In this episode we chat with Jocelyn and Justin, the owners and captains of the historic Schooner J & E Riggin, for an inside look at life and travel aboard a nearly 100-year-old windjammer. We talk about what makes sailing the Maine coast so special, from wind-powered routes and themed sailings to …In this episode we chat with Jocelyn and Justin, the owners and captains of the historic Schooner J & E Riggin, for an inside look at life and travel aboard a nearly 100-year-old windjammer. We talk about what makes sailing the Maine coast so special, from wind-powered routes and themed sailings to cozy onboard life and fresh, locally sourced meals cooked on a classic wooden stove. We also dive into what guests can expect on a multi-night sailing, including fall foliage cruises, and why this one-of-a-kind adventure is unlike any other way to experience Maine.
View the 2026 sailing schedule for the Schooner J & E Riggin. Travel Squad Podcast will be sailing on the September 30 to October 4 fall foliage cruise - join us!
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Over the course of its 200 year history, the lighthouse on Wood Island in Maine has been home to a celebrity dog, a grisly murder, some mischievous ghosts, and a monster storm that may or may not have been brought on by a pickpocket’s curse.
It's Maine Week on the show, so every day we're introduci…Over the course of its 200 year history, the lighthouse on Wood Island in Maine has been home to a celebrity dog, a grisly murder, some mischievous ghosts, and a monster storm that may or may not have been brought on by a pickpocket’s curse.
It's Maine Week on the show, so every day we're introducing you to someone from that great state — people who live, and work, and get inspired by Maine’s rugged beauty. This episode was produced in partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism.more
A couple decades ago, Jason Williams was working at a local restaurant in Portland, Maine. One day he was driving around to farmers markets looking for ingredients, when he found a special place. And it gave him a big idea…
It's Maine Week on the show, so every day we're introducing you to someone …A couple decades ago, Jason Williams was working at a local restaurant in Portland, Maine. One day he was driving around to farmers markets looking for ingredients, when he found a special place. And it gave him a big idea…
It's Maine Week on the show, so every day we're introducing you to someone from that great state — people who live, and work, and get inspired by Maine’s rugged beauty. This episode was produced in partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism.more
Since settling down in the small town of Union, Maine, the Japanese-born ceramicist Hanako Nakazato has shaped her pieces around her endlessly surprising, largely untouched environment.
It's Maine Week on the show, so every day we're introducing you to someone from that great state — people who liv…Since settling down in the small town of Union, Maine, the Japanese-born ceramicist Hanako Nakazato has shaped her pieces around her endlessly surprising, largely untouched environment.
It's Maine Week on the show, so every day we're introducing you to someone from that great state — people who live, and work, and get inspired by Maine’s rugged beauty. This episode was produced in partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism.more
We meet Becky Sigwright, who captains a wind-powered boat that’s been sailing around Maine since before the invention of the telephone.
It's Maine Week on the show, so every day we're introducing you to someone from that great state — people who live, and work, and get inspired by Maine’s rugged be…We meet Becky Sigwright, who captains a wind-powered boat that’s been sailing around Maine since before the invention of the telephone.
It's Maine Week on the show, so every day we're introducing you to someone from that great state — people who live, and work, and get inspired by Maine’s rugged beauty. This episode was produced in partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism.more
Many of you are familiar with the disappearance of Gerry Largay, trail name Inchworm.
In 2013, Gerry went missing near Stratton Maine on her thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. After Maine's most extensive search in their history, she was not found. In fact, it wasn't until more than two years …Many of you are familiar with the disappearance of Gerry Largay, trail name Inchworm.
In 2013, Gerry went missing near Stratton Maine on her thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. After Maine's most extensive search in their history, she was not found. In fact, it wasn't until more than two years later that a surveyor found her remains. So while you may be familiar with the story as it made international news, you probably don't know that Gerry was my friend and hiking buddy.
Gerry stepped off the trail to go to the bathroom, and then got disoriented. Once she found herself lost in the woods, she didn't know what to do. Today, if you'll spare me a few minutes, I'll teach you what you are supposed to do if YOU get lost in the woods. This episode is in honor of my friend, Geradine Largay.
In honor of Gerry, I produced this episode in hopes that it may help a fellow hiker who gets lost in the woods. Today, you will learn tips and techniques you can use if you ever find yourself lost in the wilderness. Please share this message with all of your hiking friends and family!
LINKS MENTIONED
Backpack Emergency Kit
Hiker's Guide to Portable Water Treatment
Safety Tips for Hiking in Bear Country
COMPLETE SHOW NOTES See important links and get more cool info about today's show.
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Running nearly 2,200 miles along the spine of the Appalachian Range from Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail arguably is the world's most famous long-distance trail.
Some think it's also one that can be very crowded in spots. Morgan Sommerville, the director of visitor use manag…Running nearly 2,200 miles along the spine of the Appalachian Range from Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail arguably is the world's most famous long-distance trail.
Some think it's also one that can be very crowded in spots. Morgan Sommerville, the director of visitor use management for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, joins us today to discuss the trail in general and whether it's too crowded.more
(A rebroadcast). Each year, Erin French receives 60,000 postcards from people asking if they can dine at her Maine restaurant The Lost Kitchen. “It really becomes a luck of the draw lottery. We have big post office bins that arrive and we literally reach in, we grab a postcard, we call that person i…(A rebroadcast). Each year, Erin French receives 60,000 postcards from people asking if they can dine at her Maine restaurant The Lost Kitchen. “It really becomes a luck of the draw lottery. We have big post office bins that arrive and we literally reach in, we grab a postcard, we call that person immediately and say, ‘Okay, when do you want to come?’” This episode, Erin shares with Lale what it’s like to experience her beloved restaurant, now in its 11th season, and spills on her new cooking and travel show on Max, Getting Lost With Erin French, which sees the chef road trip across the US in search of new ingredients and inspiration, and sharing meals with Texas farmers, New Orleans chefs, and more.more
What is it like to hike over 2,000 miles on the Appalachian Trail… with your teenage kid?
Jessica and Largo are part of the adventurous WorldTowning family, who’ve been living a full-time travel lifestyle for over a decade. From sailing across the Atlantic to road-tripping Europe in an RV, they’ve r…What is it like to hike over 2,000 miles on the Appalachian Trail… with your teenage kid?
Jessica and Largo are part of the adventurous WorldTowning family, who’ve been living a full-time travel lifestyle for over a decade. From sailing across the Atlantic to road-tripping Europe in an RV, they’ve redefined “home” and “school” many times over.
Jessica and her son Largo share their experience tackling one of the USA’s most iconic long-distance hikes: the Appalachian Trail. We talk about what led them there, what they expected, and how it all unfolded over nearly 2,200 miles of trail from Georgia to Maine.
This conversation isn’t just about hiking but navigating challenges, family dynamics, and transitions. You’ll hear how Jessica and Largo balanced remote work and school on the trail, how it deepened their relationship, and why this adventure changed how they view their home country after a decade abroad. From logistical headaches and emotional breakthroughs to unexpected trail magic, this episode shows that you don’t need ideal conditions to pull off a bold adventure.
If you had six months to disconnect from your normal life and reconnect with nature, how would you spend it? Who would you take? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.
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Tune In To Learn:
Why they decided to hike the Appalachian Trail with limited experience
Largo’s experience growing up nomadic and how it’s shaped his mindset going into a challenge like this
What it took to balance school, work, and 2,000+ miles on foot
How thru-hiking impacted Jessica’s health, mindset, and work habits
How Largo ended up hiking solo and what that was like for him
What surprised them most about returning to the U.S. after 10 years abroad
How the trail community and “trail magic” kept them going
What changed in their relationship after six months in a tent together
Advice to parents on adventuring with teens and letting them lead
And so much more
Resources:
Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport
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Visit their website
Following WorldTowning on Instagram
Watch on YouTube
Listen to their podcast, The WHY Matters
Want More?
10 Years on the Road, Self-Care for Long-Term Travelers, Excitement and Challenges of Different Travel Modes, and Creating Your Own “Dream Day” with Will and Jessica Sueiro
World Towning: 5 Years Of Full-Time Travel
Worldschooling 101, Leveraging FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early), and Family Travel Advice with Maxwell Lee
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Embarking on a solo road trip from Texas to Maine amidst the vibrant fall foliage, I discovered the profound healing power of travel during a tumultuous time in my life. As I reflect on this journey, it was pivotal in regaining my independence and self-confidence after a tough divorce. Through shari…Embarking on a solo road trip from Texas to Maine amidst the vibrant fall foliage, I discovered the profound healing power of travel during a tumultuous time in my life. As I reflect on this journey, it was pivotal in regaining my independence and self-confidence after a tough divorce. Through sharing my story, I hope to inspire you to find solace and strength in your own adventures, big or small, and to explore the transformative impact of travel on personal growth and healing. I'm thrilled...more
From Maine to Florida, coastal units of the National Park System are being impacted in various ways by the changing climate. Some of the impacts affect wildlife, some natural resources, and some the human populations who either live in or come to visit these beautiful areas.
At the National Parks T…From Maine to Florida, coastal units of the National Park System are being impacted in various ways by the changing climate. Some of the impacts affect wildlife, some natural resources, and some the human populations who either live in or come to visit these beautiful areas.
At the National Parks Traveler. We've been working on a series of stories looking at these changes that are showing up.
In recent shows we've discussed impacts to manatees that live in the waters of Everglades and Biscayne national parks as well as Cumberland Island National Seashore, and how sea level rise is impacting salt marshes that are vital for wildlife and which serve as buffers to hurricanes and tropical storms.
At Acadia National Park in Maine, the impacts are materializing in various ways.
Rainstorms are becoming heavier and more damaging, invasive species such as the Asian shore crab are showing up in the waters of Frenchman Bay, and the number of bird species that winter on Mount Desert Island have decreased.
To take a closer look at these changes, we're joined by Nick Fisichelli, the president and CEO of the Schoodic Institute, a nonprofit science center based on the national park's Schoodic Peninsula to discuss some of the impacts that have arrived and the research being done to better understand them. more
Each year, Erin French receives 60,000 postcards from people asking if they can dine at her Maine restaurant The Lost Kitchen. “It really becomes a luck of the draw lottery. We have big post office bins that arrive and we literally reach in, we grab a postcard, we call that person immediately and sa…Each year, Erin French receives 60,000 postcards from people asking if they can dine at her Maine restaurant The Lost Kitchen. “It really becomes a luck of the draw lottery. We have big post office bins that arrive and we literally reach in, we grab a postcard, we call that person immediately and say, ‘Okay, when do you want to come?’” This episode, Erin shares with Lale what it’s like to experience her beloved restaurant, now in its 11th season, and spills on her new cooking and travel show on Max, Getting Lost With Erin French, which sees the chef road trip across the US in search of new ingredients and inspiration, and sharing meals with Texas farmers, New Orleans chefs, and more.more
Along 1,600 miles of the Eastern Seaboard, from Maine to Florida, sea level rise, subsidence, and more potent storms are challenging the National Park Service to figure out how best to protect wildlife and their habitats, as well as historic structures, archaeological sites, modern infrastructure, l…Along 1,600 miles of the Eastern Seaboard, from Maine to Florida, sea level rise, subsidence, and more potent storms are challenging the National Park Service to figure out how best to protect wildlife and their habitats, as well as historic structures, archaeological sites, modern infrastructure, landscapes, and, of course, visitors.
In the coming months, the National Parks Traveler will be examining impacts tied to climate change and how the National Park Service is responding to them. We'll bring you the concerns of residents and communities that are left with the damage from hurricanes and the loss of tax revenues from tourism and trace the strain these events have on the Park Service staff and budget.
We'll also talk to experts about how natural landscapes, such as barrier reefs and salt marshes, and wildlife are being impacted. We're going to have one of those conversations today with two experts from The Nature Conservancy: Dr. Alison Branco, TNC's Climate Adaptation Director, and Dr. Nicole Maher, the organization's Senior Coastal Scientist.more
First up, Frommers.com columnist William McGee talked about the troubling removal of the human touch from many areas of travel. Then Brian Kevin, author of the just released Frommer's Maine, talked about top art exhibitions, theaters, nature sights, and new hotels and bars in that gre…Episode Notes
First up, Frommers.com columnist William McGee talked about the troubling removal of the human touch from many areas of travel. Then Brian Kevin, author of the just released Frommer's Maine, talked about top art exhibitions, theaters, nature sights, and new hotels and bars in that great state.
Mentioned in this episode:
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This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:
Join me in Maine, USA for a chilled-paced leg of my epic road trip across America.
In this episode, I get a health scare in Portsmouth before meeting my Couchsurfing host, Ben, at his blueberry farm in Maine. Also, I eat pickled wrinkles (as gross as it sounds) and end up pondering on a rock at…Join me in Maine, USA for a chilled-paced leg of my epic road trip across America.
In this episode, I get a health scare in Portsmouth before meeting my Couchsurfing host, Ben, at his blueberry farm in Maine. Also, I eat pickled wrinkles (as gross as it sounds) and end up pondering on a rock at Acadia National Park.
See pictures and read blog post here: www.theradiovagabond.com/190-maine-blueberries-and-pickled-sea-snails/ more
Comedian and writer Baratunde Thurston wants to tell a better story of us. The narrative around the United States is often one of fracture and discord. So in his PBS show, America Outdoors, he travels around the United States to better understand Americans' deep connections with nature—and how that …Comedian and writer Baratunde Thurston wants to tell a better story of us. The narrative around the United States is often one of fracture and discord. So in his PBS show, America Outdoors, he travels around the United States to better understand Americans' deep connections with nature—and how that tells a more positive story of the country. In this week's episode of Travel Tales by AFAR, we sit down with Baratunde to talk about season two, including:
Where he traveled, including the swamps of Georgia, the rivers of New Mexico, and the snowy hills of Maine.
What he learned about the United States and our current (and past) relationship with nature.
The ways that Indigenous views of the land are more frequently being adopted in a positive way.
How you can better understand the United States, through nature.
Don't miss these moments!
7:04: The way this season changed Baratunde
8:46: Where Baratunde's relationship with nature began
13:18: The most surprising moments of the season
24:43: The scariest moments in the season (including a petrifying tree climb)
35:31: His very own travel tale
From Baratunde, you'll learn about how to embrace the cold like a Mainiac, why the Suwannee River is so important to people in Georgia and Florida, the ways that individuals are finding creative ways to combat climate change, and so much more.
Resources
Read this episode’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
Watch America Outdoors on PBS.
Listen to Baratunde’s podcast, How to Citizen.
Read his comedic memoir, How to Be Black.
Inspired to get outdoors? Find some inspiration on our website.
Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.
And a special thanks to our season four Travel Tales by AFAR sponsor, Avalon Waterways, who shares our belief in the transformative power of travel.
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