Episodes

In this episode I sit down with Tubby Kubik, Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association and we chat about the history of the Parkway, the unique characteristics of the Blue Ridge Mountains, resources to make your visit and exploration of the Parkway and Southern Appalachian towns as enjoyable as possible, and some secrets for escaping the crowds while still seeing amazing Fall Color. MEET THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY: The Blue Ridge Parkway, affectionately known as America's Favorite Sc...

In this episode we sit down with Angela Harrell. She is the Owner & Innkeeper of the Cumberland Falls Bed & Breakfast, located in the beautiful and historic Montford District of Asheville. Angela is also a member of the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association which is an association of diverse inns located in Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding area including historic homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places, quaint cottages in the city and cabins in the mountains, rustic...

In this episode we sit down with Nick Troutman who is a Professional Whitewater Kayaker, Growth Mindset Guru, and Champion Family Man! Nick paddles for Jackson Kayaks and has been a part of the Jackson family heritage for over a decade. Originally from Ottawa, Canada, Nick started kayaking at the age of 13 and his career was catapulted after high school as he toured the country with the Jackson family under the direct mentorship of none other than legendary Eric Jackson (EJ), who is a World-Cham...

In this episode we sit down with Clayton Manche, a lifelong native of Asheville, and Owner of Asheville Adventures, a Locally-lead Adventure Tour Company that offers The Greatest Private Hiking Tours in Asheville. Receiving all 5-star excellent ratings at Trip Advisor, Clayton and his staff of guides at Asheville Adventures have created an incredibly unique and high personalized adventure tour guide service. No two trips are the same, and each is completely customized to match the ability and in...

The Western North Carolina Mountains are beautiful all year, but they really show off their colors and stunning beauty in Autumn and Fall. In this episode we break down the Fall Color Map for North Carolina by Appalachian State University's Howard Neufeld (Affectionately known as the Fall Color Guy) and Michael Denslow. We also talk about how weather affects fall color and how this year’s weather is shaping up. We’ll break down the timeline of the map by elevation and share some killer spots for...

It is common for people who visit the western North Carolina mountains to instantly fall in love with the area. From outdoor adventure enthusiasts and waterfall explorers to anglers and scenic byway drivers, those who love these mountains are drawn to its beauty and serenity. For Mike & Cate Szabo, owners of Cabin Hosts Vacation Rentals, their love affair with the Blue Ridge Mountains started with a trip to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the fall foliage in 2012. The mountains captured their hea...

Thomas C. Webb is an Emmy award-winning film and video creator who has dedicated his life to waking up at 3am, enduring -30-degree temperatures and climbing to spine-tingling heights to capture the perfect shot. Bringing the client’s vision to life and telling their story in a unique, engaging way is what drives Thomas to wake up well before the sun. For over a decade, Thomas has been traveling across the world telling impactful stories with professional and creative video production services. C...

When the weather begins to cool off in the Southeast it means the best season of the year is fast approaching. Apple picking, a favorite fall pastime, actually begins in early September in western North Carolina. And, no apple tastes better than the ones you pick yourself - fresh off the tree. This autumn/fall activity is definitely one to have on your family bucket list. In this episode I sit down with Farmer Mike Stepp, a third generation apple farmer, who owns Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard, a bea...

In this episode we highlight some of the latest places we’ve been exploring. Exploration Local Host, Mike Andress, shares some of his favorite small mountain towns, new hikes, waterfalls, scenic drives & mountain biking trails that he's being enjoying with his family. With a little drop in temps here in WNC, the apple farms opening up for the season, and kids returning to school, the popular fall leaf season in the mountains is just around the corner. Listen in to hear about places to check out ...

Leslie Restivo lives in Boone, NC. She is very comfortable in the backcountry of the Highlands and the rugged and scenic Linville Gorge. She has been known to rappel deep into the Gorge to grab the perfect shot. She is a Brand Ambassador at Great Outdoor Provision Co, 2020 Grand Prize winner of the Peering into Pisgah Photo Contest, Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine Photographer of 2020, Admin at North Carolina Nature Lovers on Facebook, and Admin at Roam Outdoors and Appalachian Explorers on Instagr...

Years of careful study has proven that spending time in a forest can reduce stress, anxiety, depression and anger; strengthen the immune system, improve cardiovascular and metabolic health and boost overall well-being. Exploration Local Host, Mike Andress, discusses his own personal struggle with depression and anxiety and the freedom he experiences from being in the outdoors. He shares some helpful resources like The Nature Fix and Forest Bathing that open the door to the modern affliction of "...

After a three month, 14K mile father-and-son camping trip that included 49 campgrounds,, 20 states and provinces across the USA and Canada, and visiting numerous national parks and forests along the way, Earl B. Hunter Jr was astonished that he only saw one other Black family camping on their entire journey. It was then that Earl knew he was being called to a greater mission. In October of 2019, Earl stepped away from an executive sales role with an outdoor equipment manufacturer and set out to ...

Are you looking to spice up your mountain getaway? Look no further than DuPont Yurts. Listen in as Sherry & Terry McCracken, owners of DuPont Yurts, talk about how an impromptu wedding anniversary trip staying in a Yurt spawned the heartbeat and vision for a new Yurt Glampground in the adventure rich Dupont State Forest. This husband and wife duo discusses their long range vision, hope, and mission of creating a place where individuals, families, and groups of friends can unplug from the hecticn...

Yashdeep Kumar immigrated to the United States from India to attend the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and pursue his Biomedical Engineering Graduate Degree. Listen in as Yashdeep shares amazing stories and talks about how Outdoor Adventures and the outdoor community were the portals to acclimating to life in the USA, and in his own words, "gave him confidence and helped him live his best life." 25 years later, the experiences Yashdeep gained with the Outdoor Adventure Program con...

The #VanLife movement has taken over social media with more than 7.3 million mentions on Instagram alone. Breathtaking photos of people who have sold their world belongings, purchased a van and headed out on the open road leave followers dreaming of a simpler life and living a bit of the nomadic hippie lifestyle. While not everyone can shed the 9am-5pm life, become a minimalist and travel the world in a van, Urban Escape Vehicles has made it possible to experience the excitement of the #VanLife ...

Will Lovett, a rising senior majoring in Marketing & Management at UNC Asheville doesn't just love mountain biking, he also loves to spread the mountain biking STOKE to his fellow students. He and a group of entrepreneurial friends and fellow mountain bike riders took their love of the sport to the next level and started a mountain biking team at UNC Asheville. Listen in as Will describes the process and challenge of forming a new collegiate club sport team while juggling the demanding schedule ...

Blue Wall Adventures, based in Greenville, South Carolina is a premier source for outdoor adventures in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. They offer guided mountain biking tours and hikes in Dupont State Forest, Pisgah National Forest, and Chimney Rock State Park (Weedpatch Mountain Trail). Blue Wall Adventures also offers professional mountain bike instruction, summer camps, skills clinics, and private instruction for families, groups, or individuals. In this episode we speak ...

This episode is because of mountain biking but isn’t ALL about mountain biking. It’s about sharing the ride and the journey that comes with it. It’s about falling in love with an idea that has such a strong pull that it ends up becoming a dream that has to be pursued. It’s about giving ourselves the freedom to dream, striving for the pursuit of excellence, advocacy, love for a local community and a desire to see people fully engaged with the outdoors and each other. And yes of course…It’s about ...

Inspired by their deep roots and heritage in outdoor equipment manufacturing, SylvanSport designs products that make playing in the outdoors easy, fun, and accessible. In 2004, SylvanSport set out to make the most innovative pop-up camper and has evolved into a line of some of the most uniquely designed and durable camping and gear trailers ever made. We sit down with Katlyn Mobley, SylvanSport Digital Content Specialist, A.T. Thru-Hiker, and Adventure Guide to discuss the company's playful pers...

We sit down with Mary Jo Gordon, Marketing & Communication Specialist with Transylvania County Tourism to get a behind the scenes look at what it is like to support & promote a beautiful mountain destination. Brevard and Transylvania County offer one-of-a-kind opportunities to pursue fly fishing, mountain biking, road cycling, rock climbing, hiking, camping, birding, cruising the backroads, or whatever else floats your canoe. Discover exquisite arts and crafts, catch world-class musical performa...

Headwaters is dedicated to providing family-friendly outings along the French Broad River, and beyond: from big groups of 20 family members to the most elite fisher men and women! Their customer service is unmatched and their proud of that. As a small family owned and operated outfitter in Rosman, N.C., they are passionate about sharing their knowledge of Western North Carolina’s natural resources, their love for Appalachian Mountains, and the outdoor recreation opportunities found along the Fre...

Matt Moses is the President and CEO of USA Raft in Erwin, TN. The USA Raft Adventure Resort is nestled between the Cherokee National Forest (with the AT running right through the edge of the property) and the Nolichucky River. With 30+ years of experience, a rigorous raft guide training school and some of the best guides and gear on the river, USA Raft is the leading whitewater rafting outfitter in the region. USA Raft has also grown it's footprint to accommodate numerous lodging options and adv...

Welcome to the Exploration Local Podcast! In this introduction episode I share how a pop-up camper and traveling through Europe in a Volkswagen Van influenced my love for the outdoors. I created this show to explore and highlight the people and places that make the Blue Ridge Mountains special and unique, and to encourage you to make adventure and the outdoors a priority in your life. We'll hear from authors, business owners, photographers, outdoor athletes, adventurers, travelers and friends w...