Backroad Odyssey

What's the real story and legacy of Plymouth Rock? Did the so-called “Pilgrims” REALLY step upon that particular rock that fateful Autumn of 1620? Why and how did Plymouth Rock become the defining “Founding of America" Myth?My dog Noodles and I visit the rock in Plymouth Massachusetts to find out! Works Cited: https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv1wxsdq.7?searchText=plymouth+rock&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dplymouth%2Brock%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A613af71a7850d2e61fbd659b9b9eb5f9&seq=6https://www.jstor.org/stable/41779364?read-now=1&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contentsThey Knew They Were Pilgrims, Plymouth Colony and the Contest for American Liberty by John G Turner https://www.history.com/articles/the-real-story-behind-plymouth-rockhttps://www.studentsofhistory.com/comparing-jamestown-plymouth-colonieshttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Plymouth-Rock-United-States-historyhttps://www.history.com/articles/william-bradfordhttps://www.history.com/articles/king-james-bible-most-popularhttps://www.history.com/articles/mayflower-compacthttps://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/lawes-divine-morall-and-martiall/https://www.neh.gov/blog/plymouth-colony-and-beginnings-liberty-america-qa-neh-public-scholar-john-turnerhttps://plimoth.org/for-students/homework-help/mayflower-and-mayflower-compacthttps://www.gilderlehrman.org/sites/default/files/inline-pdfs/The%20Mayflower%20Compact.pdfhttps://www.potawatomi.org/blog/2020/11/25/the-true-dark-history-of-thanksgiving/Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Who is The Skunk Ape?Noodles and I take the van to visit Skunk Ape Headquarters deep in the Florida Everglades in search of answers.We'll also be answering listener question at the end, which include: What do you listen to while driving? Do you ever take showers in your van?How long does it take you to visit a location?How do you avoid conversation bias on the show? Brief Works Cited: https://www.skunkape.info/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/trail-floridas-bigfoot-skunk-ape-180949981/https://keysweekly.com/42/keys-history-stories-of-southernmost-skunk-ape/Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

 The sparse fields of North Dakota hold a secret …Mysterious scrape metal statues populate the wind-swept landscape. The reason behind their labored construction and the harrowing story of the man who built them - that's a story worth telling. This is the fable of the Enchanted Highway… Works Cited: https://www.atlasobscura.com/videos/meet-the-man-who-built-north-dakota-s-enchanted-highwayhttps://www.ndtourism.com/regent/attractions-entertainment/family-fun/enchanted-highwayhttps://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=the+enchanted+highway.com&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/enchanted-highwayhttps://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2155Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

How much do we REALLY know about eclipses?My answer one year ago would have been - not much.-To amend this, my dog and I witness a total solar eclipse and - nearly a year later - a lunar eclipse in Southern Florida. We use each experience to explore the profound cultural, historical and scientific significance of eclipses.Sit back, relax and join our venture into cosmic happenings well beyond the walls of our small van ...Listener questions at the end of the episode include: If you found a large diamond in Arkansas - what would you do with the money? Did it take you a long time to understand your van's electric system? Will your show be coming to YouTube?  Can we get an updated Audiobook recommendation episode? How long in general does it take you to research an episode? Works Cited: https://www.jstor.org/stable/178278?read-now=1&seq=3#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.jstor.org/stable/4130201?read-now=1&seq=2#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.history.com/articles/solar-lunar-eclipseshttps://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEhistory/LEhistory.htmlhttps://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/eclipse-maps-halley-18th-century-astronomyhttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Johannes-Keplerhttps://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEcat5/SE1601-1700.htmlhttps://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/history/https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231012-how-solar-eclipses-have-shaped-historyhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-ancient-civilizations-reacted-to-eclipses-180983894/https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/geometry/https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/resources/teachable-moment/the-science-of-solar-eclipses-and-how-to-watch-with-nasa/https://www.planetary.org/worlds/pale-blue-dothttps://www.astronomy.com/science/a-history-of-solar-eclipses/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTxz_d2q7Jshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idlq8zCrUkYNoah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Crater of Diamonds State Park  is the only place in the world where the public can search for natural diamonds at their volcanic source. The 37 acre eroded volcanic crater sees hopeful prospectors prying through  loose soil - hoping to find more than just dirtSome do … some do not … Regardless, the history of the park is just as fascinating as the diamonds that litter its ground.My dog Noodles and I visit the field in the hopes of striking it rich!Works Cited: https://www.geology.arkansas.gov/docs/pdf/education/geologic-history-of-arkansas-through-time-and-space-gray-scale.pdfhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-curious-case-of-the-arkansas-diamonds-43575867/https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/john-wesley-huddleston-4732/https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/crater-diamonds-state-park/historyhttps://www.arkansasstateparks.com/articles/discovering-lamproite-craterhttps://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/crater-diamonds-state-park/digging-for-diamondshttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S0869591111010024#:~:text=Kimberlites%20are%20produced%20in%20the,Kimberlite%20and%20lamproite%20bodies%20havehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hvjuOKKX_Ihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZhRjh3Vg7whttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rdm6VFQArUNoah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

America sleeps far away from the impending conflicts of World War II.Despite this VAST distance, an anxiety lingers in the mind of American President - Franklin D. Roosevelt  …My dog Noodles and I scale WWII observation towers along the Delaware coast - and use the story of their construction to illustrate the deep anxieties present in the pre-war American government. All this is to say: The slow buildup to American involvement in The Second World War; is more interesting and deliberate than assumed.  Works Cited: https://www.jstor.org/stable/27555685?read-now=1&seq=15#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctt1xx5pk.8?searchText=world+war+two&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dworld%2Bwar%2Btwo%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Ae8810c8b534d4a6bfb307d1c26a94446&seq=4https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/s/study-general-board-usnavy-1929-1933.html#:~:text=warships%20should%20be%20built.,during%20an%20eight%20year%20plan.&text=Congress%20was%20not%20ready%20to,plan%20and%20disbanded%20the%20board.https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/message-congress-making-the-civilian-conservation-corps-permanent-agencyhttps://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/civilian-conservation-corpshttps://shorebread.com/2013/01/24/the-watch-towers-that-line-the-de-coast-signs-of-world-war-ii/https://www.jstor.org/stable/27555685https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/selective-service-and-arsenal-of-democracy.htmhttps://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/fireside-chat-13https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/20/fdr-prepares-for-us-role-in-world-war-ii-june-20-1940-650866https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/churchill/interactive/_html/wc0112.htmlhttps://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/article/2140942/first-peacetime-draft-enacted-just-before-world-war-ii/https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/joint-address-to-congress-declaration-of-war-against-japanhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoaXGUq-l50https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iuQcxXAdfwNoah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Abandoned towns are scattered throughout the American Landscape.These remnants of bygone eras tempt us to speculate about the lives of those that left … Why did they leave? What makes the American West particularly populated with these so-called “Ghost Towns?”Noodles and I explore the desolate ghost town of Grafton - just south of Zion National Park - to find out! Recommendations: Good reference before visiting Grafton, the detour shouldn't take you more than two hours: https://graftonheritage.org/history-settlement/Zion Hikes: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/the-zion-narrows-riverside-walkhttps://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/angels-landing-trailDon't Forget Utah's Mighty 5 (easily doable if you plan!) https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/parks-outdoors/the-mighty-5Works Cited: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20589495?read-now=1&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/24889487.pdf?refreqid=fastly-default%3A69f9058b1c2537ad4427f269f32fac60&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&initiator=&acceptTC=1https://www.jstor.org/stable/41784569?read-now=1&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.jstor.org/stable/44671309?searchText=ghost+towns&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dghost%2Btowns%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Aa083d002fc7d91c16babbaf915c2cd7d&seq=2https://graftonheritage.org/history-settlement/https://www.britannica.com/topic/ghost-townhttps://travel.usnews.com/gallery/americas-15-coolest-ghost-towns-to-visit?slide=16https://www.canyoneeringusa.com/zion/hikes/grafton#:~:text=Located%20past%20the%20west%20end,Cassidy%20and%20the%20Sundance%20Kid.%22https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7G2DRrxbtEhttps://www.legendsofamerica.com/gt-hiddentales/Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

The Redwoods are home to the world's tallest trees.WHAT'S the secret to their staggering growth? Why is this unique ecosystem worth visiting? Noodles and I hike deep into the Old-Growth Redwoods of Northern California to find out! -As always, we'll answer listener question at the end, which include: Have you had any cryptid encounters on the road? Is is hard to drive your van? Any national parks you'd like to go back to? What have the trees been telling you? What's the tree tea? What's the wildest thing you've done for an episode? My Recommendations (details in episode): Avenue of the Giants: https://www.visitredwoods.com/explore-the-redwoods/avenue-of-the-giants/Trees of Mystery:https://treesofmystery.net/The Living Chimney Tree:https://aveofthegiants.com/attractions/living-chimney-tree-attraction-grill/Works Cited: https://www.jstor.org/stable/40608544?searchText=redwoods&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dredwoods%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A63141d001987533dfa9a2e90fec5d121https://www.nps.gov/redw/faqs.htmhttps://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/tall-trees/2nd-grade/https://medium.com/@treejer/the-story-of-the-redwood-trees-ac56d4730d9ehttps://www.savetheredwoods.org/redwoods/why-redwoods/https://californiacurated.com/2021/03/04/why-are-californias-redwoods-and-sequoias-so-big/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BVHSUMAWR4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9NDI5H2zZMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW9w6eCQQkUNoah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

What started as a modest drug store now welcomes millions of curious travelers …  Welcome to Wall Drug!Home to a Robot T-rex, 6,000 cowboy boots, animatronic singers, a working chapel - and of course, their famous 5 cent coffee … Join my dog Noodles and I as we explore the wild story of Americas largest and most bizarre drug store! Works Cited: https://www.nps.gov/people/tedhustead.htmhttps://www.maturesolotraveler.com/post/wall-drug-in-south-dakota-has-something-for-everyonehttps://roadtrippers.com/magazine/wall-drug-south-dakota-western-art/https://www.npr.org/2024/07/22/nx-s1-5040502-e1/wall-drug-relies-on-tourism-to-keep-its-doors-open-for-the-locals-who-need-ithttps://www.roadtripusa.com/the-road-to-nowhere/south-dakota/wall-drug/https://www.walldrug.com/about-ushttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5yDfkrphPUNoah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Southern Florida is home to an aquatic gentle giant: THE MANATEE. But how much do we really know about this wondering benign behemoth? Noodles and I dive deep into the warm springs, rivers and tributaries of Florida to research this fascinating creature. As always we'll answer listener questions at the end, which include: Who or what did you learn to appreciate after research for the sun records episode? Can you keep plants alive in your van? What's the best hike you've done? Did you get to visit any other petroglyph locations while in Utah? Works Cited: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1373656?searchText=florida+manatees&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dflorida%2Bmanatees%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A78fba27a60e9b2b6ca9f6a42fb5cfa7b&seq=1https://www.leegov.com/parks/parks/manateeparkhttps://www.mmc.gov/priority-topics/species-of-concern/florida-manatee/https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/marine-mammals/mermaids-manatees-myth-and-realityhttps://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/columbus-mistakes-manatees-for-mermaidsNoah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee claims to be the birthplace of Rock and Roll.But just what does it mean to be “The Birthplace of Rock and Roll”? Can we accept such a claim without first diving even deep into the murky depths of American musical history. Noodles and I head to Memphis to find out … (Beneath the shadow of Graceland and within earshot of the blues of Beale street - the small label hosted musical greats like Howlin' Wolf, B. B. King,  Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Adams , Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and a young Elvis Presley.)Works Cited:Great book:The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll: The Illustrated Story of Sun Records and the 70 Recordings That Changed the WorldFantastic documentary produced by Quincy Jones:The History of Rock 'n' Roll - TV Mini Series (1995) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Ptv_7VqO4&list=PLIhBC_-F81kxTgSYJUMVXmjPwrLf8aXTPAdditional articles and references: https://www.jstor.org/stable/30003142?read-now=1&seq=7#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.jstor.org/stable/1214792?read-now=1&seq=17#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.jstor.org/stable/494739?read-now=1&seq=2#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/11/16/the-elvic-oraclehttps://sunrecords.com/history/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXGubLQcnAghttps://wearememphis.com/play/music/brief-history-memphis-music/https://musicmecca.org/a-brief-history-of-memphis-music/https://timeline.carnegiehall.org/genres/rock-n-rollhttps://timeline.carnegiehall.org/genres/boogie-woogiehttps://www.classical-music.com/articles/blues-musichttps://www.masterclass.com/articles/blues-music-guidehttps://www.strathmore.org/community-education/public-education/shades-of-blues/blues-clues/https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gospel-music-guidehttps://thegoldenageofrock.com/rock/the-influence-of-gospel/https://www.history.com/news/race-records-bessie-smith-big-bill-broonzy-music-businesshttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/500-greatest-songs-podcast-hound-dog-elvis-presley-1234998378/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-whitewashing-of-black-music-five-singles-mNoah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Today we explore just a SMALL sample of the various cryptids and oddities that are said to inhabit our nations most pristine landscapes.These aren't your average cryptids folks ...  As always, we'll answer listener questions at the end, which include: What advice would you give to someone thinking about solo travel? What if anything surprised you about the Ave Maria Grotto? Did you do anything else in Scranton while there? Who produces your show? Do you edit it? Does your van ever get stuck? Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

A miniature city crafted from recycled materials lies in the Alabama woods.One solitary Bavarian Monk is behind its construction. Noodles and I join the thousands of visitors stopping to admire this humble monk's startling creation - This is the story of the Ave Maria Grotto. Works Cited: https://georgiabulletin.org/commentary/2013/11/a-real-life-fairy-tale-brother-joseph-and-the-ave-maria-grotto/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEF8n2GqQpMhttps://pilgrimsprogress.blog/2021/09/06/a-brief-history-of-the-benedictine-order/https://www.durhamworldheritagesite.com/learn/history/benedictine-order/definitionhttps://www.messynessychic.com/2021/07/13/when-injury-killed-his-humble-dream-he-built-a-whole-miniature-world-instead/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WblURwNX-VUhttps://www.avemariagrotto.com/about.htmlhttps://www.thecrazytourist.com/30-amazing-hidden-gems-in-alabama/Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Can a tree own itself? In Georgia the answer is a resounding ... KINDOF! The curios story of one trees accepted autonomy is a tale worth telling - Noodles and I visit it's location in Athens, Georgia to investigate. As always, we'll answer listener questions at the end - which include: How much energy does your solar power produce? What happens when Noodles can't go to a location for an episode? How long did you spend in the Blockbuster? Did you see the movie props gifted by John Oliver? Any upcoming episodes you're excited about? Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

One solitary Blockbuster Video location remains ... The story of this lonesome Blockbuster provides a lens into the larger rise and fall of an American icon.Noodles and I visit Bend, Oregon to unpack the truly fascinating story of The Worlds Last Blockbuster.Works Cited: https://www.jstor.org/stable/41948252?searchText=blockbuster+video&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dblockbuster%2Bvideo%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A2e2181c12e0dcbf0453e4916fb6bb497https://www.jstor.org/stable/24411692?searchText=blockbuster%20video&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dblockbuster%2Bvideo%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A0ee9160783ad78079a9ef9af1e980484https://www.thestreet.com/technology/history-of-netflix-15091518https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregsatell/2014/09/05/a-look-back-at-why-blockbuster-really-failed-and-why-it-didnt-have-to/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8704802/https://www.businessinsider.com/rise-and-fall-of-blockbusterhttps://thebolditalic.com/so-i-visited-the-last-blockbuster-on-the-planet-and-all-i-got-was-this-t-shirt-ffc6d2ed414dhttps://inspireip.com/blockbuster-failure-story/#:~:text=However%2C%20Blockbuster%20ignored%20customers'%20preferences,and%20ease%20in%20watching%20videos.https://hbr.org/2011/04/how-i-did-it-blockbusters-former-ceo-on-sparring-with-an-activist-shareholderhttps://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/the-last-blockbuster-netflix-oregon-b1817869.htmlNoah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Scranton, Pennsylvania is inseperable from the hit-series “The Office.” Although, the show was primarily filmed in California, the series writers took inspiration from many real-life Electric City locations.Noodles and I stop to visit three such Office locations in Lackawanna County - join us as we explore the wonderful world of "The Office"As always we'll take listener questions at the end!Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Explore the darker side of Iowa City ... A somber statue - once a golden bronze - is now the subject of countless curses, hauntings and general misfortune. Few dare to meet it's soot embalmed gaze; those that due invite sickness, dreadful curses and even death. This - at least - is the reputation of Iowa City's Black Angel.Works Cited: https://www.iowa-city.org/weblink/0/doc/1481292/Electronic.aspx#:~:text=There%20are%20also%20a%20few,re%2D%20minder%20of%20her%20sins.https://notebookofghosts.com/2023/07/08/the-black-angel-of-iowa-fact-fiction/https://vocal.media/horror/iowa-the-black-angelhttps://adventuresincemeteryhopping.com/2024/03/29/iowa-city/Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

The REAL story behind the infamous Salem Witch Trials might surprise you ... Noodles and I travel to the ruins where the first accusations of witchcraft were made in 1692.In this bonus compilation - we revisit dark secrets, bizarre proceedings and ponder the enduring legacy of the trials. Why did the Salem Witch happen? Join us at the ruins of the village parsonage to find out. Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Dive into the vibrant world of van life with us at the Descend Gathering in Oregon! Every year HUNDREDS of vans gather for live music, community and a general celebration of non-traditional living - Noodles and I are one of the vans this year. We share tips and insights for anyone curious about van life and the event that celebrates it.With countless four-legged friends adding to the charm, Descend provides a space where everyone—whether in a van, car, or tent—feels welcome.As always we'll take listener questions at the end, including: Is there anything you feel you left out in the Mount Saint Helens episode? What is the worst errand in Van Life? Halloween is coming up, will Noodles have a costume? How do you have enough storage space in your van? Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

44 years after it's eruption, Noodles and I camp at the base of the - still active -  Mount Saint Helens. We explore the  tales of Harry Truman, the lodge owner who famously refused to leave despite the looming danger, and David Johnston, a devoted volcanologist committed to monitoring the volcano and saving lives. We also make a case for why this iconic volcano, nestled within the majestic Cascade Range, remains a must-see destination for nature and history lovers.  Works Cited: https://www.jstor.org/stable/40475407?searchText=mount+saint+helens&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dmount%2Bsaint%2Bhelens%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A040e395c0e2de6e31a1e68973019e61b&seq=1https://www.jstor.org/stable/40490705?readnow=1&seq=2#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.usgs.gov/observatories/cascades-volcano-observatory/legacy-david-johnstonhttps://www.columbian.com/news/2013/dec/26/mount-st-helens-eruption-blackburn-lost-roll-film/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/160320-mount-st-helens-eruption-logging-volcano-olson-ngbooktalkhttps://www.history.com/topics/natural-disasters-and-environment/mount-st-helenshttps://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/giffordpinchot/learning/nature-science/?cid=fseprd734630#:~:text=On%20the%20morning%20of%20May,in%20a%20powerful%20lateral%20blast.https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mount-st.-helens/science/1980-cataclysmic-eruptionhttps://thatoregonlife.com/2022/05/mt-st-helens-eruption-images/https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2020/05/mount-st-helens-eruption-witnesses-recall-terror-awe-when-mountain-exploded-40-years-ago.htmlhttps://www.seattlemet.com/travel-and-outdoors/2020/05/a-timeline-of-mount-st-helenshttps://unapologeticnerd.com/2015/05/18/he-died-as-he-lived-david-a-johnston/https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2015/05/the-eruption-of-mount-st-helens-in-1980/393557/Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

We're about to make those long drives a laugh-filled adventure with our all time TOP COMEDY podcast picks. We do the work for you and unpack our recommendations WITH specific episodes to get you into each show. As always we'll take listener questions at the end. Here are links to each episode recommendation (see episode for thoughts and descriptions) : Show One - Comedy Bang-Bang Episode - https://youtu.be/INI7Pwg8Cjs?si=SUIVHQ6GbqgLkmnZShow Two - Conan O'Brian Needs A Friend Episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conan-obrien-needs-a-friend/id1438054347?i=1000437939159Show Three - We're Here to Help Episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/were-here-to-help/id1702753838?i=1000625229471Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Countless prehistoric images populate the landscapes of the American Southwest.Some are meticulously engraved into stone, others carefully painted upon cave walls ...The exact meaning behind many of these illustrations remain illusive. -Embark on our exploration of the timeless rock carvings and paintings found in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.These are the mysteries of the Utah Petroglyphs!Works Cited: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3628598?read-now=1&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.jstor.org/stable/27825077?read-now=1&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.jstor.org/stable/27696249https://www.nps.gov/articles/seug-rock-markings.htmhttps://www.blm.gov/blog/2021-03-25/petroglyphs-hidden-plain-sight-insights-prehistoric-rock-imagery-utahs-west-deserthttps://www.myutahparks.com/things-to-do/attractions/utah-petroglyphs-pictographs/https://www.hikingwalking.com/index.php/destinations/ut/ut_sc/capitol_reef/fremont_petrohttps://historytogo.utah.gov/fremont-indians/https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/parks-outdoors/capitol-reef/capitol-reef-petroglyphshttps://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/2023/03/08/why-i-no-longer-call-it-art/https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/history/https://blogs.ubc.ca/etec540sept12/2012/10/28/the-importance-of-petroglyphs/Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Every road trip is a story waiting to be told.In my two years of van life, I've gathered three resources that have become invaluable in planning and ensuring successful, safe and memorable road trips. Discover how the Road Trippers app can guide you to unexpected treasures like Michael Jackson's birthplace, GIANT leg sundials and other quirky roadside attractions—all without spending a dime.More resources are explored in the episode!As always, we'll answer listener questions at the end. Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at:https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

In the bustling metropolis of Seattle, Washington, a curious resident claims the shadows beneath Aurora Bridge …. Those who dare to venture below the bridge- more accurately, those that survive to tell the tale - speak of his sheer size, stern gaze and possessive nature… But few can tell you the reason for his residency … and that, my friends is a story worth telling. This is the story of the Fremont Troll Trolloween: https://fremontartscouncil.org/trolloweenSong about the Fremont Troll (by Chicago the band - Majungas)https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-fremont-troll/1276333443?i=1276333444Works Cited: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/a-brief-history-of-the-fremont-troll-a-menace-that-evokes-a-smile/https://seattle.curbed.com/2019/6/4/18650083/fremont-bridge-troll-history-locationhttps://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0122e.htmlhttps://wanderwisdom.com/travel-destinations/All-About-the-Seattle-Fremont-Troll-and-How-to-Find-Ithttps://wedgwoodinseattlehistory.com/2015/05/01/history-of-the-fremont-neighborhood-in-seattle/https://historylink.org/File/1320https://visitseattle.org/neighborhoods/fremont-wallingford/https://fremontartscouncil.org/trolloweenhttps://seattle.curbed.com/2019/6/4/18650083/fremont-bridge-troll-history-locationhttps://themonumentous.com/exploring-the-economic-and-cultural-impact-of-the-fremont-troll/

Grand Teton National Park has LONG ranked as one of my favorite areas in the nation …Today we explore a brief history of the park and share tips, tricks, stories and recommendations for your next visit.We also answer listener questions, which include: Do you personally believe in Cryptids? How many miles does your van get per gallon? Is Montana as beautiful as I've heard? Where do you shower? Why look into the flathead lake monster specifically? Below you'll find links to all my recommendations: Our Favorite Hike (to Delta Lake): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/delta-lake-via-lupine-meadows-accessFirst thing to do upon arriving: https://exploregtnp.com/42-mile-scenic-drive-grand-teton-national-park/Great stop for a quick photo:https://jacksonholehistory.org/learn/archives-research/moulton-barn-landscapes-of-loss/Outside the park: Great museum with a restaurant overlooking the valley: https://www.wildlifeart.org/Recs for nearby Jackson: Live music, dancing, SADDLE SEATS: https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=million+dollar+cowboy+bar&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8Unique bourbon shop: https://spiritsandspice.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoohLINjPfwxOcPrPvHmYPm7AvhHDzeG7Nfmz3EBX9QRRnJLKiAGcoordinates to my favorite free campsite right outside the park: 43 45'49.7"N 110 33'09.8"W

What lies in the murky depths of Flathead lake?Situated neatly between the Mission and Salish Mountain Ranges Northwest Montana, the lake has long been a hotbed for sightings that defy description ...One recurring sighting - that of the Flathead Lake Monster (or Flessie) - has been constant for well over a century. Today we dive into its waters. works cited: https://www.jstor.org/stable/25746452?read-now=1&seq=2#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/533052.pdf?refreqid=fastly-default%3Ad146d4b6e5ed41c5e832ff85c4a86fab&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&origin=&initiator=&acceptTC=1https://www.jstor.org/stable/40914539?searchText=lake%20monsters&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dlake%2Bmonsters%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A723b24f3b96cc1b239f31e404af1b5f0https://www.jstor.org/stable/1748929?searchText=lake%20monsters&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dlake%2Bmonsters%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A3c95b3f77d76c297970671f8bc926102?searchText=lake%20monsters&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dlake%2Bmonsters%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A3c95b3f77d76c297970671f8bc926102?searchText=lake%20monsters&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dlake%2Bmonsters%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A3c95b3f77d76c297970671f8bc926102?searchText=lake%20monsters&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dlake%2Bmonsters%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A3c95b3f77d76c297970671f8bc926102?searchText=lake%20monsters&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dlake%2Bmonsters%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A3c95b3f77d76c297970671f8bc926102?searchText=lake%20monsters&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dlake%2Bmonsters%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A3c95b3f77d76c297970671f8bc926102?searchText=lake%20monsters&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dlake%2Bmonsters%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A3c95b3f77d76c297970671f8bc926102?searchText=lake%20monsters&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dlake%2Bmonsters%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A3c95b3f77d76c297970671f8bc926102https://www.flatheadlakers.org/flathead-lake-monsterhttps://www.jahernandez.com/posts/flessie-the-flathead-lake-monster-of-montanahttps://whistlingandy.com/blogs/the-blog/the-legend-of-the-flathead-lake-monster-a-mystery-of-the-

Here are our TOP THREE picks for beautiful - relatively short - roads everyone should experience at least once in their life. Remember, the best way to get to where you're going is often WELL out of your way. Here's to traveling Americas most beautiful winding roads and scenic byways! As always, we'll also take listener questions at the end - questions include: Did Thoreau eve marry? What has been your favorite meal on the road? What is Transcendentalism? Have you ever thought about quitting van life? 

We've explored the reasons behind Thoreau's decision to leave for Walden Pond,  examined the seasons he spent along it's shore ... and NOW must acknowledge one -  unavoidable - fact: Thoreau chooses to leave the pond …Why?Good Walden Audio Book: https://www.audible.com/pd/Walden-or-Life-in-the-Woods-Audiobook/B074WBSHHT?qid=1724951191&sr=1-4&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_4&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=8EF5G82Q7JKKQK3Q0MGQ&pageLoadId=NFSaC0c1lnFsXpHh&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2cCivil Disobedience, Full Text:https://libertas.org/books/civildisobedience.pdfWorks Cited: https://www.amazon.com/Civil-Disobedience-Henry-David-Thoreau/dp/1619490927https://www.amazon.com/Walden-Henry-David-Thoreau/dp/1619493918https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/thoreau/https://www.jstor.org/stable/461300?read-now=1&seq=4#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvrs90hh.12?searchText=henry+david&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dhenry%2Bdavid%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Ad123667cd32b752e3fcd984b64929d40https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/j.ctvrs90hh.12.pdf?refreqid=fastly-default%3A90df29e6fe53afc4ccdf61e002a28f6c&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&origin=&initiator=&acceptTC=1https://www.walden.org/education/for-students/myths-and-misconceptions/https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/henry-david-thoreauhttps://www.nps.gov/places/walden-pond-in-the-walden-pond-state-reservation.htmhttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-David-Thoreau/Legacyhttps://thoreaufarm.org/tag/thoreaus-death/https://www.boston.com/travel/travel/2017/08/09/heres-why-you-should-wander-walden-pond/https://www.walden.org/education/for-students/thoreaus-place/https://blogs.uoregon.edu/environmentalliterature230/2012/10/15/the-awakening-hour/https://nautil.us/the-deep-time-of-walden-pond-237054/https://daily.jstor.org/myth-henry-david-thoreaus-isolation/https://www.jstor.org/stable/2379656?read-now=1&seq=11#page_scan_tab_contents

Throughout my over TWO years on the road, I've had many ups, many downs and everything in between… Every experience has led me to embrace one - inescapable reality of Van Life:80 percent of your time on the road will not resemble the curated photos and videos circulating online. You'll instead explore the parking lots, rest stops and Cracker Barrels of the Nation … BUT! It's this “less-than-ideal” time that makes remaining the views, hikes and experiences worth the effort.Today we talk about this appropriately named “80/20 rule of Van Life”, and share three stories on the road that support this rule. As always, we'll also take listener questions at the end, which include:  - How often to do drive to different cities?- Would you consider Thoreau a philosopher? - What takes the longest to do when making an episode? - What's your favorite state? - What makes Thoreau looking into? 

Two years. Two months. Two days. This is the time spent by David Henry Thoreau along the shores of Walden Pond. We now look into his self-proclaimed “experiment in living simply” and ask ourselves two short questions:What exactly did Thoreau do during this time? And maybe more importantly, what did he hope to accomplish while residing at his fabled secluded cabin in the woods?  Works Cited: https://www.amazon.com/Civil-Disobedience-Henry-David-Thoreau/dp/1619490927https://www.amazon.com/Walden-Henry-David-Thoreau/dp/1619493918https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/thoreau/https://www.jstor.org/stable/461300?read-now=1&seq=4#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvrs90hh.12?searchText=henry+david&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dhenry%2Bdavid%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Ad123667cd32b752e3fcd984b64929d40https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/j.ctvrs90hh.12.pdf?refreqid=fastly-default%3A90df29e6fe53afc4ccdf61e002a28f6c&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&origin=&initiator=&acceptTC=1https://www.walden.org/education/for-students/myths-and-misconceptions/https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/henry-david-thoreauhttps://www.nps.gov/places/walden-pond-in-the-walden-pond-state-reservation.htmhttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-David-Thoreau/Legacyhttps://www.boston.com/travel/travel/2017/08/09/heres-why-you-should-wander-walden-pond/https://www.walden.org/education/for-students/thoreaus-place/https://blogs.uoregon.edu/environmentalliterature230/2012/10/15/the-awakening-hour/https://nautil.us/the-deep-time-of-walden-pond-237054/https://daily.jstor.org/myth-henry-david-thoreaus-isolation/https://www.jstor.org/stable/2379656?read-now=1&seq=11#page_scan_tab_contents

Today we listen to untouched "on location" recordings.We break down everything that goes into recording (sometimes re-recording), editing,  and reflecting upon each documentation that later is featured in episodes of Backroad Odyssey.As always, we'll also take listener questions at the end, which include: Do you have any Stories from the road that you'll remember? Do you think you would have been friends with Walden? What do you do when you get stuck on the road? Do you believe in fairies? Link to my on-location equipment: https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H8-Podcasting-Headphones-Windscreens/dp/B08RG4WCC6/ref=sr_1_39?crid=17E3IIUFBJ2B3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nTt0WjKQ7LYyB-Vz6TZW1A9HvlI0R_FPSCXQSHA0lErPJ8raFCUvuEdCGRETB0uphi1zwEVWYSG3pwdksSqf-k3h1EzRR9TbR5QPZ8Pt17TkUQ1lXR-LNaVRrUBNqAhs31a8Cdz1HXcDKLEHjM1k5O_RynJA_8B9prgYMsZpsJNHFAcnpQx5pftyCoowNiXgeMAyiomFqJvI_6SUzvjR5yA_eNRelDlF_OFGNNcCen7s_Sex5eQcPi-DUIaEJPAT_FmzMTNCfuWYMPzBIhjwXuirv_jbuR7AKgKz1ZepCR0.oexrZHdY_hG_qYQe4B6NjA5X612JB_tfWLXkQJ0-JGA&dib_tag=se&keywords=zoom+4+channel+recorder&qid=1722543840&sprefix=zoom+4+cahnnel+recorder+%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-39&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.2b70bf2b-6730-4ccf-ab97-eb60747b8daf

Rising out of a relatively flat sea of prairie in North East Wyoming, "Devils Tower" - is - to put it lightly - undeniably unique. Noodles and I explore its peculiar plentitude of pillar-like features which baffle geologists attempting to decipher The Towers exact origins. The site remains significant in stories and spiritual traditions of the Crow, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, Lakota and other plains tribes… Works Cited: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26446668?read-now=1&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://aktalakota.stjo.org/lakota-legends/devils-tower/https://alpinist.com/features/in-the-bears-lodge/https://www.nps.gov/deto/learn/nature/tower-formation.htmhttps://www.britannica.com/place/Devils-Tower-National-Monumenthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwy7GqE-G9ohttps://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-the-Little-Bighornhttps://travelwyoming.com/article/bear-lodge-the-sacred-history-of-devils-tower/https://docuseek2.com/bf-dthttps://pluralism.org/sweat-lodge

Today we explore three methods for staying nights in your van - as well as dive into WHEN each method might be necessary. Learning how, when and where to camp on the road is essential in happily and safely living from your van.So let's dive into it, shall we? As always, we'll also take listener questions at the end… which include: What are some good camping meals? Which cryptic would you bring in the. Can with you for a co/host travel buddy for an episode? What's the most beautiful campsite you've been to? 

Walden Pond - just 22 miles away from Boston Common - has become synonymous with solitude, retreat and thoughtful reflection. Henry David Thoreau  famously builds a log cabin along its shore and describes the assertive tranquility of the water and surrounding area as “Lower Heaven.” It's here where the Thoreau pens the now classic work, Walden It's here where, Ralph Waldo Emerson reflects on the national world. It's here - where people continue to make the pilgrimage to it's calm shores in the hopes of finding similar solitude …But the real story of Walden Pond is surprising as well as thought provoking; it provokes our settled assumption of Thoreau as a hermit poet and of the lake as his impenetrable retreat. Works Cited: https://www.amazon.com/Walden-Henry-David-Thoreau/dp/1619493918https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/thoreau/https://www.jstor.org/stable/461300?read-now=1&seq=4#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvrs90hh.12?searchText=henry+david&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dhenry%2Bdavid%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Ad123667cd32b752e3fcd984b64929d40https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/j.ctvrs90hh.12.pdf?refreqid=fastly-default%3A90df29e6fe53afc4ccdf61e002a28f6c&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&origin=&initiator=&acceptTC=1https://www.walden.org/education/for-students/myths-and-misconceptions/https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/henry-david-thoreauhttps://www.nps.gov/places/walden-pond-in-the-walden-pond-state-reservation.htmhttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-David-Thoreau/Legacyhttps://www.boston.com/travel/travel/2017/08/09/heres-why-you-should-wander-walden-pond/

Anxiety can be heightened, suppressed, multiplied, or straight up non-existent on the road… I've lived with anxiety WELL before I hit the road -  so are some stories and reflections from living with that anxiety while living in a van. The positive, negative and everything in between. As always, we'll also take listener questions at the end, which include:What do you do for internet? Where do I park to see the lone toilet? What episodes are coming up? Where you do record your podcasts? What's the most interesting fact about Gettysburg you've found it your research? 

Today we dive into both oral and written Fairy Tales inspired by our last episode on The Fairy Door in Minneapolis.-For a large portion of history, Tales and fables were passed down - not in writing -    but through the spoken word ….Changing inevitably and often irreversibly with each retelling. A story might be tweaked to satisfy a particularly difficult audience - or changed entirely by a rebellious storyteller … It was alive - always adapting and growing … 

SAFTEY FIRST! :) Van life can be freeing, relaxing, and forever memorable but it doesn't come without risks. Today we explore methods I've found - after two years on the road - effective in making you feel safe and comfortable as you travel America's highways and byways in your moveable home. As always, we'll take lister questions - which include: Just listened to the owl episode - how many owls live in one burrow? Do you ever get anxious on the road? What did you go to school for? What do you spend on gas? Did you leave anything else in The Fiary Door? 

Just north of Minneapolis, Minnesota lies a well-kept wooden door at the base of a large tree.Those passing by leave notes, sweets and various presents as offerings. For what - or rather, for who - is an interesting story. A tale of magic, tradition and culture that transcends living memory. Join us as we travel THROUGH THE FAIRY DOOR! Works Cited:https://www.jstor.org/stable/25057792?searchText=the%20origins%20of%20fairies&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dthe%2Borigins%2Bof%2Bfairies%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A72522dc3d6533569a459300965ee7714https://www.britannica.com/topic/laumahttps://www.groveandgrotto.com/blogs/articles/178895815-the-lore-of-fairy-doorshttps://www.atlasobscura.com/places/elf-door-at-demings-height-parkhttps://www.wildernessireland.com/blog/irish-folklore-fairies/urban-fairies.com http://urban-fairies.com/background.htmlhttps://www.crowsbone.com/blogarchive/the-otherworld-spirit-realms-of-celtic-lorehttps://www.minnesotamonthly.com/travel-recreation/neighborhood-gem-deming-heights-park-in-minneapolis/https://www.omega-mgt.com/blog/finding-fairy-houses-in-the-twin-cities/https://www.today.com/home/fairy-doors-t101165

Today's topic - RESEARCH! A lot of research goes into each episode; today we explore the process we use to ensure each episode is accurate, detailed and thoughtfully written. We'll talk .... 1. Primary Sources 2. Academic Articles and Books 3. Alternative Opinions and Personal Experience ... each is used for every episode you listen to ... For the curious: https://www.amazon.com/Gettysburg-Frank-Haskell/dp/0553298321

Robert E Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia press onwards …   Marching confidently into Southern Pennsylvania after a string of Confederate  victories. Talk of independence circulates among the southern troops … a shared belief solidifies - this march north will solidify Southern independence. Meanwhile, Northern hopes to preserve the union remain dangerously low and leadership of the army of the Potomac changes just THREE days before one of the largest and most consequential battle in American history. The Battle of Gettysburg is here … What then, will be the experiences and ultimate fate of Confederate Colonel William Oats and Union Lieutenant Frank Haskell? Works Cited: Gettysburg : The Confederate and Union Views of the Most Decisive Battle of the War - In One Volume https://www.jstor.org/stable/2116615?read-now=1&seq=8#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://acwm.org/blog/myths-misunderstandings-what-caused-civil-war/https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/resrep02487.pdf?refreqid=fastly-default%3A0ddb2c76d8c983455602f559b926b2e1&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2_SYC-7149%2Ftest&origin=&initiator=&acceptTC=1https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep02487?searchText=causes+of+the+civil+war&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dcauses%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bcivil%2Bwar%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2_SYC-7149%2Ftest&refreqid=fastly-default%3Aa133a6037338dba4e02368034c584234https://www.history.com/news/slavery-profitable-southern-economyhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1010169/black-and-slave-population-us-1790-1880/https://source.colostate.edu/what-really-started-the-american-civil-war/https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/whig-partyhttps://civilwarintheeast.com/confederate-regiments/alabama/15th-alabama-infantry/https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/slavery/experience/education/narratives2.htmlhttps://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/first-battle-of-bull-run#section_2https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/william-c-oateshttps://www.history.com/news/why-the-civil-war-actually-ended-16-months-after-lee-surrenderedhttps://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/battle-of-gettysburghttps://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS2548https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/he-was-full-of-pluck/https://www.npr.org/2003/06/29/1305860/the-battle-of-gettysburg-a-timelinehttps://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/july-02https://www.gutenberg.org/files/33121/33121-h/33121-h.htmhttp://npshistory.com/series/symposia/gettysburg_seminars/4/essay5.htmhttps://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS2548

Throughout my travels I've interviewed over 100 taprooms across the nation. With that said, I want to share my personal TOP 5 TAPROOMS along with what makes each of them so special.Here's the criteria : They have to make beer You have to be able to drink at location And - most importantly - the people have to be nice. I also consider location, community, story, aesthetic and of course - the beer. Listener question today include: How was Bok able to afford "The Singing Tower"? Why was General Lee so revered? Can you see the bells inside the tower? Where are you going next? 

A symphony of bells play hypnotic melodies … Harmonies and compositions sound out daily in the small town of Lake Wales in Central Florida.The peculiar source of the music - a grandiose marble-lined pillar affectionately named ‘ The Singing Tower” - is as wonderful as it is unexpected. The story behind it's construction, however, is yet more interesting… Works Cited: https://boktowergardens.org/2021/06/28/the-origins-of-the-singing-tower/https://www.gcna.org/about-carillons/whathttps://fcit.usf.edu/florida/lessons/boktower/boktower.htmhttps://boktowergardens.org/edward-bok/https://boktowergardens.org/the-singing-tower/https://verobeachmagazine.com/features/inside-the-bok-singing-tower/https://www.floridacurrents.com/the-singing-tower/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ladies-Home-Journal

Not everyday is perfect when you live in a van ... You've likely run into the classic “coffee-pour” video made by people living in vans - stepping out to unveil STUNNING locations as they open the doors of their van.This is  - to put it lightly - not always the case.Here are the  top three things I've found to NOT be STUNNING while living in a van.  I love living in a van, but it's important to be real about what the experience entails. :) With that said - let's grab a drink and chat! Listener questions today include: What's so special about Gettysburg? What's your favorite state? If you could recommend just one series to first get into the civil war what would it be? Can you show us the van renovation soon? 

The story continues ... Two men, shaped by their opposing upbringings and lived experience, write about the pivotal conflict of the Civil War from opposing sides. We examine differences in outlook and writing styles that insight into both men as well as the larger forces behind the war itself. Works Cited: Gettysburg : The Confederate and Union Views of the Most Decisive Battle of the War - In One Volume https://www.jstor.org/stable/2116615?read-now=1&seq=8#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://acwm.org/blog/myths-misunderstandings-what-caused-civil-war/https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/resrep02487.pdf?refreqid=fastly-default%3A0ddb2c76d8c983455602f559b926b2e1&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2_SYC-7149%2Ftest&origin=&initiator=&acceptTC=1https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep02487?searchText=causes+of+the+civil+war&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dcauses%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bcivil%2Bwar%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2_SYC-7149%2Ftest&refreqid=fastly-default%3Aa133a6037338dba4e02368034c584234https://www.history.com/news/slavery-profitable-southern-economyhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1010169/black-and-slave-population-us-1790-1880/https://source.colostate.edu/what-really-started-the-american-civil-war/https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/whig-partyhttps://civilwarintheeast.com/confederate-regiments/alabama/15th-alabama-infantry/https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/slavery/experience/education/narratives2.htmlhttps://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/first-battle-of-bull-run#section_2https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/william-c-oateshttps://www.history.com/news/why-the-civil-war-actually-ended-16-months-after-lee-surrendered

Tired of searching for the best - most comprehensive and entertaining - historical podcast series?!No worries - we did the work for you! Today we cut  through the weeds of endless podcast episodes and share the top three history series within podcasts. We answer listener questions, which include: What do you say to people who insist on the important of states rights as a cause of the civil war? Any books movies or series you'd recommend about the civil war?What surprised you about Gettysburg? How long does it take you to make an episode? Recommendations for your convince: :) The Last Podcast on the Left - Mormonism Series: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0fi5zxiqhFLLUfuzVuGptmThe Rest Is History (The Nazi Rise to Power) :      https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rest-is-history/id1537788786?i=1000640028826Dan Carlin's Hard Core History (A deep dive into WW2 and Japan) : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/supernova-in-the-east-i/id173001861?i=1000415837465

No single account of the Civil War can adequately tell the entire story; its causes, challenges, and societal impact are - to put it mildly - complicated. However, firsthand narratives of the war's great battles, daily struggles and accompanying frustrations provide a snapshot - a partial lens from which we can attempt to better understand the entire picture. In this three part series, we explore the life and writings of Northern Lieutenant Frank Haskell and Confederate Colonel William Oats.We'll use their lives to better understand the causes of the civil war, the experience had by common soldiers during it and explore personal accounts at the battle of Gettysburg. Works Cited: Gettysburg : The Confederate and Union Views of the Most Decisive Battle of the War - In One Volume https://www.jstor.org/stable/2116615?read-now=1&seq=8#page_scan_tab_contentshttps://acwm.org/blog/myths-misunderstandings-what-caused-civil-war/https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/resrep02487.pdf?refreqid=fastly-default%3A0ddb2c76d8c983455602f559b926b2e1&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2_SYC-7149%2Ftest&origin=&initiator=&acceptTC=1https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep02487?searchText=causes+of+the+civil+war&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dcauses%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bcivil%2Bwar%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2_SYC-7149%2Ftest&refreqid=fastly-default%3Aa133a6037338dba4e02368034c584234https://www.history.com/news/slavery-profitable-southern-economyhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1010169/black-and-slave-population-us-1790-1880/https://source.colostate.edu/what-really-started-the-american-civil-war/https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/whig-party

We meet the composer behind our theme song, pull up clips while having fun with music and answer listener questions - which include: Is Jesse James worth looking into? He was not a good person. How many people were at the healing springs when you were there? How long did it take you to find the right setup for your podcast? Could someone actually live in Lucy the Elephant? How many licks did it take for him to find the center of a tootsie pop? Check out the fantastic composer for the Backroad Odyssey Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd1imWePcbA&list=PLRAs8nFucLFttvPnbrnuA4XwGF3kw3jRv

Lucy the Elephant has loomed over the Jersey shoreline since 1881…This 65 foot behemoth Elephant-shaped structure consists of nearly one million pieces of wood, 22 windows and is deceptively large inside. After entering up a spiral staircase on either back leg, you're greeted by a vast inner chamber accentuated by two round windows overlooking the crashing Atlantic sea.After climbing yet another staircase to visit the covered patio atop Lucy's back, which overlooks Margate, Atlanta City and the ocean, one begins to wonder … Who built this and perhaps more curiously … why was Lucy built in the first place? Works Cited: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1555&context=master201019https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/nyregion/lucy-elephant-nj-airbnb.htmlhttps://roadtrippers.com/magazine/lucy-the-elephant/https://lucytheelephant.org/history/chapter-1-elephant-to-starboard/https://weirdnj.com/stories/lucy-the-elephant/https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2162

Explore the studio in my van! Today we'll go over the trials, tribulations and joys that come with hosting a podcast from my van. We will describe my setup, share stories, and explain why I would change a thing. As always, we'll answer listener questions - which include: Is Marco Island the best place to find Florida Burrowing Owls? Do you prefer darker stories like Salem and The Donner Party over lighter ones? Do you and Noodles ever have to get towed? Just listened to the Jesse James episode, you mentioned that the house felt more like a museum, does that downplay the historical significance in your mind? Will you ever do longer series? Did you enjoy visiting Donner Lake? Links to equipment mentioned:Microphone: https://www.amazon.com/RØDE-Microphones-NT2AANNIV-Studio-Solution/dp/B004L06ZCM/ref=sr_1_2?crid=21KXEAEDZRSXO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iM3Spt-8xvB7B-HmmP5r6l43TKexhHh_FJL7tPaeWLThRimQ2tVhzxkqQeipB7ABym6hfHZ36n_Mw96k9V2vfVdyNn6V0piTAIZahid7eYr_-qdgFIVPd7LRe-ZTCfk0D7WJTX_9x04p_fSS4jkkq_lP8KbNrkr4xBZOhZKKalts7gC1RZ6I0bcO1QMrktCshKqgR_72YSmX7EIbSm3Pd0BbRTnBvxu_7qgJsxnc1EcoMNTtO6YZo01KNCMGElS4fGfldg8X-UCdLHLrbTxv_vAoB0FyvkKC2jR2w-RPJog.xnNMgL9AwydlSHVEyXIgT0Byy2M_IT0Xa1gCQWushYw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Microphone+Rode+NT2+-+A&qid=1715831150&sprefix=microphone+rode+nt2+-+a+%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.c3015c4a-46bb-44b9-81a4-dc28e6d374b3Mixer: https://www.amazon.com/Rode-Rodecaster-Podcast-Production-Console/dp/B0B17V8NGX/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1G4K7NGKEAFLM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wwYILicwnbN62A-D9Zlf5DeHS6FbhQQ_mtvb5Fe7-OYaDQ3tCfNfO5Y0trSdUfegGxm7vOsWwklkGFKhEYamJS5KgHbSQyddecrZT3pgyqFbeHAaKYlwGTVjBvtb-jirfPqWVqwPFH_v6PC1nJSdACs5WGlCcZ-O5gQDQsprlFBTfQkOnsW5vpic8GeXs6SJu3SC4ItDG7bd-Rq0kbcJsxRAYK6BYD7v07ZJ5Jt1Gc5rDsTqdUIlhm56wkyEi1axPgsEHE7H0uREI5jWcjFc19bluUgIvV4Mrv8IaF_O1pg.AYvU5fX2TBABwBQOXM8_lTerdyjTasCn8WWG94n1RA8&dib_tag=se&keywords=roadcaster+pro&qid=1715831187&sprefix=roadcaster+pro%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-5&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.2b70bf2b-6730-4ccf-ab97-eb60747b8daf

 Marco Island is home to a group of residents that are unique and altogether unexpected: The Florida Burrowing Owl. Athene Cunicularia Floridana - or the Florida Burrowing Owl … is 9 inches and 5 ounces of wonderful oddity... Noodles and I visit Florida to learn about the owl, those that protect it, and much more! Works Cited: https://www.audubon.org/news/where-burrowing-owls-are-your-neighborshttps://www.audubonwe.org/owlwatchhttps://ccfriendsofwildlife.org/faq/starter-burrow/https://fsjconservation.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/burrowing-owls_-scrub-work-group.pdf

 DON'T CRUSH PEOPLE WITH ROCKS!! Also, I share my top 5 picks for the best audiobooks to listen to while driving.We'll also take listener questions at the end - including: Would you recommend going to Danvers instead of Salem? Do you think something like the witch trials could happen today? Can you do an episode on your van? What's the legacy of Salem today?