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 c...
Apr 23, 2018•59 min
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 ou...
Apr 04, 2018•54 min
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 ...
Mar 22, 2018•52 min
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
Mar 08, 2018•1 hr 17 min
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 ebook...
Feb 21, 2018•31 min
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! Adve...
Feb 19, 2018•52 min
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
Feb 01, 2018•27 min
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
Nov 08, 2017•59 min
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:/...
Oct 17, 2017•1 hr 6 min
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 ch...
Sep 26, 2017•59 min
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
Sep 12, 2017•1 hr 1 min
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
Aug 29, 2017•47 min
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! Mu...
Aug 24, 2017•59 min
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! Musi...
Aug 15, 2017•1 hr 7 min
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...
Aug 08, 2017•46 min
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
Aug 01, 2017•57 min
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 Fa...
Jul 25, 2017•55 min
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://b...
Jul 18, 2017•1 hr 2 min
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 ebo...
Jul 10, 2017•55 min
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
Jul 06, 2017•1 hr 6 min
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
Jun 27, 2017•44 min
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...
Jun 19, 2017•34 min
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 f...
Jun 13, 2017•48 min
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
May 16, 2017•52 min
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 o...
May 09, 2017•45 min
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
May 02, 2017•53 min
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 mor...
Apr 25, 2017•53 min
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! Adve...
Apr 20, 2017•44 min
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
Apr 11, 2017•55 min
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
Apr 05, 2017•47 min
