Matt and Karen

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.

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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.

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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

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

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

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