Ever driven past a historical site and thought... but why is this here? That's exactly the conversation we had about Fort Union National Monument in northeastern New Mexico — and we're not holding back!

Monica was our boots-on-the-ground explorer and Susan did the deep research dive, and together we take you through the full story of this FREE National Park Service site: the three forts built on the same spot, the Civil War battle that changed the West, the adobe ruins slowly melting back into the prairie, and the big question — should your tax dollars be protecting this place at all?

In this episode we cover:

✅ The story of THREE forts on one site — and why only two show up today

✅ Fort Union as "the Gettysburg of the West" — the Battle of Glorieta Pass

✅ Star forts — what they are and where else you can find them in the U.S.

✅ Monica's conversation with an NPS worker doing shelter coating on the adobe walls

✅ The Santa Fe Trail wagon ruts you can still see today

✅ The Buffalo Soldiers connection

✅ Fort Union vs. Fort Davis — a real comparison from two chicks who've been to both

✅ Why wives of enlisted men had to work the laundry (we have feelings about this 😤)

✅ The honest debate: is this a national monument worth keeping — or should New Mexico take it over?

✅ Dark sky park bonus — the stargazing case for visiting

We also reminisce about Susan's recent trip to Padre Island National Seashore and her two Junior Ranger badges — yes, two!

🎥 Check out our earlier virtual hike/overview video of Fort Union from when the government shutdown kept us out — link in the cards!

📍 Fort Union National Monument | Watrous, NM (Exit 366 off I-25)

💰 Admission: FREE | America the Beautiful Pass accepted

🐍 Stay on the trail — rattlesnakes are real out there!

☀️ No shade, no trees — bring water, a hat, and sunscreen

🌌 Dark Sky Park — incredible stargazing if you're in the area

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👍 Share, like, and leave your quiz answers in the comments!

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In this episode of Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks, Susan and Monica dig into one of San Antonio's most beloved urban parks — Phil Hardberger Park — and the remarkable 175-year story behind how it came to exist.

What started as a Republic of Texas land grant to a Battle of San Jacinto hero eventually became a tight-knit community of dairy farms known as Buttermilk Hill. The last family standing? Max and Minnie Voelcker — a childless couple who milked cows twice a day, 365 days a year, and whose trust ultimately made this park possible. Throw in a mayor who spent his own campaign funds to save the land from developers, a national architecture competition, and the largest land bridge in the United States — and you've got a story worth telling.

Whether you're a longtime San Antonian or planning your first visit, this episode covers it all: the history, the trails, the wildlife, and why this 330-acre gem in the middle of one of America's largest cities is something truly special.

🌉 Largest wildlife & pedestrian land bridge in the U.S.

🌳 Skywalk treetop canopy trail

🐄 From dairy farm to world-class urban park

🦌 Real wildlife sightings — deer, bobcats, coyotes & more

🏛️ Historic Voelcker Homestead on the National Register of Historic Places

🗳️ The bond election that saved it all

📍 Phil Hardberger Park

East Entrance: 13203 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78216

West Entrance: Off NW Military Hwy

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset | Free Admission

🌐 philhardbergerpark.org

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👍 Like, share & subscribe — we cover local, national & maybe even international trails!

#PhilHardbergerPark #SanAntonio #TwoChicksWithHikingSticks #SanAntonioParks #TexasHiking #VisitSanAntonio #LandBridge #WildlifeCrossing #SanAntonioHistory #TexasHistory #ButtermilkHill #VoelckerFarm #UrbanPark #TexasParks #HikeTexas #SanAntonioThingsToDo #NatureWalk #OutdoorSanAntonio #HikeYourOwnHike #PodcastTexas

Chapter Markers:

00:00 Intro

00:13 Welcome to Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks

00:27 Weather talk & getting outside in San Antonio

01:30 San Antonio — the city nobody realizes is huge

02:30 Introducing Phil Hardberger Park

03:42 The origin story — Buttermilk Hill & dairy farms

05:17 The Voelcker family & how they got the land

07:45 The Voelcker Trust & its lasting legacy

08:26 The Land Bridge — largest in the United States

09:00 The Skywalk & treetop canopy trail

09:24 Mayor Phil Hardberger & the bond election

10:14 What it's like to actually hike the park

11:50 Wildlife on the land bridge (deer sightings!)

12:19 The historic Voelcker homestead on the property

12:59 Monica's detour — KLRN's San Antonio Remembered

14:19 Walking through Texas history from Republic to statehood

16:07 Is Buttermilk Hill actually hilly?

17:15 The national architect search & park design

18:09 Awards, accolades & the Salado Creek Greenway

19:11 Visitor tips — parking, trails, pets & strollers

19:44 Pavilions, bathrooms, public art & the ecology center

20:45 Wrapping up — why you have no excuses not to go

21:56 Outro — like, share, merch & hike your own hike

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Welcome to another adventure with Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks!

In this episode, Susan and Monica explore one of the most unique and underrated parks in Texas—Palmetto State Park. Located between Luling and Gonzales, this small but fascinating Texas State Park is home to dwarf palmettos, scenic hiking trails, the San Marcos River, Oxbow Lake, incredible birdwatching opportunities, and even a local swamp creature legend!

Join us as we discuss the history of the park, its Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) roots, easy hiking trails, camping opportunities, kayaking and canoeing on the San Marcos River, and why this hidden gem deserves a spot on your Texas travel bucket list.

Whether you're a hiker, camper, birder, paddler, history enthusiast, or simply looking for a great day trip from San Antonio or Austin, Palmetto State Park offers a little something for everyone.

📍 Park Location: Gonzales County, Texas

🥾 Hiking Trails

🦅 Birding & Wildlife

🚣 Kayaking & Canoeing

🏕️ Camping & RV Sites

🌴 Dwarf Palmetto Habitat

🏛️ CCC History

👣 Easy Hiking for All Skill Levels

Have you visited Palmetto State Park?

Tell us your favorite Texas State Park in the comments below. We are always looking for new places to explore and feature on the podcast!

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Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks explores the natural, cultural, and historical world around us through hiking, travel, history, and outdoor adventure.

#PalmettoStatePark #TexasStateParks #TexasHiking #HikingTexas #TexasTravel #SanMarcosRiver #BirdingTexas #CampingTexas #KayakingTexas #TexasOutdoors #StateParks #TexasCamping #OutdoorAdventure #HiddenGemsTexas #TwoChicksWithHikingSticks #NaturePodcast #TravelPodcast #ExploreTexas #TexasRoadTrip #EasyHikes

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