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 speaking with Jessi Bang, who will be introducing us to some of the lesser-known gems that exist beyond Zion National Park in Southern Utah.
Join Jessi and me on a tour of Southern Utah’s lesser-known hidden gems. We talk about everywhere you should go, after visiting Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Wave!
About Jessi Bang
Visit Jessi’s Blog – The Rambling Raccoon
Jessi Bang is a blogger, adventure-lover, and dog mom, based in beautiful Southern Utah. She’s known for encouraging people to get outside and experience the beauty around us! She’s an avid hiker, outdoor lover, and traveler! If you’re looking for some fantastic places to hike in Southern Utah, be sure to check out her blog and social media channels at The Rambling Raccoon! She always outlines all the details you need to get the best experience possible.
What We Cover in This Episode
- A mountain that draws people to the area.
- The best time of year to visit southern Utah.
- Hidden gems beyond Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.
- The best place to stay near Zion National Park.
- A beautiful art garden in the area.
- The most underrated State Park in Southern Utah, complete with slot canyons and petrified dunes!
- The best southern Utah picture spots.
- A beautiful photo spot perfect for toddlers.
- A gas station where you can find the best healthy food in the area.
- What you should know about droning etiquette.
- How to go about hiking into a dormant volcano in southern Utah.
- Where to find the best sushi in St. George.
- How to find the one nightlife spot in St. George.
- Everything you need to know about obtaining and drinking alcohol in Utah.
- One VERY POPULAR southern Utah adventure that’s worth skipping, and where you could go instead, to get an even BETTER experience.
- And what you should know about Leave No Trace etiquette and not being a “trash human”.
Quotes
There’s a huge red mountain that’s literally called Red Mountain, that I live underneath, and I was just drawn to this mountain. I came to visit my parents, and I cried the whole way home to Vegas because I didn’t want to go back. I just felt like I was supposed to be here. And it’s kind of crazy because I’ve talked to quite a few people who’ve had the same experience. There’s just some type of energy I can’t explain in these red rocks, and I just, I love it.
I think most people that come visit the area go to Zion, maybe Bryce Canyon. There’s a few places that are very popular, and they’re popular for a reason because they’re beautiful. I just think it’s really important to showcase the other places most people don’t really know about because they’re hidden gems, and they’re amazing.
Just disclaimer: If you go to any place I tell you to go to, just don’t be a trash human because I just can’t handle it. Don’t ruin these spots for everyone.
…Don’t be a garbage human. Don’t carve on rocks. Don’t spray on rocks. Don’t leave trash. Just go, take pictures, leave footprints, and leave it for everybody else to enjoy.
Come visit. Come explore. It’s gorgeous. It’s breathtaking. And no matter how many times I even see the same place, I still am just in awe when I’m sitting there and looking at these views. And it’s just, it’s a magical place. It’s beautiful. And I truly do believe that being outside is the best therapy in the world, especially with what’s going on in the world right now. Just get outside. Get outside, get fresh air, hike, enjoy views. Just be. That’s the best part about Southern Utah.
Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode
Where to Stay in Southern Utah:
Southern Utah Lesser-Known Outdoor Destinations, Beyond Zion, Mentioned in this Episode:
Southern Utah Restaurants Mentioned in this Episode:
Thanks for Listening!
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