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

👉 Like what you hear? Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss a new episode — we drop every Thursday!

☕ Buy us a coffee or grab some merch in our Zazzle store — links below!

👍 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

☕ Buy us a coffee or grab some merch: [Your Zazzle link here]

👍 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!

👍 Like

💬 Comment

🔔 Subscribe

📤 Share with your hiking friends

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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We’re heading to one of the most underrated national parks in the entire country — Guadalupe Mountains National Park in far West Texas! Rising over 3,000 feet above the Chihuahuan Desert, these mountains hide a jaw-dropping secret: they’re actually the remains of a 260–270-million-year-old reef that once sat at the bottom of an ancient tropical sea.

In this episode, we explore the natural wonders, rich cultural history, and best hiking options at Guadalupe Mountains — including trails perfect for the 50+ crowd who love a great adventure without the extremes.

⏱️ WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE:

✅ The geology behind these ancient mountains — 260–270 million years in the making

✅ The 10,000-year human story: Mescalero Apache, Buffalo Soldiers & the Butterfield Stagecoach

✅ Best hikes for every level (easy strolls to the highest peak in Texas)

✅ McKittrick Canyon — Texas’ best fall foliage destination

✅ First-timer tips: what to know before you go

✅ Why this park belongs on EVERY Texas bucket list

📌 PARK QUICK FACTS:

Located in: Hudspeth & Culberson Counties, West Texas | On US Hwy 62/180

Established: September 30, 1972 | Authorized: 1966

Size: 86,416 acres | 80+ miles of trails

Highest Point: Guadalupe Peak, 8,751 ft (highest in Texas!)

Entrance Fee: $10/person | Annual Pass accepted

Visitor Info: nps.gov/gumo | 915-828-3251

🌟 BEST HIKES WE RECOMMEND:

Easy: Pinery Trail (0.75 mi round-trip) | Smith Spring Loop (2.3 mi)

Moderate: McKittrick Canyon to Pratt Cabin (4.6 mi) | McKittrick to Grotto (6.8 mi)

Strenuous: Guadalupe Peak Summit Trail (8.5 mi, 3,000 ft gain)

📹 Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks is a Two Chicks Production podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to exploring the rich intersections of culture, history, and the natural world — with a special love for National Park Service sites and local hidden gems.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an adventure!

👍 Like this video if it helped you plan your visit!

💬 Drop your Guadalupe Mountains questions or memories in the comments!

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What would you do if a simple hike turned into an unexpected overnight stay in the wilderness?

In this episode of Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks, we're diving into essential outdoor survival skills every hiker, camper, and outdoor explorer should know before heading out on their next adventure. From the Ten Essentials and emergency shelters to navigation, hydration, signaling for help, and common mistakes that can quickly become dangerous, we're covering practical tips that could make all the difference when things don't go as planned.

Whether you're a beginner hiker, a weekend camper, or someone who loves exploring national parks, state parks, and remote trails, this episode will help you be better prepared and more confident outdoors.

🎒 In This Episode:

✔️ The survival gear you should never leave home without

✔️ How to stay calm when you're lost

✔️ Water, shelter, and fire priorities

✔️ Navigation basics everyone should know

✔️ Common hiking mistakes to avoid

✔️ Our special giveaway announcement!

🎁 Be sure to watch until the end for details on our giveaway!

At Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks, we explore the fascinating intersections of culture, history, and the natural world while helping you enjoy the outdoors safely and confidently.

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE with your favorite hiking buddies.

#HikingSafety #OutdoorSurvival #SurvivalSkills #HikingTips #OutdoorAdventure #WildernessSurvival #HikingLife #TenEssentials #NationalParks #StateParks #OutdoorEducation #TwoChicksWithHikingSticks

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Have you ever actually seen the Milky Way with your own eyes? Not a photo — the real thing, overhead, arching across a pitch-black sky? If not, this episode is for you.

Susan and Monica dive into the world of Dark Sky Parks — what they are, how places earn that designation, and what it actually takes to visit one and see something that will genuinely blow your mind.

🌠 IN THIS EPISODE:

• What a Dark Sky Park actually is (and why 99% of Americans have never seen a truly dark sky)

• The 5 types of Dark Sky designations — parks, reserves, sanctuaries, communities & urban night sky places

• How a park becomes certified — the 1-3 year process, the Bortle Scale, and what it all means

• How many dark sky places exist in the US and worldwide

• Why 70% of wildlife species are nocturnal — and why protecting dark skies matters for animals too

• The visitor protocol: moon phases, red lights, dark adaptation, what to pack & what NOT to do (Susan's headlight story 😬)

• McDonald Observatory's Star Party near Alpine, TX — a great local option!

• Book recommendation: "Stikky Night Skies" by Laurence Holt — a beginner-friendly star guide we loved

• App recommendation: Stellarium Mobile

• Plus: telescope farms, buying a star, and a book giveaway coming soon!

⏱️ CHAPTERS: See below ↓

📚 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

→ Stikky Night Skies by Laurence Holt (part of a series of books)

→ Stellarium Mobile Star App (free)

→ McDonald Observatory Star Party — Fort Davis, TX (~$25/person)

→ DarkSky International: darksky.org

🏕️ NOTABLE US DARK SKY PARKS:

Joshua Tree · Arches · Bryce Canyon · Death Valley · Big Bend · Zion · Great Basin · Mammoth Cave

🎙️ Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks covers the cultural, historical, and natural wonders of the world around us. New episodes regularly — subscribe so you don't miss one!

Don't forget to check out the Stikky Night Skies

https://stikky.com/

#DarkSkyParks #Stargazing #NationalParks #MilkyWay #NightSky #Astronomy #HikingPodcast #TwoChicksWithHikingSticks #BigBend #McDonaldObservatory

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Texas has one natural lake — and most people have never heard of it. 🌿

Caddo Lake State Park in East Texas is unlike anywhere else in the Lone Star State. We're talking 400-year-old bald cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, a swamp full of alligators, 12,000 years of human history, and a founding father of the Republic of Texas who was shot dead in the water on

Independence Day. Yeah. It's THAT kind of place.

In this episode we cover everything you need to know:

🏹 HISTORY

- 10,000 BC – The first humans settle the Caddo Lake area

- The Caddo Nation — their origin story, culture, and forced removal

- The CCC cabins built in the 1930s that you can still stay in today

🌊 THE LAKE

- Texas' ONLY natural lake — formed by a massive log jam called the

"Great Raft"

- Home to the largest flooded bald cypress forest in the United States

- Internationally protected under the Ramsar Wetlands Convention

🎣 THINGS TO DO

- Kayaking & canoeing through an ancient cypress maze

- World-class fishing — 71 species including largemouth bass and crappie

- Hiking, birdwatching (200+ species!), and wildlife photography

- Staying in the historic 1930s CCC log cabins

📍 Caddo Lake State Park | Near Karnack, TX | ~150 miles east of Dallas

🔔 Subscribe for more Texas travel, state parks, and hidden history episodes.

———————————————————————

LINKS & RESOURCES

- Reserve campsites & cabins: https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com

- Park info: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/caddo-lake

- Texas State Parks Pass (free entry to all 89 parks): https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/park-pass

———————————————————————

#CaddoLake #TexasStatePark #EastTexas #TexasHistory #HiddenGem

#TexasTravel #OutdoorTexas #CypressForest #Kayaking #Fishing

#TexasIndependence #NativeAmerican #CaddoNation #TexasPodcast

#StateParks #NaturePodcast #TexasNature #SwampLife #WildlifeTexas

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Welcome back to Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks! 🏜️ In this episode, we're heading to one of the most jaw-dropping places on Earth — Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. Home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches (yes, TWO THOUSAND!), this park is a bucket-list destination for a reason — and we're breaking down everything you need to know before you visit.

In this episode we cover:

• The fascinating history of how Arches went from a cattle ranch to a National Park

• The geology behind those incredible arches — and why they're still forming (and falling!) today

• The best easy-to-moderate hikes for the 50+ crowd — including Landscape Arch, the Windows Loop, and the iconic Delicate Arch trail

• A complete first-timer's itinerary so you don't waste a single minute

• Cultural history including ancient petroglyphs and Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire

Whether you're planning your first trip or returning to see it through fresh eyes, this episode is your go-to guide for Arches National Park.

📍 Location: Moab, Utah | Arches National Park

🎙️ Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks explores the intersections of culture, history, and the natural world — one trail at a time.

🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode!

#ArchesNationalPark #NationalParks #MoabUtah #HikingOver50 #WomenWhoHike #NationalParkService #DelicateArch #UtahHiking #TwoChicksWithHikingSticks #DesertHiking #BucketList #OutdoorWomen #HikingLife #ExploreMore #NPSParks #ActiveOver50 #AdventureTravel #VisitUtah #RedRockCountry #LandscapeArch

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