Vacation Station

Donald Hafner - Exploring America's National Parks

Celebrating Great Outdoors Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Parks & Travel" Podcast features Don Hafner, who along with his wife Shelly, went to all 59 of the National Parks in 59 weeks during 2014/15. To date, they have visited 62 of America's National Parks, 48 US States, 22 foreign countries, and at least 30 national parks overseas. They've been north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Tropic of Capricorn, swam in all five oceans, and visited 5 of the 7 continents. Don is host to #ParkChat held on Wednesdays at 9pm EST on Twitter (X). Follow him @59NationalParks on Twitter (X) and Instagram. 

Exploring the Laurel Highlands Region of Pennsylvania

From Frank Lloyd Wright to to the Flight 93 National Memorial, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel Show" with the International Food Wine & Travel Show features Eric Knopsnyder who shares what to experience in the Laurel Highlands region of southwestern Pennsylvania. Located just east of Pittsburgh, this beautiful four-season destination offers spectacular natural scenery, outstanding outdoor recreation venues, historic sites & attractions, family activities, scenic road trip adventures, and world class resorts. More: https://www.golaurelhighlands.com/
Learn more about the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association at https://www.ifwtwa.org/ 
Follow this podcast on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/39nvjppe

Hiking Your Feelings in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

In celebration of June being Great Outdoors Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast with the Sequoia Tourism Council focuses on the upcoming Hike and Heal Sequoia National Park Wilderness Wellness Retreats. These retreats are facilitated by Sydney and Barry Williams of Hiking My Feelings in partnership with the Sequoia Parks Conservancy Field Institute. Starting in June, there will be three retreats this summer.
FEATURED GUESTS:- NICOLE STIVERS of the Sequoia Parks Conservancy, the official nonprofit partner to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park and Lake Kaweah. They fund and enable park projects and programs that protect, preserve, and provide access to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.  Visit https://sequoiaparksconservancy.org/ - SYDNEY WILLIAMS -  Author, and Founder & CEO of Hiking My Feelings. This unique organization is on a mission to improve community health by creating opportunities for people to experience the healing power of nature.More at: https://hikingmyfeelings.org/ 
Located in Central California, Tulare County is home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest, and charming art and agricultural communities including Visalia, Tulare, Exeter, Dinuba, Porterville, Three Rivers, Lindsay, and Woodlake.  Plan your visit to Tulare County  at https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/ 
Select featured photos are by Barry Williams / Hiking Your Feelings.

Sharon K. Kurtz - Journeying Through Peru

From the cobblestone streets of Cusco to the majestic Machu Picchu and the shores of Lake Titicaca, this episode of Big Blend Radio's WANDER THE WORLD WITH SHARON podcast with Sharon K. Kurtz covers her immersive experiences with Intrepid Travel in Peru. Read about her journey that took her deep into the vibrant tapestry of local communities, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/journeying-through-peru/ 
Big Blend Radio's "Wander the World with Sharon" Podcast features award-winning travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz. New episodes air every first Wednesday at 12pm CST at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1ALXeV1vR6H10EtkPvgDW5 
Sharon Kurtz is an accomplished travel writer and award-winning photographer based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to exploring the world and sharing her adventures through compelling storytelling. Her travels have taken her to more than 50 countries on six continents—her carry-on is always packed, ready for the next adventure. Enjoy Sharon’s writing at https://sharonkkurtz.com/ or follow her on https://www.instagram.com/shar_kurtz/ 

Hiking Adventures in Asheville, North Carolina

Celebrate Great Outdoors Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Tuesday "Adventures in Asheville" Show that focuses on the various Hiking Opportunities you can enjoy in Asheville, North Carolina.
Featured Guests:- Steve & Karen Wilson - Owners and innkeepers of The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast, a stunning pink lady in the Montford Historic District. More: https://www.lion-rose.com/  - Jennifer "Jenny" Gruhn, PhD - Owner and Biologist of Asheville Hiking Tours. More: https://www.ashevillehikingtours.com/  
Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Show airs every 1st Tuesday. Follow the show on PodBean: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/  

How Travel Nourishes the Soul and Expands Life's Buffet

This episode of Big Blend Radio's SOUL DIVING SUNDAY Show with transformational life coach Shelley Whizin focuses on the personal growth benefits of travel. As Shelley says, "Travel isn’t just about checking off places on a map; it’s about diving headfirst into a yummy-delicious buffet of experiences, each one adding a unique flavor to the grand banquet of life." Read her article about how to "Savor the Journey," here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/how-travel-nourishes-the-soul-and-expands-lifes-buffet/ 
SHELLEY WHIZIN is the founder and CEO of the Soul Diving Institute™ and author of "What Do You Bring to the Table? A Savory, Sensory and Inspirational Guide to Living a Yummy Delicious Life."  Keep up with her here: https://www.shelleywhizin.com/ 
Tune into Big Blend Radio's "Soul Diving Sunday with Shelley" show every first Sunday here: http://tinyurl.com/2bjbectk 

Debbie Stone - Little Rock is an Arkansas Gem

This is episode of Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" Podcast, where Debbie shares her adventures in historic Little Rock, the capital city of Arkanas. 
Located on the banks of the Arkansas River, Little Rock is the largest city in the state of Arkansas. It combines the best of the south with a vibrant food scene, a buzzing downtown, and plenty of historic and cultural attractions. It’s a place that embraces its past while maintaining a modern, hip vibe with an eye to the future. And what’s more, you can have a good time at a great value here. Check out Debbie's story about Little Rock, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/little-rock-in-an-arkansas-gem/ 
Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" podcast airs every 4th Tuesday. Follow the podcast here:  https://global-adventures-debbie-stone.podbean.com/ 

Innkeepers Baking for Soldiers

This episode of Big Blend Radio features Innkeepers who Bake for Activie Duty Military. Hear about their service and military heroes in their lives, and the treats they baked as part of the Soldiers' Angels program.
FEATURED GUESTS:- Karen Wilson - The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast in Asheville, North Carolina. Visit: https://www.lion-rose.com/ - Tiffany Bertram - Tiffanys Bed & Breakfast near Hot Springs, Arkansas. Visit: https://www.tiffanysbedandbreakfast.com/ - Maria Chamberlain - The Inn at OxBow Acres in Milan, New Hampshire. Visit: https://www.oxbowacresnh.com/ - Chef Rob Wezwick - US Airforce Veteran & Ash Street Inn in Manchester, New Hampshire. Visit: https://www.ashstreetinn.com/ 
Special shout out to Jay Shulz, Retured Army Officer & Owner of Spartan Photography for Baking for Soldiers with The Lion & The Rose B&B. Visit https://spartanphotography.zenfolio.com/ 
Learn more about the two main military support programs the inns collaborate with:* B&Bs for Vets: https://bandbsforvets.org/ * Soldiers Angels: https://soldiersangels.org/