Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast
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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.
Recent Episodes
176
June 25, 2026
#176: The Zion Narrows Revisited
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 Th
175
April 23, 2026
#175: Great Pizza Places Near National Parks
#175: Great Pizza Places Near National Parks After over fifteen years of traveling to the U.S. national parks and other public lands, we’ve learned there are a few key pieces of information you need to make a road trip a success. And at the top of the list is... knowing where to find a great pizza. We can’t claim to know where all of the best pizza restaurants are near our incredible national parks, but we’ve started a pretty good list. In this episode, we talk about our favorites; the ones we
174
March 19, 2026
#174: 10 National Monuments That Feel Like National Parks
Across our U.S. public lands are more than 130 national monuments, each protecting a unique natural or cultural treasure. In this episode, we’re diving into ten that feel a lot like visiting a national park, but without the crowds. We share a mix of places we’ve visited over the years, and each one surprised us with just how much they have in terms of scenery, hiking, and overall experience. From towering rock formations and remote desert canyons to cultural sites with deep historical meaning, t
173
Feb. 6, 2026
#173: Pinnacles National Park: Caves, Condors, and the High Peaks
We recently returned to Pinnacles National Park, a place we hadn’t visited since our first trip in 2013. Situated about 75 minutes south of Monterey, California, Pinnacles is known for its dramatic volcanic rock formations, remnants of a once 8,000-foot volcano. When we first visited, Pinnacles had just become a national park, and we stopped there as part of our journey to visit all the U.S. national parks. This time, we had a different reason to return. Karen wanted to explore one of the park’s
Jan. 6, 2026
#172: Exploring Galápagos National Park
Having visited all 63 U.S. national parks, we felt it was time to broaden our scope and explore one of the most popular and biologically diverse national parks outside the United States: Galápagos National Park. Located hundreds of miles west of mainland Ecuador, this archipelago of tropical islands straddles the equator. Because the islands were isolated from other landmasses for millions of years, many plants and animals evolved into species found nowhere else on Earth. Much of the wildlife yo
171
Oct. 24, 2025
#171: An Epic Road Trip Along California’s Highway 395
The 150-mile stretch of Highway 395 from Bridgeport to Lone Pine takes travelers through a landscape of wide valleys, alpine lakes, volcanic wonders, and Old West history. Running along the eastern edge of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, this is one of the most scenic drives in the West. On our recent trip, we revisited some of our favorite places along the route, including towns and landmarks that feel like the land that time forgot. From the ghost town of Bodie to the alpine beauty of Ju
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