Shows
Nearly Literate#35 Boomers and Jell-OWe're so proud to announce that we've been podcasting for over a year now and have had some great conversations and interviews with amazing guests and authors. Over the course of the year, we've hit some bumps in the road. We've undergone a name change, started a YouTube channel, and most recently hit a stumble when podcast member Dan Hannah moved out of state. Over the last year we've learned that podcasting is not only fun, rewarding, and ever-changing, but also a worthwhile endeavor. I'm happy to announce that we're now back with a new look, a new logo...2024-06-1047 min
Nearly Literate#34 Author Austin RowladerAuthor, entrepreneur, blacksmith, and book-binding artisan Austin Rowlader joins Darci, Dan, and Matt for a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation about writing, publishing, religion, books, and how to avoid the "publishing industrial complex," as Austin has coined it, by hand-binding your own book! This is our longest conversation to date, but we think you will be as fascinated by Austin and his journey as we were, so buckle-up and enjoy! For more about Austin Rowlader and his book Ordinary Time: www.arrow-publishing.comFor more about Darci and her books: www.darcihannah.com2024-04-022h 04
Nearly LiterateDan's Big NewsIT's been a few weeks, and Darci and the boys are back in the podcast studio. It's St. Patrick's Day, and Darci has finished her busy book tour of Murder at the Blarney Bash! Matt shares some funny anecdotes, and Dan has some big news that will rock the podcast. Buckle up and take a listen!2024-03-261h 06
Nearly LiterateTales From A Cozy Mystery Book LaunchDarci talks cozy mysteries with the boys as she celebrates the launch of Murder at the Blarney Bash, the 5th book in her Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series. Dan and Matt, only nearly literate, join the conversation, giving Darci some interesting ideas for other holiday mysteries. Want to buy a copy of Murder at the Blarney Bash? Click on the link below.https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9781496741745/murder-at-the-blarney-bash/For more information on Darci and her books visit:www.darcihannah.comJoin us on YouTube:2024-02-0559 min
Nearly LiterateWe're back, and we've got a new name!After a month long break, Darci and the boys are back with a new look and a new name. After learning that Dan and Matt were not onboard with the former podcast name of Motherboy, stating that it was a joke, Darci took the matter in hand and asked them, "Well, what name are you onboard with?" After much consideration, they've landed on Nearly Literate, because Darci is a fiction author, and the boys don't read fiction. It works, so welcome to the Nearly Literate Podcast. Also, if you want to see the gang in action, they're now on...2024-01-291h 10
Nearly LiterateThe Golden Bachelor vs NapoleonIt's December and the gang is trying to find the perfect Christmas gift. Dan turns to Chatgpt for some inspiration. Matt and Dan also share their thoughts on TV's hit show, The Golden Bachelor as well as what they thought about the new Napoleon movie. Need a laugh? Buckle up and take a listen!2023-12-111h 04
Nearly LiteratePrepping for the HolidaysDarci and the boys chat about being prepared for any situation. Dan wants to know why we grow so much corn, and Matt gives advice for surviving the holidays. Buckle up and take a listen!2023-12-0453 min
Nearly Literate#24 - Tips For Surviving The ApocalypseMatt explains the 4 Gs of dating. Dan shares his thoughts on tiny houses, Darci complains about the price of turkeys. It's another crazy ride as the gang talks about strategies for surviving a disaster. Buckle up and enjoy!2023-11-2052 min
Nearly Literate#23 Boo Baskets & Lucid DreamsAfter a string of author interviews, Darci and the boys are back, catching up after a busy month, Dan explains the crypto scandal, Matt tells Darci he's quitting a bad habit, and both boys admit to making Boo baskets for their girlfriends. Darci's delighted, and explains her own fascination with lucid dreams. This is a fun one, so buckle up and enjoy!2023-11-1351 min
Nearly LiterateAuthor Jess SinclairJess Sinclair is an American author of women's fiction. She's also writes cozy mysteries under the name Tracy Gardner. Jess talks with the Hannah's about her new book, What We Could Have Been. Since Dan and Matt have no idea what women's fiction is, it's a very interesting (and hilarious) conversation.For more information about Jess Sinclair:https://www.tracygardnerbeno.comhttps://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/729822/what-we-could-have-been-by-jess-sinclair/2023-10-091h 07
Nearly LiterateEpisode - 16 Software ComediansDan codes a naughty rap song, Matt puzzles over generational definitions, and Darci talks about Blue Zones. It's just another day with the Hannahs!2023-09-251h 02
Nearly LiterateSmart AnimalsDarci talks about her current favorite animal, a bear who steals candy from a convenient store! Matt talks about the Burning Man protesters, and Dan thinks that zeppelins are going to make a comeback.2023-09-111h 06
Nearly LiterateSchool Shenanigans and other idiociesMatt and Dan reminisce about their high school days, Darci tells a cautionary tale about silver, and Matt rants about Kirby vacuums.2023-09-051h 21
Nearly Literate#11 - Dutch Village DebacleMatt sums up his birthday dinner at Black Rock, the boys talk about their near death experience at Nelis' Dutch Village, and if that wasn't enough danger, the family discusses Openheimer and atomic weapons. Buckle-up!2023-08-221h 08
Nearly Literate#11 - Dutch Village and Other AdventuresAs Matt wraps up his birthday week, Dan reminisces about a near-death experience at the Dutch Village. Meanwhile, Darci has just arrived home from a visit with her mom. It's been a busy week for the Hannah's but even exhaustion can't stop them from sharing their thoughts on everything from scooter races to bad ads.2023-08-151h 14Nearly Literate#10 - The American Experience 2023 styleDarci's back with Matt and Dan as they chat about the latest cringy ticktock trends, an emergency room trauma, and surviving inflation. There's a lot going on in the world right now, but It's nothing that a Wham! song mashup can't fix!2023-08-081h 26Nearly Literate#6 - The Charlevoix Adventure with Jim HannahDarci and the boys head to Charlevoix, Michigan for a family vacation after a wedding in Indiana. Big brother Jim joins in the fun as they chat about the ins and outs of modern wedding planning, the Mickey Mantle gene, and the validity of the Balmer Peak. Matt also shares his thoughts on the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City. Can this family survive living under one roof with wives and girlfriends for an entire week?2023-07-111h 08Nearly Literate#5 - A Titanic BustDan and Matt discuss the Ocean Gate disaster, Darci has a paranormal moment, and the boys share their favorite remix of the Ghostbusters iconic song.2023-07-031h 04Nearly Literate#4-The Taylor Swift Wrap UpIn this episode Darci shares her thoughts on hand-crafted soap, Dan talks about his passion for roasting coffee beans, and Matt tries to explain what NFTs are. Dan and Darci also share their very memorable experiences from the Taylor Swift concert.2023-06-2758 minNearly Literate#3 - The Seattle AdventureDan and Matt tell Darci all about their visit to Seattle to celebrate brother Jim’s birthday. They discuss memorable dining experiences, and Darci and Dan reveal that they’re going to the upcoming Taylor Swift concert.2023-06-201h 19
Matt Gardiner LIVE🌕 Full Moon Event || 'Buck Moon' - JulyKaitlynn joins Darci & Matt to discuss their intentions for today's Full Moon, as well as what they feel they are leaving behind (or closing the door on).The "Buck Moon" is named as it is the time of the season when the deer are shedding their antlers for new ones, which is a part of our theme today - the shedding of old behaviours and habits.Darci lets us know that we have yet ANOTHER Super Moon on our hands...in fact, today's moon is a "Super Super Moon" 😂Moon Water prep? ✅Let's Do Th...2022-07-1322 min
10 Albums: The Soundtrack of Your LifeSatellite Radio (TikTok Radio..?) | Darci is Back!Co-host Darci makes her long awaited return to the show!She has been VERY busy travelling for work these past 8 months ...so I talk to her about what her fave satellite radio stations were to help get her through the endless miles of travel.Lots of 90s, Pop, Metal and even some TikTok-talk!2021-11-1514 min
The Great OutdoorzSeason 4 Finale | Darci is Back!! (with her Road Trip Chronicles, Rating Tunnel Mountain Resorts, Wabamun Lake - fall camping...and much more!)Season 4 comes to an end.
Darci is back for the finale :) She brings her tales from the road over these past 6 months that she has been intermittently travelling all around Western Canada.
We also talk about our final 2 camping trips of the season (Wabamun in Sept, 3 Sisters in Aug).
Finally, we talk all things Tunnel Mountain and review the resorts, as well as pump the tires of the FANTASTIC Tunnel Mountain (year-round) Campground.
See you next Spring!2021-11-1524 min
The Great OutdoorzJasper on the Last Day of SummerI had to share this part of the drive - I was driving down the Main Street of Jasper, a beautiful blue sky, so much activity and energy..As you know - we LOVE Jasper on this show.
Such a great final leg of the drive. So many noteworthy stops along the way.
2021-10-1628 minThe Great OutdoorzMount Robson (Highway 5 & 16 Junction)This spot of the drive definitely hits me in the feels. There are so many memories over the years that take place in this region (Robson Valley into Jasper National Park).
I had to share the Roadtrip Chronicles for this leg of the trip!!
You will hear live, as it happened, me driving up to the majestic Mount Robson!
Classic.2021-10-1013 minThe Great OutdoorzOkanagan Connector & The Last Day of SummerDue to the lengthy detour on the Banff way home, I decided to head north on Highway 5 - via Kamloops to Valemount, ending up in Jasper.
It has been a good 6 years since I have done this drive.
Before I can get there, though, I must hop on the Connector one more time!
Definitely a rad little drive!2021-10-0518 minThe Great OutdoorzFarewell to Summer, Farewell to the Okanagan!We had a fantastic trip down in Osoyoos for the week - now I am heading home.
It is a bright, sunny day - clear blue sky and it is the last day of Summer.
What a great way to bid farewell to Summer, as well as say my farewell to the Okanagan region for the season!2021-09-3021 minThe Great OutdoorzCrows Nest Pass (Highway 3)Crows Nest Pass is one of the more famous, well-used highways in Western Canada. It is very unique as it often finds itself very close to the Canada/USA border.
There are a lot of small towns to travel through..Cranbrook, Creston, Christina Lake and Grand Forks.
It is a bit of a grind due to the a lot of one-lane, non-separated highway space. I ran into a LOT of people that would do under the speed limit only to then magically speed up to 30 km/hr over the speed limit during the passing lanes....c...2021-09-2709 minThe Great OutdoorzRadium Hot SpringsAnother edition of The Roadtrip Chronicles :
I had a "happy little detour" (a la Bob Ross) on my way from Banff to BC...the detour sent my down the remaining leg of Highway 93 - towards Radium Hot Springs!
I then had the option of driving north to Golden or continuing on through Cranbrook, Creston and Grand Forks to get to my destination of Osoyoos (which is what I ended up going with).
Beautiful drive between the Hot Springs of Radium and Fairmont.
* I realize now there is a...2021-09-2407 min
The Great OutdoorzCoquihalla CanyonRoad-trippin' through the location where 'Rambo : First Blood' had been filmed.
This area is just gorgeous. It gets a lot of rain so there is nothing but green throughout the drive; I was blessed with a cloudless blue sky, too.
This area is great to drive full of lush green forest, mountains, waterfalls and tunnels. The posted speed limit is 120k/hr which makes the hills and curves quite fun to navigate.
2021-08-1508 minThe Great OutdoorzOkanagan Connector (Highway 97C)I recorded this on a beautiful morning, as I drove from Penticton to Vancouver - via the 97C.
Definitely seeing some smoke coming out of the Kamloops / Merritt area - but otherwise, completely ideal road trip conditions!
The Connector was built in 1990 and has really helped bridge the gap between the Kamloops area and the rest of the Okanagan region.
2021-08-0716 minThe Great OutdoorzIllecillewaet Campground & Glacier HouseI stayed a night in Rogers Pass, at Illecillewaet Campground - which is just a few minutes away from Loop Brook Trail Campground (which happens to be closed this season).
This campground is awesome! Highly recommend it. It has a great series of trails right off the campground itself, including a 5 minute walk-around of the ruins of what used to be 'Glacier House'.
Glacier House was a hotel from back in 1894, that was heavily advertised by CN Rail tourism.
This area always has a bit of a creepy vibe to it - between...2021-07-3007 minThe Great OutdoorzJuly 1, 2021. #everychildmatters"I think, like many, we should use this as national time of reflection. We need to acknowledge moving forward that we need to do better. As a nation, as individuals, we need to do better. I am appalled and offended by the actions of those who came before us, that they could commit such atrocities..and how our country silently condoned, covered up and closed a blind eye to this genocide all these years.
I will never understand our need to extinguish the light and the language and essence of other humans so ours may shine brighter...2021-07-0107 minThe Great OutdoorzGlacier National Park of CanadaWe are into full-blown camping, bbq and road trip season.
Here is the road-trip-podcast of my journey back from BC - I am heading through Revelstoke to Golden, back to Alberta from there.
I wanted to capture this area - it is a very mysterious area..has that untamed vibe to it. Basically the whole region from Revelstoke to Golden and beyond makes for a great drive, with plenty of worthwhile little stops along the way.2021-07-0113 minThe Great OutdoorzPeachland to Summerland (Highway 97)HAPPY 1st DAY OF SUMMER!
As I mention in the previous episode - this is one of the top drives in BC !
Highway 97 connects a lot of the main Okanagan town and cities...I love getting to do this drive, at least once a year. You never get sick of the views! A lot of the time you are driving right beside the immortal Okanagan Lake - a very long, deep lake that runs 135km north to south!2021-06-2113 minThe Great OutdoorzLake CountryHave you ever had an accident, or had a vehicle breakdown - and when you drive by the scene of where it happened you get that strange feeling come over you?
I am driving by the scene of last years Camper Van breakdown, just outside of Lake Country - this is my redemption episode!!
Such a tremendous drive : Highway 97 - heading south from Vernon thru Kelowna, Peachland, Summerland..then finally OK Falls, Oliver and to my destination of Osoyoos!
One of my faves.2021-06-1505 minThe Great OutdoorzVernon, BCTuesday, May 25th : the day after May Longweekend!
I stayed in Banff the previous night and, as of time of driving, the restrictions for crossing the Alberta to BC borders had been lifted...or so we thought.
Curiously the BC Govt decided to hold a press conference on Tuesday AM extending the travel restrictions...by that time I was already well into my road trip.
This episode I am driving through Vernon - heading south towards lovely Osoyoos, BC!2021-06-0911 minThe Great OutdoorzTunnel MountainThe final episode, the final stop on my Highway 93 quest...I stayed the night on Tunnel Mountain at Buffalo Mountain Lodge (definitely worth staying at btw).
After 2 days in a row of blue sky and +15, it dropped to -5 overnight and snowed around 5cm!
A bit of a sketchy drive home at times, but what a tremendous trip it was!
2021-05-3103 minThe Great OutdoorzLake LouiseHighway 1A is closed for vehicle traffic, but still open for cyclists - which is a cool idea!
It was getting fairly late in the day but..any time you drive by Lake Louise - you have to go check out the scenery!
I got to walk across the frozen Lake Louise - which is an amazing experience.2021-05-2506 minThe Great OutdoorzColumbia Icefields & Mistaya CanyonHappy May Longweekend! Camping season is here :)
Columbia Icefields was closed for the time being, so I was set to go further south towards Sasakatchewan River Crossing, which is quickly followed up by one of my favourite spots on the whole drive : Mistaya Canyon.
2021-05-2208 minThe Great OutdoorzSunwapta FallsBy this point in my drive I was feeling a degree of 'Waterfalls Snobbery'. After Athabasca Falls - Sunwapta is a little less impressive ...but still definitely worth stopping for!2021-05-1809 minThe Great OutdoorzAthabasca Falls & Mount KerkeslinForgive my absolute butchering of the pronouncation (or lack thereof) Mount Kerkeslin!
Truly a magical area, Atha is an absolute must for anyone heading to Jasper.2021-05-1411 minThe Great OutdoorzHighway 93 drive starts930am in the parking lot of Marmot Lodge..another nice sunny, blue skied day..going to take my time heading south to Banff, making many a stop along the way.
First stop on the List? Athabasca Falls!2021-05-0716 minThe Great OutdoorzPyramid Lake 4:20All settled in my room at the Marmot Lodge, now heading up to Pyramid Lake for some hiking!2021-04-3004 minThe Great OutdoorzPocahontasA quick layover at the Pocahontas Cabins & Mine Trail as I head for Jasper for the evening.
I am doing Highway 93 (Jasper to Banff via Columbia Icefields & Lake Louise) tomorrow!
Was lucky enough to get a beautiful +17 and sunny day!
(recorded 4/20)2021-04-2414 min10 Albums: The Soundtrack of Your LifeDarci's Quarantine Mixtape #qmtDarci is back on the show and she's brought her Mixtape !!...we also check in on Paddy's Pub and see how the Gang is doing in their quarantine ;)Side A :BILLIE EILISH - bad guyTHE CHAINSMOKERZ (W. HALSEY) - CloserTHE TRAGICALLY HIP - Locked in the Trunk of a CarJULY TALK - Push + PullNIRVANA - You Know You're RightFOO FIGHTERS - EverlongINCUBUS - Pardon MeSYSTEM OF A DOWN - Prison SongSide B :THE TRAGICALLY HIP - Blow at...2021-03-3127 minThe Great OutdoorzSeason 4 Premiere! - Banff National ParkWe're back!
..and we return to Season 4 with our annual Spring Daylight Savings Mountain Trip. This year we stayed at the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort, located at the foot of Tunnel Mountain.
Not a bad place to stay, but probably won't stay there again..showing its age a bit - but the service and the price was great!
We record from the road as we approach our favourite off-leash dog park in Canmore for the morning, followed by Lake Minnewanka after that!
Happy Spring!2021-03-1806 minThe Great OutdoorzPocahontas Mine Trail - Season 3 finaleJust a quick mini-episode to end off Season 3 of The Great Outdoorz!
Pocahontas Mine Trail is located just off the fabled Pocahontas Cabins, located just east of Jasper.
Happy Holidays and we'll see you next spring!
Thanks for listening.
-Matt, Darci, Bentley & Luna2020-12-1502 minThe Great OutdoorzLake Edith & Lake Annette (Jasper Part 5)Another great day hike just outside the Jasper townsite - these lakes are found just a few minutes north east of Jasper - on the way out to the Fairmont JPL.
We were lucky enough to get a sunny patch of this hike. Lake Annette is a great little walk, whereas we found the Lake Edith one a bit hard to keep the actual lake trial as it seemed to lead us into private property.2020-12-0807 minThe Great OutdoorzPyramid Lake (Jasper Part 4)This area is one of the best spots to hike and explore near the Jasper townsite!
There are seemingly endless kms of winding trails from the townsite itself all the way, and well beyond Pyramid Lake itself.
We hit a beautiful day for the hike too!
2020-12-0106 min10 Albums: The Soundtrack of Your LifeDarci's #10pick : The Black Keys - 'Chulahoma'It was a tough choice as Darci is an avid fan of The Black Keys...but this sleeper of their discography is *that* album for her.It was truly the soundtrack to her finding herself : coming out of a break-up, getting a place of her own for the first time in her life..this album was the soundtrack to coming into her own.It is an eerie, bluesy number - we revealed this album is actually a "cover" album - the band is paying tribute to blues artist and TBK influencer David "Junior" Kimbrough. ...2020-11-3019 min10 Albums: The Soundtrack of Your LifeEP9: Weezer, Deadmau5 - 'For Lack of a Better Name' , Ed Sheeran - 'Divide'#10albums - Episode 9We are nearing the end of (this part of) the series!!Weezer, Deadmau5 and Ed Sheeran! ..quite the mix tonight. We go a bit broader and poppier at the same time!Who picked what and why?? Tune in and listen - this is a great episode ..the series has really hit its stride.Welcome to #10albums!My name is Matt and my co-hosts Darci and Glen join me as we unravel/reveal our 10 Life Defining Albums!!Glen is the clan elder...2020-11-3043 min10 Albums: The Soundtrack of Your LifeEP8: Tool, Mudvayne, Queens of the Stone Age !!#10albums - Episode 8Tool, Mudvayne and Queens of The Stone Age!!(which albums?? you'll have to listen in!)____________________________________________________________Welcome to #10albums!My name is Matt and my co-hosts Darci and Glen join me as we unravel/reveal our 10 Life Defining Albums!!Glen is the clan elder and has metal tastes with surprisingly tender pop sensibilities ...Darci brings the female perspective and is in that 'millenial' age group that grew up in the ashes of Grunge, into the boy and girl bands, into EDM and Hip Hop. Also...2020-11-3035 min10 Albums: The Soundtrack of Your LifeEP7: Slayer - 'Seasons in the Abyss' , The Tragically Hip - 'Fully Completely' , Neil Young - 'Chrome Dreams II'#10albums - Episode 7 We are back and ALL parties are in studio as the grounds around us begin to thaw...for today, at least.Picks-wise :Glen goes back to his metal heritage and picks a ouija-board influenced, Tipper Gore favourite from the 90s!Darci has a tough pick but brings the first Tragically Hip album to the series..which one does she inject??Matt piggybacks an earlier pick from the series and brings another prolific Canadian artist to the episode.Welcome to #10albums!My name...2020-11-2939 min10 Albums: The Soundtrack of Your LifeEP6 : Rage Against the Machine, Iron Maiden - 'Powerslave' , Kings of Leon - 'Only By the Night'#10albums - Episode 6How did the movie 'The Matrix' get Matt to change his mind on a prominent 90s band?What band broke the mould on Glen's listening habits forever? (Hall & Oates was mentioned..as were The Soup Dragons).What band came out of nowhere and found a permanent home in Darci's playlists?Matt : Rage Against the MachineGlen : Iron Maiden - PowerslaveDarci : Kings of Leon - Only By the Night***Welcome to #10albums!My name is Matt and my co-hosts...2020-11-2935 min10 Albums: The Soundtrack of Your LifeEP5: ??mystery pick??, Nirvana - 'Nevermind', Audioslave - 'Out of Exile'Glen reveals his shocking pick that has been built up for the past month!!As per our usual write-up I always drop each of our picks below but with Glen's you'll have to listen to the episode..(his pick is revealed first FYI)Glen - ???Matt : Nirvana - NevermindDarci : Audioslave - Out of Exile***Welcome to #10albums!My name is Matt and my co-hosts Darci and Glen join me as we unravel/reveal our 10 Life Defining Albums!!Glen is the clan elder and has...2020-11-2933 min10 Albums: The Soundtrack of Your LifeEP4 : Led Zeppelin I, Neil Young - 'On the Beach', Alice in Chains - 'Dirt'Matt : Led Zeppelin IDarci : Neil Young - On the BeachGlen : Alice in Chains - Dirt***Welcome to #10albums!My name is Matt and my co-hosts Darci and Glen join me as we unravel/reveal our 10 Life Defining Albums!!Glen is the clan elder and has metal tastes with surprisingly tender pop sensibilities ...Darci brings the female perspective and is in that 'millenial' age group that grew up in the ashes of Grunge, into the boy and girl bands, into EDM and Hip Hop. Also - she...2020-11-2949 min10 Albums: The Soundtrack of Your LifeEP3 : AC/DC - 'Back in Black' , Alanis Morrisette - 'Jagged Little Pill' , Linkin Park - 'Meteora'Matt's pick : AC/DC - Back in BlackDarci's pick : Alanis Morrisette - Jagged Little PillGlen's pick : Linkin Park - Meteora Some MASSIVE blockbuster albums in this episode!!***Welcome to #10albums!My name is Matt and my co-hosts Darci and Glen join me as we unravel/reveal our 10 Life Defining Albums!!Glen is the clan elder and has metal tastes with surprisingly tender pop sensibilities ...Darci brings the female perspective and is in that 'millenial' age group that grew up in the ashes of Grunge...2020-11-2956 min10 Albums: The Soundtrack of Your LifeEP2 : Matthew Good Band - 'Beautiful Midnight' , Eminem - 'Marshall Mathers LP'We delve into our 2nd pick in the 10 album set that is the Soundtrack of Our (respective) Lives..Glen and Matt actually picked the same album, if you can believe it!Glen/Matt : Matthew Good Band - Beautiful MidnightDarci : Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP**Welcome to #10albums!My name is Matt and my co-hosts Darci and Glen join me as we unravel/reveal our 10 Life Defining Albums!!Glen is the clan elder and has metal tastes with surprisingly tender pop sensibilities ...Darci brings the...2020-11-2943 min10 Albums: The Soundtrack of Your LifeEpisode 1 : Metallica - 'Master of Puppets' , Red Hot Chilli Peppers - 'Stadium Arcadium' , Pearl Jam - 'Vs.'Welcome to #10albums!My name is Matt and my co-hosts Darci and Glen join me as we unravel/reveal our 10 Life Defining Albums!!Glen is the clan elder and has metal tastes with surprisingly tender pop sensibilities ...Darci brings the female perspective and is in that 'millenial' age group that grew up in the ashes of Grunge, into the boy and girl bands, into EDM and Hip Hop. Also - she grew up with a rocker dad.I am in between Glen and Darci's ages and definitely grew up with 90s grunge...2020-11-2941 minThe Great Outdoorz"Don't Let the Moose Lick the Salt on Your Vehicles" (Jasper Part 3)The title of this episode was literally a sign we saw on the way up to Medicine Lake...not what you'd expect to read on a random sign haha
Medicine Lake is a fairly creepy/impressive Lake that is around halfway up to Maligne Lake. It was believed to be a haunted lake due to the underground chambers that give the lake the appearance it vanishes! ..Plus the fact that this is in around the site of the rather large forest fire a few years back - there is a lot of burnt, dead trees around the...2020-11-2408 minThe Great OutdoorzMaligne Canyon (Jasper Part 2)Part 2 of our Jasper trip - the iconic Maligne Canyon!
It snowed a bit the night before we went so there was a degree of treacherousness to this walk..but what a beautiful, must-see area it is!2020-11-1706 minThe Great OutdoorzAthabasca Falls (Jasper Part 1)We are in Jasper for the week - and we plan on hitting up all the classic day hikes with our faithful mutts : Bentley & Luna!
Athabasca Falls is about 40km south of the Jasper townsite - and well worth the drive!2020-11-1105 minThe Great OutdoorzA Spooky Walk - Hermitage Dog ParkLuna, Bentley and I come up on a fairly spooky site on today's walk - down at Hermitage Dog Park.
There were upwards if 50 to 60 crows all dispersed throughout a dozen or more trees all cawing at each other..I got the impression we were near a dead animal carcass or something of the sort.
The audio (and my pictures) really don't do it justice - I have never seen anything like it! Kind of unsettling!2020-10-1103 minThe Great OutdoorzThe WTF Camping SeasonA look back at the strange camping season that was 2020.
**our annual November Mountain Trip is still to come! This Nov trip will provide the Season Finale for 2020. Stay tuned :)
2020-10-0514 minThe Great OutdoorzQuinn Creek Campground & Highway 95Darci does a solo BC trip!
En route back to Alberta she gives the goods on Quinn Creek Campground (south of Golden, BC) as well as Highway 95!
2020-08-2307 minThe Great OutdoorzElk Island National ParkA perfect summers day activity : road tripping with the dogs, hitting up an iconic National Park..doing a bunch of exploring and hiking..what could be better?2020-07-2607 minThe Great OutdoorzBison Loop Road (Elk Island Park)There was literally 80-100 visible bison on this trip!
Apologies for Luna's whimpering - she wanted a piece of the bison that were but mere feet away from our camper van.2020-07-1802 minThe Great OutdoorzTreeplanters TerrorHAPPY CANADA DAY!!
Here is a creepy story to listen to while you are out in the woods camping!!
Josh was a tree planter fo 4 years - all over BC...this is a story of 1 block he worked at in northern BC that saw his camp exposed to tornados, bears that were a little too comfortable with humans, a cougar that was located in a tree just above a group photo (discovered when the pictures were developed.
But the main course of the story : Josh was awoken one night to a mysterious sound t...2020-07-0121 minThe Great OutdoorzBird is the Wird 2.0The 1st Day of Summer is here!!
Birder Josh is back to discuss the finding and photographing of the 'white whale' of his Canadian birding : the Bobo Link!!
We also discuss the usual outside stuff : balls of light, aliens, Bigfoot...you know - normal stuff.2020-06-2023 minThe Great OutdoorzMonarch Campground - Field BCFinally back!!
The parks are (slowly) starting to open up...I am en route to Osoyoos BC; here I do a walkthru of one of my favourite breakpoints and campsites on the way from Alberta to BC : Monarch Campground!!2020-06-0809 minThe Great OutdoorzPSA - Covid19Well we HAD big plans for this week buuuut....
What can you do.
Safe to say there will be a hold on any real content for this season of TGO (for now....)2020-04-0302 minThe Great OutdoorzEP28 - Return to Deadman's Flats & 3 Sisters Campground!!Season 3 is here! ..just days before the first day of Spring we take a road trip down to Deadman's Flats (just east of Canmore and Banff) and happen to catch a pretty substantial snow storm and cold snap!
The weather doesn't keep us from having fun as we take the dogs down to the 3 Sisters Campground and Bow River and turn them loose!
The timing of this episode is fairly trippy - we left on the morning were the Coronavirus really took hold of Canada and USA...and this episode is recorded as we are...2020-03-1610 min
The Great OutdoorzEP27 - Quarry Lake & Elk Run dog parks (Canmore)Canmore has 3 renowned dog parks :
- Quarry Lake
- Elk Run
- Cougar Creek
This episode we are en route to Elk Run and we give a quick breakdown of Quarry Lake, as well!
So thus concludes our Dead Man's Flats/Canmore mini-series...as well as Season 2 of 'The Great Outdoorz'!
SEE YOU NEXT MARCH FOR SEASON 3.
FROM DARCI, MATT and BENTLEY & LUNA - THANKS FOR LISTENING!!
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=canmore+dog+parks&i...2019-11-1506 min
The Great OutdoorzEP26 - Three Sisters Campground : 'Best Site' & 'Would Do in a Pinch' AwardsWe continue our SEASON FINALE mini-series here in Deadman's Flats, Alberta :
After going back during the daytime we do another walkthru and give our prestigious 'Best Site' and 'Would Do in a Pinch' Awards..along with honourable mentions.
This campsite is unique as it has remained entirely first-come-first-serve.
Lots of great walking trails, year-round fishing, excellent views...
Check out the link below!
https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/bow-valley-pp/information-facilities/camping/three-sisters/
**Season 3 to start on March 8th, 2020**2019-11-1408 minThe Great OutdoorzEP25 - Three Sisters CampgroundJust a quick bonus episode - we just rolled in to Dead Man's Flats, Alberta for our Annual 'November in the Mountains Trip'.
We are staying at Copperstone Resort - a VERY pro-dog resort, with a nice modern feel that provides amenities at a third the cost of what it would be to replicate such a resort in Banff.
Banff is just 20min west, Canmore just 5min west.
Night one : we did a sunset winter-walkthru of the neighbouring campground - Three Sisters Provincial Campground. I ALMOST stayed here on my August BC trip bu...2019-11-1203 minThe Great OutdoorzEP24 - RV TalkA crossover episode from 'Talking Shop' on ESP...
Usually TS is all about band stuff but this one took more shape of a Great Outdoorz episode!!
Talkin' a little RV and Trailer , nbd...
* Season 2 is winding down...but we have our annual November in the Mountains Trip planned for mid-November ..so stay tuned for that! We are headed to Dead Mans Flats (just outside of Canmore) to a pet-friendly resort located beside Bow Valley Campground.2019-10-1211 minThe Great OutdoorzEP23 - Autumn in Osoyoos - BONUS EPIJosh preps for his road trip to Osoyoos in this mini-epi.
We also discuss our previous Mt Robson hikes, and how and why our Skyline Trail hike has become elusive.2019-09-2804 min
The Great OutdoorzEP22 - Lac Des Arcs CampgroundAfter a long drive back from BC I found that seemingly EVERY campsite was full from Kicking Horse all the way through Canmore....I have fond memories of Lac Des Arcs from a few years ago so threw once last Hail Mary pass in hopes I had a place to rest for the evening.
Luckily I was admitted into LDA's last campsite - this site is a "reservation only" so thanks to the crew for allowing me to camp without a reservation!
My luck continued when I was treated to the best sunset I've seen...2019-09-1308 min
The Great OutdoorzEP21 - Loop Brook Campground & TrailA week after Darci drives through this area - I am on a solo mission to BC of my own!
Loop Brook Campground is only open for 2 or so months of the year - and it has a very different vibe to it. Ominous, abandoned train bridge structures from over 100 years ago..a raging creek going through the site..it gives a bit of a "something is watching you" vibe to it around these parts.
It's an awesome campground - full of character..the trail is a nice easy walk where you can stretch your l...2019-09-0605 min
The Great OutdoorzEP20 - Rogers PassHistoric Rogers Pass - always an interesting, beautiful drive. This leg of BC-meets-Alberta keeps you on your toes in all seasons..one of the most treacherous trails of travel prone to landslides and snow closures.
Even its campgrounds are only open for 2-2.5 months of the year.
Darci makes a pit stop at Loop Brook Trail - a fantastic little campground just minutes west of the Rogers Pass Visitor Center.
I will be making this exact trip in the coming weeks so will give a sequel-style B side to Darci's episode here!
2019-08-2807 min
The Great OutdoorzEP19 - Redstreak Campground (Radium Hotsprings)Darci is on a solo mission to BC and takes the time to give us a few new episodes from the road!!
This one was recorded the morning after leaving Redstreak Campground - which is located close to Radium Hotsprings.
She gives an overview of that campground, as well as paints the roadtrip picture for you as she's en route to the next leg of her journey!!
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/kootenay/activ/camping/redstreak2019-08-2205 min
The Great OutdoorzEP18 - Skyline Trail (Jasper) - Part 2PART 2 of us planning to tackle one of the most famous hikes in the Canadian Rockies...Jasper's "Skyline Trail" !!
4600ft elevation, 44km length.
There are campgrounds at 5 km, 8 km, 12 km, 19 km, 30 km, and 35 km.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyline_Trail_(Jasper_National_Park)2019-08-0915 min
The Great OutdoorzEP17 - Skyline Trail (Jasper)We size up one of the most famous hikes in the Canadian Rockies...Jasper's "Skyline Trail" !!
4600ft elevation, 44km length.
There are campgrounds at 5 km, 8 km, 12 km, 19 km, 30 km, and 35 km.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyline_Trail_(Jasper_National_Park)
2019-08-0213 min
The Great OutdoorzEP16 - Astonin Lake CampgroundAstonin Lake Campground has a really cool, layered concept to it - the 48+ sites are situated on a hill that gives you a great view of the Lake. Very close to walking trails, as well as there are 5 oTentiks for rent during those rainy evenings.
We do a walk-thru and give you the skinny on the good sites.
....and Luna finds a dead squirrel....
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/elkisland/activ/activ2/a2019-07-2619 min
The Great OutdoorzEP15 - Buffalo Loop TrailThis part of Elk Island has a Jurassic Park feel to it..the loop is 5-7min long and provides you a very strong chance of seeing these mighty beasts from which the Loop was named after.
We caught a glimpse of a few FAR away, and also got stuck behind a sweet RV named "Bigfoot".
2019-07-1906 min
The Great OutdoorzEP14 - Road Trip to Elk Island National ParkA beautiful sunny intermission into what has otherwise been a fairly rainy summer...so we are heading east to the World Class "ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK" for the afternoon.
Elk Island is known for its Bison population, numerous lakes, as well as a plethora of outdoor activities.
Elk Island has 2 campsites - Oster Lake (a back country / tent style site) and Astonin Lake (which is more of the typical campsite).
This Park also boasts a 5 star Dark Sky viewing as well as year-round camping!
2019-07-1306 min
The Great OutdoorzEP13 - Haynes Point Provincial ParkSummer is here, Camping Season is in full effect!
We highly recommend Haynes Point Provincial Park in Osoyoos, BC.
We do a walkthru of the campsite, giving numbers and descriptions of the best sites, etc
This campground has a lot of family history with us - Josh and I are the 3rd generation to camp here!2019-07-0132 min
The Great OutdoorzEP12 - Bird is the Wird (Part 2)2nd installment of the Birding podcast with Josh.
All bird. All the time.2019-06-2617 min
The Great OutdoorzEP11 - Bird is the WirdHAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!!
Josh Gardiner is back and talking all things Bird.
We discuss Birding, as a growing activity in North America -how to Bird, why and where to Bird..
I bring up the real similarities between Birding and Pokemon Go..
Don't forget the hazards of Birding! Its not all just looking and snapping pictures!!
(ticks, terrain hazards..and more!)2019-06-2122 min
The Great OutdoorzEP10 - Wabamun Lake Provincial CampgroundFirst camping night of 2019!
We do the walkthru of Wabamun, checking out the upgrades from last year :)2019-05-2515 minThe Great OutdoorzEP9 - Heading HomeNothing like the feeling of heading back home...coffee, playlists, podcasts downloaded...here we go!
2019-04-1318 min
The Great OutdoorzEP8 - First Day of Spring @ Lake Minnewanka (Banff)Season 2 gets off to a frightening start - Luna fell through the ice at the "frozen" Lake Minnewanka...she was completely submerged, soaked head to paw - we aren't sure how she got out but are sure glad she did!
Happy First Day of Spring - safe hiking ;)
2019-03-2216 min
The Great OutdoorzEP7 - Robson ValleyI forgot how extensive and massive and sprawling Robson Valley is after you get out of Mount Robson itself!!2019-01-0503 min
The Great OutdoorzEP6 - Jasper to Mt Robson @ Christmas (Highway 16)Heading back to BC a few days before Christmas..the roads were clear and ideal up until I hit the BC side of Jasper.
2018-12-2416 min
The Great OutdoorzEP5 - 3400km and 4 Provinces in 4 Days!!Darci recounts her tales of travelling a monstrous 3400km over a 4 day period where she hit 4 provinces...
this is end of June so she saw the high temperatures of the sunny Okanagan region, snow at the top of the Salmo Summit, lightning storms across the prairies, funnel clouds, suicidal prairie dogs flooding the highway...giant windmill turbines.. and more!2018-06-2314 min
The Great OutdoorzEP4 - Yoho National Park of CanadaStaying a night at Kicking Horse Pass. Cool little campsite, great stay over spot en route from Alberta to BC.
2018-06-0910 min
The Great OutdoorzEP3 - Lake LouiseApologies for the audio quality on this one BUT
...it was worth it to record our walk across the frozen Lake Louise!
2018-04-2803 min
The Great OutdoorzEP2 - Castle Mountain Junction (Highway 1A)We are headed down Highway 1A from Banff to Lake Louise, making stops along the way!
Highly recommend Castle Mountain Junction Chalets.
2018-04-2107 min
The Great OutdoorzEP1 - Columbia Icefield (Highway 93)A must-see for any traveller of the Canadian Rockies!
We're headed down Highway 93 en route to Banff and Lake Louise:)2018-04-1314 min