about how to join.
Don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feb 2, 2023
#107: Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale National Park is a serene, isolated wilderness in the middle of Lake Superior, making it the least-visited national park in the contiguous United States. Despite its remote location, those who make the journey are rewarded with breathtaking scenery, fascinating wildlife, and a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life. In this episode, we delve into the details of visiting Isle Royale, including transportation options, various activities to experience, and the best time of year to visit. We also discuss the available accommodation options, the ideal length of stay, and provide insights into the rich history of the park. Whether you're an avid outdoor enthusiast or simply seeking a peaceful escape, Isle Royale National Park has something to offer.
Here are links where you can find more information about Isle Royale National Park:
· On this site you can learn more about the project to study the wolves and moose on the island
· The park’s webpage with links to all the transportation options for getting to and from the island
· Information about the Isle Royale Queen IV boat from Copper Harbor, MI
· Check out the park’s entire website here
Our Patreon account is now up and running with bonus content. Follow this link to check it out.
Don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 25, 2023
#106: Mailbag! Shenandoah NP in a Weekend, and More
In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics:
· A listener asks our opinion on whether to spend a weekend in Olympic NP or Shenandoah NP (the title of this episode is a clue to our answer),
· Suggestions about which of the three Washington national parks would be best to visit when you have an extra two days on route to an Alaskan cruise,
· Would we recommend a blow-up air mattress or cots for a family of four just getting started camping,
· Which place is most likely to become the next U.S. national park,
· Should parents bring snake gaiters for their young sons on a trip to Big Bend NP,
· And more!
Our Patreon account is now up and running with bonus content. Follow this link to check it out.
Don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 18, 2023
#105: Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Many consider Chaco Culture the crown jewel of the ancient Puebloan ruins in the American Southwest. It's a must-see add-on to any adventure in the Four Corners area. The sixteen archeological sites in the park tell a story of a bustling civilization where thousands of people lived from about 850 to 1250 A.D. But much is still left to be discovered about their lives and why they abruptly left to find shelter elsewhere among the cliffs of the desert. In this episode, we talk about our visit to Chaco, a bit about the history of the place, some of the activities you might want to consider when there, and much more!
Here are links where you can find more information about Chaco Culture National Historical Park:
· If you want to see historic photos from Pueblo Bonito, check out the website Chacoarchive.org
· Here’s a link to the NPS Museum Management Program page about Chaco Culture
· Check out the park’s NPS site here
· UNESCO’s online description of Chaco also has links to more information
· And did you know that Chaco Culture is featured on a U.S. Quarter? Check it out on the U.S. Mint’s website
Our Patreon account is now up and running with bonus content. Follow this link to check it out.
Don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 5, 2023
#104: Planning Your Trips to Alaska’s National Parks
Alaska is home to eight national parks, each unique and stunning. And if visiting them is on your bucket list, planning your trips may seem daunting. It was for us. Alaska is wild and beautiful, and its parks are nothing like those in the lower 48. Only three of the eight can be accessed by roads, and two are above the Arctic Circle. In this episode, we share what we learned from visiting these parks. We talk about how to get to each of them, what time of year you might want to visit, and give suggestions for activities you’ll want to consider. All this and more!
Our Patreon account is now up and running with bonus content. Follow this link to check it out.
Don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 29, 2022
#103: Twelve Great National Parks for Snowshoeing
We used to think that winter was for hunkering down inside and planning for warm-weather activities in the parks. But that all changed one day when we rented snowshoes in Yellowstone on a zero-degree February day. After an exciting day experiencing the uncrowded backcountry covered in a deep blanket of snow, we were hooked. The scenery was breathtaking, and we had several wildlife encounters that would not have been possible in warmer months. Now, we make a point to snowshoe at least a few times each winter in our incredible public lands. In today’s episode, we talk about some of the basics of getting started snowshoeing and suggest trails to explore in twelve national parks that are great for this outdoor winter activity.
Our Patreon account is now up and running with bonus content. Follow this link to check it out.
Don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 8, 2022
#102: Mailbag! White Sands, Hot Springs, and More
In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics:
· How much time to spend and what to do when visiting White Sands NP,
· A brief overview of Hot Springs National Park, including how the park service has re-purposed a few of the park’s historic original bathhouses,
· Short discussion about the national parks on the east coast,
· Answering a few questions from one of our younger listeners, and
· Discussing whether our books are appropriate for children
Our Patreon account is now up and running with bonus content. Follow this link to check it out.
Don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen,…
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Nov 24, 2022
#101: Grandma Joy’s Road Trip
Join us for an inspiring conversation with 92-year-old Grandma Joy and her grandson Brad, who are on a journey to visit all 63 national parks. After taking her on a camping trip seven years ago in Smoky Mountains National Park so she could see the mountains for the first time, Brad realized Grandma Joy was the perfect travel partner. Their next adventure was a 4-week road trip to visit 21 national parks, and they’re still going strong. With only one national park left to visit, their story of adventure and discovery is not just inspiring, it's a lesson in the power of gratitude. What a perfect message for a Thanksgiving Day episode!
Here are a few helpful links about some of the topics in this episode:
· Follow Brad and Grandma Joy’s travels on Instagram here
· Or check out their Facebook page here
· Link to our Patreon account Intro video
· Where to subscribe to our Patreon account
· And, check out our fun and inspiring apparel…
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Nov 17, 2022
#100: Glacier Bay National Park
Over two hundred years ago, a 4,000-foot-thick glacier covered what is now Glacier Bay National Park. Since then, the massive glacier has receded, leaving us a spectacular bay and landscape to explore. Sitting a mere 50 miles west of Alaska’s capital city of Juneau, the park is now home to a diverse array of fantastic wildlife both in the sea and on land. Easier to get to than you might think, Glacier Bay NP is best visited in the summer months when you can stay at the lodge and take an all-day, park-led boat tour through the bay. In this episode, we talk about our experiences visiting the park and provide tips and tricks to help you plan your visit.
Here are a few helpful links about some of the topics in this episode:
· Glacier Bay Lodge’s website where you can find information about the lodge and book a boat tour through the park
· Video on the park’s website about the Huna Tribal House dedication
· Link to our 2022 Annual Gift Guide
·…
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Nov 10, 2022
#99: Matt and Karen’s Annual Gift Guide
Are you ready for the most wonderful time of the year? We’re here to help you fill out your holiday shopping list before that last-minute panic sets in. And while you’re at it, you might even find an item or three to suggest to Santa for yourself. In this episode, we’ve put together a collection of our favorite travel-related items that make perfect gifts. And once the holidays are over, you can revisit this list throughout the year when you need that perfect gift idea for the outdoorsy person in your life.
Below are links to all the items we mention in this episode. You can also find these items on our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
Please note that we may be paid a marketing fee if you buy a product through one of the links below but doing so does not affect the price you pay. Any fees we earn from these links help support our podcast. Thank you!
- Darn Tough Socks
- GAIA GPS Premium
- S.O.L. Fire Lite Fuel Free Rechargeable Lighter
- Crocs
- Teva Re Embers
- Patagonia Black…
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Nov 3, 2022
#98: Best of Canyonlands National Park
Radiating out from the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers in southeastern Utah is a landscape full of spectacular canyons, unusual rock formations, and some of the most challenging backroads anywhere in America. Separated into four distinct districts, Canyonlands NP has something for everyone, from easy-to-access canyon overlooks to breath-taking hikes of all degrees of difficulty. The park even has one of the most photographed natural arches in the southwest. In this episode, we cover all this and much more!
Here are a few helpful links about some of the topics in this episode:
· The National Park Service’s overview of the park’s districts
· Information you’ll need if you’re considering driving the White Rim Road
· OARS Cataract Canyon raft trip description
· Link to our Patreon account Intro video
· Where to subscribe to our Patreon account
· And, check out our fun and inspiring apparel at Dirtlander.com…
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Oct 27, 2022
#97: Haunted National Park Lodges
If the historic national park lodges could talk, they’d tell us chilling stories about strange things happening over the years within their walls. From the sound of mysterious parties coming from deserted ballrooms to presidential rocking chairs moving by themselves, we’ve pulled a few of our favorite ghost stories from the history books to share with you during this spooky time of the year. In this episode, we take you to several lodges where unexplained happenings keep guests and caretakers on the lookout for figures from the past around every corner.
Here are links about some of the places we mentioned in this episode:
· Tour the Stanley Hotel and learn about its spooky past
· Our blog post about the Belton Chalet and the ghost who lives there
· The story of Elizabeth who haunts the Oregon Caves Chateau
· Link to our Patreon account Intro video
· Where to subscribe to our Patreon account
· And, check out our fun and…
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Oct 20, 2022
#96: Hiking Utah’s Kanarra Falls
The trail to Kanarra Falls in southwestern Utah has it all: beautiful scenery, a pristine creek running through a slot canyon, and a picturesque waterfall. It’s just the right length at about 3.5 miles roundtrip and is only moderately strenuous. This is why it’s become a hugely popular destination for outdoor adventure seekers. In this episode, we talk about our experience hiking this trail in October 2022, how we got our permit, and a little history of this popular site. We even talk about how the town of Kanarraville now keeps this special place from being over-loved and the heroic efforts they undertook to replace the iconic log bridge that once provided hikers a way up the falls before a flood washed it away.
Here are links about some of the places we mentioned in this episode:
· Where to apply for permits to hike to Kanarra Falls
· Story about installing the new Kanarra Falls ladder
· Link to our Patreon account Intro video
· Where to…
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Oct 6, 2022
#95: Custer State Park and the Black Hills
South Dakota might not be the first place you think of as a vacation destination, but the Black Hills and surrounding areas are packed with incredible sights and activities. In this episode, we take you to the epicenter, Custer State Park, where you can see bison roam, hike some world-class trails, and take a scenic drive through granite spires and narrow tunnels. From there, we explore other fascinating public lands that are a short distance to a couple of hours away, including several national park service units. And as a bonus, there's not just one History Channel segment in this episode; we share multiple captivating stories about the adventurous people who previously explored these public lands.
Here are links about some of the places we mentioned in this episode:
· Custer State Park
· Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival (at Custer State Park)
· Badlands National Park
· Wind Cave National Park
· Jewel Cave National Monument
·…
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Sep 29, 2022
#94: Mailbag! Wildlife, Solar Chargers, and Hiking Boots
In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics:
· Our favorite wildlife sightings while visiting the national parks,
· Our opinion on hiking and backpacking with portable solar chargers, and
· What to consider when choosing the right hiking boots for your feet.
Our Patreon account is now up and running with bonus content. Follow this link to check it out.
Don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattand…
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Sep 22, 2022
#93: Everglades National Park
Now is the perfect time to plan a winter trip to Everglades National Park. While the park's rainy season is typically April through November, the other months are a great time to visit. In this episode, we talk about hiking trails we enjoyed and some other park activities you might want to try, such as airboat tours, nature photography tours, kayaking, canoeing, and Matt's favorite, slough slogging through the wetlands. But the fun doesn't stop there. We dive deep into the sawgrass marsh with a close look at its reptile population as Karen explains the differences between alligators and crocodiles and discusses an alarming challenge the park is facing: an exploding population of Burmese pythons.
Here are the links we mentioned in this episode:
· Everglades NP website where you can find info about guided tours
· Everglades National Park Institute for info about additional tours
· Link to our Patreon account Intro video
· Where to subscribe to o…
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Sep 8, 2022
#92: The Grand Circle Tour
It’s time for another road trip! The Grand Circle Tour is a driving itinerary that takes you to some of the most amazing natural wonders in southern Utah and northern Arizona. Travel along with us in this episode as we start in Las Vegas, travel northeast through Utah, loop down to southwestern Colorado, and come back to Utah before making a few stops in northern Arizona on our way back to Las Vegas.
This tour is a general guide; you can customize it to your liking. You can also begin and end it from any point on the loop if Las Vegas is not your starting point. So, buckle up and get ready for an incredible ride. Below is a list of the places we talk about as we travel along the Grand Circle Tour:
· Start in Las Vegas
· Valley of Fire State Park
· Zion National Park
· Bryce Canyon National Park
· Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument
· Capitol Reef National Park
· Goblin Valley State Park
· M…
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Sep 1, 2022
#91: Best National Parks to Visit in the Fall
Once summer vacation season ends and kids go back to school, the parks are a little less crowded, making fall the perfect time to visit our incredible national parks. In this episode, we took our fall travel suggestions from Episode #50 and added a few more comments about the best parks to visit as the weather cools and the leaves begin to turn.
Check out our fun and inspiring apparel at Dirtlander.com
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 25, 2022
#90: Mailbag! Our Favorite Waterfalls and Much More!
In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics:
· Which national parks you might want to visit sooner rather than later if you're concerned about how escalating natural disasters will change them forever.
· Our favorite waterfalls we've visited during our travels
· Whether backpacking in Olympic National Park during November to celebrate a special anniversary is a good idea - and a couple of Plan B options just in case, and
· Where's an excellent place to watch the sunset in Acadia National Park for a couple of park lovers who aren't exactly morning people.
Don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen,…
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Aug 11, 2022
#89: Our Ten Favorite Day Hikes in the National Parks
Whether you prefer hiking through forests, deserts, or to the top of mountains, this list covers them all. It wasn’t easy narrowing the list to just ten, but these are the hikes we find ourselves doing over-and-over again when we visit the national parks. And as a bonus, we offer alternatives to each of these trails in case you’re looking for easier options or just want more hiking suggestions near these great hikes.
Check out our fun and inspiring apparel at Dirtlander.com
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
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Jul 28, 2022
#88: Mailbag! Hiking in Big Bend National Park and More
In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics:
· Some of our favorite hikes in Big Bend National Park
· Our thoughts on which parks are good for pre-teens
· Budget-friendly suggestions for visiting the parks
· How we plan for a road trip
Link to a government site that displays wildfire and air quality info
· Which apps we use to store and remember information about hiking trails
Link to AllTrails, which we use to research specific trails and read recent trail reports
Link to GAIA GPS, which we use to navigate and record our hikes
· How to keep your lunch cold while hiking
Link to insulated lunch bags we use to keep our lunch items cool while we hike
· And more!
Also! Please check out our online merch store Dirtlan…
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Jul 14, 2022
#87: Our Favorite Slot Canyons in the Southwest
Breathtaking trails through narrow canyons lie hidden in the vast desert landscapes of the Southwest. These slot canyons, as they’re called, often have walls so close that you can reach out and touch both sides of the canyon – at the same time! And in places, you might even have to squeeze through the tightest passages sideways. Why would anyone want to do this, you might ask? Because the scenery in these canyons is jaw-dropping, to say the least. In this episode, we’re taking you to the Southwest to explore some of our favorite slot canyons in Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and Southern California. Enjoy!
Also!
Please take a gander at our new merch website: www.dirtlander.com. There you’ll find our original “20252” designs, (Smokey Bear’s zip code if you didn’t already know) and other fun, outdoor travel-related gear.
Other links:
· Upper Antelope Canyon - Ticket info
· Lower Antelope Canyon - Ticket info for Ken’s tours - Ticket info for Dixie…
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Jun 30, 2022
#86: Mailbag! How Many Days to Spend in Great Sand Dunes NP and More!
In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics:
· National Park Passport Stamp Book
Where to buy your very own book
Here’s a link to the National Parks Travelers Club
· How we avoid buying all the tchotchkes and souvenirs on our trips. Spoiler alert: we don’t.
· Planning a camping trip when flying to your destination.
· How to deal with photographers taking the best spots for capturing incredible images in the national parks.
· How much time to budget when visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park
· Suggestions about which national park to visit for a few days that’s close to the Alabama/Tennessee border.
Mount Leconte Lodge
· Tips on how to get started backpacking.
· How can foreigners volunteer i…
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Jun 16, 2022
#85: Point Reyes National Seashore
You might think that a seashore park is just sand beaches, but Point Reyes also has open grasslands and forested ridges that are home to 1,500 species of plants and animals. And for humans, the park offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities, like hiking, boating, biking, horseback riding, and fishing. In this episode, we talk about some of these activities and why you should add Point Reyes to your list of parks to visit.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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May 26, 2022
#84: Mailbag! Planning for Summer Trips and More
In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics:
· A brief description of the Garmin InReach satellite messenger device.
· Shower/bathing options for a listener planning a two-week camping trip to the California parks.
· Must-see things to do and see for a listener's upcoming trip to Joshua Tree and the Channel Islands.
· Which parks have a shuttle from a regional airport to the park.
· Where we would go if we had 5-6 days to spend in Southern Utah.
· Which month is best to visit Denali National Park.
· And hiking hat suggestions from Karen, who always looks so cute in her Instagram photos.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our…
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May 19, 2022
#83: Grand Canyon, North Rim vs South Rim
When visiting Grand Canyon National Park, one of the world's seven natural wonders, should you visit the North Rim, the South Rim, or both? In this episode, we talk about what makes both rims of the canyon unique, and explain the differences in infrastructure, scenery, number of visitors, etc. We share information about lodging, camping, hiking trails, scenic drives, and some wildlife sightings unique to each rim. While the South Rim is where most people go to experience the Grand Canyon, you won’t want to miss the less-developed, rugged scenery of the North Rim.
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Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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May 12, 2022
#82: Smokey Bear Has Never Been Hotter
This episode is devoted to Smokey Bear, the beloved spokesanimal of the United States Forest Service, who spreads awareness about how to prevent accidental, human-caused wildfires. We discuss how and why the Smokey advertising campaign started more than 70 years ago, how Smokey went from an animated bear to a living, breathing animal, and where to visit the Smokey Museum and Historical Park, plus the largest Smokey statue in the country. All this and more!
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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May 5, 2022
#81: Our Favorite Ranger-led Tours
#81: Our Favorite Ranger-led Tours
National Park Service sites across the country offer a wide variety of ranger-led tours, and in this episode, we talk about some of our favorites. From Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska to Dry Tortugas off the coast of Florida, we've been on some fantastic ranger-led tours: on boats, in archeological ruins, caves, and canyons. These tours have been quite an education, and we’ll share some of what we’ve learned, as well as all the details about how you can partake in these tours during your visits to the parks.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Apr 28, 2022
#80: Mailbag: Redwood National and State Parks, and much more!
In our Mailbag episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, road trips, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we share suggestions about visiting Redwood National Park. We also talk about which parks allow you to spread cremated ashes, where to stay when visiting North Cascades National Park, scenic roads you might want to check out in Glacier National Park besides Going to the Sun Road, and solo traveling in your 60s. All this and more!
Links:
· To see all our books on Amazon.com, follow this link.
· If you purchase one of our books through this link, you will not pay a higher price, but Amazon will pay us a small marketing fee. This fee helps support our podcast. Thank you!
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Apr 21, 2022
#79: Mailbag: Pinnacles National Park, and much more!
#79: Mailbag: Pinnacles National Park, and much more!
In our Mailbag episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, road trips, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we share suggestions about what to do in Pinnacles National Park if you only have one day. We also answer questions about which national parks let you take your dog on the trails, what is in our emergency road kit, and how to maneuver the ferry to Olympic National Park. All this and much more!
Links:
· To see all our books on Amazon.com, follow this link.
· If you purchase one of our books through this link, you will not pay a higher price, but Amazon will pay us a small marketing fee. This fee helps support our podcast. Thank you!
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Apr 14, 2022
#78: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Home to one of the deepest and narrowest canyons in the world, this park in west-central Colorado is a must-see destination, even if you only spend a half-day peering down into the canyon at the roadside lookouts. In this episode, we talk about some of these scenic overlooks, plus hiking trails, both maintained and unmaintained, where to stay when visiting the park, and when to visit. All this and more!
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Apr 7, 2022
#77: Exploring Capitol Reef National Park
In this episode, we take you to Capitol Reef National Park, one of the most diverse national parks in Utah: it has incredible hiking trails, scenic drives, backcountry dirt roads, fruit picking, slot canyons, petroglyphs, and pies. There are many things to love about Capitol Reef, and we cover all of them, including some fun lodging options just outside the park.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
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Mar 24, 2022
#76: Mailbag: Where to hike in Saguaro National Park, and much more!
In this Mailbag! episode, we share some of our hiking suggestions in Saguaro National Park and the surrounding area, how to determine if you’re ready to tackle a 10- to 15-mile hike, and how to practice shooting bear spray before you hike in bear country. Plus, we offer suggestions regarding a listener’s Utah park itinerary.
Links:
· To see all our books on Amazon.com, follow this link.
· If you purchase one of our books through this link, you will not pay a higher price, but Amazon will pay us a small marketing fee. This fee helps support our podcast. Thank you!
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
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Mar 17, 2022
#75: Dark Sky Parks
Who hasn’t stared in awe at the Milky Way and been lost in wonder thinking about the billions of stars that make up our galaxy? In this episode, we’re talking about a special category of public lands called Dark Sky Parks. These are areas that have been certified by the International Dark-Sky Association as being excellent places to stargaze. Join us as we share our stories about stargazing in the parks and provide information about how to find some of the darkest night skies in the US.
Links:
· National Parks Traveler article: Your Search For The National Park System's Darkest Skies Leads To Utah
· International Dark-Sky Association website
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Mar 10, 2022
#74: Rocky Mountain National Park
With majestic peaks in every direction, wildlife roaming the valleys, and some of the most incredible hiking trails in the country, it’s no wonder that Colorado’s Rocky Mountain is one of the most-visited national parks. In this episode, we discuss some of the best things to do inside the park, as well as in the town of Estes Park, just outside the park. And we’ll go over important details about the day-use reservation system, which you’ll need to secure before you even get to the park.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Mar 3, 2022
#73: Exploring Acadia National Park
We’re heading to the Northeast part of the country in this episode, to Acadia National Park in Maine. Called the Crown Jewell of the North Atlantic Coast, Acadia has a diverse array of rocky coastlines, granite mountains, lakes, ponds, meadows, and forests. It also has a ton of things to do:
· Scenic drives along historic motor roads
· Hiking some of the 158 miles of trails
· Exploring 45 miles of carriage roads on bikes or horseback
Plus, beaches, lighthouses, and the infamous popovers at Jordan Pond House. We talk about all this and much, much more.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Feb 24, 2022
#72: Mailbag!
In our mailbag episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, road trips, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we share some ideas about what to do if you see someone breaking the rules in a national park. We also answer a question about when we use our trekking poles and when we leave them at home, and give our opinion on a listener’s national park itinerary. All this, and much more!
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Feb 17, 2022
#71: Our Twelve Favorite White-Knuckle Drives
Join us for a thrilling ride as we take you on some of our favorite white-knuckle drives. These are roads we’ve discovered during our travels that have spectacular views but maybe not as many guardrails as we’d like. From winding, narrow paths over remote mountain passes to hairpin turns snaking up and down sheer cliffs, we’ll tell you about twelve must-see scenic drives so you can decide for yourself if you want to give them a try.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
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Feb 10, 2022
#70: Exploring Yosemite National Park
Join us on a trip to California, to one of the country's oldest and most popular national parks, Yosemite. Home to soaring granite domes, some of the world's biggest and oldest trees, and a few famous waterfalls, Yosemite offers world-class natural wonders and recreation opportunities. In today's episode, we'll give you an overview of the park's different areas, including some of our favorite hikes, lodging options, and much more!
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Feb 3, 2022
#69: Zion National Park – 2.5 Perfect Days
Today we’re taking you with us to one of the Mighty Five National Parks in Utah: Zion. In this episode, we share with you our version of how to spend 2.5 perfect days in the park. We talk about some spectacular hikes, a great place to watch the sunset, when’s the best time to visit the park, and much more!
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Jan 27, 2022
#68: Mailbag!
In our mailbag episodes, we answer questions from listeners about traveling, hiking, public lands, outdoor gear, and whatever else is on their minds. In this episode, the questions are about travel: how we decide where to go each year, how long it takes us to pack for a road trip, how to pack lightly when flying, how to plan for an impromptu trip, and more!
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Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Jan 20, 2022
#67: Our Favorite Things to Do In Grand Teton National Park
In today's episode, we're discussing some of our favorite things to do and see in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. We talk about the scenic drives in the park, some of the best photography spots, and a few of our favorite hikes. Plus, we share tips about lodging options in and around the park, how many days to plan for your trip, and when to visit. And it wouldn't be a complete episode if we didn't include a little bit of park history.
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Jan 13, 2022
#66: Top Ten Things to Do in Arches National Park
Arches is a red-rock wonderland of fins, spires, pinnacles, and arches -- 2,000 of them! Throw in some great hiking trails and a very scenic drive, and you’ve got a lot of choices of things to see and do throughout the park. In this episode, we narrow down the list, share ten of our favorites, and give some tips and advice about making the most of your experiences visiting them. We also provide some updated information about the park’s new reservation system so you can plan ahead and get your entry pass before you get to the park.
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Jan 6, 2022
#65: How to Plan Your National Park Trips
#65: How to Plan Your National Park Trips
Planning a road trip can be as much fun as the trip itself. The anticipation and excitement ahead of time are some of the best parts of the experience. But the planning can also be overwhelming and confusing, especially when going to a place you’ve never visited. In this episode, we discuss how we plan our trips to the national parks and other public lands. We also talk about some of the items you’ll want to take with you on your trip, as well as rules and etiquette that you might not be aware of when visiting the parks.
Please subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
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Dec 30, 2021
64: Mailbag!
In our mailbag episodes, we answer questions from listeners about traveling, hiking, public lands, outdoor gear, and whatever else is on their minds. In this episode, we answer questions about Wrangell St. Elias National Park in Alaska, Indiana Dunes National Park in Indiana, and Great Basin National Park in Nevada. We also talk about some of the travel-related non-fiction books that have inspired us to travel. And more!
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Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Dec 23, 2021
#63: O Christmas Tree
Today we’re talking about Christmas trees. Specifically, everything you need to know about the program run by the National Forest Service, where you can buy a permit online and head out to your national forest to cut down your own Christmas tree. In this episode, we share our Montana experience in December as we wandered through Flathead National Forest with a permit in hand, looking for that perfect Christmas tree for our stay in a national forest cabin.
Please subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
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Dec 16, 2021
#62: Haleakala National Park – Sea to Summit
The island of Maui has more to offer than lounge chairs on the beach and tropical drinks. It's home to Haleakala National Park. With a 10,000-foot summit, the park is the perfect place to watch the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean or hike down into its seven-mile-wide crater. In this episode, we cover the highlights of visiting this stunning park, including tips about trails and directions to its sea-level district on the island's east end.
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Dec 9, 2021
#61: An Epic Road Trip Through Northern Arizona
In this episode, we talk about our recent 700-mile road trip through Northern Arizona, the perfect week-long tour of some of the most iconic sites in the American Southwest. Starting in Sedona, we worked our way northeast, visiting a couple of national parks, a half dozen other National Park Service sites, and a few Navajo Tribal Parks. Join us as we take you to stunning overlooks, one-of-a-kind cultural treasures, slot canyons, a petrified forest, and many more jaw-dropping public lands.
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Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Dec 2, 2021
#60: One Perfect Day in Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park has something for everyone: hikes, jaw-dropping overlooks, scenic drives, a historic hotel, good pizza, and a cave. And with a bit of planning, you can do it all in one perfect day. We’ve been to this park many times, and each visit feels like we’re seeing the place for the very first time. In this episode, we suggest an itinerary for one perfect day, but stay as long as you’d like in this truly magical landscape.
And there’s more. Check out the companion blog post on our website: One Perfect Day in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Please subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
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Nov 25, 2021
#59: Thanksgiving in the National Parks
Shake up your Thanksgiving routine by celebrating in a national park. Many of the park lodges and restaurants offer traditional Thanksgiving feasts. And what could be better than spending the long holiday weekend in a beautiful outdoor setting rather than battling shoppers for a deep-discount, big-screen TV? In this episode, we talk about many of the places in the national park system that you might want to consider for your Thanksgiving adventure.
Please subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Nov 18, 2021
#58: Top Ten Things to Do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
What could be more magical than watching new land being formed as lava flows from the mouth of a volcano? Hawaii Volcanoes National Park protects and celebrates this beautiful site as its boundary extends from the Pacific Ocean to nearly the 13,677-foot summit of Mauna Loa. Tucked along the southeast edge of the Big Island, this lava-belching landscape has been a national park for over 100 years. In this episode, we talk about the top ten things you’ll want to be sure to do when visiting the park.
And check out our companion blog post about the Top Ten Things to Do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – click here.
Please subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out…
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Nov 11, 2021
#57: Outdoor Gear and Gifts We Love
Give the gift of adventure. In this, our annual gear and gift guide, we talk about the gear we use, love, and in some cases, absolutely can’t live without. Whether you are looking for holiday gift ideas toward the end of the year or need gear suggestions in any season, this episode is a great starting point. Check out our companion blog post with links to many of the items we discuss. The links on our website are sponsored. Any commissions we earn from them go a long way to making this podcast possible. Thank you for your support.
Special offer! And as a bonus to our listeners, GAIA GPS is offering 20% off a one-year subscription to their app when you follow this link.
Please subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
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Nov 4, 2021
#56: Three Perfect Days in New River Gorge National Park
Are you thinking about visiting our nation’s 63rd national park, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia? Then you’re in luck. In this episode, we talk about our recent visit to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve with our dear friends Bob and Sue. And we’ve arranged it into a three-day itinerary to give you a starting point for planning your visit.
You can find links to many of the places and activities we discuss in this episode on our blog post about New River Gorge National Park – click here.
Please subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Oct 28, 2021
#55: The Ghosts of Mammoth Cave National Park
Did you know that Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the longest known cave system in the world? Here’s another fact you might not know: many people think the cave is haunted. Join us for this episode as we give an overview of Mammoth Cave National Park, and Karen regales Matt with frightening and sometimes ghoulish stories from the past about the caverns below south-central Kentucky.
Link to the National Park Service webpage: Top Ten Tips for Visiting Mammoth Cave National Park
Please subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
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Oct 21, 2021
#54: Mailbag!
In our mailbag episodes, we answer questions from listeners about traveling, hiking, public lands, outdoor gear, and whatever else is on their minds. In this episode, we’re talking about the America the Beautiful Pass, how to get started backpacking, and our thoughts on how to balance work and travel. If you have a question you’d like us to answer on a future episode, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
Links we discus in the episode:
· Where to purchase an America the Beautiful Pass online.
· A description of all six types of passes.
· More info about the Annual Pass
· More info about the Military Pass
· More info about the 4th Grade Pass
· More info about the Senior Pass
· More info about the Access Pass
· More info about the Volunteer Pass
· Resource for renting backpacking equipment
· Great site for renting backpacking equipment in the Pacific Northwest
· Backpacki…
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Oct 14, 2021
#53: Zion's Epic Subway Hike
The trail to The Subway is one of the least traveled yet most spectacular in Zion National Park. Over countless years, water has carved a unique, tube-like slot canyon along the Left Fork of North Creek. If you’re lucky enough to win the permit lottery to hike this trail, you have two options for getting there: top-down and bottom-up. In this episode, we talk about our experience hiking the bottom-up route and tips about having a safe and enjoyable hike.
Link to Zion NP’s webpage where you can find more about how to get a permit to hike to The Subway.
Please subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Oct 7, 2021
#52: Antelope Canyon
Starting at the shore of Lake Powell in northern Arizona, Antelope Canyon stretches for over twenty miles as it snakes its way south through pristine Navajo land. Over millions of years, water and wind carved several incredibly beautiful sections of the canyon. In this episode, we discuss four of the areas that you can visit to experience these wonders of nature up close.
Links to where you can find more information about the tours we talk about:
Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
Antelope Canyon X Tour
Please subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
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Sep 30, 2021
#51: Mailbag!
In our mailbag episodes, we answer questions from listeners about traveling, hiking, public lands, outdoor gear, and whatever else is on their minds. In this episode, we’re talking about road trips, train trips, bears, and ticks. If you have a question you’d like us to answer on a future episode, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.
Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.
To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 23, 2021
#50: The Best National Parks to Visit in Each Season
We get a lot of questions from people asking us what parks they should visit during specific times of the year. On today’s episode we’re going season to season, talking about which parks are great to visit during the winter, spring, summer, and fall. We cover all 63 national parks, taking into account factors like their weather, accessibility, wildflowers, fall foliage, crowds, and much more. Grab a pen and paper and get ready to take notes. You might learn a few seasonal travel tips that’ll come in handy when planning your next spring break destination, summer vacation, or fall getaway.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
· The only national park that closes in the winter
· The one piece of the U.S. that is below the equator
· Our favorite park to snowmobile in
· Best national parks to view the brilliant fall colors
· Which park you can tour while on a beer train excursion
· The park you’d vi…
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Sep 16, 2021
#49: Glacier National Park: Part 2 of 2
From historic hotels to jaw-dropping vistas to spectacular hiking trails, Glacier has it all. Because of its mountainous terrain, activities and sights are clustered in several unique areas of the park and along the central park road corridor. A visit to this magnificent place feels like going to several national parks, all nestled around the Continental Divide. It would take a lifetime to see and do everything that Glacier National Park has to offer, and in this second episode of our two-part series on the park, we talk about our favorites. If you haven’t listened to the first part of this series, please check it out here.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
· Why it’s so important to do advanced planning before visiting Glacier NP
· The best time to visit
· Recent changes to the park’s system for entering the park – you may need a reservation
· Why you might want to park your car and take the hikers’ shuttle
·…
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Sep 9, 2021
#48: Glacier National Park: Part 1 of 2
The Crown of the Continent, Glacier National Park is one of the most visited and beloved destinations in the National Park System. In this part 1 of 2 episodes on the park, we discuss one of its most unique aspects: their backcountry chalets. Ten chalets dotted the park back more than a hundred years ago, providing visitors a place to rest between day-long horseback rides. Today, three of the ten original chalets still exist and operate as places where travelers can spend a night or two while exploring the park. In August, we hiked up to Granite Park Chalet, along the Highline Trail, and spent a couple of nights in this historical site. Join us as we talk about how we planned the trip and our experience in the backcountry of this magnificent park.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
· Why the Great Northern Railway built the backcountry chalets
· What happened to all of them
· Which ones still exist
· Planning a visit to sta…
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Jul 15, 2021
#47: Dining Around the Parks
Over the years while we explored the national parks, we also found a lot of unique and authentic places to eat, and today we’re sharing some of our favorites. In this mid-summer bonus episode, we provide a sampling of great restaurants, bars and bakeries. From donut shops to breweries and steakhouses, we discuss where you can get some delicious food while you’re visiting the parks. It’s always fun to find your own hidden gems when traveling, but if you find yourself at a loss for where to dine, we have some suggestions for you to try.
Some of the places and areas of the country we cover in this episode:
Pizza, pizza, beer and quesadillas in Moab, Utah
Pizza and noodles in Springdale by Zion NP
Covered wagons, pizza and pie in Torrey, Utah by Capitol Reef NP
A place to buy socks and dinner in Escalante, Utah
It’s all about the huckleberries in Glacier NP in Montana
In and around the three NPs in Washington state
Black Hills and Badlands NP in South Dakota
Donuts and…
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Jun 10, 2021
#46: Twenty-Five National Parks to Visit in Your Lifetime
Our country’s national parks are frequently referred to as “America’s Best Idea,” for good reason. There are 423 National Park Service sites that protect everything from natural wonders to historical sites to endangered animals. Every one of them has something unique and special to offer visitors, but on this episode, we showcase our favorite 25 national parks. If you’re not planning to visit every national park, these are the ones we think you should visit in your lifetime.
What are some of the parks that made our list?
The crown jewel of the North Atlantic coast
A park that contains 2,000 sandstone arches
A park that’s beloved for its fruit orchards and its mini pies to go
The largest park in the lower 48; it’s also the hottest, driest and lowest park
A park where visitors walk amongst brown bears
A park where you can see the largest trees by volume in the world
The park that’s referred to as the Alps of America
A park that has multiple ecosystems
A park w…
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Jun 3, 2021
#45: Badlands National Park
The southwest corner of South Dakota has an incredible variety of National Park Service sites to explore, and one of our favorites is Badlands National Park. From its mixed-grass prairie to its jaw-dropping geologic rock formations, this is a must-see park. In this episode, we talk about ways to explore the area on foot, by driving along the scenic road and by stopping at the numerous overlooks. You’re likely to spot the resident wildlife: bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, and lots of prairie dogs welcoming you to the park. Plus, we offer suggestions on where to stay and how much time to allot for your visit.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
Other amazing public lands to explore near Badlands NP
Why there’s a chance you could find a million-year-old fossil in the park
How Badlands got its name
When and how bison were returned to the park
How black-footed ferrets were saved from extinction
Our favorite hikes in the park
What it was like to stay in a cab…
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May 27, 2021
#44: Mailbag!
It’s time again for our monthly mailbag episode where we answer questions from our listeners about national parks and other public lands, as well as questions about gear, hiking trails, and a broad range of travel-related topics.
Some of the questions/topics we discuss in this episode:
What kind of backpacks we use on our hikes
Whether or not mosquito headnets really work
Why we don’t use hydration bladders in our backpacks
Which parks are good for small children
Why we each have our own passport stamp books
Whether or not we’ll be heading back to the Chilkoot Trail again this summer
Driving a remote and rugged dirt road in Capitol Reef National park
Advice and tips for older hikers
Links to more information:
Road conditions in Capitol Reef National Park
Where to buy Permethrin Insect Repellant for clothing
Where to learn more about our books and travels
Join the conversation on Facebook - we want to hear from you!
Check out our Instagram account
Learn more ab…
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May 20, 2021
#43: North Cascades National Park
Only a three-hour drive from Seattle, North Cascades National Park looks like you’ve traveled all the way to Switzerland. With its 300 glaciers and soaring mountain peaks, North Cascades is a wilderness park best explored on foot during the summer months. We discuss our favorite hikes, as well as a unique park lodge in the tiny town of Stehekin that can only be reached by boat, seaplane, or on foot. And we share a story about a frightening night we spent in a remote backpacking campsite.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
The three NPS units that make up the North Cascades park complex
Where the Visitor Centers are
The best time to visit for hikers
Why this is one of the least visited national parks
Where we like to stay when we visit the park
Our favorite hike in the national park
How to get to North Cascades Lodge in Stehekin
Fun things to do and see in the Stehekin area
What happened to us during our backpacking trip to Stehekin
Links to more information…
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May 13, 2021
#42: Crater Lake National Park
In the third episode of our series about volcano parks in the Pacific Northwest we’re featuring Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park, which has one of the most stunning scenes in any national park: a sapphire-blue lake situated in the middle of a collapsed volcano’s caldera. Reaching a depth of almost 2,000 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest and most pristine lake in the country. What is there to do in this park besides gaze in awe at this incredible view? A lot, actually. On this episode we talk about the wide variety of activities available, plus lodging options in the park, and the best seasons to visit.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
Where the only place to swim in the lake is located
Why there is no limit or license needed to fish
The different boat tours available
Who the Old Man of the Lake is
Why Matt wants to be a trolley captain
Our favorite hikes in the park
What gives the lake its deep blue color
Things to do in the park in the winter
Links to mo…
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May 6, 2021
#41: Mount Rainier National Park
Rising more than 14,000 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. In this episode we discuss this active volcano and the incredible national park that surrounds it, one of the oldest parks in the national park system. With 97% designated as wilderness, we share tips on how to visit some of the developed areas, with information about what to see, where to stay, when to go, and our favorite hiking trails.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
Why it’s called Mt. Rainier and the controversy surrounding its name
How to visit the park in the winter
Why you might want to wait until July for your summer visit
What the five different developed areas of the park are like
What it’s like to stay in Paradise Inn, one of the great lodges of the West
Our favorite hike in the park
Information on summiting Mt. Rainier
Other things to do and see in the park
Links to more information:
Check out the current road status in Mount Rainier N…
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Apr 29, 2021
#40: Climbing Mount St. Helens
What’s the most difficult day hike we’ve ever done? Without question it was climbing to the top of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument in WA state. Mount St Helens is part of the Cascade Range: 13 volcanoes that lie in an 800-mile chain from British Columbia to northern California.
Seven of these thirteen volcanoes have erupted at least once in the past 200 years, one of those being the most catastrophic and deadly volcanic event ever experienced in the United States: the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. In this episode we’ll discuss the details surrounding the eruption, as well as our grueling hike to the rim of the volcano.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
What happened in the months leading up to the eruption
What kind of devastation the blast caused
Why so many people died as a result of the eruption
Why the area was made a national monument
Tips as to how to prepare for your climb to the rim of the volcano
What it was like to stand on the e…
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Apr 22, 2021
#39: Mailbag!
It’s time for our monthly mailbag episode again, where we answer questions about national parks and other public lands, as well as gear, camping and a broad range of travel-related topics.
Some of the questions/topics we discuss in this episode:
What NPS sites turned out to be more than we expected
Whether or not you need a campsite reservation in Olympic NP in the summer
Have we been recognized by fans during our travels
In which parks did the cost to get there outweigh the experience
How many days does it take to see Congaree NP
What are some ways to visit the ocean parks
What has been our most difficult day hike
These questions and more on this episode of Mailbag!
Links to more information:
Link to boat tour to Channel Islands NP
Link to boat tour to Dry Tortugas NP
Link to boat tour Biscayne NP
Where to learn more about our books and travels
Join the conversation on Facebook - we want to hear from you!
Check out our Instagram account
Learn more about your ad…
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Apr 15, 2021
#38: The Ten Essentials
What’s in your backpack? To prevent emergencies from happening while you’re hiking, and to deal with any that might arise, it’s important to include items from the Ten Essentials list. The National Park Service encourages all hikers to know what the Ten Essentials are, and to carry some version of them in their backpack. In this episode, we’ll discuss each of the ten categories, and give suggestions about what we like to carry with us on day hikes.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode include:
What forms of navigation you could bring in addition to a paper map
What first aid items we’ve used the most
What a ferro rod is and why you should practice using it
Why you should carry duct tape
What the 3-in-1 tool is that Karen never leaves home without
Why we always pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
What are some ways to sterilize water along a trail
What items we pack that are not on the Ten Essentials list
What is Karen’s 11th Essential
Links to more…
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Apr 8, 2021
#37: Above the Arctic Circle
Alaska’s eight national parks contain some of the most spectacular wilderness areas in the NPS system, but two of them, Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley, consist of nothing but millions of acres of wilderness. There are no roads, no trails, no campsites and no services of any kind. In this episode we talk about our adventure to these two remote parks, the last parks on our original national park journey. Join us as we travel to these places that few visitors ever see, above the Arctic Circle.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode include:
Where these parks are located
What the options are for tourists who want to visit them
Why we saved these two parks for last
Where we stayed and what it was like
How it felt to climb into a small plane again
What our park visits entailed
Why Matt tipped our pilot extra
Who we met that had a big impact on us
How much this trip cost
Links to more information:
The Bettles Lodge website
Where to learn more about our books and…
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Apr 1, 2021
#36: Dead Horse Point State Park
One of the most beautiful state parks in the country, Utah’s Dead Horse Point State Park, offers jaw-dropping views and incredible hiking trails. You can also rent one of nine yurts for a camping experience that combines the fun of tent camping with some of the luxuries of a hotel room. In this episode, we’re coming to you from inside one of those yurts, and we’ll discuss what it was like spending the night here, plus everything you’d want to know about the park and our experience driving the nearby, infamous Shafer Trail.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode include:
What is the Shafer Trail and what kind of a vehicle do you need to drive it
Why we had to race to the top of Canyonlands to find a park ranger
How Dead Horse Point got its name
What are the yurts like on the inside
Why Karen thinks the parking lot bathrooms by the yurts would be a nice place to spend the night
Why Dead Horse Point is known for its sunrises and sunsets
What the campgrounds are like…
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Mar 25, 2021
#35: Mailbag!
It’s time for our monthly mailbag episode again, where we answer questions about national parks and other public lands, gear, camping and a broad range of travel-related topics.
Some of the questions/topics we discuss in this episode:
Is it a good idea to visit all four Colorado national parks in one trip?
What happens after you spray a bear with bear spray?
What kind of shoes are best to hike in for water crossings?
What are some good parks to visit if you only have a long weekend?
Where are the best places in the Southwest to stargaze?
These questions and more on this episode of Mailbag!
Links to more information:
Link to Rocky Mountain NP fire closures
Link to Dark Sky Parks
Where to learn more about our books and travels
Join the conversation on Facebook - we want to hear from you!
Check out our Instagram account
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 18, 2021
#34: New Mexico Land of Enchantment
New Mexico has so many natural and historical wonders you’ll have to visit several times to see them all. But if you have a free week, might we suggest that you start in Albuquerque and make a big loop the way we did a few years back. Whether you do this trip yourself or simply join us on this episode as we recount our experiences, you’ll agree that Land of Enchantment is a fitting nickname for New Mexico.
Some of the sites we discuss in this episode include:
Bandelier National Monument – could this be our next national park?
Santa Fe – why this is such a magical place
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument – a must-see natural wonder
White Sands National Park (was a National Monument when we visited it) – why this site is no longer a premier spring break destination for college kids
Smokey Museum and Historical Park – what is it exactly that makes Karen want to hold Smokey’s hand
Carlsbad Caverns – we can’t talk about New Mexico without mentioning its most…
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Mar 11, 2021
#33: Monumental National Monuments
When we set out to visit all of the national parks, we drove past countless national monuments on our quest to check all the parks off our bucket list. Thankfully, in the years since we completed our original goal, we’ve retraced a lot of our road trip routes, adding stops at many of the incredible monuments that we missed on our first go-around. While national parks often get most of the headlines and visitors, our country’s 129 national monuments are every bit as remarkable, each in their own way. Established by either Congress or the President, these sites protect our historic places, cultural ruins, and natural, wilderness areas. In this episode, we talk about five of our favorites.
The national monuments we discuss in this episode:
Devils Tower (Wyoming) - why you may or may not want to visit in early August
Cedar Breaks (Utah) – what ancient beings live on the rim of this monument
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (Utah) – what’s so spooky about this place…
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Mar 4, 2021
#32: Denali National Park
Who hasn’t dreamed of seeing the tallest peak in North America close up? Denali, at 20,308 feet in elevation, and its namesake national park are breathtaking to behold. In this episode, we share stories from our two visits to Denali and explain how visitors get into the backcountry on the only road through the park. During our first trip, we let the driver of our green transit bus worry about keeping his wheels on the road so we could focus on taking in the stunning landscape and wildlife. And on a subsequent visit, we booked a Fourth of July stayover at a backcountry lodge only to realize that there would be no fireworks—because it never gets dark. As a bonus, we open with a discussion about the new National Park Service app.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
What do Alaskans do when a moose dies in their front yard—or backyard.
A little history of the park
Why private vehicles are only allowed to drive to milepost 15 in the park.
When and how to get a permit f…
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Feb 25, 2021
#31: Mailbag!
Our first all-mailbag episode. Thank you for all the questions and comments you’ve sent to us about our podcast. We thought we’d try something new and dedicate an entire show to answering your questions. It was a lot of fun recording this episode; we hope you enjoy it.
Some of the questions/topics we discuss in this episode:
What are the transportation options to Isle Royale National Park?
How do we stay in shape?
Why didn’t we take the pottery chard we found in Grand Canyon NP to the park headquarters?
Do we ever do outdoor adventures with our adult children?
What’s it like to go to the top of the Gateway Arch?
Have we ever thought of creating videos?
Links to more information:
Links to our latest YouTube videos:
Kahtoola MICROspike® review
Jetboil demonstration
Ratsack and BearVault review
Links to ferry info to Isle Royale NP
Ferry from Copper Harbor
Ranger III
Sea Hunter III
Voyageur II
Where to learn more about our books and travels
Join the conversati…
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Feb 18, 2021
#30: Six Astounding State Parks
In this episode we take you with us on a journey to six of our favorite state parks as we talk about what makes each of these parks unique and why we think they’re astounding. With more than ten thousand state parks spread across the country, our list of favorites is long, and we may have to record several episodes about these smaller, but just-as-spectacular public lands. On our original trip to all the national parks, we had little time to visit them, but since then, we’ve made it a point to see as many as we can. Consider this episode a mere sampling of the hidden treasures that await you. (And, no, we are not partial to parks with “Smith” in the name. But they do get our attention.)
The parks we discuss in this episode:
Custer SP (South Dakota)
Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP (Northern California)
Valley of Fire SP (Nevada)
Antelope Island SP (Utah)
Goblin Valley SP (Utah)
Smith Rock SP (Oregon)
Links to more information:
Photos from our trip
Where to learn more about…
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Feb 11, 2021
#29: Horse Pack Trip into the Wilderness
Saddle up, partner! Apologies for the corny opening, but—spoiler alert—more horse-related puns are awaiting you in this episode. We’ve taken many treks into wilderness areas in the past ten years, yet most of them have been of the two-legged variety. On this adventure, we let our four-legged friends do the hard part, carrying us (and our stuff) deep into the Pasayten Wilderness of north-central Washington state. As it seems with most of our exploits, there were a few bumps in the trail that we didn’t anticipate. But by the time we ended our four-day, three-night trip, we were ready to do it all over again. We just needed a few days for our butts to stop aching.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
What it was like to ride a horse for the first time in 25 years
The curious suggestions we got from friends as we were preparing
The unique characteristics about each of our horses
The magnificent setting of our camp and the details of camp life
Why our horses deserted…
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Feb 4, 2021
#28: Havasu Falls
Taking a wish out of Karen’s bucket, in 2016 we braved the hike down into the Grand Canyon to Havasu Falls with our friends John and Lolly. Fortunately, we both scored lodging in Supai Village, on the Havasupai Indian reservation, so we didn’t have to carry packs full of camping gear with us. Havasu Creek's waterfalls are a natural wonder that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. If you Google photos of Havasu Falls, rest assured that the turquoise blue water in those pictures are what you’ll see as you’re standing there in person, looking up in awe. In this episode, we describe our trip to see the falls, including the hike down and back, and our stay at the lodge in the remote village by the falls.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
Where the heck is Havasu Falls? Hint: Not by Lake Havasu
Why it took us a couple of tries to do this trip
How a last-minute medical emergency almost stopped us for a second time
Where the trailhead is for the hike d…
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Jan 28, 2021
#27: Our Favorite Hikes in the National Parks
In this episode we talk about some of our favorite hikes in the national parks. It took us a couple of tries to record this one because we had too many on our original “favorites” list. (We may have to do a follow-up episode someday to talk about all of the other jaw dropping trails we left out.) So grab your notebook because we provide a ton of information about must-do hikes in many of the most popular national parks. If you’re like us, you’ll want to hike many of these trails multiple times. Just be sure you take plenty of water, bear spray, and a headlamp. Do not forget your headlamp! And at the end of the episode, we answer a question from our mailbag.
Some of the hikes we discuss in this episode:
Devil’s Garden-Primitive Loop – Arches NP
Chesler Park-Joint Trail Loop - Canyonlands
Fairyland Loop - Bryce Canyon
Gower Gulch-Golden Canyon - Death Valley
Giant Forest Loop Trail - Sequoia
And many, many more...
In the mailbag segment we talk about whether we have…
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Jan 14, 2021
#26: Death Valley National Park
Despite its not-so-enticing name, Death Valley National Park is one of our favorite destinations, especially in the winter months. Being the lowest, driest, and hottest place in North America, you might be surprised that it also has 11,000+-foot, snow-covered peaks. In this episode we talk about some of the best places to see in the park and give some suggestions for what to do if you only have a few days to visit. And at the end of the episode, we answer a biting question from our mailbag.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
How the park got its name
When is the best time to visit
Where to stay, eat, and get gas in the park
The best places in the park to watch the sunset
Some of our favorite hikes
Spectacular backcountry drives
Whether aliens visited the Racetrack (you’ll have to listen to the episode to understand what this means)
Links to more information:
Visit the park’s website for more park information
For backcountry travel, you might want to rent a Je…
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Dec 31, 2020
#25: Here and There
In this end-of-the-year episode, we talk about many of the topics listeners have suggested to us that aren’t long enough for a full episode. We also try to keep our streak alive of consecutive episodes where Karen cries. You’ll have to tune in to find out if we were successful. It’s been a fun year learning to create podcast episodes and interacting with listeners. Thank you to all of you who’ve supported us in this journey!
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
How do we get along while being together 24/7 (Who says we get along?)
Our experiences in the few Canadian national parks we’ve visited
What gear is in our packs. We talk about winter gear and summer gear that we always carry.
Hiking tips for beginners
How we organize our travel ideas for future trips
What our experience has been in this first year of creating a podcast from scratch
A couple of our favorite podcast bloopers from this year
A few of our ideas for future episode topics
Links to more in…
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Dec 17, 2020
#24: National Park of American Samoa
Little did we know when we cavalierly made the announcement ten years ago that we were going to visit every U.S. national park that we had just signed up for a trip to the Southern Hemisphere. The National Park of American Samoa is part of the only U.S. territory south of the equator. So off we went one December on a journey to explore this South Pacific island paradise. In this episode, we talk about our experiences in the park, as well as what we learned about the Samoan culture while visiting with locals about their way of life. We’ll also tell you why all of the TVs on the island were tuned into NFL games the Sunday we were there. At the end of the episode, we answer a question from our mailbag.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
Where the heck American Samoa is and how to get there
A little history about the islands
Why there’s a national park there
Best time of the year to go
Where to stay when you’re visiting
Some of the activities we did on our trip…
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Dec 9, 2020
#23: Dories, Ho!: Floating the Colorado River Through the Grand Canyon Part 2 of 2
In this second part of our mini-series about floating the Colorado River in a small wooden dory boat, we share stories from our second trip through the entire length of the Grand Canyon. We describe some of the breathtaking places along the river that we didn’t see on our first go around, as well as our runs through two of the most extreme rapids in the country. If you haven’t already listened to Part One of this series, you might want to start there. In that episode, we discuss the logistics of a Grand Canyon river trip and what it’s like living on the river. Spoiler alert: both of these trips were adventures of a lifetime. Your bucket list will get longer after listening. And at the end of the episode, we answer a question from our mailbag.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
We start the episode talking about Karen’s idea of what a bucket list is, and some of the adventures still in our bucket. (This sentence will make more sense after you listen to this episode…
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Dec 3, 2020
#22: Dories, Ho!: Floating the Colorado River Through the Grand Canyon Part 1 of 2
For years we’d ask people who’d traveled the world, “What’s the best outdoor adventure trip you’ve ever taken?” To our surprise, the same answer came up time after time: floating the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. That’s all we needed to hear. So, with a dry bag filled with a few changes of clothes and a toothbrush, we set off down the river with fourteen of our closest friends for a six-day adventure. And, of course, we had a ten-person team of experienced guides with us, along with four wooden dory boats, three support rafts, and many cans of beer stowed below deck somewhere.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
What a dory is
What the heck Dories, Ho! means
Preparing for our trip down the Colorado River
What it’s like living on the river for six days
The thrill of running whitewater rapids in a tiny wooden boat
And, would we do it again?
Tune in to part two (released Dec. 10) to learn the answer
Links to more information:
Where to get a…
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Nov 19, 2020
#21: One Man’s Wilderness: Lake Clark National Park
No state in the Union has more public space than Alaska; nearly 90% of the land is owned by the state or federal government, and amongst the vast, untamed lands are eight national parks. Lake Clark National Park, about 120 miles southwest of Anchorage, is one of the most remote. It’s also where one man spent three-plus decades living as one with the wilderness in a small log cabin he built himself on the shore of a magnificent mountain lake. In this episode we talk about our experience in the park and visiting Dick Proenneke’s cabin; the man who documented his wilderness experience and became an advocate for preserving Alaska’s pristine natural places.
Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:
Where Lake Clark National Park is located
How to get to the park
Where we stayed when we visited the park
How we got to Twin Lakes, the site of Dick’s cabin
What it was like to see the cabin in its restored condition
Meeting the volunteer rangers who now care for Dick’s cabi…
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Nov 12, 2020
Bonus Episode: 2020 Holiday Gift Guide
The holidays are fast approaching, and if you have trouble finding the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast on your list, you’ll want to check out our bonus holiday gift episode. We discuss many of our favorite travel, hiking, and camping items that make perfect gifts for family, friends, or even for yourself. Enjoy!
For links to all of the items we mention in this episode, visit our online 2020 Holiday Gift Guide on our blog www.mattandkaren.com.
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Nov 5, 2020
#20: Scenic Drives Through Public Lands
Brilliant, breathtaking, and magnificent are just some of the words we would use to describe the scenic drives we discuss in this episode. That is if we had consulted a thesaurus before recording our discussion about these spectacular drives. But spectacular they are, regardless of how many times we used the word. One of the great things about visiting our public lands is the roads to and through them make the journey worth the trip even if you don’t get out of your vehicle. Here, we talk about a few of our favorite drives that we’ve discovered during our travels and give some tips and history for each.
The drives we cover in this episode:
Going-to-the-Sun-Road (Glacier NP)
Beartooth Highway (Northeast of Yellowstone NP)
Lamar Valley (Yellowstone NP)
Needles Highway (Custer State Park)
Badlands Loop (Badlands NP)
Trail Ridge Road (Rocky Mountain NP)
Million Dollar Highway (between Ouray and Silverton Colorado)
Highway 24 through Capitol Reef NP
Capitol Reef Scenic Drive…
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Oct 22, 2020
#19: Adventures in Olympic National Park
Featuring a park in our home state of Washington on this episode, we discuss some of the highlights and must-sees at Olympic National Park. From the rugged coastline of the Pacific Ocean to the blue glaciers hanging off steep alpine cliffs, Olympic NP has something for everyone. Only a short day trip from the Seattle metro area, you can drive to many of the most spectacular sites within the park in a few hours. If you are a little more adventurous, backpacking through the park gives you a less-crowded perspective on the wild beauty of this “magical” place. We even give you a small peek into what it’s like traveling with us by playing an audio recording we made during one of our more challenging adventures.
Some topics we discuss include:
Yes? No? Maybe? Whether or not we plan to write another book
Four seasons of fun up at Hurricane Ridge
Where to go to see what’s left from the largest dam removal project in history, where you can peer into the canyon below at the newly-fr…
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Oct 8, 2020
#18: Winter in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks
While visiting Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks in the winter can feel like stepping into a Christmas card photo, staying in a nearby Forest Service cabin with no electricity or indoor plumbing isn’t always so picture perfect. In this episode, we talk about many of our experiences in these two parks during the magical winter season, as well as the thrills and challenges of staying in rustic Forest Service cabins when the temperature dips well below freezing. Spoiler alert: walking through the snow to a pit toilet in the middle of the night with only a headlamp to scare away the bears is both a thrill and a challenge.
Some topics we discuss include:
Matt’s latest obsession with organizing all of our travel gear
Our experiences snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park during the winter
How Karen’s desire to get into the holiday spirit created our new tradition of visiting national parks every December
How to find and rent a Forest Service cabin
What it was like stayin…
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Sep 24, 2020
#17: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
It was a close call for sure. Had the government not stepped in to protect the land that today makes up these magnificent parks, the Giant Sequoias may have been lost forever. These amazing trees are a natural wonder everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. And the trees in the parks are not the only natural wonder. As John Muir observed over 100 years ago, the valley of Kings Canyon, surrounded by its towering cliffs, is as equally breathtaking as Yosemite. Yet today, only a small fraction of the number of people who visit Yosemite make it to Kings. In this episode, we talk about our visits to these parks and what it’s like to spend a few days walking amongst giants.
Some topics we discuss include:
When our Photo of the Day Contest began and how Karen ended up becoming the sole judge of our travel photos
How we found out that Sequoia and Kings Canyon are managed as one unit
Matt’s filing system for all of our park literature
Hiking to the largest tree in the world…
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Sep 10, 2020
#16: The Wave in Northern Arizona
We had all but given up on ever getting a permit to hike to one of the most sought-after sites in the American Southwest: The Wave in Northern Arizona. But in the fall of 2019, an email from a kind and generous stranger changed all of that. The adventure to this spectacular rock formation was as awe-inspiring as we’d heard it would be, and in this episode, we describe our experience at The Wave in January 2020. And if you think the excitement was over at the end of the hike, it wasn't. The drive back to civilization on the half-frozen dirt road was an adventure all its own.
Some topics we discuss include:
What it’s like to participate in the walk-in lottery for permits in Kanab, UT
The process for applying for a permit online, and a few tips on how to increase your chances of winning
How to prepare for hiking to The Wave in different seasons of the year—spoiler alert: it can be dangerously warm in the summer with no shade
Advice on navigating the sometimes-dicey House Rock Va…
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Aug 13, 2020
Bonus Episode: How much it costs to visit all 62 national parks
It is by far the most frequent question we get from readers and listeners: How much did it cost you to visit all 62 national parks? This bonus episode is essentially a detailed mail bag response to this very question. While we know everyone’s expenses will be different based on where they live, where they stay in and around the parks, how they get there, and how long they spend in each park, in this episode we discuss what it cost us to visit them. We also provide some tips on how to plan a journey to all the national parks and a few ways to save money along the way.
Some topics we discuss include:
Brief overview on the categories of costs incurred when visiting the parks
How we planned our journey to all the parks
How much it cost us to visit all of them
A discussion of another couple’s accounting of their costs when visiting all of the parks (see link below)
Some ideas about how to group parks together into a single trip to save on travel costs
How we find lodging, hikes, a…
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Jul 23, 2020
#15: Our Favorite Places in Yellowstone
Few places, if any, in the lower 48 states have remained as wild and undisturbed as Yellowstone National Park. Sure, there are roads and boardwalks throughout the park to accommodate the millions of annual visitors, but its wildlife and unique landscape remind you that this part of our great country has never been tamed. Out of all the 62 national parks that we’ve visited, there is no place like Yellowstone. Because of its size and the many points of interest, to really see and experience all the wonders of this park will require more than a visit or two, preferably in different seasons. In this episode of The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, we discuss our favorite places to visit inside the park and share a few tips we’ve learned from our trips.
Some topics and places we discuss include:
A brief history of the world’s first national park
Why there are so many geysers in Yellowstone (That’s geysers, the things that shoot hot water into the air, not geezers.)
Best times to visit th…
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Jul 9, 2020
#14: Outdoorsy in Vegas
Come on seven! Mama needs a new pair of shoes! Yep, you’re in the right place, this is still The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast. Except, this episode has a bit of a twist. In it we explore many of the great public lands that are within day-tripping-distance from—that’s right—Las Vegas. During our many visits to Sin City over the years, we’ve managed to take a few breaks from the general debauchery of The Strip to explore some of the magnificent outdoor attractions in the area. And there are many. So leave the sequined dress and sharkskin suit in your hotel room closet and join us as we get outdoorsy in the desert just beyond the glare of the neon signs.
Some topics and places we discuss include:
How and why we got started collecting National Park passport stamps
Red Rock Canyon - a desert beauty with towering red cliffs offers an escape for hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and even drivers who just want to cruise along the 13-mile scenic drive
Valley of Fire State Park - this a…
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Jun 25, 2020
#13: The Great American Bison Road Trip
Who doesn’t love an end-of-summer road trip? Few activities compare to the joy of packing a duffel bag full of stuff, filling the snack bag with Cheez-Its and animal crackers, and heading down the open road with all of your cares in the rearview mirror. It’s even better when you have a theme. In this episode, we talk about a buffalo-themed road trip we took across the northern plains states to some national and state parks where we visited as many public bison herds as we could fit into two weeks. You’ll also hear about some of the trails we hiked and places we visited along the way.
Some topics and places we discuss include:
Fun facts about bison (or “buffalo” if you prefer)
National Bison Range, Montana
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, N. Dakota
Bear Butte State Park, S. Dakota
Custer State Park and the Black Hills, S. Dakota
Badlands NP, S. Dakota
Devil’s Tower, Wyoming
Yellowstone NP
Grand Teton NP
And more
Links to more information:
National Bison Range…
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Jun 11, 2020
#12: Misadventures in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Over 120 years ago, the Klondike Gold Rush attracted more than 100,000 people from around the world with the lure of wealth and adventure. All that stood in the way of the prospectors’ dream of finding gold was a year-long journey to a remote area in the Yukon Territory, which included a treacherous 33-mile trail over a steep mountain pass in Alaska. Today, that trail—the Chilkoot Trail—lies within a national park; half in the U.S. and half in Canada. In this episode, we talk about our 2018 attempt to trace the gold rushers' footsteps and backpack the famous trail with our friends, John and Lolly. We share the story of an epic hike in the wilderness of Alaska that turned out to be one of our biggest adventures to date.
Some highlights from this episode include:
How we got the idea in the first place to hike the Chilkoot Trail
A brief history of the Klondike Gold Rush and what it was like for the prospectors who braved the journey
Planning our trip and the logistics involved…
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May 28, 2020
#11: Beyond Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks
The five national parks in Utah are spectacular and draw millions of visitors each year for a good reason. But the public lands surrounding these parks are also packed with natural wonders worth experiencing. You could spend countless days visiting the national monuments, state parks, and tribal parks in southern Utah, gazing at their one-of-a-kind rock formations, hunting for ancient Puebloan ruins, and hiking through pristine landscapes. In this episode, we talk about some of the sites you should consider adding to your itinerary on your next road trip to the Southwest.
Some of the places we discuss include:
Monument Valley
Goosenecks State Park (SP)
Valley of the Gods
Hovenweep National Monument (NM)
Natural Bridges NM
Bear Ears NM
Goblin Valley SP
Dead Horse Point SP
Grand Staircase Escalante NM
Cedar Breaks NM
And more...
Links:
Photos from our top ten spots beyond Utah’s Mighty Five
Link to our Youtube video about hiking Zebra Canyon in Escalante National Monument…
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May 14, 2020
#10: Trailer Tales from California’s Desert Parks
Teardrop trailers sure look cute and romantic, but what’s it like actually sleeping in one? Today we’re sharing what we learned as we camped in a teardrop trailer in three parks in southern California. Find out what additional equipment you may need to bring with you, the best situations to use a teardrop, and whether we liked it in the end. We also talk about the best seasons for visiting different parks in our mail bag section.
In this episode we discuss:
Picking up the trailer
Why winter may not be the best season for teardrop camping
The camping sites and hikes we enjoyed in the Mojave Preserve, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley NPs
Finding romance on Valentine’s Day in the national parks
The importance of researching what season is best in what park
Links:
Photos from our trip with the teardrop
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Apr 30, 2020
#09: Five National Park Hidden Gems
You’ll often see the same handful of National Parks topping the “best of” lists, but there are some real hidden gems out there too that are worth visiting. In this episode, we’re sharing our top five parks that have lower visitation numbers. We discuss how we got to these parks, what there is to do in each one, and what we loved about them. From island hopping at Dry Tortugas to hiking along a border river in Big Bend, join us as we venture through some of these lesser known parks.
In this episode we discuss:
Taking a boat to Dry Tortugas NP
Big Bend NP along the Rio Grande River
Karen sneaks Carlsbad Caverns onto the list
The archeological sites at Mesa Verde NP
Taking in the beautiful landscapes at Great Basin NP
Why Lassen Volcanic NP is like a mini Yellowstone
Links:
Photos from our trips to Dry Tortugas, Big Bend, and more
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Apr 16, 2020
#08: Katmai National Park: Bear Watching
Of all the experiences we had while traveling to the U.S. national parks, bear watching in Katmai National Park is at the top of the list. Tucked away in a remote part of southwest Alaska, Katmai is truly a unique and exciting place to visit. During certain weeks each summer, visitors are pretty much guaranteed some phenomenal bear watching. Join us on this episode to hear stories about our incredible bear encounters and our recommendations for planning your own trip to Katmai.
In this episode we discuss:
Why Katmai became a national park in the first place
Where it is and how to get to there
What to do (and not do) if you have a close encounter with a bear
Tips for the best places to view the brown bears in the park, and
Our “interesting” bear encounters while visiting the park
Links:
Photos from our trips to Katmai
Katmai National Park website
Camping at Katmai
Katmai Lodge website (replace this link with Brooks Camp at www.katmailand.com)
Join the conversation on Fa…
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Apr 2, 2020
#07: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Join Matt and Karen as they descend 750 feet underground to explore what Karen thinks is one of the most magical places in the entire U.S. national park system: Carlsbad Caverns. Matt’s not a huge fan of dark, scary holes, but he puts on a brave face during the couple’s multiple visits to this enchanted part of the Chihuahuan Desert in southern New Mexico. You might want to have a flashlight or two close by when you listen to this episode, just in case the lights go out and you need to self-rescue your way back to daylight. That’s one of the lasting effect these cave visits had on Matt: he never goes anywhere now without at least a couple light sources with him.
In this episode we discuss:
The variety of cave tours offered at Carlsbad Caverns
Which caves Matt and Karen visited
Why Matt’s not a fan of caves
What to know if you’re planning to attend the bat flight program
The ranger speech that made Karen tear up
Why Karen is thinking about becoming a scientist
Links:…
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Mar 19, 2020
#06: Zion National Park: Hiking The Narrows
Standing in waist-deep water while looking up at the towering canyon walls, the scene was breath-taking. Or, maybe it was the cold water splashing our midsections that was taking our breath away. Join us as we hike The Narrows, one of the most magnificent areas of Zion National Park. On today's episode, we talk about our experiences while hiking up the Virgin River through The Narrows, what to bring if you’re thinking of doing it yourself, and other how-to tips.
In this episode we discuss:
Why we’re wearing the same clothes in all of our National Park sign pictures
The best time of year to hike The Narrows
What to bring and what not to bring
Why you might need a permit
What we did for work before quitting our jobs to visit the National Parks
Links:
Photos from our trips to The Narrows
The Narrows NPS website
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Mar 5, 2020
#05: RV Adventures in Arizona
Have you ever wanted to take an RV on an adventure into the National Parks? So did we, so we rented one in Arizona and toured the southern part of the state for a week. Join us as we explore Chiricahua National Monument and other National Park units from the comfort of a 19-foot recreational vehicle. Along the way, we learn about the dos and don'ts of RV life, meet the nicest people in the RV community, and lament the untimely demise of Matt's tennis shoes.
In this episode we discuss:
Renting an RV from Cruise America
Going to a gigantic RV show in Kansas City
Hiking in Chiricahua National Monument
How to use the dump station at an RV park
RVing versus tent camping
Links:
Photos from our RV trip
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Feb 20, 2020
#04: Our Favorite National Park Lodges
What's it like to wake up with a view of Crater Lake from your bedroom window? In this episode, we gleefully revisit some of our favorite National Park lodges and the adventures we had staying in them. We discuss the "parkitechture" and fascinating history to each of the lodges. We regale some hilarious stories from our stays at Crater Lake Lodge and El Tovar lodge at the Grand Canyon. We also talk about how to get reservations and some fantastic places for sunset viewing,
In this episode we discuss:
Staying in the largest log structure in the world in Yellowstone NP
Watching bears from the deck in Glacier NP
Wintertime stay at Zion lodge
Ranger programs at Bryce Canyon lodge
Twin beds at Paradise Inn in Mt. Rainier NP
President Roosevelt's stay in Olympic NP on Lake Crescent
An unexpected surprise at Crater Lake Lodge
The mule-train journey taken by Matt's shorts in the Grand Canyon
The public space at the Ahwahnee Lodge in Yosemite NP
Links:
Photos from our trips to Yosemi…
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Feb 6, 2020
#03: Arches National Park: Getting Lost in the Fiery Furnace
Would you go into a fiery furnace on purpose if you knew you’d probably get lost, have to squeeze through narrow openings, and be forced to crab walk over sketchy boulders? Well, that’s exactly what we did, and we even waited in line for a permit to do it. The Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park is a special treat for visitors as only a limited number of people are allowed permits each day to hike through this magnificent maze of rock formations. We’ve visited the fiery furnace in Arches National Park a couple of times, and in this episode, we talk about our experiences along the trail.
In this episode we discuss:
Karen's fantasy of being an off-duty park ranger
Our ranger-led tour into the fiery furnace
Returning on our own and getting lost in the slot canyons, and
How we live and work together 24/7
Links:
Photos from our trips to the fiery furnace
Recreation.gov
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Feb 4, 2020
#02: North Cascades National Park: Glaciers and Boulders and Scree Oh My!
Join us on our backpacking trip to Sahale Glacier in North Cascades National Park. Along with our friends John and Lolly, we braved the treacherous trail and a few overly friendly mountain goats to camp at the base of a glacier in a truly sublime setting. It was a strenuous, magical, and unforgettable journey. In this episode, we relive our trip into one of the most beautiful alpine areas in all of the national parks. If you ever want to make this trek yourself or would just like to hear about our challenging yet humorous adventure, this episode is for you.
In this episode we discuss:
Why we should stop reading the reviews of our books
Our struggles with making it to Sahale Glacier Camp
Why you should never separate when hiking as a group
The toilet with the best view in the world
And address a few questions from listeners like you
Links:
A video of us with the mountain goats
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Jan 30, 2020
#01: Adventure in Alaska
It's here! Episode 1 - the very first episode of our brand new podcast. We can't wait for you to hear it!
In this episode:
A tour of the National Parks "visitor center" in our house
The story of how we wrote the Dear Bob and Sue books
A trip to Alaska that almost ended in disaster
Answering questions from readers of our books
Links:
Photos from our Alaska trip
The 2011 Seattle Times article about our near-disaster
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Jan 22, 2020
Trailer
Dear Bob and Sue launches January 30th, 2020.
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