Switchbacks: Our Year in the National Parks

81. How to Visit Denali National Park Nov 24, 2020

Denali National Park, the country's twelfth national park, is home to the highest point in North America, Denali. It's frequently visited by tourists in Alaska, but it requires advanced preparation to visit. By planning ahead, visitors can make the most of their time in this park. In this podcast, we describe what Denali is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Denali: How much does it cost? How do I increase my chances of seeing the mountain? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/denali. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

80: How to Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park Nov 08, 2020

Lassen Volcanic National Park, the country's eleventh national park, is home to active and dormant volcanoes, hydrothermal features, and beautiful mountain landscapes. It's one of the least visited parks in California, but many people congregate to Lassen Volcanic's main attractions. By planning ahead, visitors can avoid the crowds and see some truly unique sights. In this podcast, we describe what Lassen Volcanic is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Lassen Volcanic: When is the best time to visit? What are some secrets of the park? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/lassenvolcanic. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

79. How to Visit Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Oct 19, 2020

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, the country's tenth national park, is home to two of the most active volcanoes in the world. Most visitors go to try and spot some volcanic activity, like lava flows, steam vents, and lava tubes. Hawai'i Volcanoes is located on the island of Hawai'i and is constantly changing and shifting, so visitors should plan ahead before arriving. In this podcast, we describe what Hawai'i Volcanoes is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Hawai'i Volcanoes: Will I see lava? Where should I stay? How much time should I spend in the park? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/hawaiivolcanoes. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

78. How to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park Oct 19, 2020

Rocky Mountain National Park, the country's ninth national park, is home to spectacular mountain environments, alpine tundra, wildlife, and gorgeous lakes. Most visitors go to drive the Trail Ridge Road or take a hike, and the park is a paradise for those activities. Rocky Mountain is located in north-central Colorado and is surrounded by beautiful natural areas, making and trip to the area well worth it. In this podcast, we describe what Rocky Mountain is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Rocky Mountain: What is the best hike? How do you avoid crowds? How long should you spend in the park? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/rockymountain. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

77. How to Visit Glacier National Park Oct 13, 2020

Glacier National Park, the country's eighth national park, is home to mountains, hundreds of lakes, and 26 rapidly-receding glaciers. Most visitors go to drive the Going to the Sun Road or take a hike, and the park is a paradise for those activities. Glacier is located in Montana along the Canadian border, and is half of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the first in the world of its kind. In this podcast, we describe what Glacier is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Glacier: How do you see the glaciers? When should you visit to avoid crowds but not get caught in bad weather? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/glacier. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

76. How to Visit Mesa Verde National Park Oct 13, 2020

Mesa Verde National Park, the country's seventh-oldest park, is home to some of the most impressive cliff dwellings in the world. Most visitors go to tour the cliff dwellings, but there is much more to be found in Mesa Verde. Mesa Verde is located in southwestern Colorado, in the Four Corners Region, where visitors can find plenty more to see and do. In this podcast, we describe what Mesa Verde is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Mesa Verde: Which tour is best? Is it baby friendly? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/mesaverde. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

75. How to Visit Wind Cave National Park Sep 28, 2020

Wind Cave National Park, the country's sixth-oldest park, is home to the densest cave system in the world. Most visitors go to see the cave itself, but there is another world for exploring above ground. Wind Cave is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, situated among several other national parks that would make any trip memorable. In this podcast, we describe what Wind Cave is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Wind Cave: What are reservations like? Is it worth the drive? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/windcave. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

74. How to Visit Crater Lake National Park Sep 18, 2020

Crater Lake National Park, the country's fifth-oldest park, is home to the country's deepest lake. Most visitors go to see Crater Lake and its rim trails and scenic drive, which make up most of the park's recreation opportunities. Crater Lake has a relatively short visiting season, and most visitors see the park in July and August, so avoiding the crowds takes some extra planning. In this podcast, we describe what Crater Lake is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Crater Lake: What is the best airport to fly into? What are some great hikes? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/craterlake. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

73. How to Visit Mount Rainier National Park Sep 14, 2020

Mount Rainier National Park, the country's fourth-oldest park, has a fascinating history of preservation. Most visitors go to see the iconic Mount Rainier, which juts out abruptly along the horizon, twice the height of its surrounding peaks. Mount Rainier has a relatively short visiting season, and most visitors see the park in July and August, so visiting in a way that doesn't feel overwhelming takes some extra planning. In this podcast, we describe what Mount Rainier is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Mount Rainier: what are some great hikes in the park? What should you do if the mountain is covered with clouds? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/mountrainier. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

71. How to Visit Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Aug 31, 2020

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, some of the country's earliest parks, protect the world's largest trees, vast wilderness, and diverse ecosystems. In this podcast, we describe what Sequoia and Kings Canyon are all about, how to get to the parks, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon: how much time should you spend in the parks? How are sequoias different than redwoods? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/sequoia. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

72. How to Visit Yosemite National Park Aug 27, 2020

Yosemite National Park, the country's third park, is foundational in national parks history. Surrounded by granite cliffs, sequoias, waterfalls, and history, visitors can easily find something for them. Yosemite is popular, and most visitors congregate into the 7-square-mile area of Yosemite Valley, so visiting the park in a way that doesn't feel overwhelming can be tricky. In this podcast, we describe what Yosemite is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Yosemite: is there hiking for beginners? What are some strategies for getting a campsite? What is the best season to visit? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/yosemite. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

70. How to Visit Yellowstone National Park Aug 24, 2020

Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park, is truly one of a kind. Teeming with geothermal activity, wildlife, and vast wilderness, yet chock full of visitor facilities, programs, and tours, Yellowstone is a park for everyone. In this podcast, we describe what Yellowstone is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Yellowstone: is it safe for kids? How do you avoid crowds? What is the best itinerary? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/yellowstone. For photos and more details about our own experiences, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

69. Season 3 Introduction: How to Visit the National Parks Aug 24, 2020

This season, we're getting back to our roots to launch a year-long national parks project. Each week, we will put out a podcast covering a different national park, describing what the park is all about, how to visit, what to do, and answer some of your questions about the park. We will be working through the parks in the order in which they were established, so we're kicking things off with the world's first national park, Yellowstone. For more details, be sure to check out our website at switchbackkids.com. For photos and more details about our own experiences in the national parks, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

#68: Nigeria Culture Immersion plus Nigeria National Parks and Tourist Hot Spots - LIVE REPORT Dec 23, 2019

Nigeria is SO DIVERSE, and yet it's a very under-touristed destination. In this episode I provide live reports from Nigeria with various segments of my personal experience with the culture in Lagos and a rural village. We will also cover: 1. Nigeria country overview 2. 8 Nigeria National Parks previews 3. Tourist highlights around Lagos and the rest of the country 4. Cultural festivals scan around the year throughout the country Music from bensound.com.

#67: Perfect Ireland Loop with Irish National Parks and More - LIVE REPORT Nov 06, 2019

Get my live reports and sounds of the island as I circle Ireland and Northern Ireland! I'll cover everything from traditional tourist destinations, the 6 Irish National Parks and our personal itinerary: 2 parks, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, quaint seaside hamlets, random cave attractions, 3 castles, super old distillery, Giant's Causeway, famous traditional Irish pub and more.

#66: Debunking 5 Myths of Traveling to Europe Sep 09, 2019

It's hard to think about visiting Europe as an American without thinking about the ancient architecture, romantic cities, great food, and backpacking hostel to hostel. But when we planned a six-week Eurotrip last summer, we found that many things we had thought about traveling through Europe weren't exactly what we expected. In this episode of Switchbacks, we'll lay out five common myths of traveling to Europe, and how we debunked those during our travel process, from planning to transportation and accommodations to activities. We'll also give brief homage to each of the nine countries we visited: Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece. Music: http://bensound.com

#65: Do You Have a Travel Wish List? + What's Currently on Ours Aug 06, 2019

Having a travel wish list and putting your travel goals down on paper can have a huge impact on whether or not you actually achieve those travel goals. Today we're sharing why you should have a travel wish list, how we created ours, and what destinations are high on our list. Music: http://bensound.com

#64: The Azores Trip Report Jul 02, 2019

If you aren't following us on social media, you may have missed our exciting news... we welcomed baby boy Donelson on June 10th! We are soaking up baby snuggles and diaper changes here at home, but today we broke away from that routine to record a new episode. Today we're sharing EVERYTHING about our trip to the Azores... how we got there, where we slept, what we did, and exactly how much money we spent while enjoying three of the Azores islands. Tune in for all the details! Music: http://bensound.com

#63: The Art of Babymooning May 14, 2019

We may not be expert babymooners yet, but we sure had an amazing time during our recent pre-baby trip to the Azores and mainland Portugal. Listen for all things babymooning: planning and considerations, our favorite babymoon-specific activities, and things we learned along the way. Music: http://bensound.com

#62: Traveling to Africa, Part II: Our Top 5 Natural Landmarks Mar 14, 2019

Today we're sharing Part II of our Africa experiences last summer. Last time, we broke down our top 5 game drive experiences. Today, we're chatting all about our favorite natural landmarks and outdoor experiences in the southern portion of Africa. From mountains to waterfalls to desert, Africa has something for just about everyone. Music: http://bensound.com

#61: Indiana Dunes, our 61st National Park Mar 06, 2019

If you missed the big news out of the National Park Service a few weeks ago, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore was renamed Indiana Dunes National Park, making it the U.S.'s 61st national park. Of course, we have to talk about it. We share our thoughts, our experiences at the park, and clips from an interview we recently conducted with Kailey Capuano of Indiana Dunes Tourism. Enjoy the show! Music: http://bensound.com

#60: Traveling to Africa: Planning & Executing our Dream Safari Trip (+ Our Top 5 Game Drives) Feb 04, 2019

When it comes to backpacking on a budget through a giant region, Southern Africa is no Southeast Asia. It doesn't have the extensive travel infrastructure, the masses of digital nomads, or the shoestring-budget travel possibilities. But as a travel destination, Africa called to us. Today we're sharing our start-to-finish planning process for our 66-day trip through Africa. We also list our Top 5 game drives of the two months. Music: bensound.com

#59: Our Top 18 Travel Experiences of 2018 (+ An Announcement!) Jan 07, 2019

2018 has been good to us, especially in terms of travel experiences. Dozens of new countries, two new continents (for Elizabeth!) and millions of memories. Listen for our top 18 travel experiences last year. Let's see if 2019 can top it! Music: http://bensound.com

#58 - Listener Questions: travel vs. debt, affording Alaska, new National Park, TPIR and more! Dec 05, 2018

In honor of Thanksgiving, this episode covers a smorgasbord of topics… all from you! We picked out some great questions and comments from our listeners over the past 6 months since we ended the first season of the podcast and started our 3-month traveling hiatus. Should I spend on a dream trip or accelerating debt payments? The app that donates to charity when you log exercise. How do you afford to take 3 months off? Why Gateway Arch National Park is a sham. What's the best Africa overland tour company? How do I get on The Price is Right? AND MORE! music: bensound.com

#57 - Round Table Discussion on International Travel Nov 05, 2018

We are so grateful for the friends we met this summer while on an overland tour through eastern and southern Africa. They taught us a lot, but one thing that stuck is that we have SO MUCH of the world left to explore. Today we're sharing a discussion we recorded back in July with our new friends about the ups and downs of travel, magical travel moments, and why travel is important. Enjoy the show!

#56: Season 2 Preview and Our Top Travel Budget Tips Oct 01, 2018

We're back and we're overly excited to kick off Season 2 of Switchbacks. We're going international, people. Want to know what we've been up to lately? Curious about our very favorite budget travel tips? Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: bensound.com

#55: 60th National Park - Gateway Arch History and Controversy May 27, 2018

In February, Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri quietly became the 60th national park. Today we're breaking down the history behind the famous Arch, and the controversy that surrounds its national park status. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: bensound.com

#54: And... We're Off! May 21, 2018

Today we're taking off on a 3.5-month trip abroad to Eastern Europe and Africa. Listen to hear where we're going, why we're taking time off social media, and what you can expect from our podcast in the next few months. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: bensound.com

#53: Our Top Resources for Visiting Alaska + Our Book is Here! May 16, 2018

We are thrilled to announce that our eBook all about how to visit Alaska's national park is now available for download. You can find it here: http://switchbackkids.com/product/ebook-visit-alaskas-8-national-parks/ Today, we spilling five of our top resources for building your own Alaska adventure. Whether you are planning to visit the parks or travel to other parts of the beautiful state, tune in. You might save hundreds of dollars on your next big trip! Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: bensound.com

#52: Our Ultimate Long-Haul International Packing List May 13, 2018

Ever think about striking out for a long-haul international excursion? Over the last two years and ten international trips, we have been learning about what we need and what we don't. Today we're sharing our list for our upcoming 3.5-month trip through Europe and Africa. For links, and the entire list, go to our show notes at: switchbackkids.com/podcast And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: bensound.com

#51: Business of the NPS - Interview with internal consultant Adam Ranson Apr 23, 2018

Did you know there are 6 internal consultants who are employed by the NPS and travel across the country to advise and work on its toughest business problems? Today we go beyond the vistas to explore the inner workings of parks. Our interview is with Adam Ranson, one of those internal consultants, who gets to see the parks from a whole different angle... and who may just have one of the coolest jobs in the U.S. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! music: bensound.com

#50: Family-Friendly National Parks, ft. Great Sand Dunes & Carlsbad Caverns Apr 04, 2018

We aren't parents. But we likely will be someday. So as we were traveling through all 59 national parks in 2015-2016, we often looked at parks through the lens of someday coming back and experiencing them with our own future kids. Today on the podcast, we're sharing about two parks that (we think) would be great for families of all ages. We offer insight into our own experiences there, and we also share aspects that we think would be ideal for kids. Happy listening! Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: bensound.com

#49: National Parks with Friends, ft. Shenandoah & Rocky Mountain Mar 22, 2018

Sometimes you visit a national park for the views and landmarks. Sometimes you visit a national park to reconnect with friends and family in an uninterrupted environment. Any time you travel with a group, especially to a national park, there are a few things you can do to enhance your experience. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#48: Our Top 10 Experiences of 2017 + Where We're Going in 2018 Mar 08, 2018

Today we're counting down our very best experiences of 2017. Listen for some travel inspiration, and also to hear where we're headed in 2018! Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! music: bensound.com

#47: BONUS Episode: Our Week in Panama Feb 21, 2018

In January, we traveled to Panama. Our true motivation for visiting this country was that we had enough Spirit miles to fly there for free. But what we brought home was much more valuable: a wonder of the world, the hardest hike we have ever completed, and a bucket-list overwater bungalow stay. Listen for the details and our in-the-moment reflections. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each U.S. National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! music: bensound.com

#46: Ranger Programs in the Parks, ft. Joshua Tree and Wind Cave Feb 19, 2018

If you aren't supplementing your national parks trip with a ranger program or two, you aren't doing it right. Today we're breaking down everything you should know about the wide variety of ranger programs offered at our national parks. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#45 Paddling the Parks, ft. Voyageurs Feb 01, 2018

We do more in the parks than just hike. Today we're chatting all about kayaking in the national parks, featuring a very water-heavy park in Minnesota: Voyageurs! Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#44: Trying Times in the National Parks, ft. Black Canyon of the Gunnison & Mammoth Cave Nov 08, 2017

It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows during our year in the national parks. Today we're sharing two of the more challenging experiences we had. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#43: Long Walks in the National Parks, ft. Grand Canyon and Isle Royale Oct 17, 2017

When we think back to our year in the parks, a few epic activities always stand out. Today we're reflecting on two backpacking trips that allowed us to get deeper into Grand Canyon and Isle Royale National Parks. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#42: Our Top Ten Bucket List Adventures in the National Parks Sep 26, 2017

During our year in the parks, some moments were subtle. There were moments of quiet beauty, soft sunsets, easy strolls in beautiful places. But some moments were loud. We had experiences in the parks that we planned for, dreamed about, and were so happy to execute. We'll always remember the quiet moments, but the loud ones will be forever in our national park hall of fame. On today's podcast, we're hashing out the loud moments. Grab a pen, you'll want to write these down. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#41: Getting Deeper into the National Parks, ft. Everglades and Haleakala Sep 12, 2017

It's always worth the logistics to get deeper into the national parks. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#40: Seasonal Considerations in the National Parks, ft. Lassen Volcanic and Mount Rainier Aug 29, 2017

Visiting a national park in its off-season has its pros and cons. Today we lay those out, while reflecting on our time in Lassen Volcanic and Mount Rainier National Parks. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#39: Planning Ahead in the National Parks, ft. Yellowstone and Katmai Aug 24, 2017

When visiting some national parks, the "just wing it" approach works. But for many parks, advanced planning is required. Listen as we discuss planning hurdles and logistic loopholes at Yellowstone and Katmai National Parks. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#38: Our Top Ten Overnight Hikes in the National Parks Aug 15, 2017

We're back today with another Top Ten list... this time, our Top Ten Overnight Hikes in the national parks. We counted and determined that we spent 27 nights sleeping in the backcountry last year. Here were our favorites. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#37: Amazing National Parks Plants, ft. Saguaro and Sequoia Aug 08, 2017

The national parks are known for their sweeping mountain vistas and incredible wildlife, but what about the unsung plant life that supports the ecosystems where mountain peaks and wildlife can thrive? Today, they'll get their day. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#36: Geologic Wonders of the National Parks, ft. Arches and Crater Lake Aug 01, 2017

Discover two national parks protected for their geologic significance: Arches and Crater Lake. What makes these parks important? What makes them beautiful and fun to explore? Find out! Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#35: National Parks for History Buffs, ft. Mesa Verde and Hot Springs Jul 25, 2017

Most national parks are known for their natural beauty: think mountains, lakeshores, and canyons. But Mesa Verde and Hot Springs are quite different. Although still beautiful, these two parks were formed to preserve and protect some of our country's most significant cultural elements. Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#34: Our Top Ten National Parks that Aren't "Parks" Jul 18, 2017

Politics often determine their official designation, but all 417 national parks are important. Although we spent our year focusing on the 59 "parks," we also found ourselves at almost 100 other NPS sites. Listen for our Top 10 national parks that don't happen to have the "park" designation. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#33: Interview with Mikah Meyer, traveling to ALL 400+ national parks in 3 years Jul 10, 2017

When we were on our own all-59 national parks tour, we heard about another young man gearing up for a bigger adventure: all 417 National Park Service sites on one continuous road trip. Meet Mikah Meyer, epic national parks traveler and write at tbcmikah.com. In today's podcast, he explains his inspiration for traveling, his aim to serve as a different kind of LGBT role model, and of course, his love for our country's national parks. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#32: National Park Gateway Cities, ft. Acadia and Olympic Jul 06, 2017

The National Parks themselves are plenty to keep you happy and entertained, but sometimes modern conveniences can be nice after a long day of hiking. Enter, gateway cities. Some are better than others, but these two are the best. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#31: Big City Getaways in the National Parks, ft. North Cascades and Channel Islands Jun 27, 2017

Even though the national parks seem like another world from our urban areas, it may be easier than you think to get away. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#30: BONUS Episode: Our 3-Week Southeast Asia Adventure Jun 19, 2017

We're taking a quick break from our regularly-scheduled national parks programming to share some reflections and experiences from our recent three-week trip to Southeast Asia. Listen for our in-the-moment updates throughout our time in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each U.S. National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#29: Luxury in the National Parks, ft. Virgin Islands and Kenai Fjords Jun 13, 2017

Cole and I speaking to luxury in the national parks is almost laughable, but stick with us. Even though we spent most of our time in a tent out of cell range and not showering, we did experience many moments of pure luxury throughout our time in the national parks. Today we're sharing two parks that lent themselves to particular extravagance: Virgin Islands and Kenai Fjords. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#28: Our Top Ten Short Hikes in the National Parks May 16, 2017

During our year in the national parks, we hiked A LOT. Short hikes, long hikes, we did them all. So now we're here to blab about them. Today we're chatting about our favorite short hikes -- some easy and some more adventurous -- within all 59 national parks. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#27: Interview with Alison & Dan of Happy People Hike May 09, 2017

We love getting to talk to people who are passionate about the outdoors and the national parks and have created a side project to foster that passion. Alison and Dan of Happy People Hike have done both of these with finesse. Enjoy today's interview as we discuss with Alison & Dan the healing powers of hiking, our mutual love for the parks, and how to get started on a side hustle if feel the urge. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#26: Weighing Your Options in the National Parks, ft. Glacier Bay and Denali May 02, 2017

There are so many options to consider when visiting a national park -- including some of the pricier options. Today we're chatting all about those decisions, specifically during our time in Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park, both in Alaska. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#25: National Park Camping 101, ft. Guadalupe Mountains and Badlands Apr 25, 2017

After a whole year of tent-camping through all 59 national parks in the country, we consider ourselves camping experts. Today we're outlining the four main ways to camp in and around the parks: park campgrounds, backcountry camping, BLM and national forest camping, and private campgrounds. Which is your camping of choice? And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#24: Budgeting for Our Year in the National Parks, ft. Capitol Reef and Redwood Apr 20, 2017

Our year in the national parks took a lot of planning and a lot of prioritizing spending. If we thought saving money before the trip was challenging, we didn't realize how much we'd always have to consider money while on the trip. Thankfully, parks like Capitol Reef and Redwood made it very easy to save some money. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#23: Our Top Ten National Park Ranger Programs Apr 11, 2017

Our national parks are amazing enough, but the cherry on top of our time in the parks was the amazing ranger programs that we were able to attend. Here we describe our favorite free and paid national park ranger programs during our year in the national parks. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#22: Interview with Cees & Madison of Our Vie Apr 05, 2017

Today we are sharing our recent interview with Cees & Madison of Our Vie (@ourvieadventures). Listen to hear all about their decision to go on the road full time, their focus on the national parks, and their soon-to-be-expanding family. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#21: Flexibility in the National Parks, ft. Canyonlands and Congaree Mar 25, 2017

Continuing our discussion about what happens when travel goes wrong by chatting today about two national parks where we had to adapt our plans on the fly. Canyonlands, in Southern Utah, and Congaree, in South Carolina, presented some opportunities to show extra flexibility during our trip. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#20: Battling Travel Fatigue, ft. Kings Canyon & Theodore Roosevelt Mar 23, 2017

It's no exaggeration that our year-long trip to all 59 national parks was a dream. But it was also challenging at times. Today we're sharing two of the most exhausting weeks during our trip -- while we were in Kings Canyon and Theodore Roosevelt National Parks -- and how we coped with the travel fatigue. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#19: Recap & Preview Mar 13, 2017

Taking a brief pause today to look back and reflect on the first 18 episodes of Switchbacks, and to look ahead to the next few months. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#18: Weather Woes, ft. Great Smoky Mountains & Grand Teton Mar 03, 2017

Our year in the national parks wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. Two parks in particular were severely impacted by weather woes. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#17: Our Top Ten National Park Animal Encounters Feb 28, 2017

From Virgin Islands to Alaska, American Samoa to Shenandoah, we collected dozens of memorable animal encounters in the national parks. It was hard to narrow it down to just ten... but we managed. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! music: bensound.com

#16: Interview with Conor and Julian - Gap Year on $8k Feb 21, 2017

Think that traveling around the contiguous U.S. National Parks with just a friend and $8,000 for a year is impossible? Think again. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#15: Size Matters, ft. Death Valley & Wrangell-St. Elias National Parks Feb 07, 2017

This week, we're chatting about BIG parks. The largest national park overall, Wrangell-St. Elias in Alaska, and the largest national park in the contiguous U.S., Death Valley, were both unique in their own ways, but they had one thing in common: they outsized the rest. These parks can be tricky to navigate: Death Valley having tons of scenic drives and long roads, and Wrangell being in, well, Alaska, but they are well worth the trek. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! music: bensound.com

#14: To The Overlook, and Beyond! ft. Petrified Forest and Bryce Canyon Jan 31, 2017

In this episode, we describe the benefits of going beyond the overlook in two overlook-prominent parks: Petrified Forest and Bryce Canyon. It's not the style for everyone, but exploring beyond the tourist trail opens up all sorts of new adventures. Listen for more! And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#13: How to Find (and Be) an Amazing Travel Partner Jan 27, 2017

I am so lucky that my built-in travel partner is the best. Here are a few ways you can improve your travel attitude and find your travel tribe. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#12: The (Park) Road Less Traveled, ft. Big Bend & Kobuk Valley Jan 02, 2017

Some national parks draw in millions of people every year. Other parks see far more caribou than people. We're chatting about two of those uncrowded national parks, Big Bend and Kobuk Valley, today on the podcast. Listen for more details about how we spent our time there last year. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#11: Our Top Ten Easy-Access Campsites Dec 29, 2016

We slept on the ground about 275 nights last year... and most of those were in campgrounds. Needless to say, we have some opinions on National Park campgrounds. Listen to hear our TOP TEN easy-access (by car or short walk) campsites of our entire year in the parks. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#10: Interview with Darius of 59in59 Dec 21, 2016

One of the best parts of traveling around the country visiting national parks was meeting other people who were doing the same thing. We loved it when those people had a similar mission to ours... sharing the parks online and inspiring others to fall in love with them too. We know you'll love our interview with Darius Nabors today. He and Trevor Kemp visiting all 59 national parks in 59 weeks, ending on the NPS Centennial in August. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#9: Parks that Live in the Shadows, ft. Pinnacles and Biscayne Dec 07, 2016

During our year visiting all 59 National Parks, we came across several "underdog" parks. We.LOVED.Them. These parks -- often hidden in the shadows of their neighboring parks -- will always have a special place in our hearts. Today we're discussing two of those parks: Pinnacles and Biscayne. Heard of them? Maybe? Maybe not. They're certainly low on the list of most-visited parks. And that just might be the best thing about them. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! music: http://bensound.com

#8: National Parks in Motion, ft. Glacier and Hawai'i Volcanoes Dec 01, 2016

The National Parks are constantly in motion, and this is seen so clearly in two parks: Glacier and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Parks. Listen for how the national parks address the issue of climate change, and how this challenge may affect your visit experience. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#7: National Parks: Are They For Everyone, ft. Dry Tortugas and Lake Clark Nov 23, 2016

Are the National Parks truly accessible for all Americans? We think the National Parks mostly do an amazing job of creating welcoming, affordable places to travel, but occasionally they could do better. Today we're talking about what that exclusivity costs the parks. We'll be featuring Dry Tortugas National Park, off the coast of Florida, and Lake Clark National Park, in Alaska. These two parks are some of the hardest-to-reach, expensive parks we came across last year. Listen for more! And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#6: Our Top Ten Day Hikes of the National Parks Nov 15, 2016

In our latest installment of Top Ten of the National Parks, we are sharing our favorite day hikes. Day hikes are a wonderful way to get up and out of the parks' main hubs of activity. Travel light, bring your lunch, reach new heights, climb mountains, and come back. All in the same day. From Great Sand Dunes to Pinnacles to Kenai Fjords, here are our favorite day hikes from our year in the national parks. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#5: Interview with Don & Shelly of 59NationalParks Nov 08, 2016

Before we took off on our own adventure of visiting all 59 national parks, several other amazing people paved the way. Two of those adventurers are here today to chat all about their journey. Don and Shelly offer words of wisdom, tips for traveling with pets, and stories about their 59 weeks on the road in their RV. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#4: Amazing People of the Parks, ft. American Samoa and Cuyahoga Valley Nov 01, 2016

The National Parks would be nothing without its people. Volunteers, employees, local residents, original advocators, and of course, visitors, all contribute to what the parks are today. Two of the national parks that have the greatest involvement with their communities are Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the National Park of American Samoa. We visited both last year. Listen for our experiences in these parks. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#3: Are We Loving Our National Parks to Death? ft. Zion and Great Basin Oct 24, 2016

We were lucky enough to do most of our national parks visiting during the off-season last year. But sometimes, like in the cases of Zion and Great Basin National Parks, we had to visit during some of the busiest times. We experienced a lot of crowds and a lot of ways to avoid those crowds. So, are we loving our national parks to death? Or just some of them? Is there a solution? Listen to find out! And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#2: There's No Wrong Way to Love a National Park, ft. Yosemite & Gates of the Arctic Oct 16, 2016

When we first started our year-long mission to visit all 59 national parks in the U.S., we were fairly proud of "our style" of visiting the parks. We backpacked, traveled lightly, avoided souvenir shops, and almost always took the path less taken. We thought this was the right and only way to visit a park. But by the time our year was up, we were singing a much different tune. We met so many other park visitors, from nearby and far away, who visited the parks in all sorts of different ways. Some came by tour bus, some came by train, some came by station wagon. Listen to this episode of the podcast to hear our thoughts on the "right" and "wrong" ways to visit a national park. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://bensound.com

#1: Our Top Ten National Parks Oct 10, 2016

During our year of visiting and documenting all 59 U.S. national parks, we received many, many questions about which was our favorite. Well, today we're hear to spill all the beans. We picked our top ten favorite national parks, and we share tips and experiences from each of those parks. We also chat a bit about the best parks to visit during fall, and we answer a reader question about park do-overs. And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://www.bensound.com/

#0: Introducing Switchbacks Oct 02, 2016

We are Cole and Elizabeth Donelson, and we spent all of last year exploring, hiking through, and camping in all 59 U.S. National Parks. We're here now to share our experiences and insights with all of you. In this short introduction episode, hear more of what we're all about. Thanks for tuning in! And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more! Adventure on! Music: http://www.bensound.com/

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