This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Friday Vacation Station 'Food Wine & Travel' Show with IFWTWA covers Lansing, Michigan with travel writer Amy Piper, author of the new guide book "100 Things to Do in Lansing Before You Die." Read Amy's story about what to experience in Lansing during each of the four seasons: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/loving-lansing-michigan-through-the-seasons/

Learn more about Amy's book "100 Things to Do in Lansing Before You Die" published by Reedy Press: https://www.reedypress.com/shop/100-things-to-do-in-lansing-before-you-die/

Follow Amy's adventures on her blog "Follow the Piper" https://followthepiper.com/

Thanks to the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) for sponsoring this monthly Big Blend Radio show. Learn more: https://www.ifwtwa.org/ 

Travel Writer and Author Amy Piper - Experience Lansing, Michigan

This episode of Big Blend Radio goes behind the scenes of the equestrian world with Christy Wood, a World Champion horse trainer, carded horse show judge with 7 breed associations, and author of “Your Best Horse Show: A Guide for Managers and Exhibitors” and “Ranger: The Little Horse with a Big Heart.” Christy is also the owner of Wood N Horse Training Stables in Three Rivers, California, where she offers riding instruction and trail rides in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada’s. 

Read her answers to our 10 "Equestrian Expert Insider" Questions here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/christy-wood-equestrian-success-insider/

Equestrian Success Insider Conversation with Christy Wood

From Lions, Lizards & Elephants to Books & Vinyl, this episode of the Big Weekly Blend podcast celebrates this month's national and international holidays, pop culture, and historic happenings between Aug. 7-14, 2023

MUSIC PLAYLIST
* Listen on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/bdfskedr
* Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2p9s95vz

SEE THIS WEEK'S RELATED ARTICLES, PODCASTS, RECIPES: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/big-weekly-blend-podcast-august-7-14-2023/

Airing every Sunday, this Big Blend Radio show is a companion production of the Big Weekly Blend digital magazine. Follow it here: https://shows.acast.com/big-daily-blend

Big Weekly Blend - Lions, Lizards & Elephants, Books & Vinyl

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association, travel writer Eileen Cotter Wright, founder of PureWander.com, shares practical tips, honest stories, and encouraging advice for families who want to explore the world together. From juggling toddler meltdowns to embracing kid-led adventures, Eileen talks about the realities of traveling with young children — and why the rewards far outweigh the challenges.

She discusses her journey from traditional journalism to digital travel media, the importance of balancing family-friendly fun with adult experiences, and how exploring history and culture through travel helps children grow. Eileen also highlights favorite kid-friendly destinations like Grand Rapids, Michigan, offers advice on preparing children for flights, and emphasizes why travel insurance is essential for families.

This episode also features some of Eileen’s recent family travel stories across the U.S., the U.K., and Costa Rica, showcasing how accessible, meaningful, and joyful multigenerational adventure can be.

📸 Follow her family travel adventures on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DAgWDj5tmqp/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/DO_Ya3zjgAR/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/DHZM0lSzENe/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DQCQ04_APrz/

✈️ Read her family travel stories:
- London, UK – https://purewander.com/lovely-london-with-littles-best-things-by-a-local/
- Nosara, Costa Rica – https://purewander.com/spend-a-oceanside-week-in-nosara-costa-rica/
- Grand Rapids, Michigan – https://purewander.com/add-grand-rapids-michigan-to-your-adventures-a-weekend-itinerary/

🌐Explore Eileen’s travel writing at https://purewander.com/
🌐Learn more about IFWTWA: https://www.ifwtwa.org/
🌐Follow this podcast: https://food-wine-travel.podbean.com/

🎙️As part of our National Children's Month and Family Stories Month programming, this episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s "Vacation Station," "Quality of Life," and "Big Daily Blend" podcast channels. Explore the network:  https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

Exploring the World with Kids: Family Travel Insights with Eileen Cotter Wright

Located in Central California’s Sequoia Country, Exeter is a charming, historic agricultural community and gateway community destination for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest. This Locals Insider panel discussion covers what it's like to live, work and play in Exeter, and features Sandy Blankenship – Executive Director of Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Teresa Boyce - Sr. Credit Assistant at Bank of the Sierra , Ben Garcia – Manager of Exeter Hobbies. Plus, Steve Schneickert recalls the Hollywood History of Exeter! Learn more about Exeter here: http://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/exeter-california/

Locals Insider Spotlight on Exeter in California's Sequoia Country

Textile artist, academic and brain injury survivor Deb Brandon discusses her beautiful new book, “Threads Around the World: From Arabian Weaving to Batik in Zimbabwe,” that weaves together the stories of 25 diverse world cultures by showcasing their unique take on textile art. More at www.DebBrandon.com
Featured music is 'Alive Again' by www.KimiaPMusic.com

Deb Brandon - Threads Around the World

On this episode, painter and rancher Alice Leese discusses her artistic process and shares her artist-in-residence experience in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Plus, Tanya Ortega, Founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation, discusses upcoming artist-in-residence opportunities. Featured music is "The Tide" by singer-songwriter www.WallyLawder.com. 
More at www.AliceLeese.com and www.NationalParksArtsFoundation.org

Artist Alice Leese in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The Southern Florida rockers The Cravens discuss their brand new full length album “The Dark Side of Love” and recently released EP “Early Bird Special - Lost Demos 2009.” They also play a rockin' round of the board game Spontuneous "The Song Game." More: http://www.cravensongs.com/

The Cravens - The Dark Side of Love

It's all about fall events and activities in Tulare County, California. Home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest. Guests from Sequoia Tourism Council include: Denise Alonzo - Sequoia National Forest, Sandy Blankenship – Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Donnette Silva Carter – Tulare Chamber of Commerce, Monte Reyes - Porterville Chamber of Commerce. Music is “California Days” by Josh Pfeiffer. More at https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/

Fall Adventures in California's Sequoia Country

Inns, beds and breakfast, and boutique hotels across the country have come together to launch STILL INN BUSINESS, a preparedness campaign created amid COVID-19 social distancing in show of small business camaraderie and economic optimism. This episode features 7 of the approximately 240+ properties. More at https://stillinnbusiness.com/

Featured guests include:
- Rebecca Gallagher of Historic Smithton Inn in Ephrata, PA
- Diane Rogers of Pinecrest Bed & Breakfast in Asheville, NC
- Nancy Skee of Olde Square Inn in Mount Joy, PA 
- Teresa Jacobson of Azalea Inn & Villas in Savannah, GA 
- Jeff Stanford of The Stanford Inn and Resort in Mendocino, CA 
- Dan Clark of Inn of the Turquoise Bear in Santa Fe, NM
- Marsha Burton of Inn at Woodhaven in Louisville, KY 

Featured music is “Ham & Eggs” from the album “Evangeline” by Blind Lemon Pledge. http://blindlemon-pledge.com/

Still INN Business - Seven Innkeepers on Big Blend Radio

What to do when a possible robocalled phones in the middle of an ambient guitar take?

Possible Robocaller

Select Big Blend Radio interviews that are featured in the digital, interactive Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine. Hosted by Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, mother-daughter travel team and publishers.

Exploring the World with Kids: Family Travel Insights with Eileen Cotter Wright

Big Blend Radio

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