33: Leavenworth, Washington, Christmas Town Year-Round
Locals Know Best
Today, on the , I’ll be speaking with Tom Potter about all of his favorite outdoor adventures in a town you may know as one of the most picturesque Alpine-style villages in the United States, Leavenworth, Washington! I’m very excited for this episode because Leavenworth has always been in the back of my mind as an excellent fit for this podcast, and even more so for one of our holiday episodes. Leavenworth is not only incredibly jam-packed with outdoor activities, it boasts tons of holiday cheer to boot! We will, of course, talk a bit about the holiday season and how it affects and...
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32: Portland, Maine, The Way Life Should Be
Locals Know Best
Today, on , I’ll be speaking with Kristan Vermeulen about how to make the most of a day outdoors in Portland, Maine. Join Kristan and me as we visit Portland, Maine, during both the off and on-season, eating tons of tasty treats along the way! Activities we discuss in this episode include hitting the water in multiple vessel options, skiing, dog sledding, oyster shucking, hiking, and more! About Kristan Vermeulen Kristan is originally from Maryland and was a Director of Public Relations for the Department of Defense for six years while living there. However, a full-time job...
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31: Hiking Above the Clouds in Mount Rainier National Park
Locals Know Best
Today, on , I’ll be speaking with Michelle Stelly about how to make the most of a weekend at Mount Rainier National Park! , Michelle and I will first discuss Washington’s three beautiful national parks. Then, we’ll backpack, hike, and snowshoe throughout all four seasons in Mount Rainier National Park, as well as touch on a few of the surrounding areas. We’ll be sure to see tons of epic waterfalls, lakes, and fire lookouts along the way, and of course, also have plenty of opportunities to view the incredible Mount Rainier! About Michelle Stelly Michelle runs The Wandering Queen,...
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30: Alexandria, Virginia, a Nice Mixture of Old and New
Locals Know Best
Today, I'll be speaking with Cecilia and Scott Fix about how to spend a fantastic day outdoors in Alexandria, Virginia. Join Cecilia, Scott, and me as we start off our day, waking up in a spooky spot. Then we continue adventuring outdoors via boating the Potomac and geocaching. All while also appreciating old architecture, waterfront parks, art installations, Cherry Blossoms, and all of the best eating and drinking Alexandria has to offer along the way. About Cecilia and Scott Fix Scott and Cecilia are a travel blogging married couple who travel both locally and internationally. They...
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29: Kenai, Alaska, You've Entered the Real Alaska
Locals Know Best
Today, on , I’ll be speaking with Jon Taylor about how to make the most of an outdoorsy trip throughout the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. is sure to put you under the spell of the north. Join Jon and me as we enjoy the Kenai peninsula as an adventure-loving local would! Our discussion is chock full of outdoor experiences, including sea kayaking, flying ourselves to epic fishing locations, hiking, and fat tire biking the beach! Also, as you would expect, there’s tons of mountain, glacier, bear, and Alaskan National Park chat along the way! About Jon Taylor Jon is a pilot, traveler,...
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28: That Cabin Cozy Feel in Flagstaff, Arizona
Locals Know Best
Today, I'll be speaking with Sam To about how to make the most of an outdoorsy trip to Flagstaff, Arizona. Join Sam and me on a “choose your own level of adventure” summer day! Options range from hiking, biking, and swimming, to car touring and leisurely taking in Flagstaff’s beauty from up in the treetops. About Sam To Sam works on the COVID-19 response team for the state of Arizona in a position that is 100% remote from home, which she has found to be pretty fantastic! She lives with her husband, Will, her daughter, Lucy, and dog Pop. Lucy is 1-year-old and has already joined...
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27. The Natural Wonders of Western Los Angeles, California
Locals Know Best
Today, I’ll be speaking with Laura Grier about all of her favorite outdoor adventures throughout Western Los Angeles. We’ll primarily focus on the span along the coast between Marina del Rey and Malibu, including stops in Venice, Santa Monica, Culver City, and Topanga. And then, before wrapping it all up, we’ll also be taking a quick second-day trip over to Catalina Island! Join Laura and me as we paddle, bike, jeep, hike, wine taste, and even take an extra day island adventuring all in West LA! About Laura Grier Laura has lived in Venice Beach and Los Angeles for 20 years. Living...
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26. North Umpqua, Oregon, The Gateway to Crater Lake
Locals Know Best
Today, I’ll be speaking with Sam Starns about all of her favorite outdoor adventures around the North Umpqua area, with notable stops in Roseburg, Oregon, and Crater Lake National Park. Join Sam and me as we wake up and watch the sunrise in Crater Lake National Park. Then, we proceed with a packed day, full of paddling, hiking, exploring countless waterfalls, soaking in hot springs, fishing, and even mushroom foraging. Lastly, we wind down with a glass of wine in the “new Napa Valley” – Roseburg, Oregon. About Sam Starns Sam is an adventure elopement photographer who takes...
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25. Livingston, Montana, Where Cowboys and Artists Meet
Locals Know Best
Today, I’ll be speaking with Mel Harrison about all of her favorite outdoor adventures around Livingston, Montana. Join Mel and me as we spend a winter day cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, hiking, skiing, and ice skating all around Livingston, Montana. Then, in the end, we’ll also dive into a few summer-weather outdoorsy activities, including fishing, floating, and hiking, that can be enjoyed in the Livingston area! About Mel Harrison Mel is an expert on Montana and Yellowstone outdoor recreation and has spent years exploring both for work and pleasure. She and her...
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24. Northfield, Minnesota, A Quaint Little River Town
Locals Know Best
Today, I’ll be speaking with Kristen Glazer about how to make the most of a day outdoors in Northfield, Minnesota. Join Kristen and me as we spend a late summer / early fall day hiking, boating, and kayaking. Then, in the end, we’ll cover a few winter-weather outdoorsy activities, including skiing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, that can be enjoyed in the Northfield area as well! About Kristen Glazer Kristen is a Minnesota-based travel writer. She is also the founder of Expedition Kristen, a website that is chock full of thoughtful itineraries to help readers plan their next day...
info_outlineIn this episode, I’ll be talking with local business owner Becky Wadley about making the most of an outdoorsy day in Mountain View, Arkansas.
Join Becky and me as we bike, hike, kayak, canoe, and swim all around town, and then close out our day in a way that’s almost required in this small town!
Becky is not only an avid RVer but also an RV blogger at Homeiswherewetakeit.com and the owner of Whitewater RV Park. She’s been married for 29 years and is the mother of 3 adult children. She’s also an avid DIYer and will give just about anything a go before she decides whether or not she can tackle the task. Becky considers herself a jack of all trades and a master of none.
What We Cover in This Episode
- The best time of year to visit Mountain View, Arkansas.
- The best time of year to enjoy live music in Mountain View.
- Find out why the Ozarks Folk Center is worth a visit.
- The best places to go for biscuits and gravy.
- Where to go for biking, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, or swimming! (check how I said this on Swiss’s)
- How to find local caverns you can hike through.
- The best breakfast, lunch, and dinner spots in Mountain View.
- Mountain View's impressive disc golf claim to fame!
- Why antiquers love Mountain View.
- Four of the most beautiful places for Instagram pictures, and one you shouldn’t drive to at night in the rain.
- One Mountain View spot worth missing in the area.
Quotes
"The main thing about Mountain View is the music."
"It’s a breath of fresh air, really. Just because it’s such a simpler way of life."
"Mountain View has a very Mayberry feel to it. So, it’s just kind of like, it likens back to like a more innocent time, you know, when, maybe before TV, when people just, the only entertainment they had was to play their music on their front porch or something like that. And so, it hearkens a real innocence in the town. I really would just love that kind of family atmosphere."
"If I was honestly speaking, I would say most of Arkansas would be an outdoorsy kind of place."
If you love music, if you love camping, if you love fishing, if you love hiking or biking or anything that you’re going to do outdoors, Mountain View is a great place to go and you won’t regret it.
Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode
Where to Stay in Mountain View, Arkansas:
Mountain View, Arkansas Outdoor Destinations Mentioned:
- City Park Stone Amphitheater
- Ozark Folk Center State Park
- Washington Street Park, aka “The Pickin’ Park”
- Stone County Fairgrounds
- Blanchard Springs Cavern
- Gunner Pool Recreation Area
- Mirror Lake
- Loco Ropes
- Bluegrass Trails Disc Golf Course
- Syllamo Bike Trails
Mountain View, Arkansas Restaurants Mentioned:
- Moonshot Coffee (called the Moon Cafe in the podcast)
- Mi Pueblito
- PJs Rainbow Cafe
- The Skillet Restaurant (called the Iron Skillet in the podcast)
- Kin Folk’s BBQ
- Jo Jo’s Catfish Wharf
- Music Box Ice Cream
One Important Piece of Information that was Not Mentioned During the Podcast
Becky later told me one tidbit that she wanted to make sure I included in the show notes. She said, “We are in a DRY COUNTY! Alcohol is allowed, but not sold…ANYWHERE!” So be sure to plan accordingly on your trip to the area.
Thanks for Listening!
We love our listeners! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave me a comment below and let me know about your favorite part!
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