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Losing your home once can change your life. Losing it twice can either harden you or push you to rebuild with intention. We talk with Jack Marley Riggs about how growing up between Virginia, New Orleans, and Maui, then living through Hurricane Katrina, wired him for constant change and eventually shaped a bold travel mindset that doesn’t wait for perfect timing.  Jack walks us through the turning point after California wildfires wiped out his belongings again and renter’s insurance gave him a rare gift: options. Instead of buying more stuff, he buys a one way ticket to Germany and commits to six months of budget travel across Europe. We get into the nuts and bolts of how he moves around, why the first flight is often the biggest expense, and why a Eurail train pass can unlock flexible, spontaneous travel once you’re on the ground.  Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a push to go, and please leave a rating or review so more travelers can find us. Map of Europe You can find Jack here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shablap/ Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

Dubai can look like a postcard of skyscrapers and luxury, but living there teaches you the real story fast: it’s blazing hot outside, freezing cold inside, and somehow both deeply traditional and aggressively futuristic. We sit down with Martina, a global citizen and former Reuters journalist who watched Dubai transform firsthand, to get practical, honest guidance for travelers who want more than a quick photo stop. We talk about what daily life feels like in a city where you can ski in a shopping mall, run “mallathons” before stores open, and pay with your face. Martina breaks down what to pack for the indoor outdoor temperature shock, what things cost (think Switzerland level pricing in many places), and how far you can get with English. She also shares why Dubai’s air connectivity is such a superpower, turning the UAE into a strategic base for exploring the Middle East, East Africa, and South Asia. Then we zoom out to build a smarter Dubai travel itinerary: when to visit, what’s worth your time, and why Abu Dhabi and Oman can balance the glitz with culture and history. If you’re curious about Dubai, this conversation gives you a clear starting point.  Subscribe, share the show with a travel-loving friend, and leave a quick rating or review to help more listeners find us. Map of Dubai Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

Five years ago, we hit record with a simple question: where should we go next? Somehow, that question turned into a friendship ritual, a passport of conversations, and a surprising education in places we had only half-understood. To celebrate our anniversary, we get personal, grateful, and a little stunned by how fast time moves when you keep saying yes to curiosity. Then we jump to what’s coming and what just happened. Kristen is gearing up for an intense horseback trek and discovers she accidentally signed up for Georgia the country, not Georgia in the United States, which sparks a real talk about travel planning, training, and saying yes even when you’re nervous. From there, Kristen shares a powerful trip to Dharamshala, India, timed around a documentary focused on compassion and empathy, with a visit connected to the Dalai Lama’s world and Tibetan culture in the Himalayas. We talk through the reality of the journey, including a 22-hour flight, high-altitude hills that turn every walk into a workout, and the moments that make it all worth it: prayer flags, ancient Tibetan scriptures, a butter lamp ceremony with more than a thousand candles, and wellness experiences like a sound bath of frequency-based sound healing. We also keep it honest with practical travel tips, from monsoon season to food safety, plus the sensory details you only learn by being there, like street dogs at night, monkeys, smoke, and smoggy air. If you like thoughtful travel stories with real-world details and big-hearted takeaways, subscribe to Where Next, share this anniversary episode with a fellow traveler, and leave a rating or review so more people can find the show. Map of Dharamshala, India  Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

In this episode, fan favorite Christy Teglo of Teglo Goes returns to the podcast to talk about one of Asia's most underrated destinations. Christy unpacks her three-week solo trip across Taiwan, starting in Taipei and working south, with side quests for mountains, cafes, and the kind of street food you’ll still be thinking about months later.  We get practical about planning a Taiwan trip: Christy walks us through the EasyCard system, high-speed trains, and what it costs to get from city to city without the stress. We get into the on-the-ground details that make planning easier: the best time to visit Taiwan, what the weather really feels like with humidity, and the surprisingly delightful umbrella culture that keeps rainy days from slowing you down.   Then we go straight to the fun part: Taiwan night markets, bubble tea (yes, it started here), convenience store meals that are surprisingly delicious, and the cafe culture that makes city exploring feel so relaxed. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, share with a friend, and leave us a rating or review. Map of Taiwan You can find Christy here: Website: https://teglogoes.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teglo_goes/ Christy's Book - Weathered: Finding Strength on the John Muir Trail https://teglogoes.com/weathered/ Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

Maryann Walters is back to take us beyond Brussels and into the heart of Belgium, a country often overlooked by travelers but packed with history, culture, and character. We explore Flanders and its legendary cobblestone cycling routes, including the famous Tour of Flanders, before heading to Ronse, a border town where French and Flemish cultures meet. Along the way, Maryann explains the differences between Flemish and Dutch, how Belgium's history shapes modern identity, and why friendships here tend to run deep. We also cover the practical side of life in Belgium, from housing and transportation to food, beer, and the country's famously social lunch culture. Finally, we visit the Ardennes and Dinant, where castles, cliffs, and the River Meuse reveal one of Belgium's most beautiful regions. Subscribe, share with a fellow traveler, and leave a review if Belgium just moved up your bucket list. Map of Belgium  Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

A sleeping bag on the ice as “bed number 75” might be the most unexpected invitation we’ve ever heard, but it kicks off a real conversation about what it’s like to travel to Antarctica and how to plan it well. We talk with an experienced traveler who’s been three times, including a trip to the Antarctic Peninsula with her dad and a rare, explorer-style route to the Ross Sea that only a tiny number of tourists ever see. We get practical about Antarctica expedition cruise logistics: where ships depart (hello, Ushuaia), why the Drake Passage earns the nickname “Drake Shake,” and what actually helps if you’re prone to seasickness. We also dig into the choices that change your trip the most, like ship size, how zodiac landings work, and why smaller vessels can mean more time on shore. Along the way, we explore research bases, the surprising “international village” feel of Antarctica, and why the continent feels like the closest thing to leaving Earth. Wildlife is the heartbeat of the planning. We compare seasons for nesting penguins, fluffy chicks, and whale sightings, plus detours that can be even wilder than Antarctica itself, like South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and remote sub-Antarctic islands. We also cover conservation and biosecurity rules, including decontamination protocols and newer restrictions designed to protect fragile colonies. If you’re searching “best time to visit Antarctica,” “Antarctica cruise tips,” or “Ross Sea expedition,” this one will help you decide what’s worth the cost and the long sea days. Subscribe, share this with your favorite travel planner, and leave us a review if you want more deep-dive destination episodes. You can find Sherry here: OttsWorld Travel Blog Instagram Sherry's Tours Sherry's Consulting Page Here are some of the things we spoke about regarding Alaska and Antarctica: 24 Things to Do in Anchorage in Winter or Summer 29 Things to Do in Fairbanks Alaska Summer and Winter Antarctica Cruise Motion Sickness: Remedies to Help Survive the Drake Passage How to Travel to Antarctica: The Ultimate Guide New Zealand Subantarctic Islands: How to Visit the Snares, Auckland, Campbell and Macquarie Travels with my Father Map of  Antarctica  Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

Alaska can make you feel small in the best possible way and not because it’s scary, but because the scale rewires your sense of distance, weather, and “normal.” We sit down with the longtime travel blogger behind Ottsworld, who’s spent 20 years turning real-world travel stories into practical guidance and small-group adventures. Along the way, we even detour into kitten fostering as the perfect “pet life” for someone who’s constantly on the move. Then we get into the Alaska travel questions everyone actually has: Where should you base yourself? When is the best time to go to Alaska for fewer crowds? Why do some towns feel like islands even when they’re not? We talk Anchorage as a gateway, Seward as a water-and-wildlife jumping-off point, and why the Alaska Railroad deserves at least a full day on your itinerary. If you’re dreaming of winter Alaska, Fairbanks takes center stage for aurora borealis viewing, with better odds thanks to landlocked skies and its position under the Aurora oval. We also explore trips across the Arctic Circle, the Dalton Highway experience, Coldfoot, and the engineering story of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. And because you can’t talk about Alaska without ice, we break down unforgettable glacier options like Spencer Glacier and Matanuska Glacier, including guided hiking, kayaking, and winter conditions that can open up ice tunnels, plus what’s changing as glaciers recede. Subscribe for more destination deep dives, share this with your favorite travel planner, and leave us a rating and review so more people can find Where Next. You can find Sherry here: OttsWorld Travel Blog Instagram Sherry's Tours Sherry's Consulting Page Here are some of the things we spoke about regarding Alaska and Antarctica: 24 Things to Do in Anchorage in Winter or Summer 29 Things to Do in Fairbanks Alaska Summer and Winter Antarctica Cruise Motion Sickness: Remedies to Help Survive the Drake Passage How to Travel to Antarctica: The Ultimate Guide New Zealand Subantarctic Islands: How to Visit the Snares, Auckland, Campbell and Macquarie Travels with my Father Map of Alaska Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

Colorado and California both look like the “best place to live” from a distance, but the truth shows up in the small stuff: how often you sit in traffic, whether you can find parking, how far you drive to hike, and what it costs to do the fun things more than once. We’ve lived in both, so we put the hype aside and compare them the way real people experience them day to day. We start in Colorado, from the Mountain Time Zone confusion to the big reasons people fall for it: huge skies, low humidity, 300+ days of sunshine, and outdoor access that feels almost unfair. We talk Denver life, the sports and concert scene, why Red Rocks Amphitheatre is as iconic as people say, and the realities of Rocky Mountain skiing prices and pass culture. We also get honest about trade-offs like limited lakes, higher costs in popular pockets, and the social and political tensions you still have to live with. Then we shift to California, from Southern California beaches to the Bay Area’s fog belt and microclimates. We dig into what makes the state so magnetic: diversity, industries and jobs, biking and hiking options, Tahoe and Mammoth skiing, and that unmistakable coastline energy. And we don’t dodge the hard parts: crowds, parking fees, expensive meals, high gas prices, and rising concerns about crime in places like San Francisco. By the end, we’re weighing it all, including how family proximity can change the “best” answer and even make Hawaii part of the equation. If you’re planning a move, building a travel list, or just love smart state-to-state comparisons, listen through and tell us where you land. Subscribe, share with a friend debating a relocation, and leave a review with your pick: Colorado or California? You can find James Hammond here: Winging It Travel Podcast Instagram Map of California Map of Colorado Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Brills, co-founder of Pamoja Safaris, to learn about Tanzania and unpack what it actually takes to climb Kilimanjaro safely, see the Serengeti well, and travel in a way that respects people, wildlife, and your own limits. Scott’s story starts far from Africa: a year abroad in Japan that flipped a shy, game-loving kid into a traveler, entrepreneur, and eventually a guide to some of the world’s most iconic landscapes. He shares how meeting his partner Josh on his first safari led to building a tight, local-first team, and how fair pay and training change the guest experience.  From Tarangire’s elephants and Ngorongoro Crater’s “lost world” feel to the Serengeti’s Great Migration, we break down the Northern Circuit and when to consider quieter southern parks like Ruaha. Expect practical planning tips: best months to go, realistic costs, when yellow fever proof matters, and why bottled water should be your default. If Tanzania has lived in your head as a someday, this conversation turns it into a plan—with the right operator, the right pace, and the right expectations.  You can find Scott here: Pamoja Safaris Instagram Map of Tanzania Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

eDreaming of Ireland but not sure where to start? We sit down with Lynne Nieman from Wander Your Way to map a smarter route: skip the bottlenecks, use Shannon as your launchpad, and find the coastal corners where the country’s character runs deepest. We talk through the big calls travelers face—Dublin for a day or two, or straight to the west; Ring of Kerry by bus, or quieter peninsulas that pack more into fewer miles; Blarney Stone bragging rights, or ancient stone circles without the lines. Lynne helps us build an itinerary that actually breathes. Kenmare replaces Killarney as a balanced base for lakes and high peaks in Ireland’s oldest national park. West Cork adds softer shorelines, Mizen Head’s lighthouse walks, and food that proves Ireland’s kitchen is thriving. We spotlight Kinsale’s Charles Fort, colorful small towns, and the kind of pub nights where fiddles trade leads while your Guinness settles. Then we head north to Donegal—wild, remote, and wildly underrated—for dune-backed beaches, cliffy headlands, and hikes in Glenveagh’s stark beauty. We also keep it practical: weather you can count on changing, layers you’ll be glad you packed, and honest advice on driving the left side or hiring a driver-guide for stories and peace of mind. We touch on border realities post-Brexit, easy crossings into Northern Ireland, and where to chase waves, from beginner-friendly Lahinch to Sligo’s surf scene. Along the way, we dismantle the “bad food” myth with fresh seafood, local lamb, and dairy that tastes like the fields it came from. If this guide helps you plan your route, follow the show, leave a quick rating, and share it with a friend who keeps saying Ireland is on their list. Your support helps more travelers find their way. You can also find Lynne at her website Wander Your Way. Her podcast is Wander Your Way. You can also find her on Instagram @wanderyourway. Map of Ireland Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

Jet lag isn’t just about time zones—it’s an inflammation problem you can solve. We sit down with Andrew Herr, founder and CEO of FlyKitt and former human performance strategist at the Pentagon, to unpack why flights drain you and how to land clear-headed, calm, and ready to sleep on night one. Andrew connects dots most travelers miss: rapid cabin pressure shifts mimic an 8,000-foot ascent, low-oxygen air boosts oxidative stress, and sleep debt compounds immune activation. The fix starts with managing inflammation, then using light, timing, and targeted supplements to shift your circadian rhythm on command. We go deep on what actually makes you feel lousy in the air—swollen legs, brain fog, gut issues—and how to counter it with simple, scalable steps. Andrew reveals how FlyKitt’s app personalizes a plan from six questions, no lab work needed, and why fasting can help but isn’t required when you address the root causes. We unpack diet basics that move the needle for most travelers (more protein, more vegetables, less sugar and ultra-processed foods), common deficiencies like omega-3s and B12, and the surprising link between inflammation and anxiety many noticed after COVID. You’ll also hear how elite performers—from special operations to pro sports teams—use these strategies, including a pro team’s world tour that saw a 94% reduction in jet lag symptoms. If red eyes usually wreck your next day, you’ll get a blueprint to make them productive. If domestic hops leave you foggy, you’ll learn a short protocol that protects your energy and digestion. Along the way, Andrew shares field stories—from Iceland’s Spartan Ultra to time with Kazakh eagle hunters—that highlight how resilience is built with smart stress, timing, and recovery. Ready to trade groggy landings for focused mornings and solid sleep? Press play, take notes, and try the protocol on your next trip. Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, rate us in your app, and leave a quick review so more travelers can find it. Share this episode with a friend who dreads jet lag and tag us on Instagram at Where Next Podcast. Flykitt - The All-In-One Solution for Healthy Travel Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

What if the dream trip starts feeling like a job? We sit down with traveler and author Melissa Rodway to unpack the real highs and lows of a life built on movement—starting with a wild childhood year in Western Australia, a no-guidebook leap through Europe in the 90s, and the pre-smartphone hacks that kept her safe and curious in Costa Rica. The story turns when she quits an advertising job and heads to Southeast Asia for months of motion—Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China—where gritty bus rides collide with occasional five-star stays. Melissa shares how travel fatigue sneaks in, why purpose is the antidote, and the moment a seasoned traveler taught her the hardest lesson of the road: know when to go home. Those long rides turned into pages, and pages into The People You Meet, a witty, honest travel book about culture, food, and the human dramas that follow you across borders. Then we switch gears to a slower kind of adventure: five winter weeks in Quebec City during her year off. Daily cross-country laps on the Plains of Abraham, ice skating under big skies, a Nordic spa two minutes from home, and the electric roar of Carnival with its ice canoe races on the St. Lawrence. We dig into the ice hotel, maple syrup snow taffy, tourtière, French schools for all levels, and why Quebec is built for outdoor lovers in every season—plus practical tips on walkability, ferries to Lévis, nearby trails, and affordable stays that make lingering easy. If you’re craving travel that’s deeper, steadier, and more you, this conversation is your map. Map of Quebec City You can find Melissa: On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fly_travel_media/ Her website at: https://flyrodway.com Melissa's book: The People You Meet Book Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

We’re so excited to have Lyle and Leanne back from the Beach Travel Wine Podcast to dive into it all with us! Their stories and laughs always make the journey even better. This time, we’re stepping into the “cathedrals of wine” at Lustau, chasing legends at Tío Pepe, and getting into the nitty-gritty of how sherry is made—humidity, flor, patience—and why it smells like caramel dreams. The Royal Andalusian School’s dancing horses bring the drama, but it’s the tabancos that steal the show: guitar, singing, clapping, and a dancer who pulls everyone into the moment. No velvet ropes—just locals, clinking glasses, and “Olé!” Getting around is easy and budget-friendly. Fast trains link Sevilla, Jerez, and Cádiz, making day trips to castles, beaches, and white villages like Arcos de la Frontera and Grazalema a breeze. And when English tours are hard to find, the VoiceMap app turns your phone into a local guide with GPS-triggered stories you can pause for coffee and keep forever. We’ve got tips on when to go (May–June or September are magic), how to handle siesta time, late-night dinners, cards vs. cash, and what to order—chicharrones, jamón, albóndigas—and why Andalusian plazas at night feel straight out of a movie. If you’re chasing the real Spain—flamenco up close, sherry from the source, trains instead of traffic, and streets where tradition still lives—this is the place for you.  To see pictures from Spain and hear about more adventures of Leanne and Lyle, visit their website: https://www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast Tour app mentioned: https://voicemap.me/ Map of Jerez de la Frontera Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

Have you ever wondered what it's really like to live in paradise? Wonder no more as Carol takes us behind the postcard-perfect beaches of Hawaii to reveal the authentic island experience that changed her life forever. Carol's journey began as a college exchange student at the University of Hawaii, where her perspective on travel—and life—underwent a profound transformation. Far from the Brady Bunch or Gilligan's Island vision she expected, Carol discovered a Hawaii of high-rises, diverse communities, and an infectious "aloha spirit" that slowed everything down. "People would say, 'Oh, you must be from the mainland because you walk so fast,'" she recalls with a laugh. The episode delves into the practical realities of Hawaiian living—from the creative housing solutions needed in one of America's most expensive markets to the respectful navigation of local customs and spaces. Carol offers fascinating insights into the distinct personalities of each island: bustling Oahu with its tourist-heavy Waikiki, honeymoon-perfect Maui with its whale watching opportunities, and the Big Island with its remarkable climate diversity and more affordable real estate options. Her insider tips are invaluable—like experiencing Diamond Head at sunset during a full moon or finding the perfect boogie boarding spot at Little Beach in Maui. Perhaps most compelling is Carol's reflection on how her Hawaii experience launched a lifetime of global adventures. Inspired by Australian travelers she met who would "travel for one or two years at a time," she developed a pattern of working in restaurants, saving money, and taking month-long international trips every six to nine months. Her parting wisdom resonates deeply: "If you want to grow as a human being, you've got to travel." Whether it makes you more grateful for home or opens your eyes to new possibilities, Carol's Hawaii story reminds us that sometimes paradise isn't just a destination—it's the beginning of a journey. Follow and rate us in your podcast app to support the show, and connect with us on Instagram @where_next_podcast for more travel inspiration! Map of Hawaii Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.

Yosemite National Park captivates millions of visitors annually with its towering granite monoliths and thundering waterfalls, but few experience it with the intimate knowledge of someone who returns multiple times each year. In this special episode, Carol interviews Kristen about her profound connection to this natural wonder in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. Kristen shares her annual January ritual of hiking to Upper Yosemite Falls, revealing how winter transforms the park into a surreal landscape where waterfall spray freezes mid-air, creating magnificent snow cones at the base. She guides listeners through accommodation options ranging from the historic luxury of The Ahwahnee Hotel ($600/night) to free backcountry camping, with plenty of moderate choices between. The conversation unveils a little-known opportunity for budget travelers: volunteering with the Sierra Club at the Heritage Center provides a free week-long stay with just four hours of light work daily as a docent. With two consecutive days off mid-week, volunteers can explore extensively while contributing to the park's educational mission. For first-time visitors, Kristen recommends easily accessible experiences like the five-minute walk to Bridalveil Falls, the reflective beauty of Mirror Lake, or the drive to Glacier Point for panoramic valley views without strenuous hiking. More adventurous listeners will appreciate her insights on backpacking routes from Tuolumne Meadows in the north to Chilnualna Falls in the south, plus practical advice on navigating the permit system for coveted Half Dome hikes. Throughout the episode, Kristen's passion for Yosemite shines through as she describes nighttime views of climbers' headlamps dancing like fireflies on El Capitan's face and the perpetual white noise of waterfalls creating what she calls a "surreal" and "magical" atmosphere. Whether you're planning your first visit or your fifth, this episode offers both practical guidance and the inspiration to experience Yosemite's magnificence in every season. Map of Yosemite National Park  Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.