{"id":11521,"date":"2023-07-21T10:41:22","date_gmt":"2023-07-21T17:41:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adventuresofemptynesters.com\/?post_type=podcast&p=11521"},"modified":"2023-07-21T10:41:22","modified_gmt":"2023-07-21T17:41:22","slug":"kayaking-island-life-on-whidbey-island","status":"publish","type":"podcast","link":"https:\/\/www.adventuresofemptynesters.com\/episodes\/kayaking-island-life-on-whidbey-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Kayaking & Island Life on Whidbey Island"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello, and welcome to another fantastic episode of Travel Connections. In this episode, we talk with Krista Loercher, Co-Owner of Whidbey Island Kayaking in the Pacific Northwest. This interview is part three in a series where we dive deeper into tourism and the benefits of giving back to a destination when we travel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Are you familiar with the term<\/span>\u00a0regenerative tourism<\/span><\/em>? My friends at Embrace Whidbey and Camano Islands created a new tourism framework to preserve and improve the islands for residents, and it is an invitation to co-create richer experiences for visitors and harness tourism’s power as a force for good. One of regenerative tourism’s primary goals is to connect the guest with the local residents and businesses. Let’s go deeper when we travel.<\/span><\/p>\n

What kind of traveler are you? Do you give consideration and thought to the people who live in a destination? Is preserving nature and supporting local business part of your vacation agenda?<\/span><\/p>\n

We created this series of three podcast episodes to share the captivating story of Whidbey and Camano Islands through the lens of three local business owners. In Episode One<\/a>, you meet Mona Campbell, whose family started Kristoferson Farm on Camano Island back in 1912 and who now also runs Canopy Tours NW, a ziplining company.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Episode Two<\/a>, I had a great conversation with Chef Vincent Nattress, who co-owns Orchard Kitchen and Farm, where he creates a fine dining experience right on the farm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let me share a little about today’s special guest, Krista Loercher. Krista has lived on a coastline for most of her life, first in New York, then Seattle, and since 2008, on Whidbey Island. She has been a lifeguard, a swim coach, a Red Cross water safety instructor, and an open water swimmer. As an ACA-certified kayak instructor, she loves introducing newbies to kayaking and open-water swimming.<\/span><\/p>\n

My husband and I went kayaking with Krista and her team along the coast of Whidbey Island and spent a spectacular day enjoying nature and engaging in the “blue mind.” You will hear more about the idea of the blue mind<\/em> in our conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Highlights of this episode:<\/span><\/h2>\n