From Headwaters to Heartland: Missouri River History, Communities, and Outdoor Wonders.

On today's episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series, we chat with Larry N. Campbell, retired math professor and author of Rollin' Down the River: Discovering People and Places along the Mighty Missouri.

After decades in the classroom, Larry embarked on a journey that would take him along the entire length of the Missouri River, tracing its path from its headwaters in Montana to its confluence with the Mississippi.

DISCUSSION

1. Spark Behind the Missouri River Journey and the Book

• Retirement and the search for new adventures.
• Inspiration from a friend’s recommendation about an author who journeyed the Mississippi.

2. Planning the Missouri River Adventure

• Reaching out to Chambers of Commerce and Rotary Clubs.
• Getting local support from communities along the river.

3. Personal Connection to the Missouri River

• Growing up near Kansas City and proximity to the river.
• How the desire to explore the river emerged organically.

4. Trip Preparation

• Assembling stops along the river.
• Balancing pre-planning with a sense of exploration.

5. Starting Point and Geography of the Missouri River

• The official versus the “real” source of the Missouri at Three Forks, Montana.
• Lewis and Clark’s expedition and naming the river tributaries—Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin.

6. Experiences Along the Journey

• The physical beauty and character of Montana’s landscapes and skies.
• Local wildlife, unique people, and ferry operators (“human treasures”).

7. The Evolution and Scale of the Missouri River

• From a mountain stream to a muddy river.
• Fascination with river confluences.

8. Memorable Experiences and Reflections

• Navigating moments of doubt and homesickness.
• The diversity and similarity of river towns

9. Encounters with Communities and Individuals

• Stories about local generosity.
• Time zones and town splits along the river (e.g., Pierre, SD).

10. River Activities and Wildlife

• Canoe trip on the Jefferson River.
• Observing anglers and wildlife (including a beaver sighting).

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Larry, visit his website at https://larryncampbell.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LarryCampbellAuthor

NEXT STEPS

If you enjoy outdoor adventure podcasts, find us online at https://outdooradventureseries.com.

KEYWORDS

Larry N. Campbell, Rollin' Down the River, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview, PodMatch

#OutdoorAdventureSeries #Podcast #PodcastInterview #Podmatch

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Outdoor Exploration and Photography With Mike Hillman, Natural Habitat Adventures.

On today's episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series, we’re thrilled to introduce Mike Hillman, the Photo Expeditions Director for Natural Habitat Adventures—known to many as Nat Hab. Mike’s story is a true outdoor enthusiast’s dream: from running wild in the woods of Michigan as a kid to becoming a zoologist and eventually leading extraordinary wildlife expeditions across the globe.

Mike shares his fascinating journey, exploring how a childhood passion for animals and nature turned into a globetrotting career guiding guests through some of the planet’s most iconic wilderness destinations. Mike shares stories from the field—think bear camp in Alaska, polar bears in Canada, and jaguars in Brazil—and offers insights into how Nat Hab crafts exceptional, conservation-focused adventures for photographers and nature lovers alike.

So grab your hiking boots—or your camera—and get ready for an inspiring journey into the wild with Mike Hillman on this episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series!

DISCUSSION

00:00 Mike's Photo Expeditions Director's Journey

10:02 Aspiring Bird Guide Challenges

14:32 Effective Learning for Guided Tours

18:18 Emerging Wildlife: Brazil's Pantanal

22:18 "Unexpected Arctic Adventure"

27:28 Photography Group Travel Experience

36:03 Night Sky Photography Adventure

39:01 Smartphones Revolutionize Night Photography

47:01 Photography Expeditions for Unique Access

50:05 Nature Trip Photo Sharing System

56:28 Bear-Human Trust Transcript

01:03:06 "Explore Photographic Adventures"

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Mike and his work at Nathab, visit their website at https://nathab.com and on these social sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NaturalHabitatAdventures
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturalhabitatadventures
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nathab

NEXT STEPS

If you enjoy podcasts devoted to outdoor adventure, find us online at https://outdooradventureseries.com. We welcome likes, comments, and shares.

KEYWORDS

Mike Hillman, Natural Habitat Adventures, Howard Fox, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview

#Mike Hillman #NaturalHabitatAdventures #OutdoorAdventureSeries #Podcast #PodcastInterview

My Favorite Podcast Tools:

1. Production by Descript
2. Hosting Buzzsprout
3. Show Notes by Castmagic
4. Website powered by Podpage
5. Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch

Inside Tacoma & Pierce County: Adventure, Growth, and Community.

Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series! In today’s episode, we chat with Andrea Reay, President and CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, and Dean Burke, President and CEO of Visit Tacoma-Pierce County. Together, they share the inside story of how their organizations collaborate to fuel economic development, promote vibrant small businesses, draw world-class conventions and sporting events, and showcase the region’s spectacular outdoor offerings.

Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a business owner, or just curious about this vibrant Pacific Northwest community, you won’t want to miss the stories, vision, and contagious local pride that Andrea and Dean bring to the table. Get ready for an engaging conversation about community, collaboration, and the call of the outdoors!

DISCUSSION

00:00 "Team Collaboration Drives Success"

06:09 Understanding the Chamber's Role

07:42 Driving Community Prosperity

12:07 Engaging Visitors & Locals in Nature

16:15 Targeting Conference Niches Strategically

17:04 Convention Center Bookings Evolving

22:51 Reimagining Community in Post-COVID Era

25:20 Exploring U.S. Outdoor Adventure Opportunities

30:18 Support Local: Chamber Directory & Events

33:42 "Live Like the Mountain's Out"

34:25 "DMO Template & Itineraries"

39:00 Supporting Puyallup Tribe's Economic Growth

44:10 Improving Access Through Education

45:32 Infrastructure Challenges in Historic Cities

CONNECT WITH TACOMA-PIERCE COUNTY

To Learn more about the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, visit their website at https://www.tacomachamber.org/ or on these social sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tacomapiercecountychamber/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacoma_chamber/

To learn more about Visit Tacoma-Pierce County, visit their website at https://www.visitpiercecounty.com, or on these social sites:

Facebook: facebook.com/visittacomapiercecounty
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visittacomapiercecounty

NEXT STEPS

Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes.

KEYWORDS

Tacoma Chamber, Pierce County, Visit Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Mount Rainier National Park, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast

#TacomaChamber #PierceCounty #VisitPierceCounty #Tacoma #Tourism #MountRainierNationalPark #OutdoorAdventureSeries #Podcast

My Favorite Podcast Tools:

1. Production by Descript
2. Hosting Buzzsprout
3. Show Notes by Castmagic
4. Website powered by Podpage
5. Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch