Trail Review: Upland Loop Trail (Big Sky, Montana) The Uplands Loop Trail is a great hike outside the Town Center in Big Sky, MT. While labeled moderate, it's entirely doable for a beginner. While the hill is steep (they all are in Big Sky), pace yourself and you'll handle it like a pro. They have several benches [...]
Park Stats Location: Western Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains Park #: 22 Park established: December 26, 1935 President in office: Franklin D. Roosevelt Park size: 198,000 acres Highest elevation: 4,050 ft - Hawksbill Mountain Lowest elevation: 550 ft Visitors: 1,449,300 in 2022 Fun facts: One of the parks that utilized the Civilian Conservation Corps in [...]
In my "The Parks Podcast" interview with Karl Rand from Shenandoah National Park, he mentioned that "Pie Iron Pizza" was his favorite campfire activity. It was clear that I needed to expand my horizons by learning about and testing a pie iron. I took my nephew, Teddy, along for the ride. Step 1 [...]
Welcome to The Parks Podcast. Before we kick off the series, learn more about what to expect from episodes and why I was inspired to host these conversations.
Park Stats Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Park established: March 4, 1921 Park #: 18th National Park President in office: President Woodrow Wilson Park size: 5000 Acres Visitors: 2.6 million in 2022 Fun facts: The hot springs were believed to have healing properties and was turned into a spa town in 1832 It is the oldest park [...]
Park Stats Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Park established: November 6, 1998 President in office: Bill Clinton Park size: 28 Acres Visitors: 92,108 in 2022 Fun fact: It is the only National Park Sight unit with a functioning high school as its focal point I spent much more time at Little Rock Central High School [...]
#MyParkStory... ...where you were grateful to just be or experience. Yosemite National Park holds a special place in my heart. When people ask me about it I say “it’s spiritual.” By the time I got to Yosemite I was more comfortable with my process, yet the learning [...]
#MyParkStory... ....where you conquered a personal health, wellness, or physical challenge I pulled out of my driveway in 2021 with great confidence in the year-long trip I had planned. I had prepared for many scenarios of challenging times. I was ready to conquer what was ahead. My [...]
#MyParkStory... ...where you created your own tradition with family, friends, or yourself When I began to explore my interest in parks and nature, I thought experiences needed to be planned, mapped out and structured. More like a big vacation than an afternoon of exploring. Through experience, and [...]
#MyParkStory... ....where you discovered a personal or family history connection While on my year-long camping and hiking trip around the United States, I visited my brother in Montana. He told me he had my grandparent's journals from their travels around the US & Mexico. My grandparents were avid [...]
