Three Epic Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park: From Panoramic Views to Desert Solitude

If you’re looking for a fool-proof but epic hike in Joshua Tree National Park, we have three of them for you. That’s not to say the other trails in the park are not stunning; they are. But having a go-to list in your back pocket helps when time is short, and you want to get in a great hike.

Check out our entire episode on Joshua Tree National Park here

Continue reading “Three Epic Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park: From Panoramic Views to Desert Solitude”

Cascade Loop Scenic Byway Map

Hey, folks. For anyone who’s listened to Episode 110 or 111 of The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast and is looking for the accompanying map, here it is!

You will need a more detailed map to make final plans for your Cascade Loop Scenic Byway adventure or visit Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks. But this will give you the lay of the land for general planning purposes for your trip to the Pacific Northwest.

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Matt and Karen’s Annual Gift Guide 2023

Welcome to our annual gift guide. Below we’ve listed all the items we discuss in detail on Episode #99 of our Dear Bob and Sue Podcast (plus a couple of new items added for 2023), which you can listen to on all the major podcast platforms or directly on our podcast website.

We may earn a marketing fee if you make a purchase by following a link listed on this page. Thank you for your support.

Continue reading “Matt and Karen’s Annual Gift Guide 2023”

#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

·     Mount Rushmore National Memorial

·     Devils Tower National Monument

·     Crazy Horse Memorial

·     Minuteman Missile National Historic Park

·     Bear Butte State Park

·     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

 

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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#94: Mailbag! Mammal, 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 @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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#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 our Patreon account

·     And, 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