Sam Walker's Desert Diaries
by Sam Walker
What's it like to actually follow your dreams?Desert Diaries is the brutally honest account of one family's move from the rainy suburbs of Manchester to the scorched wilderness of Arizona.Excitement, frustration, fear, joy, loneliness and scorpions. Quite a lot of scorpions. All life is here.For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam
Episodes
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She only went and ran a marathon.
Come with me to London, for a truly memorable plod around the streets! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert There is still time to support me for my London Marathon, with Breast Cancer Now all donations are…
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Where have the months gone?
Time for a catch up! From floods to football, missing cats to missing ceilings, it's been eventful.... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert If you can support me along with Breast Cancer Now in my bid to run…
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There and back again
It's been a minute! A lot has happened since we last spoke, including the small matter of going back to England for the first time in over three years...eep! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Howdy Stranger
Howdy Stranger Well...its been a minute and few things have happened. Time for a catch up! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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The end or the beginning?
The end or the beginning? A week of wild weather, lost lizards and life-changing deliveries. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Straight shooters and soggy waffles
Straight Shooters and Soggy Waffles There's some surprises in store as new politcial ads hit the Valley's screens, plus classroom confusion over points of the compass... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Diaries from a different desert
Diaries from a different desert From the valley to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas via horse shows and rodeos; a fortnight of mighty road trips across the south west. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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FINALLY!
FINALLY! At last, after more than two years apart, my dad makes it to the desert! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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A state full of stickers
A state full of stickers From homes to cars to gas stations, there's an explosion (and an explaination) of the many stickers (and flags) across the state. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Which side are you on?
Which Side are you on? A national holiday reveals the widening political divide in the US, and ongoing conspiracy theories around the last election are alive and well in Arizona. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on...
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The Unwelcome Visitor
The Unwelcome Visitor In a not entirely unexpected turn of events, Covid comes a-calling to our family home. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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New Year, New Desert!
New Year, New Desert! Our first visitor in two years gives us a whole new perspective on our new home. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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The $9 Potato
The $9 potato We embrace local Christmas tradtions and are introduced to a new reindeer and a very pricey spud. If you fancy meeting Pedro, here is the link to Donde Esta Santa Claus! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on...
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Old friends in an old city
Old friends in an old city More adventures in the Big Apple, including a joyful discovery which brings a bit of British Christmas to the desert. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Reunions and Rememberances
Reunions and Rememberances A week in New York City brings joyous reunions and some pre-Christmas magic. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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What the heck is a panto?
What the heck is a panto? America celebrates "radical generosity" and the locals get confused with talk of pantos. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Random acts of kindness and the trouble with leftovers.
Random acts of kindness and the trouble with leftovers. Thanksgiving rolls around again, bringing a surfeit of food and surprising acts of kindness. Click here to read the article about Thanksgiving referenced in the episode. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on…
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Back to school
Back to school One week, two visits to two very different schools, one far more surreal than the other, plus unbelievable questions from the locals... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Dinner with Coyotes
Dinner with Coyotes As the clocks don't change, but do for everyone else, confusion abounds over when to do anything. Plus a luxury dinner with coyotes at some sexy cliffs... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Illegal pumpkins and confused cowboys
Illegal pumpkins and confused cowboys Halloween passes in a glorious haze of facepaint and chocolate and a local has trouble talking to his British relatives. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert For the great...
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Children of the corn and funny shaped cake.
Children of the corn and funny shaped cake. It's ramping up to Halloween in the Valley, which of course means pig races, getting lost in fields and appreciative zombies. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Marauding cowboys and the wrong kind of pie.
Marauding cowboys and the wrong kind of pie. A big week in history, both personally and for the city. Plus we discover the connection between cowboys and tarantulas. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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The Arizona Big 8
The Arizona Big 8 We go on holiday up the road and spend a few days in the desert in the company of the Arizona Big 8... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Adventures in a different desert
Adventures in a different desert A weekend in the hot mess of lights, music, drinks and people that is Las Vegas leads to a surprising outcome in the casino. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Terror underneath the towels and too many dogs
Terror underneath the towels and too many dogs The week brings unwanted animals of many species...Plus, the two things America is great at, that you don't get anywhere else. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert...
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Saloon nights in inappropriate footwear
Saloon nights in inappropriate footwear Cooler breezes, saloon nights and exciting news about flights! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert My new podcast, American Vigilante is out NOW!! Please hit follow...
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Not Messin' with Texas and swooning over Weetabix
Not Messin' with Texas A visit to the most independent of all the states reveals surprising signs of British influence! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert My new podcast, American Vigilante is out NOW!!…
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Giving first aid to a chicken
Giving first aid to a chicken A late-night meeting with one of the locals causes some concern. Plus lessons in protecting pets from the desert wildlife. My new podcast, American Vigilante is out on September 13! Please hit follow wherever you listen to your podcasts…
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Castles, corn and curiosities
Castles, corn and curiosities We take a trip to the centre of Arizona and make quite the discovery... Plus, an EXCLUSIVE teaser for my brand new podcast American Vigilante, launching September 13. Warning: contains very strong language and descriptions of violence. Please hit follow wherever you...
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Trimmin' trees and talkin' funny
Trimmin' trees and talkin' funny Two visitors to the house provide vital services we never needed before and whilst talking to a man called Dr Randy, something strange happens in my mouth... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on...
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All kinds of Wild
All Kinds of Wild Even after two years in the Valley, it's another weeks of firsts, some exciting, some discomforting. Plus the wild side of desert weather blows into town. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Terror in trunks!
Terror in trunks! Cooler temperatures mean daytime walks for the first time in months, but summer still holds a few dangers up its sleeve (or in its crotch). For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Books, bills and extreme DIY
Books, bills and extreme DIY As August rolls around, so does the return to school and all the new rituals that entails. Random cheques arrive and a nasty surprise whilst changing a light bulb. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on...
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No bears, more rain
No bears, more rain Another week of monsoon weather in the valley puts everyone in a good mood. But a shortage of something you may never even use, puts summer fun in jeopardy for many families. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on...
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Staring at the Suns
Staring at the Suns With the sun out of town for the week, all focus has been on the Suns. Confused? All will be explained. But the sometimes dreary skies have also reflected Sam's mood as another milestone passes. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter…
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Wild weather and love-lorn beetles
Wild weather and love-lorn beetles We return home from California to face monsoons and haboobs, as well as some gigantic beetles, with just one thing on their minds... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Road trippin' with the lizard and illegal dogs
Road trippin' with the lizard and illegal dogs. We take an impromptu road trip to the coast and discover disappearing beaches and an often overlooked American way of life. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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A baseball cap full of ice
A baseball cap full of ice. As the heat ramps up, the tiniest exertions become huge challenges and a couple of comments make me ponder the reputations of "Brits Abroad" For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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New York: Old friends, new friends and all the food.
New York: Old friends, new friends and all the food. We enjoy family time in our favourite city, just as it springs back into life. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Escaping the heat
Escaping the heat We leave the 'historic megadrought" in Arizona behind and head to New York City. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Spray bottles, spiders and Spam
Spray bottles, spiders and spam We head south to Catalina State Park in search of a swim. There's an unusual visitor to the neighbourhood and a discovery about a certain state's cusine. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on...
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Up In The Air AGAIN!
Up In the Air AGAIN! A late Christmas present balloon ride gives a whole new perspective of the Sonoran Desert - incuding something we haven't seen for more than two years! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Up In the Air
Up In the Air An escape to Los Angeles for the weekend heralds an exciting return to air travel and glorious renuions with old friends, leading to a reflection on just how much life can change. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on...
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Not the week we expected
Not the week we expected More bumps in the road of ex-pat life in Arizona. But some great times too. What a week! For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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This Is My Family - bonus episode!
I recently appeared on the wonderful podcast This Is My Family hosted by my friend Tyler Greene and I thought you might like to hear it. It's a podcast about building a life with the people we love. All families are different, but all families make us who we are. I spoke to Tyler about the huge...
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'Tis the season.
'Tis the season This week marked the start of two major seasons in Phoenix, one more welcome than the other... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Highs, lows and horror!
Highs, lows and horror! A week of joyful trips, pensive moments and much screaming. Just another week in the desert then... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Extreme Gardening
Extreme Gardening Even the most mundane of daily tasks results in some heart-stopping moments. A rain shower brings some confusing emotions... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
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Out Among The Cacti
Out Among The Cacti The first RV adventure takes us south to Picacho Peak, where we discover a history of gold rush migrants and Civil War battles, along with wildflowers and wide-open skies. For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on...
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Mr Brightside AKA The Beast
Mr Brightside AKA The Beast There's a new member of the family, who promises to take us away from all of this.... For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam Also on facebook.com/seeyouinthedesert
About this show
What's it like to actually follow your dreams?Desert Diaries is the brutally honest account of one family's move from the rainy suburbs of Manchester to the scorched wilderness of Arizona.Excitement, frustration, fear, joy, loneliness and scorpions. Quite a lot of scorpions. All life is here.For pictures, you can find me on instagram @samwalkerradio and on twitter @walkersam
Hosted by
Sam Walker