August 5, 2025 • 19 mins
Ready to explore the national parks this spring? Discover breathtaking scenery, hidden gems, and expert travel tips for an unforgettable outdoor adventure.
Thank you to Jennifer Broome for being our guest and guide! Here's where you can connect with her!:
sweptawaytoday.com
* Instagram: @jenniferbroometravel
* Facebook: JenniferBroomeTV
* TikTok: @jenniferbroometravel
* X (Twitter): @jenniferbroome
* YouTube: Channel named “Swept Away With Jennifer Broome”
The vast beauty of America's national parks beckons throughout the seasons, but knowing exactly when to visit each one can transform a good trip into an unforgettable adventure. In this captivating episode, we welcome extraordinary globetrotter Jennifer Broome, who recently conquered Mount Kilimanjaro's 19,341-foot summit and has visited over 250 National Park Service units across the country.
Jennifer unveils the hidden treasures of springtime park visits, starting with Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park, where a rare "surge flow" phenomenon creates backward-flowing ripples in Medano Creek during May and early June. She transports us to Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles off Key West, where seaplane rides offer glimpses of marine life en route to Fort Jefferson—the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere.
Our journey continues through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park's Chain of Craters Road, where visitors can experience everything from active volcanic landscapes to ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs along the jagged coastline. Jennifer also shares her unforgettable solo hike through California's lesser-known Pinnacles National Park, where she witnessed endangered California condors soaring overhead—a magical moment made possible by visiting during the quieter spring season.
Beyond these destinations, Jennifer offers practical wisdom for maximizing spring park visits: avoid spring break crowds, consider weekday visits, pack appropriate layers for unpredictable weather, and don't miss Utah's "Mighty Five" parks in April when conditions are ideal. Her stories remind us that our national parks offer not just scenery, but moments of profound connection with nature that can only be experienced firsthand.
Whether you're planning your next outdoor adventure or simply dreaming of America's natural wonders, this episode provides the perfect guide to experiencing our national parks at their finest in the springtime. Subscribe now and join us next week as we explore the best parks to visit during summer!
Thanks for your ongoing support!
http://paypal.me/TheROAMies
Alexa and Rory
The ROAMies
Please subscribe, rate and share our podcast!
Follow us at:
http://www.TheROAMies.com
The ROAMies: Facebook and Instagram
YouTube and X.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This transcript has not be read or edited by our
team.
Hi, I'm Alexa and I'm Rory, andtogether we are the ROAMies we
are married.
To each other.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Right?
We are a touring musical duo.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
And our music has taken us to all kinds of places
all around the world and keepsus always on the go, so we hope
you enjoy our stories andadventures while running around
working to keep all your platesspinning.
And we hope to facilitate yourbusy lifestyle and feed your
inner travel bug.
Hi everyone, we are so excitedto have Jennifer Broom on our
(00:36):
episode, on this podcast episodeand this whole entire month.
We are very excited and honoredto have her as our guest and I
got to meet her at the Traveland Adventure Show.
I've mentioned that to you guysa few times before.
Jennifer, we are recording nowbecause you have been a major
globetrotter and you like Eventhough you're not from Harlem
(01:01):
still you've been a globetrotwerfor many years, but it's really
amazing what you have beendoing, so you want to give us a
little recap before we dive intoour main content today.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yeah, I mean, I guess the biggest thing that I've
done recently, as you arecorrect.
I mean I've been everywhereping pong and the globe but the
big thing I just recently didwas to stand on top of the roof
of Africa, the tallestfreestanding mountain in the
world.
I trekked Kilimanjaro and madeit to the top of it, 19,341 feet
(01:35):
high.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
Wow, Did you have to have oxygen that high?
Speaker 2 (01:40):
No, I didn't, and ironically, I've also trekked to
Everest base camp.
But when you see people thatare trekking to Everest base
camp and you see that iconicshot of the rock that people
stand in front of, that'sactually at 17,200 feet.
So I got special.
Yeah, our trek group, which isDr John Kudrowski, is a very,
(02:02):
very dear friend of mine.
It's Dr John Adventures.
He has summited Everestmultiple times.
I trust my dear friend a lotwith my life on the mountain.
Yeah, yeah.
So on Everest, we went in andhad special permission to go
into base camp, so I actuallymade it to 17,500.
So 17,500 feet was the highestI had ever, been powered by my
(02:27):
own two feet, woo.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Still hitting the top of Kilimanjaro, so I don't know
.
So now it's kind of like well,what's next?
What am I going to do?
What's my next big trek or bigadventure?
But I'll figure that out soon,I guess Outer space baby.
Hey, if somebody says Jen doyou?
Want to go.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
I am in Come on the next ride of SpaceX up into
space.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
That would be awesome .
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Yes, well, jen, we wanted to dive in this month and
bring you back to the US andlet's talk national parks.
And what we're going to doy'all just to kind of give you
an overview is this month we'regoing to talk about where you
can visit national parks, likethe best time of the year for
each one.
So we're going to go througheach season and so each week
(03:18):
we're going to bring you a newseason of the year and have
Jennifer share with us what arethe prime national parks to go
visit at these certain times ofyear.
So do you want to just give usa quick little intro on what got
you interested or passionateabout state parks or national
parks in the first place?
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Yeah, I think folks are kind of surprised when I say
I'm going for all 433 NationalPark Service units.
I am well on my way.
I am over 250 of those and thatdoes include the 63 national
parks.
I am at 48 and counting, hopingto quickly add a couple of
(04:02):
others before the snow settlesin, even though there are some
parks that are, I think, betterin the winter, some of them with
snow.
But yeah, I do spend a lot oftime in the national parks and
really taking advantage of thepublic lands that we have.
Each one is unique, Each one isspecial.
I love national parks, but Ialso truly do love things like
the national monuments, thehistoric sites, the battlefields
(04:23):
, those because those are alittle bit more approachable,
that you can actually visit anational historic site or a
national monument and reallytake in that whole thing within
a half day or a full day.
National parks you needtypically more than a day.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Yes, yes.
So you've got to.
You have to plan them out well.
So if you can plan themaccording to season, then you
really can kind of plan youryear, plan out your wardrobe,
all of the things, know what toexpect.
And so let's dive in thisepisode into spring.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Okay, so spring is kind of that season of rebirth,
it is the season of growth.
I'm going to start you first ofall at Great Sand Dunes
National Park and Preserve inColorado.
So it's the tallest sand dunesin North America.
They kind of just come out ofthe high plateau, the high
valley floor and they're justincredibly gorgeous.
(05:20):
But the reason that I pickedspring is because, although I
will tell you, I also reallylove them in winter, like if you
want to get away for solitudeand see no one around, then go
in the winter, because I've donethat too.
But in particular for springit's because of a special
phenomenon that happens and it'scalled surge flow.
So there is a creek it's MednoCreek that's at the base of the
(05:41):
sand dunes and in the latespring, even going into early
summer so kind of prime time,for it is May going into early
June you get that snow melt,runoff and so that increases
that creek and it's the surgeblow.
So it's basically that thereare little tiny waves and
ripples that happen in thiscreek and they're rolling
(06:02):
backwards.
So it's a rare phenomenon.
It's one of the best places tosee it in the world, so you can
go.
You can go all the way up andhike in the sand dunes.
You can take, you know, you canride a board.
You can ride the dunes, if youwant, on kind of like a like a
snowboard or it's kind of a funthing that people do.
You can hike through them, youcan run through them and then
(06:25):
you can enjoy the creek.
And I mean when it's at thepeak flow you're going to see
people there like in their innertubes, kids having a great time
, and even when it's low you canstill see it a little bit
throughout the year.
But it's just kind of.
I think the Great Sand Dunesare a little bit of a hidden gem
, especially when you're talkingabout national parks in the
West, because it is a lesservisited national park.
(06:47):
So it's certainly one to put onyour list.
Yeah, sounds pretty awesome.
I bet the water's a bit chilly.
Huh, it can be a little on thecool side.
Let's call it refreshing.
How about that phrase?
I mean you can get a little bitof like, like the nature's
cryotherapy.
You know your cold plunge.
Yes.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Yeah.
So, kind of keeping with thatwater theme a little bit, I'm
going to take you to a couple ofother places, and the first one
being let's go to Florida.
In particular, we're going togo to Key West and we're going
to go 70 miles off of Key Westand drive Tortuga's National
Park.
So this one does take someplanning because there's only
two ways to get there by boat,or you can take, like, the ferry
(07:33):
, which is a fun way to do itfor an all-day adventure, or you
can do what I did, and it's goin a seaplane.
The reason I did the seaplaneis because they fly at about 500
feet, so on the way out there,I think it's about a 20-minute
plane ride, if I remembercorrectly.
On the way out there you can seethings like sea turtles and
dolphins and really see themarine wildlife as you're on
(07:58):
your way to the fort.
And the fort itself that youget to visit is the largest
masonry structure in the WesternHemisphere and you'd think it's
kind of like well, it's out inthe middle of nowhere, but it
was built to protect a verysignificant waterway because it
is the entrance into the Gulf ofMexico.
Go back in history and thinkabout how important that Gulf of
(08:20):
Mexico and then going on uptowards places like New Orleans
and all the ports, all the portsthat reside in the Gulf, how
significant that waterway wouldhave been.
So it's a fun way that you cango and learn a little history.
Take the tour and you're kindof on a self-guided tour, so
it's you get that time to walkaround and then you can go
(08:41):
snorkeling or swimmingafterwards and then either catch
the ferry ride or catch theplane back.
So that's that's another greatone.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Or if it's you, you're going to be swimming back
.
I was.
I was surprised that you took aplane.
I just figured you were goingto swim there and back.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Oh no, no no, I'm taking that seaplane on the way
back, okay, but another one Ialso think too.
You know I mean so many people.
Hawaii is a dream destinationfor a lot of people and it's
easier than ever to get toHawaii with now so many nonstop
flights, including my base inDenver, so including right out
(09:17):
of Denver.
Multiple airlines now havenonstop flights.
But in particular, you guyshave probably seen, of course,
all the buzz with the volcanoerupting on Hawaii Island and in
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Yes, you know, I mean all of us.
If you're going, if you'reinterested in volcanoes, that's
kind of a mecca spot for you togo visit.
But I'll honestly tell you Iwas so pleasantly surprised my
(09:41):
cousins and I did this adventureand we spent a day driving
through the park so it's calledChain of Craters Road and you
just get to see the volcaniclandscape, but also not just
seeing it, you can kind ofimmerse yourself in it.
So we did a couple of hikes,including going into a lava tube
and getting that experience andthen walking out onto a lava
(10:04):
bed floor where you can stillsee the uneven surface you know
from an eruption years and yearsand years ago.
So there are things like thatto do along this incredible
scenic drive in a national park,but it also takes you all the
way to the coast.
So it's kind of going from youknow the hot bubbling lava to
(10:27):
listening to the ferocity of thewaves of you crashing on this
extremely jagged and beautifulcoastline.
But at the same time as you getcloser to the coast you get an
opportunity to experience someHawaiian history and learn a
little bit about that.
There's a word in Hawaii calledohana and it means family and
(10:50):
it is kind of synonymous withaloha and just the welcoming
vibe that you get when you doget to go to Hawaii.
But that family Ohana extendsto an area that's very close to
the coast.
You can get out, do a shorthike on or short walk really on
some boardwalks and seepetroglyphs, and that was a huge
surprise.
(11:10):
I was like wait, what Hawaiihas?
Petroglyphs?
Yeah, so kind of an unexpectedthing.
You expect to see the volcanoesand if you're lucky you also
get to see an eruption, which isa phenomenal thing to see.
I love watching the webcams andthings from there, but that's a
great one.
I would also say Haleakala onMaui.
I recently did it and I did itin the spring and I did not do
(11:37):
the sunrise.
I didn't get the permit becauseI decided too late that I was
going to do it.
But I'm kind of glad I didn'tbecause I went a little bit
later and I feel like that I gotit without the crowds because
the sunrise is the time thateveryone wants to go.
And I started asking a lot oflocals about it and they said,
(11:58):
oh, the secret time to go isactually sunset.
So I was like, well, that'sgood to know.
It's also great to be able toshare that.
But I just really enjoyed it.
It's an incredibly beautifulscenic drive that does take you
from kind of a rainforestexperience all the way up to,
you know, the very barren10,000-fe landscape that you
experienced there.
(12:18):
So that's a great one to do ifyou happen to be on Maui.
And then I just want to takeyou into California Kind of.
I think a little lesser knownnational park is Pinnacles
National Park.
It's less than two and a halfhours from San Francisco.
I did this on a solo adventureand went and did one of my
favorite hikes ever in anational park, and the reason
(12:40):
being I asked a ranger.
I said hey, here's what I'mlooking to do and he said, ok,
do this, and he's like connectthese couple of trails.
And I went through.
It was called Condor GulchTrail and going through the
weather had been kind of off andon raining.
So of course you want to makemake sure as you should with any
national park and you'reventuring make sure you have the
(13:01):
proper gear.
No bad weather, there's only badgears make sure you have, make
sure you have rain gear, makesure you also have, um, you know
, some layers and some snacksand water those are kind of and
sunscreen.
But I go and all of of a suddenI'm like the only one on the
trail because the weather hadbeen iffy and it had been
raining off and on.
(13:21):
So I'm going along and all of asudden I spot what looks like a
huge bird and tentacles isknown for the endangered
Californian condor.
And not only did I get to seeone, but I started noticing two,
and then three, and they'reswirling, they're riding the
(13:42):
thermals and it is just, I meanit's jaw dropping.
I mean it's that awestruckmoment of watching, you know,
just this beautiful, incrediblystunningly beautiful large bird,
and not only get to see one butget to see multiple.
So then getting that, and thenit started to rain.
So not only did I get to seethe condors flying, I also
(14:05):
started watching them and seeingseveral others watching them
land and then really watchingand going, others watching them
land and then really watchinggoing.
Whoa, those birds are huge.
And of course, you know, kind ofcontinued up this great hike,
got to the ridgeline and it isnotorious, the trail that I went
on the ridgeline, one notoriousfor some steep, narrow
passageways and really almostlike hand and foot kind of holds
(14:29):
that you have to go through.
And if that's the time you knowtrue to form being a
meteorologist getting smackedwith crazy weather, you know
it's part of it and getting thatadventure of really having to
navigate and enjoying this rockyterrain, this beautiful terrain
, feeling the elements.
But I think that's a specialone too, that it is definitely
(14:49):
worth that drive to go and Iactually, the way I did it was I
went and spent a night inHollister and then went on in
and hiked those trails.
So there's a cave if you want alittle bit less of a strenuous
hike.
You know the bear cave there,that's another area to do, but I
would definitely put that oneon your spring list too.
I love it.
(15:09):
Yeah, it, yeah.
Condor some of the biggest birdsin the world.
Those things are enormous, theyare.
And to get to see them in theirnatural habitat and to get to
see it with without droves ofother people, yeah, I just I
felt like they put on a specialshow just for me.
I don't know what I did thatday to deserve it.
I literally just stopped.
(15:30):
I just stopped on the trail andjust watched nature at its
finest and enjoy that moment ofjust seeing something that's
pretty spectacular, becauseyou're not always guaranteed.
You guys know I mean you're innational parks, as much as
people would like to saywhatever the national park is,
if they want to see whateverkind of wildlife that national
(15:51):
park is known for, because ofcourse it does vary across the
country, there are no guaranteesthat you will see anything.
And to be treated to a show likethat it was just something
spectacular, but I did that inMarch, so I kind of consider
that a prime.
If you can put up with thepossibility of some rain showers
, go and march it and get that.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Get that national park to yourself, yeah love it
well I guess it is a great timewell, jennifer, do you have any
other spring tips for us?
Speaker 2 (16:22):
I think if you were going to national parks in the
springtime, of course you knowyou might have to deal with some
spring break crowds, especiallyinto some of those more popular
parks.
I'm just going to throw thatout there, you know.
I mean, if you're going to aplace, say, for example, big
Bend National Park, march is aprime time that you will
encounter, going to encounterthose spring break crowds at
(16:44):
that national park.
But it's also a great time tothink about some of those that
so many people flop to in thesummertime, to kind of think
about maybe going into adifferent month.
So in going into thatspringtime in particular, if you
can go outside of those fewcouple of like primetime spring
break weeks in March, you can dolike April To me.
I spend a lot of time going tosome of the national parks,
(17:06):
especially the Mighty Five inUtah.
That is my favorite time ofyear and almost every April
you're going to find me hikingin at least one of those Mighty
Five because you get greatweather, you get the longer days
and if it's during the weekespecially, you're going to get
less crowds.
So you know, if you can, itkind of parlays, I guess, for
(17:28):
any time of year, especially forlate spring, summer and early
fall, the most popular times inthe parks, with July and August
being your prime time.
You know, if you can go duringthe week, you're going to be
treated to solitude in thoseparks, or at least be able to
find it somewhere Not everywhereto solitude in those parks, or
at least be able to find itsomewhere, not everywhere.
But you know.
But in of course, in thespringtime, make sure you are
(17:49):
prepared that you do still haveat least a puffy jacket and have
a raincoat.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
You're going to need those potentially yeah, and this
from the meteorologist you gotto trust what she says, that's
right.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
That's right, baby all right y'all.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
So you need to be following jennroom if you are
not already.
Her website goes with the wholeBroom thing of her last name.
She's Jennifer Broom with an Eat the end, and her website is
sweptawaytodaycom.
That's her main platform forher travel stories, weather
insight, environmentaljournalism and destination
(18:23):
guides.
So we will put that on the shownotes, as well as how you can
connect with her on her socials.
On Instagram, she's at JenniferBroom Travel Again, broom is
with an E and on Facebook she'sJennifer Broom TV.
So check her out there Again.
We'll put all her socials andher website on our show notes
(18:45):
and we can't wait to see younext week when we take you to
National Parks in the summer.
See you then.
We hope we've inspired you thisepisode, so join us next time.
Please subscribe to rate andshare our podcast with your
friends or you know whomever?
And please like and follow us onInstagram, youtube and Facebook
(19:05):
.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
We're also on X with your friends or you know
whomever, and please like andfollow us on Instagram, youtube
and Facebook.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
We're also on X and on all social platforms.
We are at TheRomies that'sT-H-E-R-O-A-M-I-E-S, and our
main hub is our website Atwwwtheromiescom.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
That's right, that's.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
T-H-E-R-O-A-M-I-E-S dot com.
We'll be there until next time.
Yeah, thanks for listening.
Bye, thank you.
This transcript has not be read or edited by our
team.
Hi, I'm Alexa and I'm Rory, andtogether we are the ROAMies we
are married.
To each other.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Right?
We are a touring musical duo.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
And our music has taken us to all kinds of places
all around the world and keepsus always on the go, so we hope
you enjoy our stories andadventures while running around
working to keep all your platesspinning.
And we hope to facilitate yourbusy lifestyle and feed your
inner travel bug.
Hi everyone, we are so excitedto have Jennifer Broom on our
(00:36):
episode, on this podcast episodeand this whole entire month.
We are very excited and honoredto have her as our guest and I
got to meet her at the Traveland Adventure Show.
I've mentioned that to you guysa few times before.
Jennifer, we are recording nowbecause you have been a major
globetrotter and you like Eventhough you're not from Harlem
(01:01):
still you've been a globetrotwerfor many years, but it's really
amazing what you have beendoing, so you want to give us a
little recap before we dive intoour main content today.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yeah, I mean, I guess the biggest thing that I've
done recently, as you arecorrect.
I mean I've been everywhereping pong and the globe but the
big thing I just recently didwas to stand on top of the roof
of Africa, the tallestfreestanding mountain in the
world.
I trekked Kilimanjaro and madeit to the top of it, 19,341 feet
(01:35):
high.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
Wow, Did you have to have oxygen that high?
Speaker 2 (01:40):
No, I didn't, and ironically, I've also trekked to
Everest base camp.
But when you see people thatare trekking to Everest base
camp and you see that iconicshot of the rock that people
stand in front of, that'sactually at 17,200 feet.
So I got special.
Yeah, our trek group, which isDr John Kudrowski, is a very,
(02:02):
very dear friend of mine.
It's Dr John Adventures.
He has summited Everestmultiple times.
I trust my dear friend a lotwith my life on the mountain.
Yeah, yeah.
So on Everest, we went in andhad special permission to go
into base camp, so I actuallymade it to 17,500.
So 17,500 feet was the highestI had ever, been powered by my
(02:27):
own two feet, woo.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Still hitting the top of Kilimanjaro, so I don't know
.
So now it's kind of like well,what's next?
What am I going to do?
What's my next big trek or bigadventure?
But I'll figure that out soon,I guess Outer space baby.
Hey, if somebody says Jen doyou?
Want to go.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
I am in Come on the next ride of SpaceX up into
space.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
That would be awesome .
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Yes, well, jen, we wanted to dive in this month and
bring you back to the US andlet's talk national parks.
And what we're going to doy'all just to kind of give you
an overview is this month we'regoing to talk about where you
can visit national parks, likethe best time of the year for
each one.
So we're going to go througheach season and so each week
(03:18):
we're going to bring you a newseason of the year and have
Jennifer share with us what arethe prime national parks to go
visit at these certain times ofyear.
So do you want to just give usa quick little intro on what got
you interested or passionateabout state parks or national
parks in the first place?
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Yeah, I think folks are kind of surprised when I say
I'm going for all 433 NationalPark Service units.
I am well on my way.
I am over 250 of those and thatdoes include the 63 national
parks.
I am at 48 and counting, hopingto quickly add a couple of
(04:02):
others before the snow settlesin, even though there are some
parks that are, I think, betterin the winter, some of them with
snow.
But yeah, I do spend a lot oftime in the national parks and
really taking advantage of thepublic lands that we have.
Each one is unique, Each one isspecial.
I love national parks, but Ialso truly do love things like
the national monuments, thehistoric sites, the battlefields
(04:23):
, those because those are alittle bit more approachable,
that you can actually visit anational historic site or a
national monument and reallytake in that whole thing within
a half day or a full day.
National parks you needtypically more than a day.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Yes, yes.
So you've got to.
You have to plan them out well.
So if you can plan themaccording to season, then you
really can kind of plan youryear, plan out your wardrobe,
all of the things, know what toexpect.
And so let's dive in thisepisode into spring.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Okay, so spring is kind of that season of rebirth,
it is the season of growth.
I'm going to start you first ofall at Great Sand Dunes
National Park and Preserve inColorado.
So it's the tallest sand dunesin North America.
They kind of just come out ofthe high plateau, the high
valley floor and they're justincredibly gorgeous.
(05:20):
But the reason that I pickedspring is because, although I
will tell you, I also reallylove them in winter, like if you
want to get away for solitudeand see no one around, then go
in the winter, because I've donethat too.
But in particular for springit's because of a special
phenomenon that happens and it'scalled surge flow.
So there is a creek it's MednoCreek that's at the base of the
(05:41):
sand dunes and in the latespring, even going into early
summer so kind of prime time,for it is May going into early
June you get that snow melt,runoff and so that increases
that creek and it's the surgeblow.
So it's basically that thereare little tiny waves and
ripples that happen in thiscreek and they're rolling
(06:02):
backwards.
So it's a rare phenomenon.
It's one of the best places tosee it in the world, so you can
go.
You can go all the way up andhike in the sand dunes.
You can take, you know, you canride a board.
You can ride the dunes, if youwant, on kind of like a like a
snowboard or it's kind of a funthing that people do.
You can hike through them, youcan run through them and then
(06:25):
you can enjoy the creek.
And I mean when it's at thepeak flow you're going to see
people there like in their innertubes, kids having a great time
, and even when it's low you canstill see it a little bit
throughout the year.
But it's just kind of.
I think the Great Sand Dunesare a little bit of a hidden gem
, especially when you're talkingabout national parks in the
West, because it is a lesservisited national park.
(06:47):
So it's certainly one to put onyour list.
Yeah, sounds pretty awesome.
I bet the water's a bit chilly.
Huh, it can be a little on thecool side.
Let's call it refreshing.
How about that phrase?
I mean you can get a little bitof like, like the nature's
cryotherapy.
You know your cold plunge.
Yes.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Yeah.
So, kind of keeping with thatwater theme a little bit, I'm
going to take you to a couple ofother places, and the first one
being let's go to Florida.
In particular, we're going togo to Key West and we're going
to go 70 miles off of Key Westand drive Tortuga's National
Park.
So this one does take someplanning because there's only
two ways to get there by boat,or you can take, like, the ferry
(07:33):
, which is a fun way to do itfor an all-day adventure, or you
can do what I did, and it's goin a seaplane.
The reason I did the seaplaneis because they fly at about 500
feet, so on the way out there,I think it's about a 20-minute
plane ride, if I remembercorrectly.
On the way out there you can seethings like sea turtles and
dolphins and really see themarine wildlife as you're on
(07:58):
your way to the fort.
And the fort itself that youget to visit is the largest
masonry structure in the WesternHemisphere and you'd think it's
kind of like well, it's out inthe middle of nowhere, but it
was built to protect a verysignificant waterway because it
is the entrance into the Gulf ofMexico.
Go back in history and thinkabout how important that Gulf of
(08:20):
Mexico and then going on uptowards places like New Orleans
and all the ports, all the portsthat reside in the Gulf, how
significant that waterway wouldhave been.
So it's a fun way that you cango and learn a little history.
Take the tour and you're kindof on a self-guided tour, so
it's you get that time to walkaround and then you can go
(08:41):
snorkeling or swimmingafterwards and then either catch
the ferry ride or catch theplane back.
So that's that's another greatone.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Or if it's you, you're going to be swimming back
.
I was.
I was surprised that you took aplane.
I just figured you were goingto swim there and back.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Oh no, no no, I'm taking that seaplane on the way
back, okay, but another one Ialso think too.
You know I mean so many people.
Hawaii is a dream destinationfor a lot of people and it's
easier than ever to get toHawaii with now so many nonstop
flights, including my base inDenver, so including right out
(09:17):
of Denver.
Multiple airlines now havenonstop flights.
But in particular, you guyshave probably seen, of course,
all the buzz with the volcanoerupting on Hawaii Island and in
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Yes, you know, I mean all of us.
If you're going, if you'reinterested in volcanoes, that's
kind of a mecca spot for you togo visit.
But I'll honestly tell you Iwas so pleasantly surprised my
(09:41):
cousins and I did this adventureand we spent a day driving
through the park so it's calledChain of Craters Road and you
just get to see the volcaniclandscape, but also not just
seeing it, you can kind ofimmerse yourself in it.
So we did a couple of hikes,including going into a lava tube
and getting that experience andthen walking out onto a lava
(10:04):
bed floor where you can stillsee the uneven surface you know
from an eruption years and yearsand years ago.
So there are things like thatto do along this incredible
scenic drive in a national park,but it also takes you all the
way to the coast.
So it's kind of going from youknow the hot bubbling lava to
(10:27):
listening to the ferocity of thewaves of you crashing on this
extremely jagged and beautifulcoastline.
But at the same time as you getcloser to the coast you get an
opportunity to experience someHawaiian history and learn a
little bit about that.
There's a word in Hawaii calledohana and it means family and
(10:50):
it is kind of synonymous withaloha and just the welcoming
vibe that you get when you doget to go to Hawaii.
But that family Ohana extendsto an area that's very close to
the coast.
You can get out, do a shorthike on or short walk really on
some boardwalks and seepetroglyphs, and that was a huge
surprise.
(11:10):
I was like wait, what Hawaiihas?
Petroglyphs?
Yeah, so kind of an unexpectedthing.
You expect to see the volcanoesand if you're lucky you also
get to see an eruption, which isa phenomenal thing to see.
I love watching the webcams andthings from there, but that's a
great one.
I would also say Haleakala onMaui.
I recently did it and I did itin the spring and I did not do
(11:37):
the sunrise.
I didn't get the permit becauseI decided too late that I was
going to do it.
But I'm kind of glad I didn'tbecause I went a little bit
later and I feel like that I gotit without the crowds because
the sunrise is the time thateveryone wants to go.
And I started asking a lot oflocals about it and they said,
(11:58):
oh, the secret time to go isactually sunset.
So I was like, well, that'sgood to know.
It's also great to be able toshare that.
But I just really enjoyed it.
It's an incredibly beautifulscenic drive that does take you
from kind of a rainforestexperience all the way up to,
you know, the very barren10,000-fe landscape that you
experienced there.
(12:18):
So that's a great one to do ifyou happen to be on Maui.
And then I just want to takeyou into California Kind of.
I think a little lesser knownnational park is Pinnacles
National Park.
It's less than two and a halfhours from San Francisco.
I did this on a solo adventureand went and did one of my
favorite hikes ever in anational park, and the reason
(12:40):
being I asked a ranger.
I said hey, here's what I'mlooking to do and he said, ok,
do this, and he's like connectthese couple of trails.
And I went through.
It was called Condor GulchTrail and going through the
weather had been kind of off andon raining.
So of course you want to makemake sure as you should with any
national park and you'reventuring make sure you have the
(13:01):
proper gear.
No bad weather, there's only badgears make sure you have, make
sure you have rain gear, makesure you also have, um, you know
, some layers and some snacksand water those are kind of and
sunscreen.
But I go and all of of a suddenI'm like the only one on the
trail because the weather hadbeen iffy and it had been
raining off and on.
(13:21):
So I'm going along and all of asudden I spot what looks like a
huge bird and tentacles isknown for the endangered
Californian condor.
And not only did I get to seeone, but I started noticing two,
and then three, and they'reswirling, they're riding the
(13:42):
thermals and it is just, I meanit's jaw dropping.
I mean it's that awestruckmoment of watching, you know,
just this beautiful, incrediblystunningly beautiful large bird,
and not only get to see one butget to see multiple.
So then getting that, and thenit started to rain.
So not only did I get to seethe condors flying, I also
(14:05):
started watching them and seeingseveral others watching them
land and then really watchingand going, others watching them
land and then really watchinggoing.
Whoa, those birds are huge.
And of course, you know, kind ofcontinued up this great hike,
got to the ridgeline and it isnotorious, the trail that I went
on the ridgeline, one notoriousfor some steep, narrow
passageways and really almostlike hand and foot kind of holds
(14:29):
that you have to go through.
And if that's the time you knowtrue to form being a
meteorologist getting smackedwith crazy weather, you know
it's part of it and getting thatadventure of really having to
navigate and enjoying this rockyterrain, this beautiful terrain
, feeling the elements.
But I think that's a specialone too, that it is definitely
(14:49):
worth that drive to go and Iactually, the way I did it was I
went and spent a night inHollister and then went on in
and hiked those trails.
So there's a cave if you want alittle bit less of a strenuous
hike.
You know the bear cave there,that's another area to do, but I
would definitely put that oneon your spring list too.
I love it.
(15:09):
Yeah, it, yeah.
Condor some of the biggest birdsin the world.
Those things are enormous, theyare.
And to get to see them in theirnatural habitat and to get to
see it with without droves ofother people, yeah, I just I
felt like they put on a specialshow just for me.
I don't know what I did thatday to deserve it.
I literally just stopped.
(15:30):
I just stopped on the trail andjust watched nature at its
finest and enjoy that moment ofjust seeing something that's
pretty spectacular, becauseyou're not always guaranteed.
You guys know I mean you're innational parks, as much as
people would like to saywhatever the national park is,
if they want to see whateverkind of wildlife that national
(15:51):
park is known for, because ofcourse it does vary across the
country, there are no guaranteesthat you will see anything.
And to be treated to a show likethat it was just something
spectacular, but I did that inMarch, so I kind of consider
that a prime.
If you can put up with thepossibility of some rain showers
, go and march it and get that.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Get that national park to yourself, yeah love it
well I guess it is a great timewell, jennifer, do you have any
other spring tips for us?
Speaker 2 (16:22):
I think if you were going to national parks in the
springtime, of course you knowyou might have to deal with some
spring break crowds, especiallyinto some of those more popular
parks.
I'm just going to throw thatout there, you know.
I mean, if you're going to aplace, say, for example, big
Bend National Park, march is aprime time that you will
encounter, going to encounterthose spring break crowds at
(16:44):
that national park.
But it's also a great time tothink about some of those that
so many people flop to in thesummertime, to kind of think
about maybe going into adifferent month.
So in going into thatspringtime in particular, if you
can go outside of those fewcouple of like primetime spring
break weeks in March, you can dolike April To me.
I spend a lot of time going tosome of the national parks,
(17:06):
especially the Mighty Five inUtah.
That is my favorite time ofyear and almost every April
you're going to find me hikingin at least one of those Mighty
Five because you get greatweather, you get the longer days
and if it's during the weekespecially, you're going to get
less crowds.
So you know, if you can, itkind of parlays, I guess, for
(17:28):
any time of year, especially forlate spring, summer and early
fall, the most popular times inthe parks, with July and August
being your prime time.
You know, if you can go duringthe week, you're going to be
treated to solitude in thoseparks, or at least be able to
find it somewhere Not everywhereto solitude in those parks, or
at least be able to find itsomewhere, not everywhere.
But you know.
But in of course, in thespringtime, make sure you are
(17:49):
prepared that you do still haveat least a puffy jacket and have
a raincoat.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
You're going to need those potentially yeah, and this
from the meteorologist you gotto trust what she says, that's
right.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
That's right, baby all right y'all.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
So you need to be following jennroom if you are
not already.
Her website goes with the wholeBroom thing of her last name.
She's Jennifer Broom with an Eat the end, and her website is
sweptawaytodaycom.
That's her main platform forher travel stories, weather
insight, environmentaljournalism and destination
(18:23):
guides.
So we will put that on the shownotes, as well as how you can
connect with her on her socials.
On Instagram, she's at JenniferBroom Travel Again, broom is
with an E and on Facebook she'sJennifer Broom TV.
So check her out there Again.
We'll put all her socials andher website on our show notes
(18:45):
and we can't wait to see younext week when we take you to
National Parks in the summer.
See you then.
We hope we've inspired you thisepisode, so join us next time.
Please subscribe to rate andshare our podcast with your
friends or you know whomever?
And please like and follow us onInstagram, youtube and Facebook
(19:05):
.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
We're also on X with your friends or you know
whomever, and please like andfollow us on Instagram, youtube
and Facebook.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
We're also on X and on all social platforms.
We are at TheRomies that'sT-H-E-R-O-A-M-I-E-S, and our
main hub is our website Atwwwtheromiescom.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
That's right, that's.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
T-H-E-R-O-A-M-I-E-S dot com.
We'll be there until next time.
Yeah, thanks for listening.
Bye, thank you.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com