420 This Group Helps Older Hearing Impaired Enjoy the Outdoors

On this week's podcast, Bob sits down with Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade.  He and Mayor Yemi discuss the 2025 budget process that is underway, and how it will affect the city's parks and trails. They also discuss public safety in the city in general and parks in particular, and ballot measure 2C, which asks voters to renew the special sales tax used for paving the city's roads. If approved, the special funding will shift road paving from the major thoroughfares to neighborhood streets. How will this affect the citys neighborhood parks? Also, a brief discussion on e-bikes, and finally which park does the mayor like to take his family? City of Colorado Springs website:  ColoradoSprings.gov Please take a moment to take a survey about Bob's podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/yee4dp89 Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, co-host Kevin takes the reins and interviews Bernie Schmeits, Project Manager of Hearing, Vision and Dental Programming for the Colorado Gerontological Society (CGS). They talk about CGS's work to provide hearing aids to older adults with hearing impairments, and how this enables them to get out of the house and improve their quality of life. The non-profit relies on grants and donations to provide its services and with a loss of grants, it relies more heavily on donation support.  They also discuss other programs that the group provides to older adults. CGS website: https://www.senioranswers.org/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On a special bonus episode, Bob and Cory Sutela, the Executive Director of the Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates (MWTA), discuss Colorado Springs' proposed e-bike policy. Bob first corrects and clarifies some comments he made on the topic in episode 418, while still of the opinion that it is a generally good policy.  Sutela then gives his organizations views and opinions on the policy.   The main thrust of their discussion centers around how this proposed policy may or may not completely mesh with language in the Colorado Springs Trails, Open Space and Parks program and establishing ordinance, and what they believe is the best path forward. Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates website: https://medwheel.org/ As of this recording, there was no direct web link to the proposed policy. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's episode, Bob and co-host Kevin discuss the newly unveiled proposed e-bike policy for Colorado Springs parks, trails and open spaces.  They discuss some of the nuances of the policy, how the process of adopting the policy will go forward, and did Bob's opinion how e-bikes should be adopted into the city's open spaces change? As of this recording, there was no direct web link to the proposed policy. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's episode, Bob talks with Randi Minetor, the author of "Death in...", a series of books about accidents and deaths that have occurred at some of the United States' national parks. With some of the incidents detailed in her books going back more than 100 years, they compare and contrast hiking, mountain climbing and other activities over the years and how modern technology has affected outdoor recreation.  They discuss how Randi developed the idea for the series, the research it takes to write one of the books, and a common thread with all the incidents featured in the books.  It is an interesting and insightfull episode. Randi Minetor Website:  https://minetor.com Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

Bob welcomes Wild Westendorf back to the podcast. They discuss what they have been doing since the last time Kevin on the show. Bob talks about the end of his term on the TOPS Working Committee, his experiences there and his plans moving forward. Also, Bob talks about his conversation with a person who thinks Colorado Springs voters aren't "smart enough" to vote on changes to the TOPS program, which Bob found to be an offensive opinion. (Note: This person was not a government employee of any type or an elected official) They talk about the coming fall colors season in Colorado and how two experts have opposite opinions on how colorful fall will be.     Recent newsletter with fall foliage prediction info:  https://tinyurl.com/27c9kedz   Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's episode, Bob interviews Derick Lugo, author of "The Unlikely Through Hiker".  They discuss how Derick, having grown up in Brooklyn, Queens and Harlem in New York City became a through hiker, tackling the Appalachian Trail with no prior experience.  Derick tells of the impact on his outlook on life and interpersonal relations the experience had on him, and of writing a book about the hike. They discuss his subsequent through hikes, including through Colorado on the Continental Divide Trail, and future plans.  The conversation is inspiring, and Derick's positive attitude makes this a very fun conversation. Derick Lugo website: https://dericklugo.com/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.wordpress.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's episode, Bob chats with author and thru-hiker Christine Woodside about her book, "Going Over the Mountain: One Woman's Journey from Follower to Solo Hiker and Back". In this entertaining hour, they discuss her experiences as a day and thru-hiker, and the experiences that led to the writing of this book.  Book website: https://tinyurl.com/459rvkpa Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.wordpress.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

With July having a 5th Wednesday, and not wanting to go too long between podcasts with our new twice-a- month schedule, I had Kevin "Wild" Westendorf come in for a short episode to catch up on things. We discuss what we've both been doing for the past few weeks, find out more about Kevin's recent health scare, new trails he's visited and any plans he has for the fall. We also discuss a few hikes that people should do before the end of September, and some events coming up. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.wordpress.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On episode 412, Bob chats with local author PJ Anderson about "Cheyenne Mountain - Here's Looking at You" an exhaustively researched book about the history of Colorado Springs' nearest mountain. They discuss Anderson's history in developing Cheyenne Mountain State Park at the base of the peak, the history of the early discovery and then mining and ranching on the mountain, and also of the many trails that have crisscross Cheyenne Mountain.  The hour-long episode only scratches the surface of the many topics covered in the book, which is available at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and Hooked on Books in Colorado Springs.  You'll want to listen to this fun, informative and historical podcast! Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.wordpress.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob