Big Blend’s Spirit of America Tour comes to Willcox & Southeast Arizona

WILCOX, Ariz. - June 13, 2013 - PRLog -- In an effort to promote the full funding and protection of America's 401 National Parkunits, and showcase the park gateway communities as ideal destinations, Nancy and Lisa's goal is to visit each of the National Parks by the end of the National Parks Centennial, on August 25, 2017.

They started the tour on April 26, 2012 during National Parks Week when they visited Cabrillo National Monument, in San Diego. Determined to reach their goal, they have been hard at work making arrangements to travel full time, starting this June 2013, when they visit Silver City and the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. They will be in the greater Willcox area from June 27-July 11th, where they will visit Chiricahua NM, Fort Bowie NHS, and Coronado NM.

From each National Park gateway community they visit, Nancy & Lisa host live-on-location radio shows, produce videos and photo features, as well as editorial pieces for each of Big Blend's 10 Online Radio & Video Magazines. Showcasing the parks and places they visit, as well as the people they meet, they also post travel information on BigBlendSpiritofAmericaTour.com and their National Park Travel Planner, and keep audiences and followers updated through their Spirit of America Tour Blog (Priscilla's Banana Blog), Twitter and Facebook, and their Big Blend e-News subscribers.

"It is our intention to showcase not only the beauty and historic heritage of America’s Best Idea, but to show how they add to America's quality of life, as well as the economic and environmental benefits of fully funding, staffing, protecting and expanding our National Park system, especially for the gateway communities,” says Nancy & Lisa. “Our parks and public lands bring individuals and families together through educational and recreational opportunities, as well as the chance to experience our natural world in a clean and safe environment."

“Big Blend has been a tremendous supporter of both NPCA and our national parks,” says National Parks Conservation Association Senior Vice President of Policy and frequent Big Blend Radio guest Ron Tipton. “Their passion to protect and preserve our national parks is reflected by their continuous coverage of park issues. We're delighted that they plan to visit all 401 parks to raise awareness of the key issues they face, in advance of the Park Service centennial in 2016. I wish them the best of luck on their journey.”

As ambassadors for Quantum Learning Network / SuperCamp's “8 Keys of Excellence Character Education Program” Big Blend's SPIRIT OF AMERICA TOUR also embraces the challenge of bringing excellence to 50 million children and young adults. This free family and school program guides young people toward a positive future full of confidence, motivation, creativity, team work, leadership and valuable life principles. Many of today's most distinguished and respected thought leaders are advocates of the 8 Keys of Excellence character-building principles.

“We are inspired by the admirable commitment of Lisa and Nancy to our national parks and thrilled the 8 Keys of Excellence are traveling with them to each park! The Keys are principles to live by that have impacted ten million kids and people of all ages. We are excited to have Big Blend as our champion partner in our campaign to bring the 8 Keys of Excellence to 50 million people by 2015 – creating a nation of excellence, a world of excellence!” says Bobbi DePorter, president of Quantum Learning Network.

As they travel, Nancy and Lisa gather local recipes from chefs and cooking enthusiasts. These recipes will be featured in the 3 different 'Big Blend Spirit of America Road Trip Recipes' e-Book series, with all proceeds benefiting select non-profits including the National Parks Conservation Association, Learning Forum International, and Born Free USA.

Passionate about National Parks, the 8 Keys of Excellence program, travel and responsible tourism, Nancy and Lisa look forward to visiting Willcox from June 27-July 11th, 2013. They will host 4 Big Blend Radio shows while in town, and these shows will air live from their host hotels including Triangle T Guest Ranch (June 30), and Willcox Holiday Inn Express (July 3, July 9 & 10) You can get show details and listen to the shows online by visiting www.BigBlendRadio.com .

To showcase the greater Willcox region as destination that offers a variety of experiences, they will be doing features and interviews for their National Park Travel Planner, Magazines and Radio Shows, focusing on: local history, attractions and activities, art and entertainment, museums and galleries, family -friendly places, nature and parks, lodging and dining, recipes, farms and gardens, eco-friendly destinations, and business and personal success stories. If you would like to participate in their coverage please contact Lisa Smith directly at (760) 475-3308 or lisa@bigblendmagazines.com . Learn more about their tour at www.BigBlendSpiritofAmericaTour.com