Stories Across America

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta podcasts, photo and video features, interactive maps, and travel planning guides and directories.”

In May 2019, Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, Big Blend’s mother-daughter travel, radio, and publishing team, went back on the road to continue their ‘Love Your Parks Tour!’ They are joined by pink sock monkey travel mascot Priscilla “Queen of the Road.” Traveling full-time, the tour is their quest to visit, document, map, and share the stories of all of America’s parks and public spaces, routes and trails, historic sites and cultural landmarks, natural and geological wonders, local flavors and festive traditions, and of course, the communities and people! Follow the Love Your Parks Tour map and story projects at www.LoveYourParksTour.com

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As part of the Love Your Parks Tour, they have been assigned a number of Interactive Map and Story Missions, and the following Big Blend Radio conversations cover seven of over twenty projects they are working on.

“We are on a mission to inform and inspire travelers across the country and around the world to explore America’s beautiful and historical park destinations by providing them with engaging and entertaining articles and event news, radio interviews and

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This episode of Big Blend Radio features world champion horse trainer, judge, avid trail rider, and author Christy Wood, who owns and runs Wood N Horse Training Stables & Trail Rides in Three Rivers, just outside Sequoia National Park. Christy has sent Nancy & Lisa on a special Horses Across America map story project to document and share horse stories that range from statues and public art to equestrian trails, destinations, and exhibits, and even the wild horses that roam our public lands. Across America Continued…

Follow the Love Your Parks Tour “Horses Across America” Map Story Project on NationalParkTraveling.com.

We first met up with Christy back in the fall of 2013. She took us on a beautiful trail ride through the golden foothills, but before we could get out on the trail, she had us connect with our horses in the arena and taught us specific commands. We were impressed with her attention to detail, her safety precautions, and the good health and demeanor of her horses. It was a fantastic way to take in the area’s scenery, and to learn about the natural landscape and history, as well as getting a solid horse riding lesson. Since then, Christy has been a frequent guest on our Big Blend Radio shows discussing horsemanship, trail riding, and being part of the 13-year progressive Chief Joseph Trail Ride. CHRISTY WOOD ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Listen here in the YouTube player, or download/listen to it on Spreaker.com . Continued on Next Page… The Journey's End sculpture monument on the Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe, New Mexico. PAGE 50

Across America Continued…

This episode of Big Blend Radio features Jodi Canter, founder of Wanderlust, an online store carrying t-shirts and accessories just for National Park Junkies like her!

From Yosemite to the Everglades, Mount Rainier to Rocky Mountain, the Petrified Forest, Sequoias, Pinnacles, and beyond, Jodi has assigned us to a special National Parks Across America map story project to document and showcase the various national parks we visit on the Love Your Parks Tour travels. Jodi created Wanderlust, an online store for fellow “wanderlusters,” as a way for us to all share our love of the great outdoors. Wanderlust also helps to support the organizations that preserve and protect our parks for future generations.

Follow the Love Your Parks Tour “National Parks Across America” Map Story Project on NationalParkTraveling.com . Yosemite National Park

JODI CANTER ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Listen here in the YouTube player, or download/listen to it on Spreaker.com .

Pinnacles National Park

This episode of Big Blend Radio features E. Andrew Martonyi, author of the children’s geography books, “The Little Man In the Map: With Clues to Remember All 50 States,” and “The Little Man In the Map Teaches the State Capitals!” books which are designed to show families and educators that learning can, and should be fun. Adding to the fun, Andrew has assigned us on a special Capital Cities Across America map story project to document and showcase the various capital cities we visit on our travels. In 2019 we visited Little Rock, Arkansas and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the year 2020 looks like Denver, Carson City, Phoenix, and Carson City may make the list. E. ANDREW MARTONYI ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Listen here in the YouTube player, or download/listen to it on Spreaker.com. Little Rock, Arkansas Across America Continued…

Follow the Love Your Parks Tour “Capital Cities Across America” Map Story Project on NationalParkTraveling.com . Santa Fe, New Mexico

Andrew’s affinity for travel, his constant search for new things to see, and his granddaughter’s fascination with his trips inspired him to study the U.S. map from a new angle. What he discovered and developed, he now shares with all children to help them learn the states with his

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This episode of Big Blend Radio features Rob Ridgeway, the creator of the award-winning and Amazon best-selling board game, Spontuneous ‘The Song Game.’

ROB RIDGEWAY ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Listen here in the YouTube player, or download/listen to it on Spreaker.com . roadside attractions and public art, and more. From California to Arizona, New Mexico to Colorado, and Louisiana to Arkansas, we have attended concerts and music festivals, found musical public art including murals, sculptures and statues, and even bike racks and road crossings. Mr. Sipp “The Mississippi Blues Child" at the Greeley Blues Jam in Colorado

Follow the Love Your Parks Tour “Music Stories Across America” Map Story Project on NationalParkTraveling.com . Continued on Next Page…

Rex Allen statue in Willcox, AZ

Rob has sent us on a special Love your Parks Tour Mission to document as many Music Stories as possible. These stories can include music venues and destinations, bands and musicians, concerts and events, educational programs,

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This episode of Big Blend Radio features Donna George, owner of The Peanut Patch in Yuma, Arizona.

DONNA GEORGE ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Listen here in the YouTube player, or download/listen to it on Spreaker.com. Across America Continued…

Medjool Date Fields, Yuma, AZ

sugar-free candies, fine chocolates, olives, pickles and preserves, honey and syrups, gift baskets and gift boxes, and more.

Follow the Love Your Parks Tour “Farm Stories Across America” Map Story Project on NationalParkTraveling.com .

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Farmers Market in Hollister, CA

Donna has assigned us to a special Farm Stories Across America map story project to document and share farm related stories that range from farm-to-table restaurants to historic farm equipment displays, farmers markets, and agricultural events. Located in Yuma, Arizona, The Peanut Patch features peanuts and peanut brittle, candies and natural snacks, homemade fudge, local Medjool dates, dried fruit and nuts, trail mixes, ice cream, old-fashioned candies and

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Across America Continued…

This episode of Big Blend Radio features leading trust expert Lea Brovedani, who has assigned us to a Trust Stories Across America map story project to document and share trust stories that range from expedition leaders to community founders. The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

LEA BROVEDANI ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Listen here in the YouTube player, or download/listen to it on Spreaker.com .

Our first story starts with Juan Bautista de Anza, who in 1774, as a Captain in the Spanish military, stepped forward to offer his services in helping to colonize Alta California. With permission from the Viceroy, Juan paid for, and organized, an exploratory trip taking a small group of soldiers, priests, and translators with him. He was smart enough to chart his way and make friends with the indigenous peoples he met. His success in finding a route was followed by permission for the second expedition in 1775, that would be comprised of pioneer-spirited families who would cross the rivers and deserts, make their way to Rio San Francisco, and make the San Francisco Bay area their new home–securing Spanish ownership. Known as “The Trust Architect,” Lea has been named Top Thought Leader on Trust by the organization Trust Across America. She is also the author of “TRUST Me – Restore Belief & Confidence in an Uncertain World” and “TRUSTED – Secret Lessons from an Inspired Leader.” Follow the Love Your Parks Tour “Trust Stories Across America” Map Story Project on NationalParkTraveling.com. PAGE 58

Gothic Hanging Jail

This episode of Big Blend Radio features San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs who has sent us on a special Law & Order Across America map story project to document and share legal stories that range from historic jails and territorial prisons to graveyards, courthouses, and criminal cases. Hear about the fascinating stories we have already covered such as Pearl Hart “The Bandit Queen,” outlaw Warren Earp, Boothill Graveyard in Tombstone, Historic Vernon Parish Courthouse, and the Gothic Hanging Jail in DeRidder, Louisiana. WARD HEINRICHS ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Listen here in the YouTube player, or download/listen to it on Spreaker.com. Based in San Diego, California, employment attorney Ward Heinrichs is a longtime Big Blend expert contributor covering current and changing employment laws. Follow the Love Your Parks Tour “Law & Order Across America” Map Story Project on NationalParkTraveling.com. PAGE 59