beech mountain

Southern Salon Podcast visited the Land of Oz  during Autumn at Oz (we were there the same day as Good Morning America, in case you saw their broadcast.) Join us for a walk and talk of this beautiful park on top of Emerald Mountain, open just a few days a year. You'll ride with us on the chairlift, meet Professor Marvel, experience the tornado in Dorothy's storm cellar, meet Glenda the Good Witch, take a walk through Munchkinland, escape the bad witch and her soldiers, and hear Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion give their song and dance before we reach Emerald City. (And I'll reminisce because it takes me right back to my inner child!) Join us and don't forget to subscribe!

Photo and videos by narrator and Land of Oz website
Music: The Wizard of Oz Motion Picture Soundtrack (Internet Archive)

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Palmer McIntyre, Director for the North Carolina Year of the Trail, shares how the celebration of outdoor recreation in NC showcases the state’s beautiful landscapes, provides healthy recreation, and stimulates local economies. She also works for the Piedmont Land Conservancy, a regional land trust in the Triad area.

Palmer explains why and how the 2023 NC Year of the Trail was created by an effort led by the Great Trails State Coalition and supported by the NC General Assembly. Today, the NC Year of the Trail is the largest statewide celebration of trails and outdoor recreation in North Carolina history. Discover how and where to experience trails and why it is important to spend more time outdoors.

Also on Speaking of Travel, there is one particular trail in NC found way up on top of Beech Mountain you will not want to miss. Travel over the rainbow to the yellow brick road and celebrate Land of Oz's annual Autumn at Oz Festival - one of the world’s largest Wonderful Wizard of Oz events. Sean Barrett, artistic director at Land of Oz, fills us in on this annual tradition still going strong today.

Stay tuned! Only on Speaking of Travel!

Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Friend of the pod and Artistic Director of North Carolina's Land of Oz Theme Park, Sean Barrett, joins the Slipperhood! Sean recounts performing as the Scarecrow at Land of Oz since his teenage years, shares behind the scenes of Broadway's The Oz Project, and answers all your burning Land of Oz Theme Park questions!

Show Notes:

• Land of Oz Theme Park
• Broadway's THE OZ PROJECT: A Tribute to The Wizard of Oz & The Wiz
• Slipperhood Series: Brynn Williams (Broadway's The Oz Project!)
• Slipperhood Series: Steph Twomey (Dorothy at Land of Oz Theme Park!)
• Lee Wiley Art
• Ravensburger
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

Today's Slipperhood episode transports us to Beech Mountain, North Carolina, where the Land of Oz Theme Park is reopening this summer! Steph Twomey, who has been stepping into the ruby slippers at Land of Oz as Dorothy since 2017, joins us to share her love for the park, celebrate the supportive community of women playing Dorothy, and highlights her personal connection to Judy and the ruby slippers.

Show Notes:

• Land of Oz Theme Park
• Insta: @steph2me

Instagram: 

@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: @emshray

Original music by Shane Chapman

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader