Why are the national parks so crowded this summer?

Why are the national parks so crowded this summer?

---------------------------------------- LISTEN NOW ---------------------------------------- ON THE SATURDAY, JULY 18TH EDITION OF THE TRAVEL GUYS… * In the Travel News, your passport just got political – will it matter; and the reality is – we are loving our national parks to death. Why are the parks so crowded this summer? * Last week, a tourist was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we’ll tell you what the victim said about the situation and our wisdom for keeping yourself out of trouble when it comes to visiting wildlife in THEIR homes. * Chris Elliott is with us today, all the way from Tokyo. We’ll talk a little about Japan and why so many are heading there. Our main topic is cruise lines and whether or not there should be a cruise passengers bill of rights. * Odds and Ends topics at the end of the show include frivolous lawsuits, new trains on the west coast and an international celebration at the Sacramento airport. HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK * Man gored in Yellowstone has wisdom for others – video of him and the bison [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/14/yellowstone-bison-attack-grandfather] * Chris Elliott on the current baggage fees [https://www.travelersunited.org/what-about-checked-baggage-fees-the-war-is-over-lets-bring-them-down/?utm_source=newsletter] * Man nearly sucked out of window until his wife saved him [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/if-we-die-we-die-together-wife-who-held-husband-s-legs-as-he-was-sucked-ouf-ryanair-jet-speaks/ar-AA27Q8Yw?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=6a53eda3e7b843549d4051f658dfef5b&cvpid=f4d783eb4c7c4a45f7fc553aa6a6417e&ei=52]

Removal of Yosemite’s reservation system creates hellacious parking situation

---------------------------------------- LISTEN NOW ---------------------------------------- ON THE SATURDAY, JULY 11TH EDITION OF THE TRAVEL GUYS… * In the Travel News, a fare-checking app is fined 35 million $$$ for deceiving users; doing away with Yosemite’s reservation system has created a hellacious parking situation in Yosemite Valley; and a United pilot is attacked by bats in his hotel room. * Want to avoid the “coldest seats on the plane next time you fly?” In our Smarter Traveler segment, we’ll talk about the worst place on the plane if you are trying to stay warm. * Road Reporter Clayton Whitehead spent ten days in the Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Clayton joins us for an insightful look at a land few of us have visited and his thoughts on how a group of people who have only had their freedom for 35 years look at Americans. * Odds and Ends includes two Dolly Parton travel updates, and we reveal what World Cup visitors are talking about. Besides ranch dressing, of course.

Marriott customer sues over undisclosed resort fees

---------------------------------------- LISTEN NOW ---------------------------------------- ON THE SATURDAY, JULY 4TH EDITION OF THE TRAVEL GUYS… * In the Travel News, another Marriott customer who claimed to have been “bonvoyed” has sued the hotel chain over undisclosed resort fees; and you can get a free pass to California state parks for the rest of the year if you act today. * Connecting times at hub airports are always up for discussion. We have a couple of tips to help you make the tight connection, or perhaps wait a bit and save some real dollars. That’s in our Smarter Traveler segment. * Odds and Ends features the five most annoying behaviors on planes by your fellow passengers, and we take a look at the evolution of stewardesses to flight attendants. * We are still two weeks from the opening of the California State Fair, and it’s time for our annual preview. What’s new and interesting on the midway? Tom has an update. HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK * Free State Parks Pass (until July 6) [https://www.afar.com/magazine/california-state-parks-historian-passport-free-until-july-6] * Ticketmaster Bills in California Legislature [https://www.tpfaction.com/?utm_source=sa&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=ca-cm-pp&utm_content=seriously#scam] * Tips for taking pictures of fireworks [https://www.travelersunited.org/my-top-18-tips-to-shoot-stunning-july-4th-fireworks-photos-by-camera-or-smartphone/?utm_source=newsletter] * ARC’s Concerts for a Cause [https://app.donorview.com/Event/EventInfo?prm=oq9GalApbGmJFnZPS1Sla54NbrDVA3hk13yzqksoklEJoroM4L1zllC5nF-m3HWLHdteutP6K0FTD_TR9EofJweyCFbINhkCtXt7Gi_RPTR55HmohDujtvtnT0Bwnw0a6Isuu0jf1fjTZ6rHMvcsva_VK82pRnYm6kqgXRnz1jOJGMSGQvk5W96VoK2v955SHlNJJsEvVt8Wqn68NoyIt68UG1rFOnNZXG1js0WVVNdyQ7rz6LFMqZyaZwaLtC7D0] * Cruise Traveler’s Bill of Rights, according to Chris Elliott [https://www.travelersunited.org/how-the-cruise-line-bill-of-rights-and-refund-policy-affect-you/?utm_source=newsletter]

Tips to keep your money safe while traveling

---------------------------------------- LISTEN NOW ---------------------------------------- ON THE SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH EDITION OF THE TRAVEL GUYS… * In the Travel News, good news on National Parks in Canada this summer; and World Cup fans are still coming, they just aren’t deciding where until the tournament plays out a bit. Pretty smart people. * Travelers are out in big numbers this summer, and as always are using their credit cards for charges and getting cash from ATMs. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we share two first hand warnings from listeners and emphasize some tips to keep your money safe while traveling. * In our Odds and Ends portion of the show we talk about what happens if your cruise ship can’t make all of its scheduled stops on the itinerary, and Kraft has come up with a way for World Cup visitors to get their coveted souvenir, ranch dressing, on the plane with them. * We take time to update you on one aspect of local Theater, as we talk with Scott Klier from Broadway Sacramento. HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK * Beware of ATM and QR code scams on the road [https://www.travelersunited.org/top-five-traveler-credit-card-and-bank-account-scams-by-phone-and-internet/?utm_source=newsletter] * United’s 85 million dollar meal investment looks like a bad move [https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/united-airlines-business-class-passenger-s-hospital-food-meal-puts-85-million-investment-under-scrutiny/ar-AA26mwpw?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=6a3852d1c3df4515ba013361f727f003&cvpid=49da4e9db5304f0da649f6e35c298399&ei=60] * The Music of Billy Joel by Jim Martinez & Friends [https://travelguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/The-Music-of-Billy-Joel.pdf]

Experts reveal the best and worst days of the week to buy gas

---------------------------------------- LISTEN NOW ---------------------------------------- ON THE SATURDAY, JUNE 20TH EDITION OF THE TRAVEL GUYS… * In the Travel News, we explain why it’s not a good idea to touch flight attendants for ANY reason, and if you are making a summer road trip or just tooling around town, we’ll tell you what the experts say are the best and worst days of the week to buy gas. * In our Smarter Traveler segment, we point out why it’s important to book directly with a hotel, airline, etc., as opposed to using a third party booking site. * We have an interesting story about Marriott and their franchised hotels. It seems hotels are not happy about the reimbursement amounts for award stays and could very well have a dramatic effect on the value of your Marriott Reward Points. * In our Odds and Ends piece, we tell you how United Airlines travelers can combine their points for a bigger reward; and with people visiting for the World Cup from around the world who aren’t used to tipping, how do you explain to them that adding 15-20% to the bill is an expectation. HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK * Considering Travel insurance? [https://www.travelersunited.org/trip-insurance-is-an-important-part-of-your-travel-planning/?utm_source=newsletter] * United’s 250th Birthday for the United States [https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/15/us/united-america-250-anniversary] * The traveler grabs the microphone and asks for help [https://www.tiktok.com/@marilyndelgado/video/7635864437148110111] * LA Olympics tickets – link in article [https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/drop-2-for-olympic-ticket-sale-set-for-mid-august/]