Locals Know Best

Today, on the Locals Know Best podcast, 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 influences this Christmas-loving town. But Tom also does a fantastic job explaining why Leavenworth is so much more than an adorable Bavarian town engulfed in holiday lights! About Tom Potter (Aka: T-Pot) Tom is a local Leavenworth entrepreneur. When he first arrived in the area, he spent several years working in the bars and restaurants throughout the village to fund his recreational habits. During that time, he inadvertently found himself planning vacations for people, so they wouldn't waste a minute of their stay. Eventually, The T-Pot Experience was born, an all-inclusive trip planning service he operates that focuses on bringing you the best of the best of Leavenworth. With this host and concierge service, he helps visitors make the most of their time in the area, specializing in unique experiences based around outdoor recreation, food, wine, and scenery. Learn more about Tom Potter and how to plan Leavenworth excursions with him at thetpotexperience.com. What We Cover in This Episode Quotables "Come to Leavenworth to enjoy the mountains, enjoy the recreation here, get a little taste of Bavaria. It's a unique gem in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains of Eastern Washington. As you pull into town, you'll just be amazed by how they've stuck to the Bavarian theme, and the mountain access is about as good as I've ever experienced." Tom Potter Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode How to see the Leavenworth, WA Holiday Lights from Anywhere: Leavenworth Live Webcams Where to Stay in the Leavenworth, WA Area: Airbnb Rental Homes Leavenworth, WA Area Outdoor (& One Indoor) Activities Mentioned in the Episode: Stevens PassMission Ridge Ski & Board ResortTumwater CanyonLeavenworth Ski HillFreund Canyon Mountain Bike TrailRosy Boa Mountain Bike TrailRibbed Mountain Bike TrailColchuck Lake TrailheadIcicle Ridge TrailSnow Lakes TrailheadLeavenworth Nutcracker MuseumLeavenworth Reindeer Farm Leavenworth, WA Area Restaurants, Breweries, & Speakeasies Mentioned in this Episode: Argonaut Espresso BarParsley's PantryMünchen HausIcicle Brewing CompanySulla VitaWok About Mongolian GrillPika Provisions 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! If you’ve been enjoying the show, please also consider leaving me a review in Apple Podcasts. It’s super easy; click here and go to “ratings and reviews.” I read and appreciate every single one! Each review helps new listeners find the podcast. Thank you!! Follow Cinders Travels on Facebook or Locals Knows Best Podcast on Instagram for Locals Know Best updates.

Today, on the Locals Know Best podcast, 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 opportunity, as well as her husband, ended up bringing her to the great state of Maine, and she hasn’t looked back since! She now runs her own public relations business and is also the host of a podcast called Makers of Maine, which has recently expanded into Makers of the USA. On her podcast, she interviews various makers and small business owners, including artists, glass blowers, potters, woodworkers, fashion designers, and more. And as a publicist, she has featured her small business clients on national media outlets, including Forbes, Health, Real Simple, Redbook, TODAY, Good Morning America, and FOX Business News. In both roles, she’s had to quickly learn what Maine means to outsiders and locals regarding the attractions and lifestyle it offers, which has swiftly turned her into an authority on both Portland and Maine as a whole. Throughout this episode, you’ll notice that her background in the great outdoors, public relations, and podcasting has uniquely set her up as an expert on why the area’s entrepreneurial spirit goes hand in hand with adventuring in and around Portland. Learn more about Kristan and her podcast Makers of the USA. What We Cover in This Episode Quotables The ongoing saying of Maine in general: it’s the way life should be. And I truly believe in that statement, because it is a place where you can go and see everything in terms of environment and outdoors, from, you know the sailing, being on the water, to going and hiking, to canoeing down the Allagash or you know skiing at a ski resort close by, or go dog sledding. It is a way for folks to see life and this world so differently. … Like if you want to go and travel, you could do it right in your backyard. Like, you don’t have to go to Europe. You don’t have to go to the Bahamas. You can come right here to Maine. So I would say that. Come to Maine to experience the way life should be. Kristan Vermeulen Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode Where to Stay in the Portland, ME Area: The Press Hotel, Autograph Collection Portland, ME Area Outdoor Businesses, Destinations & Activities Mentioned in the Episode: Sugarloaf Mountain Ski ResortSunday River Ski ResortDog sledding with the Mahoosuc Guide ServicesTours and Tickets by Portland Tall Ship CruiseMaine Windjammer AssociationMaine Maritime MuseumPeaks IslandEastern Promenade TrailMaine Narrow Gauge RailroadSea Bags Flagship StoreMere Point Oyster CompanyBradbury Mountain State Park Custom House Wharf Portland, ME Area Music Venues Mentioned in the Episode: State TheatreOne Longfellow SquareThompson’s Point Portland, ME Area Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Bars & Breweries Mentioned in the Episode: Coffee by DesignCommercial StreetBayside American CafeThe Holy DonutLuke’s Lobster Portland PierThe Portland Hunt & Alpine ClubMaine Beer CompanyEventide Oyster Co. 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! If you’ve been enjoying the show, please also consider leaving me a review in Apple Podcasts. It’s super easy; click here and go to “ratings and reviews.” I read and appreciate every single one! Each review helps new listeners find the podcast. Thank you!! Follow Cinders Travels on Facebook or Locals Knows Best Podcast on Instagram for Locals Know Best updates.

Today, on the Locals Know Best podcast, I’ll be speaking with Michelle Stelly about how to make the most of a weekend at Mount Rainier National Park! In this episode, 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, a travel blog to help fellow women adventurers travel the globe. She’s a Texan-Panamanian who is passionate about adventure travel, as well as an expert on all things hiking, backpacking, and camping. Michelle has been to 23 U.S. National Parks and has a goal in life that is very similar to my own, to inspire and help get people outdoors! Learn more about Michelle Stelly at TheWanderingQueen.com. What We Cover in This Episode Quotables There’s so many epic hikes there. Mount Rainier is just fantastic! It’s my favorite mountain in the world. Even if you don’t go hiking, you can still just enjoy a day in paradise, having a family picnic with these amazing views. The waterfalls there are some of my favorite in the whole state. I feel like this is the perfect outdoorsy getaway with just outstanding views. I’m honestly gonna keep on going to it for years upon years. Michelle Stelly Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode Where to Stay in the Mount Rainier National Park Area: Little Owl CabinSummit Lake CampingCrystal Mountain Resort for RVs Mount Rainier National Park Area Outdoor Activities that are Mentioned in this Episode: Comet FallsNarada FallsHenry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor CenterSkyline Loop TrailMyrtle FallsReflection LakesPinnacle Peak TrailWonderland TrailMount Fremont Lookout TrailBurroughs Mountain TrailNaches Peak Loop TrailEmmons Moraine TrailGrove of the Patriarchs TrailSilver Falls Loop TrailMount Fremont Fire LookoutTolmie Peak TrailBench and Snow Lake Trail Mount Rainier National Park Area Restaurants and Brewery that are Mentioned in this Episode: Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor CenterPackwood Brewing Co.Cliff DroppersSunrise Day Lodge Spots in Washington's Three National Parks that are Mentioned in this Episode: OlympicBeachesHoh RainforestHurricane RidgeHurricane Hill TrailMount RainierNorth CascadeDiablo LakeHidden Lake Lookout TrailMaple Pass Loop 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! If you’ve been enjoying the show, please also consider leaving me a review in Apple Podcasts. It’s super easy; click here and go to “ratings and reviews.” I read and appreciate every single one! Each review helps new listeners find the podcast. Thank you!! Follow Cinders Travels on Facebook or Locals Knows Best Podcast on Instagram for Locals Know Best updates.

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 have an insatiable desire for outdoor adventure, not necessarily just in the adrenaline junkie sense of the word, but for anything exciting and new. Cecilia has a background in humanitarian work, a Master's degree in International Development, and has served as a Peace Corps volunteer for 2 years in Cape Verde, giving her a keen interest in human relationships and connectedness. Scott has a background in physics and math. His love for travel is driven more by an intense curiosity to discover the history and theories of why things are the way they are. Together Scott and Cecilia have climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, scuba-dived in the Philippines, safari'd in Tanzania, and slept in a yurt in the mountains of West Virginia. But it's their love for "micro-adventure" that has led them to many of their new favorite experiences, including geocaching, camping in their backyard, sleeping in treehouses, and exploring haunted and abandoned locations. Learn more about Cecilia and Scott Fix at lovicarious.com or on Instagram. What We Cover in This Episode Quotables There are very few places in the U.S. that you can go to that genuinely feel old, that you can look around and there's unique architecture. There's something unique about the town. I think a lot of places in the U.S. either tend to look the same or look very modern. Alexandra is someplace that definitely looks historical and it's that way, because it genuinely is. So that history mixed with little bits of Modern cuisine, modern culture, with live performances, and pop up boutiques, it's a nice mixture of old and new. Scott & Cecilia Fix Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode Where to Stay in Alexandria, VA: The Alexandrian Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection Alexandria, VA Outdoor Activities Mentioned in the Episode: Old Town Free Trolley Stand, King StreetMount VernonGeorgetown Waterfront ParkOld TownWaterfront ParkTorpedo Factory Art CenterWoodrow Wilson Memorial BridgeJones Point LighthouseMount Vernon TrailGravelly PointBe the Change / Butterfly Effect MuralCity Cruises Alexandria Water TaxiGreen Spring GardensRiver Farm Alexandria, VA Restaurants, Pubs & Speakeasies Mentioned in this Episode: Gadsby’s TavernTable Talk RestaurantJack’s PlaceBob & Edith’s DinerFish Market RestaurantMyron Mixon’s Pitmaster BarbequeChop Shop TacoLe Refuge RestaurantDaniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant & BarMurphy’s Grand Irish PubCaptain Gregory’s 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! If you’ve been enjoying the show, please also consider leaving me a review in Apple Podcasts. It’s super easy; click here and go to “ratings and reviews.” I read and appreciate every single one! Each review helps new listeners find the podcast. Thank you!! Follow Cinders Travels on Facebook or Locals Knows Best Podcast on Instagram for Locals Know Best updates.

Today, on the Locals Know Best podcast, I’ll be speaking with Jon Taylor about how to make the most of an outdoorsy trip throughout the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. This episode 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, musician, and the Creative Director for the Strategic Marketing Agency known as Divining Point. He started his career as a commercial photographer. During that time, he discovered the camera often unlocked access to some of the most beautiful places. His talents include brand strategy, photography, videography, and graphic design for businesses in multiple industries. He is known for his vision and creative eye, which give him the ability to conceive stunning visuals and rich storytelling that are sure to evoke emotion from the viewers. Also, being a pilot, Jon gets to go where no roads will take you, which, turns out, is actually most of Alaska! He has a lot of passion for hiking, camping, biking, bourbon tasting, and snow machining, and he says he’s married the most beautiful Alaskan that’s ever emerged from the snow. If you’ve ever dreamt of exploring Alaska like a local, don’t miss this episode! He does an incredible job of explaining why Kenai is the perfect place to home base from for all of your future Alaskan adventures! Follow Jon on Instagram and learn more about Kenai, Alaska at ILoveKenai.com. What We Cover in This Episode Quotables The real draw for Alaska wasn’t necessarily the mountains or the bears or the moose or the rivers. It was the people. As a very independent people, they consider themselves the most independent in America, and that’s debatable, but really, I mean, they’re furthest away from everybody else, and there’s certain self reliancy, but with that comes a certain dependence on other people. And so you’ll never be turned down if you need help. Jon Taylor I tell anybody that’s planning to live in Alaska, don’t be afraid to just put yourself out there because everybody’s waiting for you. Jon Taylor So when people are going to be going to Alaska, they’re planning a vacation, a lot of times they’ll send me a quick message. Hey, got any tips, any plans, anything. And I always tell them the same thing. You’re going to land in Anchorage, and as you are starting your descent (flying up from the lower 48) look out the window. It’s absolutely beautiful. And then you land in Anchorage and all those beautiful things you saw when you were landing, that’s all down on the Kenai peninsula. That’s where it’s at. Jon Taylor In Alaska, there is a very high possibility that things won’t go the way you planned. Alaska does want to kill you. So you have to come prepared for that. And don’t just wander off into the wilderness. Stay on the trails, hike with a friend, bring your bear spray. Even if you have a GPS beacon, even for the easy trails, just bring it because I’ve had too many friends that have had very close encounters. So, my suggestion is, play it safe. If you’re going to hike in Alaska, it’s not like hiking in other places. … I think that sometimes there’s an effort to say, you know, come to Alaska it’s for everybody, and it is. But I think it’s also important to say, come to Alaska and please be careful. This isn’t like your normal tour of Carlsbad Caverns, where you’ve got a tour guide, and you’re riding in a Jeep. This is a serious place where serious things can happen. And that’s why you should come here in the first place because you’re actually getting the real experience of nature. Jon Taylor Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode Kenai, AK Area Itinerary...

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 them on numerous day trips, camping trips, and vacations all over Arizona! She’s even gone paddle boarding with them! While Sam loves to spend time outdoors playing disc golf, hiking, kayaking, and sledding, she also equally enjoys beer tasting, pizza, and vegging on the couch while binging tv! It quite honestly sounds like the epitome of balance to me! In this episode, she does a great job of explaining why Flagstaff is the perfect place for all of those activities and more! Connect with Sam about Flagstaff on Instagram! What We Cover in This Episode Quotables The smell of the pines, the sound of the wind through the trees. I don’t think that you could experience that anywhere near us. This little gem of a town in the middle of all of these giant forests in Arizona, I think, is the biggest surprise. It’s a nice little treat, in the middle of the mountains, surrounded by desert. Sam To It’s a nice little community that you get to feel a part of when you come to visit. It takes you to a different place, whether you live here or whether you’re just visiting. I think it’s just cozy all around. Sam To Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode Where to Stay in Flagstaff, AZ: Hotel Monte VistaNordic Village YurtsBoondocking Near Flagstaff Flagstaff, AZ Area Outdoor Activities Mentioned in the Episode: Sunset Crater Volcano National MonumentO’Leary PeakLockett MeadowPicture Canyon TrailheadWalnut Canyon National MonumentSnowbowl Scenic GondolaHumphreys PeakLake MarySlide Rock State ParkCrescent Moon Picnic SiteWest Fork Oak Creek TrailheadKendrick PeakLava River CaveElden Mountain Flagstaff, AZ Area Restaurants & Breweries Mentioned in this Episode: Matador Coffee Roasting CompanyMacy’s European Coffeehouse & BakeryLate For the TrainMartAnnes Burrito PalaceProper Meats + ProvisionsFat OlivesGo SushiThe Annex Cocktail Lounge 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! If you’ve been enjoying the show, please also consider leaving me a review in Apple Podcasts. It’s super easy; click here and go to “ratings and reviews.” I read and appreciate every single one! Each review helps new listeners find the podcast. Thank you!! Follow Cinders Travels on Facebook or Locals Knows Best Podcast on Instagram for Locals Know Best updates.

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 abroad from a young age and working for the CIA at age 18, Laura turned her life of travel, adventure, and exploration into a profession as a photojournalist. She has been to all 7 continents through her work, shot weddings in over 15 countries, and has even been called the Indiana Jones of Adventure Travel Photography. Laura was also featured on Discovery Channel UK’s “20 Richest People in the World List,” – highlighting people rich in life experiences. Passionate about mentoring, women’s education, photography, and travel, Laura leads travel workshops and expeditions and serves as an ambassador for sustainable travel brands like Lokal and Impact Travel Alliance. The most satisfying work so far in Laura’s career has been during the last 8 years with Novica, National Geographic’s global artisan catalog that represents artisans from around the world who are practicing “Vanishing Arts.” With NOVICA, Laura has especially fallen in love with the culture and people of Peru. Currently, Laura has joined forces with Pats Krysiak to create Andeana Hats, a sustainable fashion company that sources alpaca wool hats hand-made by Quechua women in the Sacred Valley of Peru. The mission of Andeana Hats is to invest in women’s skills, empowering them to continue their vanishing crafts by connecting them to global marketplaces and supporting their leadership to increase their income and transform their communities. Learn more about Laura Grier (and see more of her beautiful photography) at LauraGrier.com and learn more about Andeana Hats at AndeanaHats.com. What We Cover in This Episode Quotables And then, as you get older, like 30 plus, usually people sort of migrate west to the beach, which is just a little bit more relaxed, like flip-flop lifestyle. Laura Grier And then the entire hike is just all the way up this red rock road to the top of the mountain with incredible views. And it’s just, it looks like you’re on a different planet, like parts of it. And it doesn’t look like Los Angeles at all, and it’s all wooded and rocky formations, and it’s such a beautiful hike. Laura Grier The greatest part about living on the westside is that we have the best outdoor activity that people come from all over for, which is the beach. And I take it for granted at times because I live literally on the beach. Like I can walk out barefoot and be on the sand and, you can hear people like cheering at sunset for the sunset. Like it’s actually an event that people want to sit and watch. Laura Grier What I love about Los Angeles is that there’s all these hills and canyons. And there’s all these windy mountain roads that are stunning. And there’s hidden forests and canyons and like overlooks and waterfall hikes and all kinds of things that are literally 15 minutes out of the city. So I think that’s the part that people don’t realize. They like want to jam in all the city stuff, and I think you definitely need more time to see the natural wonders. Laura Grier Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode Where to Stay in the West Los Angeles, CA Area: Santa Monica Proper HotelHotel ErwinResidence Inn by Marriott Marina Del Rey West Los Angeles, CA Area Outdoor Activities Mentioned in the Episode: Baldwin Hills Scenic OverlookVenice Fishing PierRed Rock Canyon ParkSaddle PeakSanta Catalina IslandCatalina ExpressTuna CanyonVenice CanalsMuscle BeachDockweiler BeachVenice...

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 stunningly beautiful photos. She’s also the author of the book “Elope Your Life” and a TEDx speaker. As an elopement expert, she travels the world, empowering others to elope in wild and beautiful places. Sam grew up on a ranch, working in and exploring the great outdoors. She also used to be a park ranger, as well as a naturalist on a whale-watching boat. Currently, she home bases out of her hidden gem hometown — Roseburg, Oregon. Due to its rugged mountains, countless waterfalls, and easy access to Crater Lake, she considers the area one of the most beautiful places the Pacific Northwest has to offer! And she’s not wrong! If you love waterfalls, you’re going to love this episode because this area is chock full of them! I know from experience that the sheer amount of waterfalls that can be seen in this area can be very overwhelming! Sam does an excellent job of divulging which ones are worth your time and which ones are not. Learn more about Sam Starns and her adventure elopements at SamStarns.com, from her Elope Your Life book on Amazon, or from her TEDx talk on YouTube. What We Cover in this Episode Quotables I really think that Roseburg and the surrounding area is just sort of an untapped potential for outdoor exploration. Sam Starns So there’s this little bit of almost like a vortex in Oregon where people don’t realize that we’re here. … We’re the gateway to Crater Lake, along with Medford. We’re the two main ways from the west to get there. And there’s a whole highway and a whole mountain range that you’re exploring. And not only that, our food scene has grown. We have so many amazing breweries, and we’re constantly growing in that respect. We are the new Napa Valley and the new Willamette Valley. We have award-winning wineries here. And we have the North Umpqua trail, which is known for hiking, known for biking. Famous people, celebrities come up here to bike. And then, we’re two hours away from the Crater Lake rim. And we just have so many things here that people don’t realize that are within easily a day’s drive of each other. So, you can easily spend multiple days here and still not see everything. Sam Starns I would say a decent amount of people come for wine, or they pass through to go to Crater Lake, and they don’t realize how many waterfalls are out there. It’s definitely a stop along the way, or people just tootle on pass it on I-5 going to another destination, and they just don’t realize everything that’s here. Sam Starns I think sunrise at Crater Lake is the absolute coolest thing because you have less people around, and you are seeing the first rays of light on that day. Sam Starns So one of my favorite things to do is to go along the North Umpqua Highway, which is Highway 138, and check out all of the waterfalls. Well, maybe not all, cause there’s a lot of them! But check out a lot of the waterfalls and some you probably have seen on Instagram or in travel magazines. Sam Starns The reason I tell people that the North Umpqua and the Roseburg area, and Crater Lake is a must-see is because, number one, you’re not going to have those crowds like you do at places like Yosemite or very modernized, commercialized places like Bend. It’s beautiful, but now there’s a ton of people. So if you’re wanting to get away from crowds but still see that beauty, this is a relatively undiscovered and untrafficked part of Oregon. And...

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 family are unschoolers who have shaped their life to include year-long travels, overnight rafting trips, weekly hikes with their homeschool group, backpacking into the wilderness, cross-country skiing, and more. At TravelingMel.com, Mel writes about her family’s adventures in Montana and worldwide. She has also authored two guide books focusing on hiking and skiing in the Greater Yellowstone area. Learn more about Livingston, Montana from Mel’s website: Traveling Mel What We Cover in this Episode hygge Quotables And as having only lived in Livingston for 20 years, we’re relative newcomers. People would not consider us locals who’ve lived here, you know, generations. Mel Harrison Livingston has a great community. We love the people here. We love… it’s eccentric. There are some quirky folks out there. But that’s really what makes it pretty fun too. Mel Harrison And the other thing that I’ve really realized from traveling all over the world and other places … there aren’t a lot of places that have kind of the wilderness that we have here. Where you can go into the mountains and not see anybody or see any sign of humans other than the trail or a sign for kind of a long time. And I just haven’t found places like that on our travels. So that kind of always… the wildness of it, always brings me back. Mel Harrison That’s a good point, though, that I usually try to bring up is that there are a lot of places where you won’t get cell service. And so you need to download your Google Maps, and you need to come ready to be a little bit self-sufficient. I mean, it’s not the wild west out here, but you can’t always get what you want right away. Mel Harrison And there’s just a really outdoors mindset here … most people who live here, not everybody, gets outside. Because I mean, what else are you going to do? Right. There’s some great restaurants. There’s a couple of small galleries. There’s a great art community here in Livingston, too. But really, if you don’t get outside, you would just go crazy here. Winters are long, and if you weren’t outside enjoying them, that’d be kind of brutal, in my opinion. Mel Harrison So for such a small town of 7,000 people or 8,000 people, it’s pretty foodie, and there’s a lot of artists, you know, they say it’s where Cowboys and artists meet. Mel Harrison And a lot of times, what we’ll do is maybe we’ll ski for a few hours and then come back to the car or somewhere nearby, and we’ll have a fire … and then just kind of hang around the campfire in the snow for another couple hours. Mel Harrison I can’t imagine skiing somewhere that had lift lines. I kind of forget that that’s even a thing, but yeah, no lift lines. Mel Harrison That Pine Creek trail I told you, it is kind of popular, but I think I sometimes forget that what I think is a lot of people on a trail might not seem like a lot of people on a trail if you’re coming from somewhere else. You know, if I see other people on the trail, it seems like too many other people on the trail, which is not, you know, which is crazy. Mel Harrison This historic downtown of Livingston is beautiful. Once you see it, you’ll realize that, oh, I’ve seen this in other ads and commercials and things like that, because it’s so iconic with this western downtown, big mountain in the background, the neon signs, and we just have such a great community. And like I’ve said a couple of...

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 trip or overnight stay while in Minnesota. She started the site as a way to share her passion for the state and inspire readers to travel to and appreciate some of the state’s best-hidden gems. Kristen lives a very active lifestyle and constantly explores the great outdoors via hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing, cross country skiing, boating, and snowboarding! She also has a Masters of Science in Marketing, along with 10+ years of marketing communications experience. Currently, she lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, Nic, and her giant Newfoundland, Ole. Learn more about Minnesota from Kristen's website: Expedition Kristen What We Cover in this Episode Quotables "Northfield is a really special town. Just to start off, I want to brag about Northfield for a minute here cause they've won a lot of awards. So they've won number two for Best Small Town in the Country by Livability. They've won number one best place for a Well-Rounded Retirement by Money. And they've won Top 50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in America by Country Living. And I think that that really captures it. It's a very quaint, just adorable, sweet little town on a river, two great colleges, close by state park, super, super affordable. It's super great for young people. There's a lot of huge companies here; Target, Best Buy, General Mills, 3M. Some of which we've actually both worked for. So there's a reason why it's won so many awards, and there's a reason why we lived there because it is really just a wonderful town. It's a great place." One of the big reasons that I've stayed here is Minnesota as a whole, but also, very specifically, Northfield is super affordable. Plus, I love being outside. I love the amount of outdoor parks here. We do a ton of hiking. We have kayaks, and I do cross country skiing and snowboarding. And it's just really wonderful. I always thought that it would be really amazing to live and work in New York City and be a young working woman. And I quickly found that it just wasn't exactly right for me. And although I like working in that exciting energy, I really need to get out of it when I'm done with work. And I really need to be in some quiet and some nature on the weekends and evenings. So the balance wasn't quite right for me in New York. So I love how easy it is to be in the Twin Cities, have access to amazing culture, restaurants, museums. And then you can so easily get outside of that and be in nature. I love to travel. I love to be outside and be active, and it's what I do naturally. So I started this blog, ExpeditionKristen.com, to just really share my love for Minnesota. It's heavily focused on outdoor things that you can do in Minnesota. … So it's a way for me to share my love of Minnesota and to help other people find some of the hidden gems that this, I think, very underrated state has to offer. I love that Minnesotans just like completely embrace winter, and that's how you get through it. People go ice fishing, and hunting and cross country skiing is really popular. And they'll have tons of different festivals on the frozen lakes. Ice hockey, golf events on frozen lakes, kite festivals. … So it's like, if you just have the right clothing and the right attitude, it's fine. For such a small little town, there's actually a lot of options for coffee and bakeries and all that kind of stuff. My first choice, though,...

Today, I’ll be speaking with Samantha Kellgren about how to have a fantastic day outdoors around one of the most admired spots in the United States – Asheville, North Carolina. Join Sam and me as we bike, hike, kayak, and tube all around this part of North Carolina known for delicious beer, stunning nature, and attracting visitors far and wide. About Samantha Kellgren Sam is a wife, mom, business owner, and marathoner. She runs her own health and mindset coaching business called Simply Well Coaching, which helps Type-A women change their life by changing their minds. Learn more about Sam’s coaching business at Simply Well Coaching or check out her Ambitious Women: Less Hustle More Flow Facebook group. What We Cover in this Episode Quotables “We [were] ready for something different. We were ready for mountains. We say we were nature starved. And anytime you say that in Chicago, people will mention like one place, you can go like out in the suburbs. It’s like, no, no, we want like real nature that is accessible. We wanted to be able to get out for a hike whenever we wanted, not to have a drive to do it and make it a big thing.” “I mean, once you come here, we’ve gone on so many, you know, either like a camping trip or something, or we’re just out for a drive, and we’re driving back, and I’m like, this would be our vacation. This is where we would vacation. We would vacation in this area, and we get to… every day like I’m so… I feel so lucky to live here.” “Well, if you like beer, it is definitely a beer city. I don’t remember the like, you know, per capita breweries, but I think there’s over 50 breweries at least at this point. So… you’re always within walking distance. But it’s really a small town, but still a city.” “What does my husband say?… He says it’s the most you will see of drinking in moderation. It’s like, everyone’s drinking, but you don’t witness a lot of like insanity. People are out at breweries, but it’s a real family-oriented event, you know, to like hang out at the brewery or out of the park.” “But I think what a big draw is, is that you can be staying downtown and be hiking in under 20 minutes. And if you want to go real far up the Blue Ridge, you can feel like you’re in a different state, and that’s 45 minutes away. The accessibility of everything, I think, is really a huge draw for here.” “There’s a lot of good food. I think that when, when we first moved, people were like, oh, you’re gonna miss the, you know, Chicago food and drink, like, oh my God, it’s known for it! And I don’t miss it.” “New Belgium is the place to be, I’d say for that post kayak kind of beer and entertainment. … I mean, it’s amazing there. They’ve got this huge lawn. They just reopened it. They were the first to close during COVID, but they’ve just now reopened it, which to me signifies, like, okay, things are okay. Cause it is where you go to meet up with people, hang out on the lawn. “ “It’s community. I mean, all of these, any place by the river, any of these breweries, ends up just being like a fun place to hang out and meet people.” “And I laugh when I say, oh, it’s all drinking in moderation because my husband and I are back home by eight, cause we have a toddler. So I’m like, what do we know? Maybe it does get like debaucherous after eight pm. But it’s not what the town’s known for. It is perfectly fine and acceptable; we had our two-year-old’s birthday party at Asheville Brewing. Like that’s, that’s kind of the vibe here. It’s very family-friendly. It is very much open to just meeting and connecting.” “I feel like it’s this little pocket. It’s not too overrun. There’s, like you said, there’s alternatives for everything. There’s the New Belgium and the Sierra Nevada, which are bigger names, or there’s these smaller breweries that you would not have heard of unless you have someone that lives here, that you would not seek out on its own. There’s plenty to do, a mix of, do you want to walk...

Today, I’ll be speaking with Kressa Peterson about a perfect day of outdoor adventure in Woodstock, Georgia. Join Kressa and me as we camp, bike, run, kayak, paddleboard, swim in waterfalls, and even jump out of planes in the “all-around beautiful little town” she calls home! Kressa is a wife, mom, grandmother, Spartan Racer, ex-Sporthorse saleswoman, and entrepreneur. Her most recent venture was creating the Shower Toga, a clean-up and changing garment that acts as your very own personal locker room. It provides all the privacy you need to shower anywhere, anytime. And a few years back, Kressa presented the product on Shark Tank and walked away with a deal with/from Mark Cuban! These days, she and her husband can be found traveling the nation in their fifth wheel. Save 15% off any Shower Toga order by clicking here and using the promo code LOCALS15 at checkout. What We Cover in this Episode Quotes "Woodstock, Georgia, still has that small-town feel. They haven’t lost that quaintness that, to me, you only get from small towns, and they haven’t lost that during the time that they’ve been growing and building and expanding. And, I think that’s a hard balance for any town to keep that feel in the midst of so much expansion, which is going on all over the country." "You also have the mom-and-pop stores that haven’t been run out of business because the people in Woodstock are wonderful, and the community supports those small businesses. And I love that. I love knowing that I can go into a dress shop, and it’s owned by another small business entrepreneur, just like myself. And she’s getting enough business in that boutique or dress shop to maintain a wonderful quality of life for her family. And that’s because of the community." "…the area is absolutely beautiful. There are so many places to go and places to hike, and there’s waterfalls out there. And then, within 30 minutes, there’s lots of different places to camp and feel like you are literally hours away from civilization. So, there’s a lot that it has to offer for anyone." "…there are good and bad days to living in RVs for sure. It is a roller coaster ride. But right now, I still love it. I feel free. I don’t feel so tied down." "Woodstock is truly one of those places that, within a 25-mile radius, you can have amazing food, meet amazing people, have access to all of the shopping that you could ever want, go on incredible hikes, do water activities, and go into the mountains. … It’s just an all-around beautiful little town that has so much to offer. And it should be on everybody’s list. It really should be." Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode Where the Locals Stay: Red Top Mountain State Park Outdoor Destinations Mentioned in this Episode’s “Perfect Day”: Red Top Mountain State ParkOlde Rope Mill ParkLake AllatoonaKennesaw MountainYonah MountainSpacelandStone MountainCarters Lake Restaurants and Bars Mentioned in this Episode: Copper CoinCentury HouseIpp’s Pastaria & BarIppolito’s Neighborhood ItalianEl Jinete Mexican Restaurant RoswellICE Instagram Photo Spots Mentioned in this Episode: Olde Rope Mill Park 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! If you’ve been enjoying the show, please also consider leaving me a review in Apple Podcasts. It’s super easy; click here and go to “ratings and reviews.” I read and appreciate every single one! Each review helps new listeners find the podcast. Thank you!! Follow Cinders Travels on Facebook or Locals Knows Best Podcast on Instagram for Locals Know Best updates.

Today, I’ll be speaking with Mike Nicosia from Northeastern New Jersey. We’ll discuss why his hometown area should not be overlooked when thinking about hitting the trails in New England. Join Mike and me as we hike to the best views in Northeastern New Jersey, learn about a haunted spot and a local unsolved mystery, eat some local staple foods, and ultimately discover why the area has "more to offer than people give it credit for!" About Mike Nicosia Mike is the founder of Conquerwild.com, a site that focuses on product reviews, how-to guides, and informational content for campers and hikers. He's also a screenwriter, animal lover, and advocate for eco-friendliness. Learn more about Mike at ConquerWild. What We Cover in this Episode Quotables Well, you know, there's the whole kind of stigma around New Jersey. Everybody knows it's kind of been the butt of a joke to an extent. People hear Jersey... there's the joke about it being "Dirty Jersey." People call it the armpit of the United States. It's terrible. People associate it with the show, The Jersey Shore, which, while that show is extremely entertaining at times, it doesn't really reflect the true culture and beauty of the state. So Northern New Jersey is a whole other aspect of the state that people don't really get to see in media and everything. And we actually have a bit of the Appalachian Trail that runs through it. So there's some really beautiful natural locations, some great hiking spots, and some great history as well that make this part of the state unique. Jersey is known for their diners. I'm pretty sure that we have more than any other state... you go anywhere in New Jersey, there's a diner on every corner. And most of them are definitely worth your time. But Tops Diner has been voted the number one diner in America by Time Out Magazine, and they have some great selections. ...there's also Lambert's Tower along this trail, which is a 70-foot tall tower that was built in 1896. And it's kind of known to be haunted, actually. And I have a bit of a haunting experience there ... Honestly, the one true experience that I have, I can say as a paranormal experience, in my opinion. If you're in New Jersey, you absolutely have to get some Disco Fries. ...I'm a hiking guy. So you always have to hit the trails when you're with me. I like this hike because it kind of has everything you want to hike. There's some good climbing, some rock scramble, a beautiful view of Wanaque Reservoir. You've got some caves along the way, some great wildlife. But the coolest thing to me is the view of the Wanaque Reservoir, which actually has a very interesting UFO story associated with it. ...since we've hiked so much today, I think we've earned a fat sandwich or two. I hate to say it, but I mean, I don't hate to say it because, you know, we all like to have that kind of fun. As much as I want to distance myself and the New Jersey state from like the show, The Jersey Shore, sometimes you gotta have some fun, sometimes that's what you need to do. You know, I have to say with the fact that New Jersey is often the butt of the joke, it's so easy to overlook this area with the amount of things that people say about it, with the amount of negative media around it. But honestly, sometimes it's the hidden gems that bring you the most beauty and the most fun honestly. And in New Jersey, we know how to have a good time. If that could be the moral of the story, that's that. But at the same time, there are places to find peace, there are places to enjoy nature, there are places to Instagram. Overall, I think the state has more to offer than people give it credit for. And, you know, even when people are thinking of New Jersey in a positive light, they usually think of the shore, they think of more Southern Jersey, they think of Seaside Heights, Atlantic City, Wildwood, which are all beautiful places. But honestly, the Northern part of the state, in my opinion,...

Today, I'll be speaking with NYC native Becca Siegel about how to make the most of a day outdoors in Brooklyn, New York! Join Becca and me as we bike, walk, hike, eat and drink our way, unexpectedly, through one of the largest metropolitan areas on the planet! About Becca Siegel Becca is a traveler, adventurer, content creator, and travel/lifestyle writer who aims to inspire professionals to be adventurous and confident through remote work, travel, and entrepreneurship. She has spent several stints living abroad, starting with her semester in Hong Kong as a college junior, which introduced her to the idea of traveling and exploring the world. She lived in Shanghai, China, for two years as an ex-pat and traveler, and more recently traveled to 5 continents with her husband Dan to work remotely from all different types of environments while running their business. Her background in foreign languages (Spanish & Chinese), teaching, living abroad, and travel helped her create the lifestyle brand @halfhalftravel with her husband, Dan. Her creations have been featured in Cosmopolitan, INSIDER, Lonely Planet, Oprah magazine, and CondeNast Traveller. She loves to inspire travelers to visit NYC and especially Brooklyn! Learn more about Becca at Half Half Travel. What We Cover in this Episode Whether or not getting outside in Brooklyn, NY, is affordable and accessible.The best area in Brooklyn, NY, to start your day off with morning coffee and views.A historic neighborhood with beautiful brownstones and tree-lined streets that's worth exploring. Quotables I actually, I was never a runner before, but in 2020, starting in July, I ran 200 miles. Which is a personal achievement, but it’s also a way that I got out, and I got to learn more about the streets of where I live within a two to three to four-mile radius of where I live … and I got to just really enjoy my city and my borough and the neighboring neighborhoods through running and biking last year. So this has been an amazing way to spend time outside and also kind of like to feel like a tourist in your own city to always be seeing something new. And then, where I’m going to take you is a secret, and this is that Prospect Park has New York city’s largest forest. So, it’s actually New York’s only forest. It’s a proper forest. And in the center of the park, it’s called a forest because it qualifies in some way. There are waterfalls. There are tall trees. And actually, if you look up, you cannot see any other buildings. So this is my secret that I’m bestowing upon you … we’re going hiking in Brooklyn. Honestly, I like going to Prospect Park and trying to get lost, because it’s a big place. And I think the joy of doing something like that in the biggest city in the United States is saying like, I have the opportunity to get lost in greenery right now. Just put your phone in your pocket, try to get lost. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to enjoy yourself with food and drink in New York. Food in Brooklyn comes at many different types of budgets. If you’re on a waitlist for a restaurant, or if you’re dying to eat at a top 10 type of place, and it’s going to break your daily budget, don’t do it, because you can get a slice of pizza for a dollar and it’s going to be great. And you can get tacos in some neighborhood that might not be the “it” neighborhood, but it’s an authentic neighborhood, and you won’t spend more than $10 just in cash. So for anyone who is daunted by the idea of being in New York and having to spend a lot of money, there are so many ways to eat really well and have a great time and have an authentic experience without even taking more than a 10 out of your wallet. If you don’t come to Brooklyn, you won’t know what you’re missin’. Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode Where the locals stay in Brooklyn: Airbnb’s in any of the following neighborhoods:Brooklyn HeightsDUMBOCarroll GardensCobble HillPark SlopeProspect HeightsFort...

Today, I’ll be speaking with Carol Hoffman about many of the incredible adventures possible in Shawnee National Forest country in Southern Illinois. Join Carol and me as we zip through the canopy, ride horseback, hike, bike, spend time on the lake, rock climb, rappel and paint with Alpacas, all in Illinois’ only National Forest! About Carol Hoffman Carol is a birdwatcher, hiker, and all-around nature enthusiast. She has been promoting the scenic beauty of Shawnee forest country for 25 years. Learn more about Shawnee National Forest and Giant City State Park at SouthernmostIllinois.com or call their toll-free number for more information at 1-800-SEE-IT-HERE. What We Cover in this Episode Quotes Carol: Within that area, you’ll find a lot of hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, outdoor opportunities… The topography is very different than the rest of the prairie state of Illinois. We have a lot of Rocky Bluffs, scenic overlooks, dense forests, so a lot of the opportunity is very different than the rest of the state. Carol: Giant City [has] a lot of different opportunities very close together that can be easily reached in under 30 minutes. Whether you [want] to be up in the canopy of the trees, or on horseback, or on a lake, or hiking in the forest, it [has] all those opportunities right there together, easily accessible. Giant City State Park is a treasure trove of outdoor recreation, breathtaking views, hiking among plants and animals, fishing, hunting, boating, kayaking, swimming, even rock climbing, and rappelling are options in Giant City State Park. Carol: This is not an amusement park where everything is safety checked. This is mother nature. So you do have to take care and caution on your own, out on the trails. Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode: Where to stay when visiting Shawnee National Forest: Carol: It depends… Do you want to stroll right on the trails in the park, or do you want to be in the small town and walk downtown? In Giant City State Park option: Giant City State Park Cabins Carol: Giant City State Park has 34 cabins in the park, three different styles of cabins to choose from. They range from the older, rustic, one-room cabins to a little bit more elite cabins that are out on the bluffs at the park. The cabins are kind of rustic. There are no cooking facilities in them. You can grill out at picnic grounds, of course, in the park, but the lodge is walking distance and a great place to have a nice [breakfast, lunch, or dinner]. In Giant City State Park option: Giant City State Park Lodge Carol: The lodge is a rustic, cabin-feel atmosphere, you know, high beam ceilings and a very rustic, outdoorsy feel. So that’s an experience in and of itself. It has a little gift shop and a lounge and sitting area to enjoy the park. Downtown Anna option: Davie School Inn Carol: If you wanted a more upscale option… in Anna, there is the very unique Davie School Inn that is right at the edge of [Giant City State Park],... and walking distance to downtown. [It’s] a renovated school transformed into a boutique inn. Other Shawnee National Forest Cabin Rentals & Cabins Near Shawnee National Forest: Check out listings for other Shawnee National Forest Cabins options on Airbnb. Giant City State Park Camping: Little Grassy Lake Campground and Marina Outdoor Adventures Mentioned in this Episode: Zip through the canopy on a Shawnee Bluffs Canopy TourTake a horseback trail ride from Giant City Stables.Climb the spiral staircase on the Giant City water tower.Hike the Trillium trail or the Giant City Nature Trail in Giant City State Park, or any of the many other Shawnee National Forest hiking trails.Meet alpacas up close at Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch or sign up for Alpaca Yoga Classes or Alpaca Painting ClassesBike through the park via an eBike from Shawnee Hills eBike Rentals.Kayak, Canoe, Camp, and Fish at Little Grassy Lake Campground and Marina. Rock climb and rappel in Giant City State...

Today, I'll be speaking with Caroline Makepeace about how to make the most of a day outdoors in Raleigh, North Carolina. Join Caroline and me as we bike, paddle, eat and drink our way through the big city with a small town feel! About Caroline Makepeace Caroline is the co-Founder of y travel blog, along with her husband, Craig. Over the past 10 years, they've been showing people how to travel more and create better memories. And together, they have built y travel blog into one of the biggest travel blogs in the world! She has experienced almost every travel style after traveling (mostly nomadically) for 23 years, including living in 5 different countries and traveling to over 50. She and her husband have also proven travel is possible after kids. They've created a full-time family travel lifestyle with their 2 daughters since 2013. More recently, they were awarded a green card for their extraordinary ability in the art of travel blogging and are now living in their dream home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Their new venture, This is Raleigh, showcases the vibrancy of this incredible city. Read more about Caroline's traveling experience at y travel blog or her learn all about Raleigh at This is Raleigh. What We Cover in This Episode Quotes Caroline: It's a wonderful lifestyle. I think it's very outdoorsy, very jovial, fun, vibrant, friendly, welcoming. Very welcoming, Raleigh really is. And it just has a sense of vibrancy here. People are very friendly. People are very happy and very content. When we were going back and forth and moving back to Australia and every time we came back, it just hit me, as soon as I'd arrive. Oh my gosh. Everyone is so friendly here. I mean, I'm from Australia. I find people in Australia to be quite friendly, but it's just so obvious how friendly and welcoming people are. I mean, every person has a sign in their yard, you know, everyone's welcome here, and it really is that in Raleigh. It's very special in that way. It also feels like you live in a forest. It's called the city of Oaks. And I mean, we're just surrounded by trees, and we're immersed in this kind of green lifestyle, which I think really adds to people's sense of happiness and contentment. There's a lot of fun things happening in Raleigh. There's always a festival on. There's always a music event on. And it's really grown a lot over the last couple of years, and the food scene has just exploded. And you know, it's a great location. We're just over an hour to the beach. We're three to four hours to the mountains. And then we're halfway between New York and Florida, which is really important for us because you know, we love to travel so much. So that accessibility to lots of exciting places to visit is important for us in where we choose to live. Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode Where the locals stay in Raleigh, NC: The Longleaf HotelThe StateView Hotel Outdoor Destinations Mentioned in this Episode's "Perfect Day": Lake Raleigh on Centennial CampusMoore SquareLake Johnson How to Bike the Art to Heart Trail at the North Carolina Museum of ArtNorth Carolina State UniversityJordan LakeJohn H. Kerr ReservoirFalls LakeDorothea Dix Park This is Raleigh Article mentioned in the Episode 34 Reasons we love living in Raleigh, NC Raleigh, North Carolina Neighborhoods & Surrounding Cities Mentioned in this Episode: Warehouse DistrictBoylan HeightsCaryPerson Street DistrictNorth HillsHargett Street AreaHistoric Oakwood Raleigh, North Carolina Restaurants & Breweries Mentioned in this Episode: Big Ed's City Market RestaurantHeirloomWye Hill Kitchen & BrewingMorgan Street Food HallBond Brothers Beer CompanyCrawford & SonWatts & Ward Raleigh, North Carolina Instagram Photo Spots Mentioned in this Episode: Boylan Bridge All Are Welcome Raleigh Mural at Poole'side Pies Thanks for Listening! We love our listeners! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave me a...

Today, I’ll be speaking with Doug Noll about all of his favorite outdoor activities and places in Central Sierra Nevada, California. Join Doug and me as we adventure through each of the four seasons in the Central Sierra Nevada area of California and explore all of the best local spots for skiing, whitewater rafting, biking, hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, boating, and water skiing. About Doug Noll Doug is a lawyer turned peacemaker, author, trainer, and mentor. He has created online courses in emotional competency, de-escalation, leadership, and decision-making that help people resolve deep and intractable ideological conflicts. He’s also an all-around adventurer! A fully certified ski instructor, former whitewater guide, airplane pilot, helicopter pilot, mountain biker, 2nd-degree black belt, sailor, you get the picture…. if it’s adventurous, he’s probably tried it! Learn more about Doug at DougNoll.com. What We Cover in This Episode Quotes What’s interesting is the people over on the coast, you know, the Bay area or down in Southern California, San Diego, they sort of look at this region, as there, there be dragons. Nobody ever comes up here because they don’t think about the fact that the vast majority of the state is open space. The crowds are on the coast. When you get inland, it’s not crowded, and we have this natural beauty all around us. If you’re really looking for a different experience, where there’s not a lot of crowds, and you’re looking for real beauty, this is the place to come. It’s out of the way, it’s a bit of a drive for people. But it’s worth it. You could spend a whole summer just in this region, not go more than a hundred miles, and just see some amazing places. If you’re an outdoorsman or an outdoorswoman, and you really like doing active stuff, skiing, biking, sailing, whitewater, paddleboarding, kayaking, boating, water skiing, you’re crazy, it’s crazy not to come here because it’s so beautiful. It’s so accessible. And … the nice thing is that it’s not glitzy and it’s not expensive. Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode Where the locals stay in Central Sierra Nevada: Forest Service CampgroundsKaiser PassLake Thomas A EdisonFlorence Lake CampgroundMuir Trail RanchCabins at Shaver Lake, Florence Lake, Edison, and Vermillion ValleyCondos in Lakeshore on AirbnbFoothills area on AirbnbTenaya Lodge Outdoor Central Sierra Nevada Locations & Activities Mentioned in this Episode: North ForkChina Peak Mountain ResortSan Joaquin RiverKings RiverKings River Expeditions Ansel Adams Wilderness Area PermitsHuntington LakeShaver LakeCamp EdisonLakeshoreBass Lake Central Sierra Nevada Restaurants Mentioned in this Episode: Stonehouse Tavern & Eatery Buckhorn at China Peak Mountain ResortDon Fernando’s Mexican RestaurantTrading PostOsitos Mexican PubThe Point 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! If you’ve been enjoying the show, please also consider leaving me a review in Apple Podcasts. It’s super easy; click here and go to “ratings and reviews.” I read and appreciate every single one! Each review helps new listeners find the podcast. Thank you!! Follow Cinders Travels on Facebook or Instagram for Locals Know Best updates.

Today, I’ll be speaking with Ashly Ryan about her perfect day beyond the strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. And then, at the end of our chat, we talk about a few alternative day trips in the area as well! Join Ashly and me as we make the most of a day outdoors around Las Vegas, Nevada. About Ashly Ryan Ashly is half of Happy Nomad Couple, a duo who loves the travel together on a budget. In 2017, they quit their jobs to backpack around the world. In one year, they visited 22 countries on five continents. As of now, they've traveled to over 30 countries together, and by the end of this year, they'll have seen all seven wonders of the world! They keep track of their spending to create budgets to share with other young couples planning trips. Ashley's past travels have also inspired her to create a reversible travel clothing line called Splice Clothing. Read more about Ashly's traveling experience at Happy Nomad Couple or her reversible travel clothing line at Splice Clothing. What We Cover in This Episode Quotes Ashly: "If I were to guess, I would say probably 20% of people actually end up leaving the strip to see what else is out there. I think it's becoming more popular, especially now with having to social distance and things like that. But a lot of people just really stick to the strip. I mean, it's really easy to just stay there because it's kind of its own little world, you know, there's so much to see on the strip. So you definitely could get stuck there, but I think it's kind of a shame because we have so many beautiful outdoor environments around Las Vegas." Ashly: "You'll be pleasantly surprised at how different the landscape is from probably most other places you've seen and how gorgeous it is. So it doesn't have to be your whole itinerary if you're coming to Vegas for a few days. I think one of the things that annoys me the most is when people say, Oh, you can do Vegas in two or three days. That's true if you're just gonna stick to the strip and see shows and restaurants and go to the lobbies. But I would say. You don't want to miss adding an extra day to your stay in Vegas to go outside. Definitely go somewhere outside. There's tons of different things for all different interests. If you've already been to Red Rock, there are other places you can go that will be completely different, and you don't want to miss it because I think you'll have a great time. And if you could either just go see it to take pictures and go for a really nice drive or you can go and do a crazy hike." Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode Where the locals stay in Las Vegas, NV Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa Outdoor Activities Mentioned in this Episode's "perfect day": Valley of Fire State ParkAtlatl RockFire WaveRainbow VistaRed Rock Canyon National Conservation AreaCalico BasinKraft Mountain Loop TrailAsh Canyon TrailFirst Creek TrailOak Creek Trail Extra "Beyond the Strip" Outdoor Activities Mentioned in the Episode Hoover DamGrand Canyon National ParkArizona Hot Spring TrailGold Strike Hot Springs TrailHistoric Railroad Hiking TrailDeath Valley National ParkZion National ParkRhyoliteMount CharlestonLake Mead National Recreation AreaWillow BeachLas Vegas, NV Restaurants Mentioned in this Episode: Makers & FindersRed Rock Grand CaféThe Cracked EggLa Cantine888 Korean BBQNabeSweets RakuLas Vegas, NV Instagram Photo Spots Mentioned in this Episode: Seven Magic MountainsEiffel Tower Viewing DeckFountains of Bellagio Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens 10% off an Escape Campervan I know many of you are starting to plan out future adventures, which is super exciting! 🤗 To celebrate that, we have a special gift in this episode! Ashley notes that it would be ideal to have a car, RV, or campervan for this trip. Last Vegas' amazing airport, paired with loads of nearby campgrounds and boondocking spots, makes it a great starting point...

Today, I’ll be speaking with Ashley Mann about a fun outdoorsy day in the tourist destination of Branson, Missouri. And then the end of our chat, we’re also going to touch on a bunch of the outdoor adventures possible in the greater Ozarks area. Join Ashley and me as we make the most of a day outdoors in Branson, Missouri, and then journey into all of the outdoor adventures provided by the surrounding Ozarks area. About Ashley Mann Ashley is a former full-time RVer. She and her husband lived in an RV for three years, starting in 2016, while they both started their online businesses. In 2019, they decided to return to their hometown of Springfield, Missouri for a few months and ended up falling in love with it so much that they decided to sell their RV and make it their permanent home base. Ashley currently owns and operates a multitude of websites, including RVinspiration.com, a website about RV organization, decor, and renovations, and RenovatedRVsforsale.com, an RV listing website for buying and selling renovated RVs. While RVing, Ashley blogged about their experiences, including why they bought an RV that they never traveled in, how they started out their online businesses, and even ultimately why they decided to end their RV life journey. Read more about Ashley's RVing experience at RVinspiration.com/About or connect with her at AshleyMann.me What We Cover in This Episode Quotes "There’s so much to see and do here. Branson, it’s a vacation destination for people in the Ozarks, but there’s a lot I think to offer people that are not from the area as well. You know, every part of the U.S. has its own flavor and feel, and I think Branson is a good representation of what the Ozarks have to offer. And … not just Branson, but the Ozarks is where I would travel from across the country to visit." "Branson, I like not because so much of Branson itself, but because it’s kind of centrally located. So if you can spend a week or two in the Ozarks, there is a lot outside of Branson to do, and all of it is within an hour or two of Branson in different directions. So I think it’s really a good hub for seeing the Ozarks. But there is a lot to do in Branson as well." Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode Where to Stay in Branson, MO: Airbnb Rentals (If you’re new to Airbnb, you’ll get $65 off your first booking with this link!)86 Campground Best Western Branson Inn And Conference Center La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Branson What to do in Branson, MO Table Rock LakeDogwood CanyonHistoric Downtown BransonDick's Oldtime 5 & 10Branson LandingLake TaneycomoBranson Ferris Wheel(Formerly Chicago's Navy Pier Ferris Wheel)Pirate's Cove Adventure GolfSilver Dollar CityRalph Foster Museum Outdoor Activities Mentioned in the Episode & What to do Beyond Branson Throughout the Ozarks Jasper, AR - Buffalo River AreaSam's ThroneEureka Springs, ARBentonville, AR Crystal Bridges Museum of American ArtFayetteville, ARHot Springs, ARPetit Jean State ParkJohnson's Shut-Ins State ParkElephant Rocks State Park Branson, MO Restaurants Mentioned in this Episode: Vintage ParisRevive Juice & Coffee BarFarmhouse Restaurant Branson, MO Instagram Photo Spots Mentioned in this Episode: Point LookoutTop of the Rock 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! If you’ve been enjoying the show, please also consider leaving me a review in Apple Podcasts. It’s super easy; click here and go to “ratings and reviews.” I read and appreciate every single one! Each review helps new listeners find the podcast. Thank you!! Follow Cinders Travels on Facebook or Instagram for Locals Know Best updates.

Today, I’ll be speaking with Tony Harrison about a bunch of different outdoor activities in Southern Idaho, but with an emphasis on all of the skiing and snowboarding possibilities. Join Tony and me as we spend a day skiing, snowboarding, and tubing in Southern Idaho and then wrap up the day back in Twin Falls, Idaho! Why visit Southern Idaho? Tony: “Well, for starters, you should definitely pick Idaho over more popular areas to ski like Colorado and California, because we’ve got very short lift lines, very inexpensive lift tickets, and oftentimes people consider Idaho to be the soul of skiing. It’s skiing like it used to be, I mean, it’s unpretentious and it’s just really great snow, tons of terrain and it’s under the radar. Anybody can go ski Vail. How many people come out and ski Soldier Mountain, Pomerelle? You’ll definitely have as much fun, if not more fun than some of those big hills. You’ll definitely spend a lot less time waiting in lift lines, a lot more time on skis. And the people are so unassuming and nice, it is really a breath of fresh air when you come here.” About Tony Harrison Learn more about Idaho at: Ski Idaho, Visit South Idaho & Visit Idaho Tony was born and raised in the spud state. He’s a lifelong skier and the publicist for Ski Idaho. He has personally skied at 12 of Idaho’s 18 ski resorts in the past three years. His love for the great outdoors has left him with a wealth of insider knowledge about all of the area's outdoor recreation options. When Tony's not skiing, he maintains a solo PR practice, working with various clients in the tourism, tech, and agriculture industries. What We Cover in This Episode Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode Where to Stay in Southern Idaho: Airbnb Rentals (If you're new to Airbnb, you'll get $65 off your first booking with this link!)Hilton Garden InnFairfield Inn & SuitesThe Almo Inn Idaho Ski Report Blog Mentioned by Tony: Open Snows Idaho Daily Snow Report Where to Ski in Southern Idaho: Pomerelle Mountain ResortSoldier Mountain Ski AreaMagic Mountain Ski Resort Things to do in Southern Idaho: Shoshone FallsCity of RocksPerrine Memorial BridgeCentennial Waterfront ParkRitter Island State ParkBox Canyon Spring Nature Preserve Hot Springs in Southern Idaho: Banbury Hot SpringsMiracle Hot Springs1000 Springs Resort Southern Idaho Restaurants & Southern Idaho Craft Breweries Mentioned in this Episode: Hilton Garden Inn (Ground Floor Grill that Serves Breakfast to Order)Yellow Brick CafeThe Country CrumbKoto BrewingMilner's GateElevation 486Bearded Axe 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! If you’ve been enjoying the show, please also consider leaving me a review in Apple Podcasts. It’s super easy; click here and go to “ratings and reviews.” I read and appreciate every single one! Each review helps new listeners find the podcast. Thank you!! Follow Cinders Travels on Facebook or Instagram for Locals Know Best updates.