Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks

Protecting Big Bend + Honoring a President

In this episode of Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks, we cover TWO powerful stories connected by one theme: protecting the places and values that matter most. 🎥 PART 1 — THE RIVER AND THE WALL FILM SCREENING We attended a special community event hosted by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), Keep Big Bend Wild, Latino Outdoors, the San Antonio River Foundation, and the Big Bend Conservation Alliance at Confluence Park in San Antonio, TX. The evening featured a panel discussion with regional wildlife and conservation experts followed by an outdoor screening of the award-winning 2019 documentary "The River and the Wall." The film follows five friends — including conservation filmmaker Ben Masters, NatGeo Explorer Filipe DeAndrade, ornithologist Heather Mackey, and river guide Austin Alvarado — on a 1,200-mile journey by horse, mountain bike, and canoe from El Paso to the Gulf of Mexico. Their mission: document the wild Texas borderlands and explore what a border wall would mean for Big Bend National Park, wildlife migration, the Rio Grande, and the communities that call this region home. If you care about Big Bend, the Rio Grande, or wild public lands in Texas — this film is essential viewing. 🏛️ PART 2 — JIMMY CARTER NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK | Plains, Georgia We then take you to one of America's most personal and underrated National Park Service sites — FREE to visit and rich with history. From a Nobel Peace Prize to a boyhood peanut farm, Plains, Georgia tells the story of the 39th President of the United States and the rural Southern values that shaped him. 📍 Event Location: Confluence Park, San Antonio, TX 📍 Park Location: Plains, Georgia 🎟️ Park Admission: FREE 🥜 Don't skip: Peanut butter ice cream at Plains Peanuts! 🌿 Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks explores the intersections of culture, history, and the natural world — with a special focus on National Park Service sites and local hidden gems. New episodes drop regularly! #TheRiverAndTheWall #BigBend #KeepBigBendWild #NPCATexas #LatinoOutdoors #SAriverFoundation #BigBendNationalPark #RioGrande #ConservationMatters #PublicLands #BorderWall #TexasWildlife #JimmyCarterNationalPark #NPS #NationalParks #PlainsGeorgia #TwoChicksWithHikingSticks #HikingOver50 #WomenWhoHike #TexasTravel #NationalParkService #FreeNationalParks #OutdoorWomen #GeorgiaTravel #PresidentialHistory #ConfluencePark #SanAntonioEvents #DocumentaryFilm #NatureConservation #ProtectOurParks ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Pullman National Historic Park

What happens when one man tries to build the perfect world — and his workers say enough is enough? Welcome to Pullman, one of the most fascinating and layered history destinations in the entire United States. In this episode, we're diving deep into Pullman National Historical Park on Chicago's far South Side, a place where utopian dreams, brutal corporate control, a nation-shaking labor strike, and the roots of the African American Civil Rights Movement all collide in one remarkable neighborhood. We cover everything you need to know before you visit: ✅ The story of George Pullman and his ambitious "model town" built for railroad workers in 1880 ✅ What daily life was REALLY like inside this company-controlled community ✅ The explosive Pullman Strike of 1894 — how 250,000 workers across 27 states brought the national rail system to its knees 🥾 FREE to visit | Open Wednesday–Sunday, 10AM–4PM | 610 E. 111th Street, Chicago, IL ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Joshua Tree National Park

Join Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks as we explore the stunning landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park where two deserts collide to create one unforgettable adventure. In this episode, we break down what to see, where to go, and essential travel tips for making the most of your visit. Whether you’re planning your first trip or just curious about this iconic national park, we’ve got you covered with practical advice, a little history, and plenty of real talk. From the Mojave Desert’s famous Joshua trees to the Colorado Desert’s wide-open, rugged beauty, we’ll guide you through the park’s unique ecosystems, must-see stops, and beginner-friendly hikes perfect for all experience levels. Whether you're here for the hiking, the views, or the stargazing, Joshua Tree offers a one-of-a-kind experience and we’re here to help you enjoy it without the rookie mistakes. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow along as we explore more National Park Service sites and hidden gems across the country. Hashtags: #JoshuaTree #NationalParks #TravelGuide #HikingLife #DesertAdventure #ExploreMore #OutdoorTravel #Over50Travel #ParkTips #TwoChicksWithHikingSticks ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Exploring Shenandoah National Park

Welcome back to Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks! In this episode, we takes you on a deep dive into one of the most beloved national parks on the East Coast: Shenandoah National Park in northwestern Virginia. Whether you're planning your first visit or your fifth, this episode covers EVERYTHING: •      ✅ Key facts and history — from the 1926 congressional authorization to the CCC to President Hoover's wilderness retreat •      ✅ The natural world — ancient Blue Ridge geology, over 860 wildflower species, black bears, and the rare Shenandoah salamander •      ✅ The cultural and historical story — the displaced mountain people, the CCC, the civil rights history of Lewis Mountain 📍 Location: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia | Along the Blue Ridge Mountains | ~75 miles from Washington D.C. 🎵 Stick around for the end-of-episode quiz questions! Test your Shenandoah knowledge in the comments below. 👍 If you love exploring National Parks and hidden gems with us, hit LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. And remember — HIKE YOUR OWN HIKE! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Fort Scott: From Indian Frontier to Civil War Stronghold

Step back in time at Fort Scott National Historic Site in Kansas. It is a place where America’s frontier dreams, broken promises, and Civil War struggles all collided. Built in 1842 to enforce the Permanent Indian Frontier, Fort Scott quickly became a symbol of westward expansion, Native displacement, and the tension that fueled Bleeding Kansas. During the Civil War, it transformed into a Union supply depot and the birthplace of the First Kansas Colored Infantry. In fact, it was the first African American regiment from a Northern state to see combat. In this episode, we explore Fort Scott’s cultural, natural, and historic impact—from its role in Native American history and frontier military strategy, to its preserved tallgrass prairie and Civil War legacy. Fort Scott isn’t just a fort. It's a story of America’s struggle with land, identity, and freedom. #FortScott #NationalHistoricSite #CivilWarHistory #BleedingKansas #PermanentIndianFrontier #AfricanAmericanHistory #USHistoryPodcast #NativeAmericanHistory #KansasHistory #FrontierLife #AmericanHistory ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.