Show Summary

Catalina Sandoval joins The Colonel & the Kid Podcast with host Greg Heitmann for her recurring segment...."Trippin' With Cat," a vacation review.

The Ultimate Travel & Experience Podcast: Disney, Universal & Road Trips

Dive into a behind-the-scenes look at a family trip to Disney World and Universal Studios, featuring personal stories, funny mishaps, and detailed park reviews. This episode also shares insights into travel logistics, favorite rides, food adventures, and travel tips.

In this episode:

• Catalina recounts her trip to Orlando, including travel prep, airport experiences, and overcoming a green chili mishap.
• Detailed breakdown of Disney's Animal Kingdom, Avatar, and Harry Potter attractions, with honest reviews and ride ratings.
• Exploring Universal Studios, including Marvel, Harry Potter, and classic rides like The Mummy & Simpsons Land.
• Food highlights including themed restaurants like Flame Tree Barbecue, Voodoo Doughnuts, and Toothsums Chocolate Emporium.
• Travel logistics: parking tips, ride wait times, and using fast passes effectively.
• Humorous anecdotes about trip mishaps, such as lost keys, hot tub issues, and hilarious late-night podcast recording struggles.
• Bonus: The importance of capturing memories through photos and the value of simple traditions like airport breakfast burritos.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome, intro to Catalina and the trip purpose02:04 - Trip background & travel prep chaos04:56 - Airport drop-offs and delayed start07:06 - Family introduced, podcast restart due to audio issues09:27 - Flying from Santa Fe to Orlando, layover details12:52 - Arrival in Orlando, Airbnb exploration17:01 - Day 1 at Animal Kingdom, rides and attractions overview20:36 - Exploring Everest, Africa safari, and themed zones30:14 - Food stops and restaurant reviews33:33 - Park ticket prices and food costs summary36:25 - Universal Studios day, Harry Potter, Marvel, and Simpsons Land45:44 - Dining and special merchandise, ride ratings56:33 - Day 4: Hagrid’s ride, Velocicoaster, and more attractions66:39 - Final dinner at Toothsums, Lenten food reflections, and trip wrap-up73:08 - Podcast wrap-up, future plans, merch ideas, and closing thoughts

Resources & Links:

• Disney World Official Website
• Universal Studios Official Site
• Voodoo Doughnuts
• Toothsums Chocolate Emporium

Milestone Episode: Completing Season 2 of "The Colonel and the Kid" & Chapter 40 - The Mail Route

Join host Greg Heitmann as he celebrates the culmination of Season 2 and Volume 2 of the memoir dedicated to Lieutenant Colonel Edwin P. Hagen Jr. In this episode, Greg reflects on his grandfather’s career as a rural mail carrier, shares family artifacts, and explores broader themes of history, effort, and personal legacy.

Main Insights:

• Overview of Grandpa Hagen’s career with the US Postal Service and his mail route in South Dakota
• The significance of the unofficial postal motto: "Neither snow nor rain nor gloom of night..."
• Personal stories about Grandpa's vehicle, homemade devices, and daily routines
• Use of AI tools to enhance family artwork depicting old cars and farm life
• Reflections on community, education, and the importance of preserving family history
• Commentary on contemporary topics: NFL draft, baseball, societal craziness, and cultural reflections
• Philosophical thoughts on life accomplishments, anonymity, and societal progress
• The importance of asserting positivity and control in life
• Brief preview of upcoming projects, including the next book in the Charlie LeBeau Mystery Series
• Season finale with a heartfelt thank you and encouragement to "see you later"

Timestamps:

• (11:15) Grandpa’s career and personal stories
• (28:57) Inventiveness of Grandpa and DIY modifications
• (34:00) Family photos and community snapshots
• (37:01) Concluding thoughts, quotes, and future plans
• (44:00) Society, education, and cultural observations
• (50:37) The NFL draft and American dreams
• (55:55) The desire for anonymity and legacy
• (60:40) Upcoming book project: "Lake Traverse" and family art
• (68:25) Final reflections and season closure

Resources & Links:

• Charlie LeBeau Mystery Series — next project in progress
• O'Farrell Hat Company — unofficial sponsor and hat collector

Connect with Greg:

• YouTube Channel
• Twitter
• Email & Contact

Optional:

• Stay tuned for merchandise updates: custom T-shirts designed with family artwork
• Future episodes may include select chapters from the upcoming "Lake Traverse" series

Season Finale Note:

This episode celebrates the end of Season 2 and Volume 2—thank you for your support. Greg encourages listeners to "Be assertive, positive, and proactive" and to enjoy life’s journey with gratitude and curiosity.See you later, and keep exploring your own Mail Routes!

The Colonel and the Kid Podcast - Chapter 39: Daughters, Part 2 & COVID Reflection

Explore the heartfelt memoir chronicling family history intertwined with reflections on COVID-19's impact. Learn about the author's family stories, personal insights, and lessons learned through memories and photographs.

Key Topics:

• Family history through vintage photos and stories from the 1950s to 1980s
• The personal impact of COVID-19 on family members, especially the author's mother and aunt
• Reflections on perseverance and lessons from Grandpa Edwin P. Hagen Jr.
• Insights into American family life, holidays, and relationships across generations
• Updates on sports, local news, and the author's current projects, including his writing journey

Timestamps:

• (00:00) Welcome and podcast overview
• (01:17) Introducing the memoir of Grandpa Edwin P. Hagen Jr.
• (02:28) The importance of recording family history
• (07:20) Family's COVID-19 experiences; mother and aunt's battles
• (08:04) Vintage photos of family in the 1950s
• (11:00) Kathy’s COVID recovery story
• (15:31) Family vacation in 1952; imagined family bonds
• (20:32) Family reunion in 2021 post-COVID
• (22:04) Photos of family in the 1970s and 1980s
• (37:46) Reflections on family members’ resilience
• (39:18) Challenges of preservation and family memories
• (44:12) Concluding thoughts on life lessons and perseverance
• (50:52) Personal connection to O’Farrell Hat Company
• (55:22) Dressing for success and aspirations
• (58:34) Upcoming segments: license plates and local stories
• (70:43) Progress on the author's writing projects
• (73:29) Challenges of staying disciplined in writing
• (76:52) Strategies for overcoming distractions and maintaining focus
• (78:36) Final thoughts and encouragement for listeners

Resources & Links:

• Lieutenant Colonel Edwin P. Hagen Jr. Memoir Sample (Note: Placeholder for actual link)
• O'Farrell Hat Company
• Giants in the Earth Book on Amazon
• Lake Traverse Charler de Beau Mystery Series (Placeholder for series info)

Connect with Greg Heitmann:

• Twitter
• LinkedIn