About this episode

Linda Ballou shares her experiences and lessons learned from her adventures in the High Sierra wilderness.

July is Parks & Recreation Month, making it the perfect time to celebrate the beauty of America's public lands while learning how to explore them safely and responsibly. In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures" Podcast, award-winning travel writer Linda Ballou shares one of the most unforgettable stories from her memoir "Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler's Tales." Inspired by naturalist John Muir, Linda embarked on a horseback journey through California's magnificent High Sierra wilderness where unexpected accidents, injuries, and a dramatic helicopter rescue became powerful lessons in outdoor adventure. As part of her Lessons Learned from Travel series, Linda discusses how to choose reputable outfitters, why guide training matters, the importance of emergency medical evacuation insurance, and how proper preparation can help travelers safely enjoy national parks, wilderness areas, and other outdoor destinations. Whether you're planning a hiking trip, horseback ride, rafting adventure, or visit to a national or state park, this episode offers practical advice for exploring responsibly while protecting the wild places we love. Resource Links 📖 Read…

People in this episode

Guest: Linda Ballou

Topics covered

• wilderness safety
• outdoor adventure
• travel writing
• national parks
• California
• High Sierra
• responsible exploration

Keywords

• wilderness safety
• travel advice
• outdoor exploration
• California
• John Muir
• horseback journey
• emergency medical evacuation

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler's Tales

More episodes of Big Blend Radio

• A Taste of New Orleans · July 20, 2026 · 29 min
• Flood Recovery & Community Resilience in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana · July 19, 2026 · 36 min
• Artist Spotlight on Jack Levine · July 18, 2026 · 41 min
• The Magic of Outdoor Cinema · July 18, 2026 · 22 min
• The 4 Keys to Effective Team Building · July 17, 2026 · 31 min
• Getting to Know Author Dr. BJ Magnani · July 16, 2026 · 40 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Big Blend Radio podcast page.