Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast Podcast By Matt and Karen Smith cover art

Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast

Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast

By: Matt and Karen Smith
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Summary
 In Dear Bob and Sue, authors Matt and Karen Smith share stories of their travels to all of the U.S. National Park as well as other spectacular public lands. From adventures gone awry to memorable moments and Q&As from readers, get to know the couple behind the books and get inspired to go on some adventures of your own.© Copyright 2020-2025 | Matt and Karen Smith Biographies & Memoirs Biological Sciences Science Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • #178: Ghost Stories From The National Parks

    #178: Ghost Stories From The National Parks
    Oct 27 2026
    On our recent road trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we explored the Elkmont Ghost Town and learned about the heyday and eventual decline of this historic district. We also picked up a ghost story set in the surrounding mountains long before the area became a national park. In this episode, we share that spooky tale along with several other ghost stories inspired by our national parks. From a mysterious barefoot woman wandering the Appalachian woods to unexplained happenings experienced by lodge caretakers, we revisit some of our favorite spine-chilling stories. So, grab a flashlight and a cozy blanket, and settle in for a few spooky tales. You might even add a few places to your wish bucket along the way. Some of the parks we discuss in this episode include: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Mammoth Cave National Park Glacier National Park Oregon Caves National Monument ----- We share our stories, photos, and videos in a few different places. Here’s where you’ll find them: Patreon – Behind-the-scenes updates, bonus audio, and more personal storytelling Email newsletter on Substack – Travel tips, suggestions, and whatever we can think to write about each week. Social Media – Everyday observations, humor, recommendations, and quick moments from our travels. Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok The best way to contact us is at: mattandkarensmith@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • #177: A Fall Road Trip Through New Mexico

    #177: A Fall Road Trip Through New Mexico
    Aug 20 2026
    Fall is the ideal time of the year to visit New Mexico as the summer heat begins to cool down and the colors become more vibrant in the filtered autumn light. In this episode, we discuss our favorite things to do and see in the Land of Enchantment. Starting in the north and working our way south, we share some of our experiences exploring the unique landscape and cultural history of New Mexico. Whether you are planning a road trip through the state or looking for activities to add to an upcoming visit, we hope you find some inspiration in this episode. Some of the places we cover include: - Chaco Culture National Historical Park - Bandelier National Monument - Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument - Pecos and Fort Union National Historical Parks - Petroglyph National Monument - The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta - Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument - Three Rivers Petroglyph Site - White Sands National Park - Ruidoso, Capitan, and the Smokey Bear Historical Park - Carlsbad Caverns National Park - Guadalupe Mountains National Park - And more! Helpful Link: Learn more about the American Battlefield Trust and its work preserving America’s battlefields: American Battlefield Trust ----- We share our stories, photos, and videos in a few different places. Here’s where you’ll find them: Patreon – Behind-the-scenes updates, bonus audio, and more personal storytelling Email newsletter on Substack – Travel tips, suggestions, and whatever we can think to write about each week. Social Media – Everyday observations, humor, recommendations, and quick moments from our travels. Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok The best way to contact us is at: mattandkarensmith@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • #176: The Zion Narrows Revisited

    #176: The Zion Narrows Revisited
    Jun 25 2026
    The Narrows in Zion National Park is one of the most iconic hikes in the American West. We recently returned to the park to hike the Narrows for the third time, and it’s been a while since we last talked about it on this podcast. Our first Narrows episode was episode 6, six years ago, so we figured it was time for an update. If you would like information about other activities in the park, check out the Substack article we published recently: Our 10 Favorite Things to Do in Zion National Park The Narrows is a section of Zion Canyon where the Virgin River carves its way through walls that rise over a thousand feet and push in on each other, sometimes as close as thirty feet apart. There's little trail in the traditional sense. The river is the trail for about sixty percent of the hike, which makes it one of the most unique walks anywhere. In this episode, we talk through the bottom-up route that starts at the end of the Riverside Walk at the far north end of the canyon’s scenic road. It’s a ten-mile round trip that needs no permit and no GPS; there’s really no way to get lost on this hike. We share how long it took us, how deep the water got, and what it was like returning fourteen years after our first visit. We also discuss how much Zion has changed. Visitation has nearly doubled since 2010. We describe our experience catching the very first shuttle going up canyon at 7:00am on the day of our hike and the size of the crowds waiting in line with us. And because preparation makes or breaks this one, we cover what to wear, why neoprene socks were a game changer for us, the case for a hiking stick, and our honest take on whether to bring the kids. If you're planning to hike The Narrows, this episode is for you, with practical tips throughout to help you make the most of your day in the river. A couple more helpful links: Here you can find out the current conditions and flow rates for the North Fork of the Virgin River. And for more information about this hike, here is the park’s webpage about The Narrows. ----- We share our stories and ideas in a few different places. Here’s where you’ll find them: Patreon – Behind-the-scenes updates, bonus audio, and more personal storytelling Email newsletter on Substack – Travel tips, suggestions, and whatever we can think to write about each week. The Blog at www.mattandkarensmith.com – Adventure stories and firsthand experiences from the road Social Media – Everyday observations, humor, recommendations, and quick moments from our travels. Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok The best way to contact us is at: mattandkarensmith@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins
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Karen and Matt are fantastic they have excellent banter and are so funny, all the while giving us excellent information of what to do and not to do in the national parks and moments and places of interest.

excellent content and very entertaining

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Love the books and this podcast! Very entertaining and it has me dreaming of visiting more public lands.

Love it!

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I had my 10 Essentials when I went on a very short two mile hike in Tucson Mountain Park. Heat exhaustion hit me so fast I didn't know it was coming. Fortunately I had plenty of water and could sip on it until search and rescue found me. The 10 Essentials are so important! Don't shrug them off, listen to Matt and Karen. they actually know what they're talking about!

Ten Essentials save lives

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