What if we told you that one of the most dramatic and consequential battles in American history happened in a small Michigan city — and almost nobody knows about it? In this episode of Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks, we explore River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, Michigan: the site of the War of 1812's greatest American defeat, the birth of the rallying cry "Remember the Raisin!", and a place where Native American, French, British, and American stories collide in one of history's most complex moments.

We cover everything you need to know for a perfect visit: the full history of the January 1813 Battle of Frenchtown and the River Raisin Massacre, the incredible cultural tapestry of the settlement at Frenchtown, the natural beauty of the River Raisin Heritage Trail and Sterling State Park, hiking options perfect for the 50+ crowd, a complete first-timer's itinerary, and all the other amazing things to do in Monroe, Michigan.

River Raisin is FREE to visit, beautifully interpreted, and unlike anything else in the National Park System. Don't miss this hidden gem of the Great Lakes.

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📍 Location: Monroe, Michigan | 333 N. Dixie Hwy

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📌 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• NPS River Raisin: nps.gov/rira

• River Raisin Heritage Trail: City of Monroe Parks & Recreation

• Sterling State Park: michigan.gov/dnr

• Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge: fws.gov

• Monroe County Historical Museum: monroehistory.org

#RiverRaisin #RiverRaisinNationalBattlefieldPark #Warof1812 #NationalPark #NPS #MonroeMichigan #Hiking #HikingMichigan #MichiganHiking #RememberTheRaisin #BattleOfFrenchtown #GreatLakes #NationalParks #USHistory #MilitaryHistory #MichiganTravel #HiddenGems #SterlingStatePark #BirdWatching #50PlusHiking #NatureWalks #TwoChicksWithHikingSticks #PodcastScript #HistoryPodcast #OutdoorAdventure #VisitMichigan #AmericanHistory #Tecumseh #GreatLakesTrails #FamilyTravel

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What do you do when a doctor tells you you'll be impaired for life — and you simply refuse to believe them?

Award-winning journalist, Peabody Award winner, and bestselling author Jo Giese joins Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks to share her extraordinary story of survival, determination, and defying medical odds after a catastrophic fall ruptured her Achilles tendon — and a botched surgery left her without one entirely.

In this episode, Jo opens up about:

✅ The accident and surgical nightmare that changed everything

✅ Being told she'd never walk normally again — and rejecting that verdict

✅ The 2.5-year recovery journey that doctors are calling a "medical miracle"

✅ The power of community, caregiving spouses, and having a medical advocate

✅ Her love of waterfall hiking, forest bathing & the science behind WHY nature heals

✅ Practical hiking safety tips for women hiking at any age or ability level

✅ Her new memoir: You'll Never Walk Alone: A Hiker's Memoir of Adventure, Tragedy, and Defying the Odds

Whether you're recovering from an injury, returning to hiking later in life, or just need a dose of pure grit and inspiration — this episode is for YOU.

📚 Get Jo's book anywhere you get your books

🎧 Available on Audiobook!

🥾 New to the show? Two Chicks with Hiking Sticks is your go-to podcast for women who love the outdoors — no matter your age, pace, or fitness level. We believe it's NEVER too late to hit the trails.

👇 Drop a comment: Have you ever hiked through an injury or comeback story? We want to hear it!

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#HikingInspiration #WomensHiking #HikingRecovery #AchillesTendon #MedicalMiracle #YoullNeverWalkAlone #JoGiese #TwoChicksWithHikingSticks #WaterfallHiking #HikingMotivation #Outdoors #NatureHeals #WomenWhoHike #HikingPodcast #ForestBathing #TrailLife #HikeSafe #OutdoorWomen #HikingLife #ReturnToTrails

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What if one of America’s most “hostile” landscapes turned out to be one of its most breathtaking?

In this episode of Two Chicks With Hiking Sticks, we explore Badlands National Park in South Dakota — a land shaped by 75 million years of erosion, ancient inland seas, prehistoric mammals, and powerful Lakota history.

We’ll walk through:

• Why the name “Badlands” comes from the Lakota word makȟóšiča
• How this landscape preserves some of the world’s richest Oligocene fossil beds
• The story behind its designation as a National Monument in 1939 and National Park in 1978
• Wildlife encounters with bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets
• The best hiking trails — including Notch Trail, Door Trail, and Castle Trail
• What makes this one of the most dramatic Dark Sky destinations in the country

From rugged spires to rolling prairie, this park tells a story of resilience — geological, ecological, and cultural.

If you love hiking, American history, national parks, and discovering the deeper stories behind iconic landscapes, this episode is for you.

Lace up your boots. Let’s hike into 75 million years of history.

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