What To Do If You See a Stranded Dolphin on the Beach
Just Hyke: For Women Who Are Ready to Hike Their Way to Strength, Confidence, and AdventureShow Notes
In this powerful conservation-focused episode, Melanie speaks with Bridgette San Marcos, the Head of Education & Outreach for the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN). Together they explore how dolphins live, communicate, and thrive along the Texas coastline—and what you should do if you ever come across a stranded dolphin or marine mammal on the beach. This episode blends science, safety, compassion, and the heart of Just Hyke’s mission: empowering everyday outdoor explorers to protect the wild places and creatures we share the world with. What You’ll Learn in This Episode What “stranding” actually means Bridgette explains the different types of strandings and why marine mammals may end up sick, injured, or disoriented along our coasts. Exactly what to do if you encounter a stranded dolphin You’ll learn the step-by-step instructions for responding safely and legally—including the one number every Texan should save: 1-800-9-MAMMAL. (Don’t push it back into the water. Don’t try to feed it. Don’t pour water on the blowhole. Bridgette explains why!) The biggest mistakes well-meaning beachgoers make From crowding around the animal to attempting “rescue” on their own, Bridgette breaks down why these actions can actually cause harm. How dolphins communicate and work together A look into social behavior, coastal dolphin families, and how human activity affects them. Why beach ethics connect to trail ethics The same respect we bring to hiking—Leave No Trace, awareness, responsibility—applies directly to our coastlines. This episode beautifully bridges (no pun intended!) your conservation focus from forest to coast. How YOU can support marine wildlife conservation Volunteer opportunities, citizen reporting, educational programs, and small things you can do every time you visit the beach. 📞 Save This Number (Seriously): 1-800-9-MAMMAL If you ever see a stranded dolphin, whale, or manatee on the Texas coast, call the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network immediately: 1-800-9-MAMMAL (1-800-962-6625) Your call could save a life. About the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network The TMMSN is a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and researching marine mammals along the Texas coastline. Learn more: https://www.tmmsn.org Connect with Today’s Guest Bridgette San Marcos Head of Education & Outreach Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network Website: https://www.tmmsn.org Instagram/Facebook: @texasmarinemammalstrandingnetwork Volunteer info: https://www.tmmsn.org/volunteer Support the Show & the Just Hyke Mission If you loved this episode, please: • Follow the podcast • Leave a rating or review • Share the episode with a friend or hiking group • Screenshot and tag @JustHyke on Instagram so we can say hi! Black Friday Sale — 10% Off the Trailmate! Don’t forget: the Just Hyke Trailmate is on sale through November 30. Use code TEXAS10 at checkout: https://justhyke.com/trailmate
More from Just Hyke: For Women Who Are Ready to Hike Their Way to Strength, Confidence, and Adventure
Ten women, three countries, and seven days of spectacular views, challenging trails, and shared adventure. In this episode of the Just Hyke Podcast, Wendy joins Melanie to share stories from a group hiking trip along sections of the Tour du Mont Blanc through France, Italy, and Switzerland. With women ranging from their early 40s to mid-60s, the adventure brought together different hiking paces, experiences, and personalities. As the lead organizer, Wendy shares insights into planning a self-guided trip with tour-company support and how the women worked together to navigate steep climbs, changing weather, transportation schedules, and an unexpected communication scare. We talk about: Training for mountain trails when you live somewhere flat. Managing different hiking paces and sharing responsibility. Hotels, luggage transfers, and meals along the way. Rain-gear lessons learned during a thunderstorm. Ladders, rocky terrain, and finding energy for those final miles. Celebrating with tandem paragliding over Chamonix. An honest, encouraging conversation about preparation, flexibility, friendship, and taking on new adventures together. Explore more hiking adventures, books, and resources at justhyke.com. Subscribe to Just Hyke and share this episode with a friend you’d love to adventure with! #JustHyke #TourDuMontBlanc #WomenWhoHike #HikingOver40 #HikingAdventures
What if spending time in nature could help us feel safer, calmer and more connected? In this episode of the Just Hyke Podcast, Melanie Michaelchuk talks with Elizabeth Browning, founder of Happy Camper Therapy. Elizabeth is a licensed professional counselor supervisor, registered play therapist supervisor and EMDR consultant who incorporates nature, movement and outdoor experiences into her work. Elizabeth shares how Happy Camper Therapy began as a camper-themed mobile play-therapy practice and grew into a greater focus on nature-assisted therapy. We discuss why walking side by side can make conversation feel easier, how natural environments may support emotional well-being and the difference between forest bathing, walk-and-talk therapy and nature-assisted therapy. Elizabeth also offers a simple nature reset: spend 20 minutes in a comfortable natural setting with nothing to accomplish. Pause and notice what you can see, hear, smell and feel. In this episode, we discuss: The story behind Happy Camper Therapy Why nature can help create a sense of safety and connection The benefits of walking and talking side by side Forest bathing versus walk-and-talk therapy What nature-assisted therapy means How movement may support the therapeutic process Connecting with nature without access to a forest A simple 20-minute nature reset Nature-assisted therapy training through the Happy Camper Institute Connect with Elizabeth and Happy Camper Therapy Website: happycampertherapy.com Elizabeth’s story and approach: Learn more about Elizabeth Happy Camper Institute: Nature-assisted therapy training Facebook: Happy Camper Child and Family Instagram: @happycampertherapy Connect with Just Hyke Visit JustHyke.com for hiking inspiration, outdoor resources, books and opportunities designed to help women get outside, build confidence and experience the benefits of nature. If you enjoyed this conversation, please follow the Just Hyke Podcast, share the episode with a friend and leave a review. This episode is intended for general education and personal reflection. It is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health advice, diagnosis or treatment.
What does ultralight backpacking really mean, and why is reducing pack weight especially important for women? Solo backpacker Lee Warren shares practical ultralight backpacking tips for women over 40, including how to evaluate gear, reduce base weight and hike more comfortably. In this episode of the Just Hyke Podcast, Melanie talks with Lee Warren, a 57-year-old solo backpacker, outdoor writer and creator of Gen X Outdoors. Lee began backpacking seriously in her 50s and has since taken on trails including the Cranberry Lake 50, Trans-Catalina Trail, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail and Colorado Trail. Lee shares how a 28-pound backpack inspired her to start weighing every item, evaluating what she truly needed and gradually building a lighter backpacking setup. Her approach isn’t about chasing the lowest possible number it’s about carrying less weight so hiking feels safer, more comfortable and more enjoyable. In this conversation, we discuss: Why ultralight backpacking can be especially valuable for women How pack weight affects the knees, ankles, back and shoulders Simple ways to lighten your backpack without replacing everything Why you should weigh and track your hiking gear How to decide which clothes and comfort items you really need Affordable ways to upgrade gear through sales and used marketplaces Backpacking food, calorie density and emergency cold-soak meals Camp shoes, puffy jackets and learning through experimentation Solo backpacking, confidence and making smart decisions on the trail Why it’s never too late to begin hiking or backpacking Lee reminds us that there is no single perfect gear list. Start with what you have, learn from every trip and take time to discover what works best for your body and your adventures. Resources from Lee Lee’s Colorado Trail blog on The Trek: https://thetrek.co/author/lee-warren/ Why I Think Ultralight Is More Important for Women: https://thetrek.co/ultralight-is-more-important-for-women/ Free LighterPack tool for evaluating your pack weight: https://lighterpack.com/welcome Lee’s Colorado Trail gear list on LighterPack: https://lighterpack.com/r/37jk5n About the Just Hyke Podcast The Just Hyke Podcast encourages women—especially women over 40—to get outside, explore more and build confidence through hiking and nature. We talk about trails, backpacking, outdoor gear, food, clothing, training, personal growth and the many benefits of spending time outside. If you enjoyed this episode, follow the Just Hyke Podcast, share it with a hiking friend and leave a review wherever you listen.
Meet the Women Behind Sweep: A Hiking App Built for Exploring What happens when two hikers see a better way to help people navigate and explore parks? In this episode of the Just Hyke Podcast, I sit down with Lauren and Katrina, co-founders of Sweep, a hiking app designed to put official park and trail information right at your fingertips. We talk about how the idea for Sweep began, what it takes to turn an outdoor idea into an actual app, and what makes Sweep different in a world already filled with hiking technology. Lauren and Katrina explain why they wanted to go beyond simply showing hikers a single trail. Sweep is designed to help you see the bigger picture of the park you're exploring—including trail networks and useful park features such as campsites, bathrooms, ranger stations, gift shops, and other points of interest. We also talk about the importance of using official park maps, some of the features they're working toward, and where they hope to take Sweep in the future. And because this is the Just Hyke Podcast, we couldn't talk about building a hiking app without also talking about hiking itself. We get into favorite trails, outdoor experiences, hiking gear, and the adventures that keep Lauren and Katrina wanting to explore. You'll also hear the story behind the name Sweep a nod to the person at the back of a hiking group who helps make sure everyone gets where they're going. And, in true podcast fashion, there's a little behind-the-scenes moment in this episode: I forgot to hit record! So we had to rewind and start our introductions all over again. Thankfully, Lauren and Katrina were great sports. In This Episode How Lauren and Katrina became co-founders of Sweep Where the idea for the app came from Why official park maps are an important part of Sweep How Sweep differs from trail-focused hiking apps Helping hikers explore an entire park not just one trail The story behind the name Sweep Building technology for people who love being outdoors What's next for the Sweep app Lauren and Katrina's own hiking experiences and favorite trails A little hiking gear talk along the way Connect with Sweep Website: sweep-app.com Instagram: @sweephikes Facebook: Sweep Hikes Email: [email protected] Sweep is available for Apple and Android, with more features and developments on the way. About the Just Hyke Podcast The Just Hyke Podcast is about hiking, adventure, and the people helping more of us get outside. Join me, Melanie Michaelchuk, for conversations with hikers, outdoor leaders, creators, entrepreneurs, and everyday adventurers who remind us that you don't have to be an elite athlete to explore somewhere new. Get outside. Explore somewhere new. Just Hyke.
From First Backpacking Trips to Big Trail Adventures with Wanda What happens when you say yes to an adventure, even when you’re not completely sure what you’re getting yourself into? In this episode of the Just Hyke Podcast, I sit down with fellow hiker Wanda, whom I first met while backpacking on the Ouachita Trail. Wanda’s hiking journey has taken her from local trails and a Boy Scout backpacking adventure at Philmont to sections of the Appalachian Trail, the Ouachita Trail, Eagle Rock Loop, and her ongoing goal of completing the Ozark Highlands Trail. Wanda shares some of the lessons she's learned along the way, including ambitious mileage plans, rocky trails, water challenges, changing plans when a hiking partner became ill, and even unexpectedly completing part of a backpacking trip solo. We also talk about how hiking has changed as she's gotten older and more experienced. At 55, Wanda says strength training has become an important part of keeping her body capable of carrying a backpack and continuing to enjoy the trails she loves. For her, hiking has also become about resilience, adaptability, accomplishment, friendship, and connection with nature. In this episode, we talk about: How Wanda discovered backpacking through her sons and their Boy Scout experience at Philmont Meeting new hiking friends and finding community on the trail Hiking sections of the Appalachian Trail Lessons learned from the challenging Ouachita Trail Why knowing your water sources matters Dehydration, electrolytes and knowing when it's time to change the plan Wanda's unexpected experience backpacking solo Why she prefers small-group backpacking Her goal of completing the Ozark Highlands Trail Building strength to continue hiking as we get older Planning mileage around terrain and elevation instead of simply chasing miles The importance of leaving room for a Plan B Why Wanda's advice to women who want to start hiking is simply: “Just do it” but do your research and start smart. And, of course, we get into a few of the really important trail questions—like Wanda's favorite hiking snack (a full-size Snickers!) and the lightweight piece of comfort she always makes room for in her backpack. A little trail wisdom from Wanda One of my favorite parts of our conversation comes near the end. Wanda describes hiking and backpacking as a way to quiet the noise of everyday life, enjoy nature, and discover beautiful places while remembering to do it safely. Her story is a wonderful reminder that you don't have to start with the biggest adventure. Start where you are, learn as you go, find people who encourage you, and keep exploring. Get outside. Take that first step. And see where the trail takes you. Until next time, keep exploring and Just Hyke.