Remember when Libby Gifford raved about Olympic National Park being her all-time favorite? Well, we took that as a challenge and just wrapped up an epic two-day adventure through its jaw-dropping landscapes. Spoiler alert: Libby was absolutely right.

From the snow-capped peaks of Hurricane Ridge to the rugged coastline of Rialto and Ruby Beach, we packed in as much as possible—including hidden gems like Crescent Lake, unforgettable hikes, and some close encounters with wildlife (hello, bald eagles and sea lions!).

If you’re planning your own Olympic National Park getaway, we’ve got you covered with insider tips on accommodations, must-see spots, and the things we wish we knew before we went. And yes, we’ll get into tide pooling, because if you’re not checking out sea stars and anemones, are you even doing this trip right?

Oh, and stick around for our "Gear of the Day" pick—a must-have for your next outdoor adventure.

• Libby’s Favorite Park: Why Olympic National Park tops her list.
• Getting There: The journey to the park and what to expect.
• Crescent Lake: The perfect mix of serenity and scenery.
• Cape Flattery Adventure: Standing at the northwesternmost point of the U.S. mainland.
• Tide Pooling at Rialto Beach: Why you need to bring waterproof shoes (trust us).
• Staying at Kalaloch Lodge: A scenic spot with interesting pricing.
• The Iconic Tree of Life: The gravity-defying tree you need to see.
• Ruby Beach & Other Coastal Stops: Unbeatable views and moody PNW vibes.
• Lake Alt & Historical Hikes: Trails, history, and why you should bring extra snacks.
• Wildlife Encounters: Bald eagles, sea lions, and more surprises.
• Olympia Side Trip: Pizza wins and losses, parking struggles.
• Travel Tips & Lessons Learned: What to know before you go.
• Gear of the Day: Our top pick for making your next adventure even better.

✔️ Olympic National Park is ridiculously diverse. Snowy mountains, lush rainforests, and stunning beaches—all in one trip.
✔️ Plan your accommodations wisely. Some spots are worth the price, others… not so much.
✔️ Tide pooling is a must. Just don’t forget waterproof shoes unless you enjoy ice-cold toes.
✔️ Wildlife sightings are next-level. Bring binoculars—you never know what you’ll see.
✔️ Olympia has meh pizza. Parking, however, is another story altogether.

Tune in now for the ultimate guide to exploring Olympic National Park and making the most of your adventure!

Today Joe and Crystal embark on a journey to the world’s most romantic destinations. From the sun-kissed beaches of Indonesia to the charming gondolas of Venice, they reveal their top five picks for couples seeking unforgettable getaways. Along the way, they explore breathtaking hotels, intimate dining spots, and hidden gems in Greece, France, Italy, and beyond. Even if you're not romantically involved, you'll find yourself falling in love with ALL of these places.

Not just about faraway escapes, Joe and Crystal also highlight romantic locales closer to home—perfect for a spontaneous weekend retreat. And for those who love to stay active while traveling, don’t miss their Gear of the Day pick: a fitness tracker that keeps you on time and in shape wherever love takes you.

Highlights from this episode:

• 🌍 Enchanting romantic destinations across the globe
• 🏝️ Exotic beach escapes and historic European cities
• ❤️ Hidden gems and personal travel love stories
• 🏨 Luxurious stays and dreamy dining experiences
• 🎒 Gear of the Day: A must-have fitness tracker

Whether you're planning your next big trip or just dreaming about future adventures, tune in for inspiring stories, expert recommendations, and the ultimate romantic travel guide!

Stacking Adventures: Where wanderlust meets love.

Can a pigeon lead to an Italian adventure? Turns out, yes! 🐦 Join Crystal and Joe as they chat with Adventure Annette about a spontaneous, bird-inspired journey through Rome, Venice, and Pompeii—all thanks to her son's unexpected obsession with pigeons.

🏛 Rome: The Eternal City – Walking is the best way to explore (and dodge tourist traps). Annette shares insider tips on hidden gems, cheap eats, and why Rome’s fountains aren’t just for decoration.

🎭 The Colosseum Experience – Gladiators, history, and why booking ahead can save you hours.

🎒 The Gear of the Day – Travel smarter with one essential item that keeps you prepared for any travel weather.

🏺 Pompeii: A Journey Through Time – What it’s really like to walk through the ruins of an ancient city frozen in time.

🛶 Venice: Beyond the Crowds – First impressions, best ways to explore, and why the colorful islands of Murano and Burano should be on your itinerary.

💰 How to Save on Flights, Hotels & More – Annette’s spontaneous travel hacks that can save you big bucks on your next European getaway.

✨ Final Thoughts & Souvenirs – What’s worth bringing home from Italy (besides incredible memories)?

✅ Spontaneity = Magic. Planning is great, but leaving room for surprises leads to the best adventures.
✅ Walking beats waiting. Exploring Rome on foot saves money and reveals hidden treasures most tourists miss.
✅ Book smart. Annette shares how to score last-minute hotel deals and avoid overpaying.
✅ Escape the crowds. Venice has secrets beyond St. Mark’s Square—Annette shares where to go for the real magic.

🎧 Hit play now and join us for a whirlwind Italian adventure! 🇮🇹✈️✨

Ever wonder which U.S. national parks are truly breathtaking—and which ones might not live up to the hype? Today, Joe and Crystal sit down with Libby Gifford, a seasoned park explorer and co-organizer of TravelCon, to swap stories about awe-inspiring landscapes, unexpected surprises, and the parks that didn’t quite make their bucket list.

Along the way, you’ll hear:

• 🏕️ Crystal’s shocking confession—why she hasn’t set foot in a national park (yet).
• 🌄 Hidden gems & overrated spots—Libby and Joe break down the best (and meh-est) parks they’ve visited.
• 🏜️ Wild landscapes—from the surreal dunes of White Sands to the rugged beauty of Big Bend and the extremes of Death Valley.
• 🏔️ Trail talk—debating whether Glacier National Park is truly the crown jewel of the system.
• 🚶‍♂️ Epic hikes & must-do adventures—Zion’s The Narrows and Angel’s Landing, the wonders of Olympic National Park, and the best of Southern Utah.
• 🌲 Acadia: Overrated or underrated? The debate rages on.
• 🏕️ Camping tips & park hacks—how to plan your adventure like a pro (and avoid rookie mistakes).
• 🎤 TravelCon scoop—why travel lovers, bloggers, and content creators need to check it out.

Whether you’re a seasoned park explorer or planning your first visit, this episode is packed with inspiration, expert tips, and a few laughs along the way.

• Learn more about TravelCon → https://travelcon.org
• Join our Stacking Adventures Community on Facebook for more travel stories & tips

Big changes coming to the show (well, not really...more tweaks than anything)...and we're super excited to share them with you. Join our community online and let's have fun learning and laughing our way around the world.

Here's the revised version without timestamps:

Ready to swirl, sniff, and sip your way through some unforgettable wine-tasting adventures? Today’s episode of Stacking Adventures is a toast to wine tours, featuring hilarious and heartfelt stories, practical tips, and a few spills (hopefully just metaphorical).

Crystal shares her dream of leading wine tours in retirement—because why not get paid to drink wine and look fancy? Jennifer takes us to Portugal with her incredible wine tour experience, where she discovered the magic of Port wine and how to enjoy wine tastings without emptying your wallet. And let’s not forget Crystal’s jaunt through Swiss vineyards (because even ski trips deserve a little grape action) and Joe’s own wine tales, which might just involve questionable choices in Northern Michigan.

Plus, Wesley’s Wine Tips will arm you with everything you need to ace your next tasting, and we highlight a piece of travel gear that promises to keep your wine-and-cheese habit from becoming your wine-and-regret habit.

• Chilean wine tour dreams, Crystal’s future retirement gig, and Joe’s questionable choices.
• What’s pouring in this episode (hint: it’s wine and plenty of laughs).
• Jennifer’s Portugal wine tour: The magic of Porto and Lisbon, and why Port wine might be your new best friend.
• Port tasting 101: Learn why it’s worth sipping slowly (and maybe budgeting for a bottle or two).
• DIY wine tour tips: How to taste without breaking the bank—or getting kicked out of a vineyard.
• Napa Valley nostalgia: Joe’s personal wine stories that’ll have you saying, “Wait...he did what?”
• Swiss wine adventures: Crystal’s picturesque Swiss vineyard tour (with bonus ski tales).
• Dog-friendly wineries: Because even Fido deserves a day in the vineyard.
• Wine tasting tips: Tricks to look like a pro, even if you just came for the cheese.
• Northern Michigan wineries: The truth about what’s bubbling up north.
• Planning your wine tour: The ultimate guide to sipping your way to adventure.
• Wine etiquette & pairings: How to avoid faux pas and elevate your tastings.
• Gear of the day: Stay fit while indulging in your wine-tasting escapades (because balance is key).
• What’s next: A sneak peek at upcoming episodes and how you can join the Stacking Adventures community.

Got a wine-tasting story that rivals Joe’s Northern Michigan adventures? Share it with us! Join the Stacking Adventures community and let’s keep the travel (and wine) conversations flowing.

https://stackingadventures.com/mystory

Ready to dive into the charm of the Emerald Isle? In this episode, we’re taking you on a journey through Ireland’s rugged countryside, lively cities, and ancient landmarks. Whether you’re chasing rainbows or trying to master driving on the other side of the road, we’ve got stories, laughs, and plenty of tips to inspire your next great adventure.

Sheena starts us off with her unplanned escape to Dublin—because sometimes the best adventures are the ones you don’t plan. From unexpected sunshine to Dublin’s iconic hop-on-hop-off bus tours, she’ll have you itching to pack your bags. Roy shares his seven Irish trips that led to his family’s bold decision to retire in Northern Ireland (yes, the pubs are as cozy as you imagine). Then, John from Oklahoma takes us back in time with tales of ancient ruins, geological wonders, and a pub crawl worth repeating.

And the icing on this Irish cake? Nancy from Florida tells us about her journey to Limerick. Of course, Joe couldn’t resist trying to craft a limerick on the spot featuring Nancy—and let’s just say it’s a work of... humor.

Along the way, we’ll share tips for renting a car without losing your cool, savoring the perfect pint of stout, and unlocking Ireland’s rich history like a seasoned explorer. Plus, don’t miss our “gear of the day” pick—it’s a travel essential for making every adventure more fun (and less stressful).

• Sheena’s Unplanned Dublin Adventure: Spontaneous trips, Irish sunshine, and people-watching with a side of laughter.
• Roy’s Northern Ireland Dream: Seven trips, house-hunting shenanigans, and making the big move to a postcard-worthy Northern Irish town.
• John’s Historical Tour: Ancient ruins, geological wonders, and cozy pub stories that’ll make you want to book your flight immediately.
• Nancy’s Trip to Limerick: A Florida adventurer meets Irish charm—and Joe’s valiant attempt at limerick-writing.
• Practical Travel Tips: Navigate the roads, find the best brews, and experience Ireland like a seasoned pro.
• Gear of the Day: The must-have travel tool to keep your adventures smooth and your spirits high.

Ireland is calling, and we’re here to help you answer. From laughs to logistics, this episode has everything you need to start planning your own Irish adventure.

Planning a dream vacation shouldn’t feel like a nightmare for your wallet. In this episode, Crystal and Joe unpack practical strategies to make your 2025 travels more affordable, enjoyable, and stress-free.

Crystal is inspired as Joe shares his plan to extend FinCon with an unforgettable visit to Crater Lake National Park and Willamette Valley wineries. From there, they dive into how smart budgeting and planning can transform your travel dreams into reality.

You’ll hear about:

• Effective strategies for budgeting travel expenses, from accommodations to flights.
• How to embrace public transport and save on dining without sacrificing experiences.
• The importance of planning ahead while leaving room for spontaneity.
• Tips for avoiding hotel booking mistakes and making the most of travel points.
• Crystal and Joe’s 'Gear of the Day' pick to help you pack like a pro.

Whether you’re dreaming of exploring new destinations or just want to stretch your travel dollars, this episode has everything you need to make your next adventure epic and affordable.

Tune in for a mix of actionable tips, personal stories, and a touch of humor that’ll leave you excited to plan your next getaway!