PODCAST · society
Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks
by Monica Gonzalez and Susan Resendez
Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks is a podcast that aims to entertain and educate about the outdoors through experiences that will empower us to explore the rich intersections of culture, history, and the natural world. We really appreciate your support over these last few months. We've had comments from several of you asking about merchandise and we heard you! The Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks storefront is now open and we'd love it if you would consider supporting our endeavor to inform and educate about our cultural, historical, and natural world by buying a t-shirt or sticker or pin to help spread the word by buying a t-shirt or sticker or pin. If you see something you like on the storefront but would like it more personalized, send a direct message and we'll do ou
Episodes
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Manassas Battlefield: Two Battles, One Field, and the Fight to Save It
Two battles. One field. And a modern fight to keep it from being swallowed by development. In this episode of Two Chicks With Hiking Sticks, Susan and Monica head to Manassas National Battlefield Park (a.k.a. Bull Run) in Northern Virginia, site of the Civil War's first major land battle. We…
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Denali National Park: Saved for Sheep, Renamed Twice, and One $230M Bridge
Denali National Park almost wasn't named for the mountain at all — the whole thing got saved because one guy in the early 1900s wouldn't stop fighting to protect the Dall sheep from overhunting. In this episode, we dig into how Denali became a national park in 1917 (as Mount McKinley National...
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Where Flight Became Real: Exploring Dayton's Wright Brothers & Paul Laurence Dunbar National Park
Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks head to Dayton, Ohio to explore the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park — the six-site park honoring Wilbur and Orville Wright AND poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. We walk the Wright Cycle Company shop and discuss where the Wrights proved flight was…
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White Sands National Park: Ghost Tracks, Missile Ranges & Legends
This week Susan and Monica cover White Sands National Park — our 62nd of 63 — and there's way more going on here than sand. We get into why it sat as a "national monument" for 86 years before finally becoming a national park in 2019 (spoiler: it involved a defense bill), why the park sometimes…
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"Tumacácori: Arizona's Oldest Mission
This week we're at Tumacácori National Historical Park, a 360-acre National Historical Park protecting the ruins of three Spanish colonial missions along Arizona's Santa Cruz River. We dig into Padre Kino's 1691 mission and the Anza Trail's road to San Francisco. 📍 Featured: Mission San José de...
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Was This National Park Named After a Fraud? (Lassen Volcanic National Park)
Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks heads to Lassen Volcanic National Park — and it turns out the story behind this "hidden gem" is way weirder than we expected. We dig into how a failed political fight only got resolved because the mountain literally erupted, how the devastating 2021 Dixie Fire…
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Ocmulgee Mounds: 12,000 Years of History, Stolen Bones & Georgia's Next National Park
Susan and Monica head to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park just outside Macon, Georgia — a site with evidence of continuous human habitation for 12,000 to 17,000 years. We cover the Great Temple Mound (55 feet high, built basket by basket by South Appalachian Mississippian laborers), the...
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North Cascades National Park: Glaciers, a Giant Beaver & a Billion-Dollar Dam Scandal
We're covering one of the least-visited parks in the whole system — North Cascades National Park in Washington State. This place has over 300 glaciers, turquoise glacial lakes, ancient Indigenous trade routes crossing the mountains 10,000 years ago, and a wild history of dams, clear-cut forests,...
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How One Battle Near Brownsville, Texas Won America the West Coast
Most people have never heard of the Mexican-American War — but it gave the United States everything from New Mexico and Arizona to California. And it all started right here, on a quiet coastal prairie near Brownsville, Texas. Join Susan and Monica as they dig into one of the most underrated — and...
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Ancient Rock Art in the Desert
Join Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks as we explore Petroglyph National Monument on the edge of Albuquerque, New Mexico — home to an estimated 20,000-25,000 petroglyphs carved into volcanic basalt by Ancestral Puebloan peoples and Spanish settlers over the last 700+ years. In this episode, we hike…
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Mount Rainier National Park: What You NEED to Know Before You Go
Ever wondered what it's actually like to visit Mount Rainier National Park? In this episode, Susan shares her firsthand experience visiting in August 2024 — and she and Monica break down everything you need to know before you go, from the park's layout to the logistics that can make or break your...
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Is Fort Union National Monument Worth Preserving?
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...
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San Antonio's Hidden Gem: The Incredible True Story Behind Phil Hardberger Park
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…
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Palmetto State Park Texas: The Most Underrated State Park in Texas?
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...
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Texas’ Highest Peak & Ancient Oceans: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
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...
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Don't Hit the Trails Without These Survival Tips!
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.…
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Dark Sky Parks
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...
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Texas' Only Natural Lake Has a WILD History
Texas has one natural lake — and most people have never heard of it. 🌿 Caddo Lake State Park in East Texas is unlike anywhere else in the Lone Star State. We're talking 400-year-old bald cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, a swamp full of alligators, 12,000 years of human history, and a…
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Arches National Park Guide
Welcome back to Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks! 🏜️ In this episode, we're heading to one of the most jaw-dropping places on Earth — Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. Home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches (yes, TWO THOUSAND!), this park is a bucket-list destination for a reason — and we're...
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She Freed 700 people in One Night
She escaped slavery alone at night. Then went back. Thirteen times. In this episode, we dive deep into the full, extraordinary life of Harriet Tubman — from her brutal childhood on Maryland's Eastern Shore, to her daring escapes on the Underground Railroad, to her secret career as a Union Army…
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How FDR's Depression-Era 'Tree Army' Built America's National Parks
In 1933, with 25% of Americans out of work and the land itself in crisis, FDR launched one of the most ambitious — and successful — programs in American history: the Civilian Conservation Corps. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the CCC — how it was created in just 10 days, how 3 million...
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Protecting Big Bend + Honoring a President
In this episode of Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks, we cover TWO powerful stories connected by one theme: protecting the places and values that matter most. 🎥 PART 1 — THE RIVER AND THE WALL FILM SCREENING We attended a special community event hosted by the National Parks Conservation Association...
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Pullman National Historic Park
What happens when one man tries to build the perfect world — and his workers say enough is enough? Welcome to Pullman, one of the most fascinating and layered history destinations in the entire United States. In this episode, we're diving deep into Pullman National Historical Park on Chicago's…
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Joshua Tree National Park
Join Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks as we explore the stunning landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park where two deserts collide to create one unforgettable adventure. In this episode, we break down what to see, where to go, and essential travel tips for making the most of your visit. Whether…
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Exploring Shenandoah National Park
Welcome back to Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks! In this episode, we takes you on a deep dive into one of the most beloved national parks on the East Coast: Shenandoah National Park in northwestern Virginia. Whether you're planning your first visit or your fifth, this episode covers EVERYTHING: • ✅...
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Fort Scott: From Indian Frontier to Civil War Stronghold
Step back in time at Fort Scott National Historic Site in Kansas. It is a place where America’s frontier dreams, broken promises, and Civil War struggles all collided. Built in 1842 to enforce the Permanent Indian Frontier, Fort Scott quickly became a symbol of westward expansion, Native...
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River Raisin Battlefield | War of 1812's Worst American Defeat
What if we told you that one of the most dramatic and consequential battles in American history happened in a small Michigan city — and almost nobody knows about it? In this episode of Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks, we explore River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, Michigan: the site…
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Jo Giese: She Hiked 50+ Countries, Then Lost Her Achilles — Here's How She Walked Again
What do you do when a doctor tells you you'll be impaired for life — and you simply refuse to believe them? Award-winning journalist, Peabody Award winner, and bestselling author Jo Giese joins Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks to share her extraordinary story of survival, determination, and defying...
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Badlands National Park
What if one of America’s most “hostile” landscapes turned out to be one of its most breathtaking? In this episode of Two Chicks With Hiking Sticks, we explore Badlands National Park in South Dakota — a land shaped by 75 million years of erosion, ancient inland seas, prehistoric mammals, and...
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Why Great Smoky Mountains National Park Is America’s Most Visited Park
Today we’re exploring one of the most beloved places in America — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, this park is the most visited national park in the United States — and once you see the mist rolling across these ancient mountains,...
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Vicksburg National Military Park
Discover the powerful history and lasting legacy of Vicksburg National Military Park — one of the most pivotal battlefields of the American Civil War. In this episode we explore how the 47-day Siege of Vicksburg helped shift the course of the war, giving the Union control of the Mississippi River...
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Texas Ice Age Discovery You Can Walk Through!
Did you know you can walk through an actual Ice Age dig site in Texas? In this episode, we explore Waco Mammoth National Monument, one of the most fascinating paleontological sites in the country — right in the heart of Central Texas. Discovered in 1978 and designated a national monument in 2015,...
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The Untold Story of Andersonville National Historic Site
Join us on a moving journey through Andersonville National Historic Site, one of the most powerful and important historical sites in the United States. In this episode, we explore: 🔹 The harrowing history of Camp Sumter, a Confederate Civil War prison 🔹 The tragic story of tens of thousands of...
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What Independence National Historical Park Teaches Us — And Why It Still Matters
Independence National Historical Park reminds us that America was never meant to be finished. It was designed as a living experiment shaped by debate, fueled by hope, and challenged by contradiction. The same questions they wrestled with inside these buildings — freedom, equality, power,...
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Hike and Feast: Cibolo Center for Conservation
Lace up your boots and bring your appetite — it’s time for another adventure in our Hike & Feast series! In this episode of Two Chicks With Hiking Sticks, we explore the beautiful Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne, Texas. From peaceful creekside trails and towering cypress trees to wide-open Hill...
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Exploring Gettysburg National Military Park
Put your walking shoes on and step into history with Two Chicks With Hiking Sticks as we explore Gettysburg National Military Park — one of the most important and emotionally powerful landscapes in America. In this episode, we will talk about where the Battle of Gettysburg unfolded in July 1863....
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Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is one of the most rugged and awe-inspiring landscapes in the American Southwest and in this episode of Two Chicks With Hiking Sticks, we’re breaking down everything you need to know before you go. Located near Moab, Utah, Canyonlands is carved by the Colorado and Green...
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Kenai Fjords National Park Adventures
In this episode, we’re heading deep into Alaska’s wild beauty as we explore Kenai Fjords National Park — a land shaped by massive glaciers, rugged coastlines, and unforgettable hiking experiences. We kick things off with one of the park’s most iconic adventures: the Exit Glacier hike. This...
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Hike & Feast: Guadalupe River State Park
Discover one of Texas Hill Country’s hidden gems — Guadalupe River State Park. In this episode, we explore the park’s fascinating history, the people who once lived along the river, how the land became protected as a Texas State Park, and why it’s now a favorite destination for hikers, paddlers,...
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Chiricahua National Monument: Arizona’s Wonderland of Rocks
Chiricahua National Monument is one of Arizona’s most surreal and underrated destinations. Often called the “Wonderland of Rocks,” this national monument features towering stone spires, gravity-defying balanced rocks, and winding trails that feel like walking through a natural sculpture garden.…
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Welcome back! Season 2 is here.
The long rest has ended and we are back on the trail kicking off Season 2 with your favorite trail leaders: Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks! We have so much in store for this second season that we hope you enjoy. First, we will have some new formats visually to share with all of you. Then we will...
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Hike and Feast! Pedernales Falls State Park Edition
We are taking you with us as we hike Pedernales Falls State Park and Feast at a local diner in Johnson City, TX! #hiking #pedernales #pedernalesfalls #hikeandfeast #hikeyourownhike Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Discover Crownridge Canyon
Explore Crownridge Canyon Natural Area—one of San Antonio’s most stunning Hill Country preserves. In this episode, we take you along a peaceful trail and share insider insights on wildlife, trail difficulty, and the what you'll see here. Whether you're a local looking for your next hike or a...
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Golden Spike National Historic Park
Step back in time to May 10, 1869, when two mighty railroads met at Promontory Summit, Utah, and changed America forever. In this episode of Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks, we explore the remarkable story of Golden Spike National Historical Park — where vision, grit, and immigrant labor forged the...
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Petrified Forest National Park
Step back in time at Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona where 200-million-year-old fossilized trees, vibrant badlands, and ancient petroglyphs tell the story of Earth’s past. Discover the Painted Desert’s breathtaking colors, walk among glittering petrified logs in the Crystal Forest, and...
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Fort Union National Monument
When Fort Union National Monument was closed during the government shutdown, we discovered that sometimes the best stories are found just beyond the gates. Join us on the 1,500-foot Fort Union Overlook Trail—a short but powerful walk that reveals sweeping views of the New Mexico plains, the…
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Exploring The Cibolo Center for Conservation
Join us as we explore the Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne, Texas—a breathtaking 100-acre preserve where nature, history, and conservation come together. From peaceful creekside trails and towering cypress trees to a lively farmer’s market at Herff Farm, this episode dives into what makes this spot…
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Redwood National Park
Step into the land of giants as we explore Redwood National and State Parks, home to the tallest trees on Earth and some of California’s most breathtaking landscapes. In this episode, we’ll cover everything you need to know for an unforgettable visit—from must-see spots to top hiking trails, park...
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Acadia National Park
In this episode, we explore Acadia National Park, one of America’s most breathtaking and diverse landscapes. From the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, the first to greet the morning in the continental U.S., to the glacial-carved cliffs and quiet carriage roads built by John D. Rockefeller Jr.…
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Trail Mix 3
In this episode, we’re answering your questions! First up: Precautions you should take when hiking alone. Good question and one that takes some serious discussion to make sure we are all safe out on the trails. Then we discuss taking hiking sticks on airplanes in carry-ons, can dogs get heat...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks is a podcast that aims to entertain and educate about the outdoors through experiences that will empower us to explore the rich intersections of culture, history, and the natural world.
We really appreciate your support over these last few months. We've had comments from several of you asking about merchandise and we heard you! The Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks storefront is now open and we'd love it if you would consider supporting our endeavor to inform and educate about our cultural, historical, and natural world by buying a t-shirt or sticker or pin to help spread the word by buying a t-shirt or sticker or pin. If you see something you like on the storefront but would like it more personalized, send a direct message and we'll do ou
HOSTED BY
Monica Gonzalez and Susan Resendez
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks have?
Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks currently has 76 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks about?
Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks is a podcast that aims to entertain and educate about the outdoors through experiences that will empower us to explore the rich intersections of culture, history, and the natural world. We really appreciate your support over these last few months. We've had comments...
How often does Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks release new episodes?
Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks has 76 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks?
You can listen to Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks?
Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks is created and hosted by Monica Gonzalez and Susan Resendez.
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