Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast

In our Archive Episodes, we focus on a specific destination or topic we’ve covered in a previous episode, re-play that portion of the show, and add our updated comments. Today, we take you back to Gateway Arch National Park, one of our newest national parks.   We’ve included in this episode an excerpt from episode #31 where we talked about our experience riding to the top of the arch and added a b...

In our Archive Episodes, we focus on a specific destination or topic we’ve covered in a previous episode, re-play that portion of the show, and add our updated comments. Today, we take you back to the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park, one of the most concentrated regions of alpine splendor you’ll find anywhere in the national park system.   From our favorite hikes to the various lodging...

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 we determined the order in which we would visit all the national parks, ·     Have we ever seen a Bigfoot, and do we think he (she) i...

A trip to Stehekin, tucked away in a valley in the North Cascades National Park complex, feels like a visit to an island. But instead of being completely surrounded by water, this remote village is hemmed in by spectacular alpine backcountry, making it impossible for cars or trucks to drive into or out of town.   Once frequented only by Native Americans on their trek through the mountains, this pe...

The Black Hills of South Dakota are home to not one but two of the world’s longest cave systems. Both in the National Park system, Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park are must-see destinations.   Located just 20 minutes away from each other, these two caves are different in so many ways. One features the world’s largest concentration of rare boxwork formations and the other gl...

State parks are a special kind of public land, beloved by locals but often as spectacular and exciting as their national park cousins. In episode #30, we featured six of our favorites, but our list of fabulous state parks is too long to end there. Here, we talk about five more must-see public lands.   From towering waterfalls you can walk under to breathtaking views of the churning ocean below, th...

Since its completion in 1936, the Beartooth Highway has thrilled millions of visitors with jaw-dropping views of one of the most beautiful and wild areas in the lower 48 states. It seems fitting that a road built 90 years ago to take travelers to and from Yellowstone National Park would be as spectacular as the park itself.   In this episode, we talk about the stretch of highway that Charles Kural...

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 were more than we expected when we visited them, ·     How to fit more passport stamps in your passport book when th...

The American Bison symbolizes a bygone era when the Great Plains, with their millions of acres of tallgrass prairie, were undisturbed by railroads, fences, farmland, and towns. While we nearly squandered this extraordinary natural resource into extinction, instead of becoming a forgotten footnote about a lost wonder, our national mammal is thriving in numbers not seen in over a hundred years.   To...

America is home to some of the world's most awe-inspiring landscapes and natural marvels. In this episode, we've chosen twelve stunning destinations that are also relatively easy for most people to experience. While there are many more beautiful sights to behold in the US beyond our list, the places we've included here are ones we feel everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.   Join us...

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: ·     Visiting Channel Islands National Park, what to do, where to stay, ·     Hiking suggestions for Voyageurs National Park, ·     Whether we...

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Started in 1933 during the Great Depression as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal Program, the CCC was created to put young men back to work. However, this 9-year program did more than provide employment during difficult economic times. It was instrumental in improving our national parks and forests a...

It’s unlikely that anyone has had a more significant positive impact on our U.S. public lands than Teddy Roosevelt, which is why it’s fitting that he has a national park named after him. Tucked into the Badlands of North Dakota, the park celebrates and memorializes the life of this remarkable conservationist.   In this episode, we discuss Roosevelt’s experiences as a young man living in North Dako...

The Navajo Nation is home to one-of-a-kind natural wonders and irreplaceable cultural treasures. It’s also where you can find several parks worth putting on your bucket list. In this episode, we share our experiences and suggestions for making the most of your trips to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, and Navajo National Monument, all on Navajo land in northe...

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...

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 y...

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 t...

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 abo...

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 visit...

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 v...

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 answ...

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 f...

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 pa...

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...

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 th...