National Park After Dark – Trail Tales 87 (Episode 354)

Date: February 12, 2026 • Hosts: Danielle & Cassie

Overview

In this special Valentine’s-edition Trail Tales, Danielle and Cassie share listener-submitted stories touching on the extraordinary, the chilling, and the hilarious that happen out in the wild (and sometimes closer to home). This episode’s tales include near-encounters with a serial killer, possible signs from the afterlife, dads gone wild (from weed smuggling to Mothman pranks to beaver brawls), lightning terror on turtle patrol, and the precarious intersection of pranks, nature, and family. The show maintains its signature blend of warmth, humor, encouragement for public land stewardship, and the occasional haunting chill.

Main Topics & Story Highlights

1. New Merch Reveal & Valentine’s Day Theme

00:19–02:44

• Danielle and Cassie banter about a newly released merch design with a “long distance relationships” twist, inspired by wildlife safety and park etiquette.
• The original design (created in Canva in 2022) has resurfaced, remastered by Pine Bones artist, and is now back on sale.
• Quote:

  “Sometimes the best relationships are long distance.” — Danielle (01:45)

2. Facing the Beast: A Near-Encounter with a Serial Killer

03:21–05:57

• Listener Jesse recounts a chilling tale from a 2007 camping trip near Mount Pisgah, where Scoutmasters unwittingly interacted with Gary Hilton (“The Beast of Blood Mountain”)—notorious serial killer—just before his crimes were exposed.
• The Scoutmasters had a bad feeling, gave vague directions to the suspicious man, and may have saved a woman’s life.
• Hosts reflect on the chilling close call and the fresh relevance to a recently released episode on Hilton.
• Notable quote:

  “That mug shot of him is what nightmares are made of.” — Danielle (06:22)

3. American Wife: A Comforting Sign After Loss

06:38–13:19

• Listener Rose shares a heartfelt story about her British grandfather, their annual visits, and a mysterious appearance of a book (“American Wife”) on the day he died—possibly a sign that he reached out in passing.
• Hosts respond with warmth, poking fun at overdue book “borrowing,” and discuss their current reading habits, trends (like “The Last Letter”), and how reading ebbs and flows.
• Notable quote:

  “You never gave it back and all secrets have been revealed. That’s awesome.” — Danielle (10:38)

4. My Dad Was a Drug Smuggler: High Stakes in the National Forests

15:04–22:21

• Anonymous listener relates their dad’s adventures smuggling marijuana through US-Canada borderlands in the 1990s–2000s, using his outdoors expertise to evade the DEA, and later, going legit once weed was legalized.
• Cautionary details about unsanctioned grow ops in national forests—and a surprising family connection to Tommy Chong and Jack Black’s parents.
• Hosts banter about run-ins with law enforcement, the shifting legal status of marijuana, and emphasize cleaning up after yourself in the wild.
• Notable quote:

  “What are a couple felonies, honestly?” — Danielle (21:16)

5. Zombie Tag, ATVs, and the Mothman: Dad Prank Gone Wrong

22:30–31:14

• Listener Morgan recalls a night playing “zombie four wheelers” (zombie tag on ATVs) on the family ranch in Texas, under the shadow of Mothman lore—a prank set in motion by her dad leads to panic and, eventually, a broken wrist for him after he falls running away from her and her mom (“instant karma”).
• Hosts laugh about the energy of “unhinged” dads and the chaos of family pranks.
• Notable moment:

  “Dads are unhinged in this episode already.” — Cassie (31:14)

6. Lightning and Loggerheads: Turtle Survey Gone Awry

33:22–39:00

• Listener Miranda details a terrifying morning on a Florida turtle nesting survey: caught in an intense lightning storm, stranded without shelter in a beach “no man's land,” and forced to wait out the strike hazard.
• The hosts connect with their own storm stories, emphasizing the real danger of lightning in the wild and the traumatizing effect of such close encounters.
• Quote:

  “Never had I had lightning strike so close to me multiple times with no shelter in sight.” — Miranda (38:23)

7. Hunted by a Beaver: Childhood Chaos and Unexpected Fear

41:56–52:05

• Listener Lei shares a childhood camp story in Oregon/Washington—tasked by her dad to gather wood from a beaver dam (“an impossible task”), she and friends accidentally provoke a family of beavers, resulting in hissing, chasing, and lasting trauma.
• Hosts discuss beaver dangers (“their teeth are so big when they're up that close”), problem-solve how they’d handle it, and joke about the recurring theme of dad-induced mayhem this episode.
• Quote:

  “If you have never had the misfortune of experiencing an enraged beaver, then surely you sleep better than I.” — Lei (49:49)
  “I think if I was hunted by anything, I would choose a beaver... I’m not in water very often.” — Cassie (41:56)

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “Sometimes the best relationships are long distance.” — Danielle (01:45)
• “That mug shot of him is what nightmares are made of.” — Danielle re: Gary Hilton (06:22)
• “You never gave it back and all secrets have been revealed. That’s awesome.” — Danielle, about book “borrowing” (10:38)
• “What are a couple felonies, honestly?” — Danielle (21:16)
• “Dads are unhinged in this episode already.” — Cassie (31:14)
• “Never had I had lightning strike so close to me multiple times with no shelter in sight.” — Miranda (38:23)
• “If you have never had the misfortune of experiencing an enraged beaver, then surely you sleep better than I.” — Lei (49:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | Description | |-----------|-------------------------------------------|----------------------------------| | 00:19–02:44 | Merch & Valentine’s intro | New merch and theme banter | | 03:21–05:57 | Facing the Beast | Serial killer near-miss story | | 06:38–13:19 | American Wife | Grief and possible afterlife sign| | 15:04–22:21 | My Dad Was a Drug Smuggler | Drug running in the national forests| | 22:30–31:14 | Zombie Tag & Mothman | Dad prank leading to injury | | 33:22–39:00 | Lightning and Loggerheads | Lightning scare on turtle survey | | 41:56–52:05 | Hunted by a Beaver | Childhood beaver chase |

Tone & Insights

• Language & Tone: Conversational, warm, irreverent, and supportive with frequent inside jokes, reader engagement (“enjoy the view, but watch your back”), and encouragement for stewardship of public lands.
• Themes: Close calls, supernatural or unexplained encounters, the unpredictability of nature—and of family (“dad chaos” as a recurring motif), and the lasting emotional impact of wild experiences.
• Listener engagement: Invitations to submit stories, join Patreon or Apple for bonus tales, and participate in the show’s community.
• Wildlife & Safety: Gentle reminders to respect animals in their habitat (especially beavers!), practice safe lightning protocol, and never take nature’s unpredictability for granted.

Closing

• Story submissions: Listeners are invited to share their own tales via the website (npadpodcast.com).
• Preview: Extended/bonus stories teased for subscribed members: “My Elevator Story and My Son’s Survival Story in One” and “The Cow That Died for Salt.”

Final Sign-Off:

“In the meantime, enjoy the view—but watch your back.” — Danielle & Cassie (56:08)