Parkography

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The House That Shaped a Nation—and Vanished: The President's House of Philadelphia Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

Just steps from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall lies the barely visible foundation of a house that once held the weight of a revolution, a presidency—and a deep contradiction.

This week on Parkography, we uncover the story of the President’s House in Philadelphia, a mansion that passed through the hands of a British general, a colonial governor, a wealthy financier, a traitorous American officer, and two U.S. presidents. But beneath its grand halls and bowed windows lived another story—one of enslaved people fighting silently for their own freedom in the shadow of a nation proclaiming liberty for all.

Join Jason Epperson as he walks through the rubble and history of the forgotten home at Sixth and Market, where the founding of the United States unfolded brick by brick—and where the legacy of freedom remains unfinished.

Written by Lizzie Tesch

Hosted by Jason Epperson

Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography

Join the PARKography Facebook group to discuss this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkography

Check out our other channels focused on RV travel:
@RVMiles
@RVMilesPodcast

37 Days in Yellowstone Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

In 1870, Truman Everts set out as part of an exploration of the Yellowstone wilderness. What followed was a harrowing 37-day survival story filled with fire, frostbite, mountain lions, and near starvation. Lost, alone, and presumed dead, Everts defied all odds to become one of Yellowstone’s most legendary figures.

Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography

Gov't Wants You to Report "Negative" National Park Signs, Yellowstone Explosion Update, and More Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, an update on the dramatic hydrothermal explosion at Yellowstone's Biscuit Basin, the Trump administration's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal for the National Park Service, and the opening of Voyager's National Park's Crane Lake Visitor Center. Also, Denali National Park's live puppy cam is back, and Disney announces a new Piston Peak National Park-themed expansion at Magic Kingdom.

Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography

00:00 Introduction
00:07 Yellowstone's Hydrothermal Explosion
03:08 Sponsor Message: Slinky Stove
03:47 Trump Administration's Budget Proposal
05:53 Controversial Directives on Public Lands
07:50 Voyager's National Park New Visitor Center
08:24 Denali National Park Puppy Cam
09:12 Disney's New National Park Themed Land
10:17 Conclusion

The Wild True Story of the Man Trapped on Devils Tower May 29, 2025

Show notes

A $50 bet turned into a six-day national spectacle atop Devils Tower: The bizarre true story of George Hopkins—the daredevil parachutist who leapt onto the summit of America’s first national monument... and couldn’t get down.

Stranded on the iconic rock formation for nearly a week, Hopkins sparked a media frenzy, drew thousands of spectators, and prompted wild rescue offers from blimps to military helicopters—all thanks to a friendly wager.

Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography

NPS Layoffs Paused, Bear That Flips Dumpsters Killed, Endangered Species Change Threatens Rivers May 21, 2025

Show notes

Massive job cuts at the National Park Service are paused while contract approval at the US Forest Service is slowing cleaning and maintenance. A bear that can flip 800lb dumpsters is euthanized, hunting and fishing are expanded in wildlife refuges, and a hiker tells her harrowing tale of being lost for 24 days, surviving on wild leeks and boiled snow.

Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography

Comment on federal regulations here: https://www.regulations.gov/

Behind the Lens: Capturing the Wild with the Creators of PBS's "View Finders" May 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Parkography, I sit down with Chris Greer and Paul Daniel, the adventurous creators behind the PBS series View Finders. We dive into their creative journeys, the challenges of capturing the perfect shot in the wild, and their mission to inspire a deeper connection to nature through their work. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just someone who loves the call of the wild, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Hosted By: Jason Epperson

Guests:

Chris Greer: https://www.instagram.com/pauldaniel5010/

Paul Daniel: https://www.instagram.com/pauldaniel5010/

View Finders on PBS: https://www.pbs.org/show/view-finders/

View Finders on Instagram: @viewfinderstv

Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography

40% Cut To Park Service? National Parks Handed Over To States? Trump's Budget Proposal May 07, 2025

Show notes

In this National Park and Public Lands news roundup, we dive into the proposed 38% budget cut for the National Park Service, which could lead to the removal of some sites from the system. We cover the Interior Department's leaked plans to allow drilling, mining, and selling off federal land, as well as the potential reopening of Alcatraz as a federal prison. Updates on Yosemite's summer reservations, a tragic crash near Yellowstone, various park closures, and more.

Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:35 Sponsor Message: Slinky Stove
01:22 Trump Administration's Budget Proposal for National Parks
03:09 Leaked Interior Department Plan for Federal Lands
04:20 National Monuments and Endangered Species
05:15 House Appropriations Bill and National Park Funding
07:18 Staffing Issues and USACE Campground Closures
11:26 Yosemite Summer Reservations
13:01 Tragic Crash Near Yellowstone
13:41 Theft at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
14:24 Jackson Hole Airport Achieves Dark Sky Status
15:18 Conclusion

How One Piece of Litter Changed a National Park Forever Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we explore the surprising impact of litter in our national parks, beginning with a vivid story from Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Hear how a single discarded bag of Cheetos disrupted the delicate ecosystem of one of the largest limestone chambers and what it reveals about the broader issue of trash in parks. Discover the ongoing efforts to manage waste and tips on how you can minimize your footprint while enjoying these natural treasures.

Written By James Fester

Hosted by Jason Epperson

Leave No Trace: https://lnt.org/

Don't Feed the Landfills:

https://www.nationalparks.org/explore/programs/reducing-waste-sent-to-landfills

https://www.nps.gov/dena/getinvolved/zero-landfill.htm

Elon Musk’s DOGE Now Directly Controls the National Park Service Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

In a stunning shift of federal power, Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) now holds sweeping authority over the U.S. Department of the Interior — including the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and more. DOGE appointee Tyler Hassen, a private oil exec, has been handed the keys to over 500 million acres of federal land with zero oversight.

Witness Trees: Silent Sentinels of American History Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, delve into the fascinating world of 'Witness Trees'—trees that have stood the test of time and witnessed key moments in American history. From the Civil War battlefields of Antietam, Gettysburg, and Manassas to the site of the Oklahoma City bombing, these trees have borne silent witness to significant events. We explore the stories and historical significance of several protected trees, including the Burnside Sycamore, the Oklahoma City Survivor Tree, and the iconic Jackson Magnolia at the White House. Through these stories, we're reminded of the resilience and endurance symbolized by these natural sentinels.

Written By Lizzie Tesch
Narrated By Jason Epperson

00:00 Introduction: Witness Trees of America
02:24 Witness Trees of the Civil War
03:05 The Sycamore at Antietam
07:55 The Survivor Tree of Oklahoma City
11:34 Witness Trees in Washington DC
12:24 The Legacy of Jackson's Magnolia Tree
14:55 Conclusion: The Importance of Witness Trees

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