Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast

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Latest Episodes:

#09: Five National Park Hidden Gems Apr 30, 2020

Show notes

You’ll often see the same handful of National Parks topping the “best of” lists, but there are some real hidden gems out there too that are worth visiting. In this episode, we’re sharing our top five parks that have lower visitation numbers. We discuss how we got to these parks, what there is to do in each one, and what we loved about them. From island hopping at Dry Tortugas to hiking along a border river in Big Bend, join us as we venture through some of these lesser known parks.

In this episode we discuss:

Taking a boat to Dry Tortugas NP
Big Bend NP along the Rio Grande River
Karen sneaks Carlsbad Caverns onto the list
The archeological sites at Mesa Verde NP
Taking in the beautiful landscapes at Great Basin NP
Why Lassen Volcanic NP is like a mini Yellowstone

Links:

To see photos from our travels, visit our
Instagram account, or
TikTok account
Join the conversation on Facebook
Our books

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#08: Katmai National Park: Bear Watching Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

Of all the experiences we had while traveling to the U.S. national parks, bear watching in Katmai National Park is at the top of the list. Tucked away in a remote part of southwest Alaska, Katmai is truly a unique and exciting place to visit. During certain weeks each summer, visitors are pretty much guaranteed some phenomenal bear watching. Join us on this episode to hear stories about our incredible bear encounters and our recommendations for planning your own trip to Katmai.

In this episode we discuss:

Why Katmai became a national park in the first place
Where it is and how to get to there
What to do (and not do) if you have a close encounter with a bear
Tips for the best places to view the brown bears in the park, and
Our “interesting” bear encounters while visiting the park

Links:

To see photos from our travels, visit our
Instagram account, or
TikTok account
Katmai National Park website
Join the conversation on Facebook
Our books

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#07: Carlsbad Caverns National Park Apr 02, 2020

Show notes

Join Matt and Karen as they descend 750 feet underground to explore what Karen thinks is one of the most magical places in the entire U.S. national park system: Carlsbad Caverns. Matt’s not a huge fan of dark, scary holes, but he puts on a brave face during the couple’s multiple visits to this enchanted part of the Chihuahuan Desert in southern New Mexico. You might want to have a flashlight or two close by when you listen to this episode, just in case the lights go out and you need to self-rescue your way back to daylight. That’s one of the lasting effect these cave visits had on Matt: he never goes anywhere now without at least a couple light sources with him.

In this episode we discuss:

The variety of cave tours offered at Carlsbad Caverns
Which caves Matt and Karen visited
Why Matt’s not a fan of caves
What to know if you’re planning to attend the bat flight program
The ranger speech that made Karen tear up
Why Karen is thinking about becoming a scientist

Links:

To see photos from our travels, visit our
Instagram account, or
TikTok account
Carlsbad Caverns NPS website
Join the conversation on Facebook
Our books

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#06: Zion National Park: Hiking The Narrows Mar 19, 2020

Show notes

Standing in waist-deep water while looking up at the towering canyon walls, the scene was breath-taking. Or, maybe it was the cold water splashing our midsections that was taking our breath away. Join us as we hike The Narrows, one of the most magnificent areas of Zion National Park. On today's episode, we talk about our experiences while hiking up the Virgin River through The Narrows, what to bring if you’re thinking of doing it yourself, and other how-to tips.

In this episode we discuss:

Why we’re wearing the same clothes in all of our National Park sign pictures
The best time of year to hike The Narrows
What to bring and what not to bring
Why you might need a permit
What we did for work before quitting our jobs to visit the National Parks

Links:

To see photos from our travels, visit our
Instagram account, or
TikTok account
The Narrows NPS website
Join the conversation on Facebook
Our books

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#05: RV Adventures in Arizona Mar 05, 2020

Show notes

Have you ever wanted to take an RV on an adventure into the National Parks? So did we, so we rented one in Arizona and toured the southern part of the state for a week. Join us as we explore Chiricahua National Monument and other National Park units from the comfort of a 19-foot recreational vehicle. Along the way, we learn about the dos and don'ts of RV life, meet the nicest people in the RV community, and lament the untimely demise of Matt's tennis shoes.

In this episode we discuss:

Renting an RV from Cruise America
Going to a gigantic RV show in Kansas City
Hiking in Chiricahua National Monument
How to use the dump station at an RV park
RVing versus tent camping

Links:

To see photos from our travels, visit our
Instagram account, or
TikTok account
Join the conversation on Facebook
Our books

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#04: Our Favorite National Park Lodges Feb 20, 2020

Show notes

What's it like to wake up with a view of Crater Lake from your bedroom window? In this episode, we gleefully revisit some of our favorite National Park lodges and the adventures we had staying in them. We discuss the "parkitechture" and fascinating history to each of the lodges. We regale some hilarious stories from our stays at Crater Lake Lodge and El Tovar lodge at the Grand Canyon. We also talk about how to get reservations and some fantastic places for sunset viewing,

In this episode we discuss:

Staying in the largest log structure in the world in Yellowstone NP
Watching bears from the deck in Glacier NP
Wintertime stay at Zion lodge
Ranger programs at Bryce Canyon lodge
Twin beds at Paradise Inn in Mt. Rainier NP
President Roosevelt's stay in Olympic NP on Lake Crescent
An unexpected surprise at Crater Lake Lodge
The mule-train journey taken by Matt's shorts in the Grand Canyon
The public space at the Ahwahnee Lodge in Yosemite NP

Links:

To see photos from our travels, visit our
Instagram account, or
TikTok account
Join the conversation on Facebook
Our books

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#03: Arches National Park: Getting Lost in the Fiery Furnace Feb 06, 2020

Show notes

Would you go into a fiery furnace on purpose if you knew you’d probably get lost, have to squeeze through narrow openings, and be forced to crab walk over sketchy boulders? Well, that’s exactly what we did, and we even waited in line for a permit to do it. The Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park is a special treat for visitors as only a limited number of people are allowed permits each day to hike through this magnificent maze of rock formations. We’ve visited the fiery furnace in Arches National Park a couple of times, and in this episode, we talk about our experiences along the trail.

In this episode we discuss:

Karen's fantasy of being an off-duty park ranger
Our ranger-led tour into the fiery furnace
Returning on our own and getting lost in the slot canyons, and
How we live and work together 24/7

Links:

To see photos from our travels, visit our
Instagram account, or
TikTok account
Recreation.gov
Join the conversation on Facebook
Our books

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#02: North Cascades National Park: Glaciers and Boulders and Scree Oh My! Feb 04, 2020

Show notes

Join us on our backpacking trip to Sahale Glacier in North Cascades National Park. Along with our friends John and Lolly, we braved the treacherous trail and a few overly friendly mountain goats to camp at the base of a glacier in a truly sublime setting. It was a strenuous, magical, and unforgettable journey. In this episode, we relive our trip into one of the most beautiful alpine areas in all of the national parks. If you ever want to make this trek yourself or would just like to hear about our challenging yet humorous adventure, this episode is for you.

In this episode we discuss: