Speaking of Travel® With Marilyn Ball

The Speaking of Travel + Climate Listening Project continues with Dayna Reggero and special guests to talk about the wild places we love to explore. For almost 40 years, Patagonia has supported grassroots activists working to find solutions to the environmental crisis. But in this time of unprecedented threats, it’s often hard to know the best way to get involved.  That’s why through Patagonia Act...

One of downtown Asheville’s most iconic landmarks is the red 1963 British Lodekka Coffee Bus at 41 Biltmore Ave. Greg Bounds first brought the bus to Asheville with an incredible amount of hard work and determination and opened its doors as a coffee bus in 1999. In 2009, Karen and Jeff Lazzaro purchased the incredibly cool, eclectic bus and have owned and operated it ever since as Double D’s Coffe...

One year after returning from her soul-expanding adventure, Tess Vigeland is settling into a stateside life. But Tess believes nothing is permanent and change is always afoot even if you don’t know or feel it. Now living back in her hometown of Portland, OR, Tess explains how she really is getting pretty good at just going with the flow and how her life keeps showing up wherever she goes. Tess is...

Melody King, founder of Urban Escape Vehicles, loves the freedoms offered by van life. Her van rental service in Asheville, NC, provides the opportunity to rent a van before investing in a rig and heading out onto the road. Discover why Melody's passion for outdoor recreation and desire to share these things with others motivated her to begin a camper van rental business. With van life so pop...

Larry Jorgensen interviewed Coca-Cola families and conducted research in communities where Coca-Cola history is told through photos of historic buildings, museums, outdoor murals and memorabilia collections. Did you know Coca-Cola once sold the rights to bottle Coca-Cola throughout the United States for $1? Or that Coca-Cola was first bottled in Vicksburg, Mississippi, not Atlanta? These are just...

The time after returning from a trip creates space to think about how we’ve changed and gives us the wisdom and skills we have gained from traveling. Three friends share fun stories and travel tips. Perhaps they’ll inspire you to travel, whether it’s to the town over from yours or to an exotic place on your bucket list.      Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel ! Visit speakingoftravel.net f...

The Speaking of Travel + Climate Listening Project continues with Dayna Reggero and guest Joshua Martin, the Director of the Environmental Paper Network, to discuss the launch of the new #UnwrapTheTruth campaign.  The Environmental Paper Network is made up of 160 organizations who are working together to address the rising wasteful use of paper and make shifts to responsible paper production. #Unw...

Melissa Reardon, editor-in-chief of WNC Magazine, presents leaf-peeping experiences that are big on color and light on crowds and why the North Carolina mountains are the perfect place to discover fall. Find out what weather conditions make for great fall color and discover resources to keep tabs on the status of the leaf change. Peak color doesn’t just happen in a single weekend here in the mount...

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is the perfect place to spend quality time unplugging and immersing yourself in nature. And this fall is a lovely time to get outdoors and explore all the Park has to offer. Emily Walker, Senior Naturalist at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park, explains why this season is so spectacular and shares all the unique opportunities to celebrate the season, li...

New Belgium’s Community Ambassador Mike Craft and Sustainable Coordinator Sarah Fraser explain how kindling social, environmental and cultural change as a business role model works for the community. New Belgium Brewing is of course the makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, but did you know it is recognized as one of Outside Magazine's Best Places to Work and one...

Evie Ladin is a dancer, musician, vocalist, songwriter and square dance caller, balancing performing and traveling with hands-on teaching. She’s created a sustainable career doing all the creative things that she loves. Evie talks about her upbringing with music and dance as a part of social communication and how she balances her career and family, all saturated with music. She brings Appalachian...

Speaking of Travel continues the Climate Listening Project Series with Dayna Reggero and some special guests. Sisters Amanda and Allison Rodriguez talk about inspiring stories of human connection to wild places and new ways of knowing and understanding the world and the interconnectivity of existence.  Amanda Rodriguez is a writer, poet, and climate activist who works protecting Southern forests w...

Chow Chow is a multi-day immersive experience held in Asheville, NC, from September 13-15, 2019, to celebrate the region’s vibrant culinary scene from farmers to brewers, chefs, crafts people and artists. Featuring nationally recognized chefs to multi-generational farmers to millers, bakers, potters, weavers, and brewers, Chow Chow is shining a light on the spirit of this region. Join guests Kevin...

Miranda Peterson is the founder and owner of Namaste in Nature, a yoga, hiking and meditation respite in Western North Carolina that helps relive stress and anxieties while celebrating and appreciating nature. She founded Namaste in Nature in 2017 to provide a fun, safe, unique and sustainable experience for both mind and body. Miranda has practiced yoga since 2008 and completed her RYT® 200 Yoga...

Have you been thinking about learning another language? Cindy McMahon serves on the Buncombe County School Board and has over 25 years of management experience in nonprofits and small businesses. This summer, Cindy’s taking a sabbatical from her work to relax and have some adventures, including participating in a language immersion school in Cuenca, Ecuador. Cindy explains why she chose to dive he...

Kelley Louise, founder of Impact Travel Alliance, the world's largest community for impact-focused travelers and travel professionals, provides insights and solutions for creating sustainable and positive travel experiences and how travelers are making a difference throughout the world. The organization aims to educate travelers on how to travel mindfully so our experiences protect the enviro...

Whether you’re a local or visiting Western North Carolina for the first time, Leap Frog Tours offers fun opportunities to explore the area, from beer to art and everything in-between. They offer tours with set itineraries, custom excursions, and transportation services all over the area. Ann Smith, owner and founder of Leap Frog Tours, explains why they love showcasing Western North Carolina. Disc...

Mary and Hannah have a unique carry on. They’re heading out for a summer adventure in Wisconsin with Bear, a fluffy ten-week old Leonberger puppy. Mary and Hannah have taken Bear on trips in the past and they know the drill when it comes to bringing a dog onboard. “Wear them out, and pray for no delays,” Mary said. ‘Get their energy out, make sure they are taken to the bathroom before you leave, a...

Meagan is heading home to Denver after visiting WNC for the first time. As part of her best friend’s bachelorette party, she spent the weekend exploring every nook and cranny of Asheville. Given her busy itinerary, Meagan knew it was important to pack light.  “Of course, check the weather," she said. "I had a max of two outfits per day. I rolled them up as tightly as I could to fit as ma...

Robert took the plunge! He and his family traveled from Cape Coral, Florida, for his destination wedding. Traveling with such a large entourage can be quite the organizational feat, but Robert has it down to a T. “Traveling with such a large group of people, I always make a checklist,” Robert said. “We don’t leave anything or anyone behind.” Robert has visited the area before, and he loves flying...

Alex and Mark are flying home to Denver. Their Asheville weekend was filled with a friend's wedding festivities, but they ended up falling in love with the city itself. This weekend trip called for a quick turnaround, and Mark knew just what to do.  “Download mobile passes and don’t check a bag,” he said. “We did this time, and it’s been the only slow part of our travels.” Alex and Mark love...

Dayna Reggero discuss the latest Climate Listening Project film, "Earth-People-Words" and shares how the power of stories holds humanity together. The film explores how we've worked together to protect our earth and the actions shared in trying to be better people and how hope is handed down through our words to future generations. Stories are the vessel that always has held, and co...

The Blue Ridge Honor Flight is dedicated to honoring our veterans for the sacrifices they have made to keep our nation safe by providing them with an all expense paid trip to visit the memorials in Washington D. C., that symbolize the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of these American heroes. JoAnn Naeger is the registration coordinator for the Blue Ridge Honor Flight and shares memorable stories...

Terry Lawson Dunn, a wildlife biologist, conservation educator, author, and artist has worked in the rain forests of Panama, the swamps of Florida and the mountains of Idaho. Based on her experiences with travelers, she founded the ecotourism website, EcoTripMatch.com to make it easier for people to find ecolodges and ecotours all over the world in support of conservation. Discover why Terry creat...

Peter Krull and his wife Melissa Booth love traveling together and explain how this shared passion builds a happy relationship based on the excitement to discover the next adventure and escape their comfort zones. Find out how they research and plan their trips and why travel feeds their dreams. Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel ! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories...