Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks

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 visitingWe 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!

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 #PodcastTexasChapter Markers: 00:00 Intro00:13 Welcome to Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks00:27 Weather talk & getting outside in San Antonio01:30 San Antonio — the city nobody realizes is huge02:30 Introducing Phil Hardberger Park03:42 The origin story — Buttermilk Hill & dairy farms05:17 The Voelcker family & how they got the land07:45 The Voelcker Trust & its lasting legacy08:26 The Land Bridge — largest in the United States09:00 The Skywalk & treetop canopy trail09:24 Mayor Phil Hardberger & the bond election10:14 What it's like to actually hike the park11:50 Wildlife on the land bridge (deer sightings!)12:19 The historic Voelcker homestead on the property12:59 Monica's detour — KLRN's San Antonio Remembered14:19 Walking through Texas history from Republic to statehood16:07 Is Buttermilk Hill actually hilly?17:15 The national architect search & park design18:09 Awards, accolades & the Salado Creek Greenway19:11 Visitor tips — parking, trails, pets & strollers19:44 Pavilions, bathrooms, public art & the ecology center20:45 Wrapping up — why you have no excuses not to go21:56 Outro — like, share, merch & hike your own hike

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 LevelsHave 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 friendsTwo 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

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 62/180Established: September 30, 1972 | Authorized: 1966Size: 86,416 acres | 80+ miles of trailsHighest Point: Guadalupe Peak, 8,751 ft (highest in Texas!)Entrance Fee: $10/person | Annual Pass acceptedVisitor 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!

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

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 Skieshttps://stikky.com/#DarkSkyParks #Stargazing #NationalParks #MilkyWay #NightSky #Astronomy #HikingPodcast #TwoChicksWithHikingSticks #BigBend #McDonaldObservatory