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Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks PodcastAdventures in the U.S. National Parks and public lands with Matt and Karen Smith Author: Matt and Karen Smith
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. Language: en Genres: Personal Journals, Places & Travel, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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#171: An Epic Road Trip Along California’s Highway 395
Episode 171
Friday, 24 October, 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 June Lake and the resort town of Mammoth Lakes, every stop had a story to tell. We explored hot springs, ancient forests, and film locations that have been featured in hundreds of Hollywood movies. In this episode, we share the highlights of this unforgettable road trip, including: · The eerie allure of Bodie Ghost Town, frozen in time, · Where to find the best fish tacos on the planet (hint: inside a gas station), · The alpine lakes, fall colors, and mountain views that make the June Lake Loop so special, · Hidden gems like Hot Creek and Convict Lake, · The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, home to trees nearly 5,000 years old, · The sobering history of Manzanar National Historic Site, · And our favorite way to end the trip – eating a pancake the size of a hubcap at Whitney Portal beneath the tallest peak in the lower 48. If you love mountain scenery, quirky small towns, and fascinating history, Highway 395 is one of America’s great drives. And one that every traveler should experience at least once. ----- Don't want to take notes while listening? We’ve created a companion blog post for this episode with all the Highway 395 stops and details, so you don’t have to take notes while you listen. You can find the blog post by following this link: https://www.mattandkaren.com/highway-395-california-road-trip/ We now post ad-free versions of our episodes on our Patreon account (search for mattandkarensmith). If you are interested in joining, follow this link to check it out: http://bit.ly/3L7lCdZ Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Facebook at mattandkarensmith, or check out our blog at https://www.mattandkaren.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
