“Wyoming Is Having a Moment in 2026”
Episode Summary

If Wyoming isn’t on your 2026 travel list yet… it will be after this episode. In this lively, laugh-filled conversation, co-hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro dive into why the Cowboy State is set to become the destination for women over 45 craving adventure, authenticity, luxury—or all three.

Heide brings back stories straight from Carbon County, like free 24/7 hot springs, llama trekking with goofy-but-loveable pack animals, saloon-style dinners with real cowboys, and small-town museums with some truly wild Old West history.

Then, the duo shifts to Jackson Hole’s major glow-up for 2026, including luxury lodge renovations, ski-season celebrations, red-light-therapy spas (yes, please), sleigh rides, wildlife safaris, and rooftop hot tubs under enormous Wyoming skies.

It’s fun, it’s feisty, it’s full of irresistible travel inspiration, and it’ll have you planning a birthday trip, girls’ getaway, or solo escape before the episode even ends. If you’re a woman embracing your independence, your curiosity, and your “why not?” era, this one’s for you.

Listen in and discover why Wyoming is about to have its biggest year yet.

Links Mentioned:

• Carbon County, WY: discoverCarbonCountyWI on Instagram
• Hotel Terra Jackson Hole: hotelterrajacksonhole.com
• Teton Mountain Lodge: tetonlodge.com
• The Sylvan Lodge at Snake River Sporting Club: snakeriversportingclub.com
• Travel Wyoming: travelwyoming.com

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Join co-hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro on "Untethered and Wander Wise," the award-winning travel podcast dedicated to inspiring women over 45 to embrace adventure on their own terms.

In this episode, Heide shares her unforgettable journey to Grand Junction, Colorado, a hidden gem packed with epic scenery, outdoor thrills, vibrant local culture, and welcoming community spirit.

Discover why Grand Junction is the perfect alternative to crowded Colorado hotspots, with highlights including canyoneering, ATV adventures, horseback riding, wine tasting in Palisade, and glamping near Rocky Mountain National Park. Whether you crave adrenaline or comfort, this episode offers practical tips, heartfelt stories, and plenty of reasons to add Grand Junction to your travel list.

Key Resources:
- Visit Grand Junction: visitgrandjunction.com
- Colorado Electric Byways Tourism Toolkit: oedit.colorado.gov/electric-byways-tourism-toolkit
- Arapaho Valley Ranch: arapahovalleyranch.com
- Palisade Wine Tourism: visitpalisade.com

Mentioned Attractions:
- Colorado National Monument
- Grand Mesa (largest flat-topped mountain in the world)
- Rattlesnake Arches (second-largest concentration of natural arches)
- Grand Mesa Scenic Byway (Colorado Electric Byway)
- Palisade Wine Country (30+ wineries)
- Arapaho Valley Ranch glamping
- Rocky Mountain National Park (west entrance)

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What if your worst travel nightmare—a cancelled flight and unexpected airport layover—could become your best adventure yet?

Join Heide and Nicky as they completely flip the script on airport travel with their incredible 4-day discovery of Southside Seattle, the vibrant communities surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. From squid fishing on a fall night to exploring a UFO mysteries trail, from a Viking-themed meadery to a botanical garden literally under the flight path, these aren't your typical "airport hotel" experiences.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How SeaTac, Tukwila, and Des Moines each offer distinct personalities and authentic local experiences just minutes from one of America's busiest airports
• Why that "generic airport area" is actually a multicultural foodie destination with Korean barbecue, Vietnamese bubble tea, Somali cuisine, and fresh Pacific Northwest seafood
• Practical tips for transforming travel delays and layovers into mini-adventures (especially relevant as ATC staffing issues continue to disrupt flights nationwide)
• The surprising maritime culture, local history, and outdoor experiences hiding in plain sight near major airports

Perfect for women 45+ who:

• Are tired of just "surviving" airport travel and want to thrive instead
• Love authentic local food scenes and cultural discoveries
• Are dealing with current travel stress and flight disruptions
• Want to maximize those "necessary" airport hotel stays
• Are ready to see delays and detours as opportunities, not disasters

Whether you're currently stuck in an airport or planning your next trip, this episode will change how you think about those "in-between" travel days forever. Discover why sometimes the best destinations are the ones you never planned to visit.

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When you think "girls trip destination," Rochester, New York probably doesn't make your top 10 list. But after this episode, it absolutely will!

Join hosts Nikki and Heidi as they spill all the tea about their unexpected love affair with this upstate gem. From sipping perfect espresso martinis at Angelina's restaurant to getting literal chills standing in Susan B. Anthony's parlor where she was arrested for voting, Rochester delivers a travel experience that's equal parts inspiring and delicious.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why the Susan B. Anthony Museum will make you want to text every woman in your contacts (seriously!)
• The friendship between Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass that will restore your faith in collaboration
• A craft brewery scene that rivals any major city (hello, Strange Bird Beer!)
• The only adaptive kayak center in the United States (prepare to be amazed)
• How to bowl, drink craft cocktails, AND listen to live music all in one converted warehouse
• The 116-year-old public market where locals actually shop (breakfast empanadas, anyone?)
• Why the Strong National Museum of Play isn't just for kids (adults-only nights with beer!)

Nicky shares behind-the-scenes moments from her recent girls weekend with Jana from Whiskey and Sunshine, while Heide reveals why her solo research trip turned into a full-blown Rochester obsession. Together, they break down exactly why this manageable, walkable city hits every mark for women 45+ looking for meaningful travel that goes way beyond checking boxes.

Perfect for listeners who:

• Want their travel to have deeper meaning beyond Instagram shots
• Love discovering under-the-radar destinations before everyone else
• Appreciate cities where you can actually park (for free!) and walk to everything
• Get excited about supporting local breweries, distilleries, and farm-to-table restaurants
• Believe that learning about badass historical women is the best kind of inspiration

Whether you're planning your next girls trip or just need some armchair travel therapy, this episode will have you googling flights to Rochester before it's over. Trust us – this one's a game-changer!

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What if your next vacation could literally transport you through time? Meet Jackie Lapin, a 74-year-old former sports journalist who transformed her passion for historical novels into the ultimate travel hack. After visiting over 500 destinations, Jackie has cracked the code on turning ordinary sightseeing into extraordinary time-travel experiences by pairing great books with epic destinations.

In this episode, discover her secrets for finding hidden European gems without the tourist crowds, solo travel confidence tips for women over 45, and how to capture the soul of historic places through your camera lens—plus get access to her incredible free database of 8,000 historical novels organized by destination.

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In this groundbreaking episode of Untethered and Wanderwise, hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro reveal why women over 45 are becoming the driving force behind the adventure tourism revolution, sharing shocking statistics like how 81% of solo female travelers are over 45 and women over 65 increased their solo travel from 4% to 18% in just three years.

Listeners will discover the psychology behind why hitting your forties and fifties triggers a powerful shift in adventure appetite, hear real stories of midlife women conquering white water rafting, wild caving, skydiving, and ice climbing, and learn practical safety advice for starting their own adventure journey regardless of current fitness level or experience.

This episode explores why the $1.6 trillion adventure tourism industry is being transformed by women who refuse to let age define their limits, offering inspiration and actionable guidance for anyone ready to trade their comfort zone for life-changing adventures and redefine what's possible after 45.

#UntetheredAndWanderwise #AdventureTravelPodcast #SoloFemaleTravel #WomenOver45 #MidlifeAdventures #AdventureTourism #SoloTravelTips #WomenEmpowerment #AdventureTravel #TravelPodcast #SoloTravelPodcast #WomenTravelers #AdventurousFemales #MidlifeTravel #TravelAfter40 #WomenOverFifty #ExtremeTravel #AdventureSafety #SoloAdventures #TravelInspiration #WomenWhoWander #AdventurePlanning #MidlifeEmpowerment #TravelStatistics #AdventureStories #WomenInAdventure #TravelCommunity #SoloJourney #AdventureGoals #TravelMotivation

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What happens when you celebrate your 50th birthday by eating guinea pig and conquering one of the world's seven wonders?

Join hosts Heide and Nicky on Untethered and Wander Wise as they share their incredible Machu Picchu journey – proving your most epic adventures happen AFTER 45, not before.

Why This Episode Will Change How You Think About Travel:

🏔️ The emotional moment that brought tears at 8,000 feet above sea level
🚂 Insider secrets for booking tickets, choosing circuits, and avoiding tourist traps
🦙 Honest talk about altitude sickness, bathroom strategies, and unexpected side effects
🍽️ The guinea pig story you won't believe (complete with head-on presentation!)
✈️ Real costs and practical tips for the $1,500 adventure of a lifetime

Perfect For:

• Women over 45 who think adventure days are behind them
• Anyone planning a Machu Picchu trip (booking mistakes could cost you!)
• Solo female travelers seeking inspiration and practical advice
• Bucket list dreamers ready to turn "someday" into "this year"

What You'll Learn:

• Why you MUST book Machu Picchu tickets months in advance
• The secret ticket that gets you away from crowds
• How to handle altitude sickness like a pro
• The circuit system that could make or break your visit
• Why the train route is perfect for non-trekkers
• Essential packing tips and cultural insights

This isn't just a travel story – it's proof that age is just a number and your most transformative adventures are still ahead of you.

Listen now and discover why standing where ancient spirits still live might change your relationship with what's possible.

Machu Picchu travel guide, female travel over 45, Peru adventure, altitude sickness tips, Sacred Valley, women's travel podcast, midlife adventures, bucket list travel

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Nicky and Heide give their review of the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica adults-only luxury resort in Los Cabos. From fine dining and top-notch spa experiences to day trips to one of Mexico's "Magical towns," the resort far exceeded any expectations. Perfect for a girls' getaway or a romantic escape, see what you can expect from this premium resort.

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