National Parks Traveler Episode 64: Artistic Interpretation And Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation

By Kurt Repanshek - May 3rd, 2020

Who makes those colorful interpretive panels found in the National Park System? One person is Steve Patricia. He’s an independent artist and content specialist who provides illustrations and diagrams for waysides, exhibits, and murals at national parks, monuments, and historic sites all over the country. From depicting the Spanish stronghold at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida, to Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico, Patricia’s work is part of a larger effort to connect visitors to the landscapes and resources they see in front of them. From his home in the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania, he shares some insights with Lynn Riddick.

After Lynn’s interview, we visit with Carolyn Ward, the chief executive officer of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, to learn how her organization has been faring during the pandemic. And she has some good news: The Bluffs Restaurant on the Parkway is still scheduled to open this summer!

:02 National Parks Traveler introduction
:12 Episode introduction with Kurt Repanshek
1:58 The Road Scholar - Bill Mize - The Spirit of South Dakota
2:24 Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation promotion
2:48 North Cascades Institute promotion
3:07 Steve Patricia discusses his work creating waysides and other interpretive panels in national parks with Lynn Riddick
34:00 Bass Harbor - Nature’s Symphony - The Sounds of Acadia
34:25 National Parks Traveler coronavirus edition promotion
34:38 Grand Teton National Park Foundation promotion
35:10 Washington’s National Park Fund promotion
35:50 Blue Ridge Parkway interview with Carolyn Ward
45:28 Friends of Acadia promotion
45:55 Yankee Freedom promotion
46:32 News For Good
51:18 Episode Closing
51:39 Orange Tree Productions promotion
52:16 National Parks Traveler footer

Blue Ridge Parkway

National Parks Traveler Podcast

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National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 272 | Fossilized Parks

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Back in 2010 a 7-year-old attending a Junior Ranger program at Badlands National Park spied a partially exposed fossil that turned out to be the skull of a 32-million-year-old saber-toothed cat.
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Spur a discussion about traveling to a national park for a vacation and odds are that it will revolve around getting out into nature, looking for wildlife, perhaps honing your photography skills, or marveling at incredible vistas.
Will the discussion include destinations that portray aspects of the country’s history, or cultural melting pot?

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National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 268 | Music Inspired By The Parks

With March madness down to the Sweet 16, and Opening Day of Major League Baseball having arrived, we’re going to take a break this week and dive into our podcast archives for this week’s show.

This is Kurt Repanshek, your host at the National Parks Traveler. My NCAA bracket was busted the very first day, and while the Yankees won their opening day game against the Houston Astros, I don’t think they’ll go undefeated this year.

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The Essential RVing Guide

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.