Backroad Odyssey : Travel Stories, Van Life & Road Trip Oddities – Details, episodes & analysis

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 



In depth: 

What if a single piece of public art could encapsulate the history, culture, and spirit of an entire neighborhood? Join us as we explore the captivating tale of Seattle's Fremont Troll. Beginning with the nostalgic Norwegian folklore of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," we unravel how this story inspired the creation of the 18-foot, 13,000-pound sculpture that has since become an icon of the Fremont neighborhood. 

Wander with us through Fremont's vibrant streets—teeming with artists, students, and tech professionals—and witness firsthand the community's deep connection to this monumental troll.

Trolloween:

https://fremontartscouncil.org/trolloween

Song about the Fremont Troll (by Chicago the band - Majungas)

https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-fremont-troll/1276333443?i=1276333444



Works 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-location

https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0122e.html

https://wanderwisdom.com/travel-destinations/All-About-the-Seattle-Fremont-Troll-and-How-to-Find-It

https://wedgwoodinseattlehistory.com/2015/05/01/history-of-the-fremont-neighborhood-in-seattle/

https://historylink.org/File/1320

https://visitseattle.org/neighborhoods/fremont-wallingford/

https://fremontartscouncil.org/trolloween

https://seattle.curbed.com/2019/6/4/18650083/fremont-bridge-troll-history-location

https://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-access


First 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-8

Unique bourbon shop:

https://spiritsandspice.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoohLINjPfwxOcPrPvHmYPm7AvhHDzeG7Nfmz3EBX9QRRnJLKiAG

coordinates to my favorite free campsite right outside the park: 

43 45'49.7"N 110 33'09.8"W

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/1619493918

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/thoreau/

https://www.jstor.org/stable/461300?read-now=1&seq=4#page_scan_tab_contents

https://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%3Ad123667cd32b752e3fcd984b64929d40

https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/j.ctvrs90hh.12.pdf?refreqid=fastly-default%3A90df29e6fe53afc4ccdf61e002a28f6c&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&origin=&initiator=&acceptTC=1

https://www.walden.org/education/for-students/myths-and-misconceptions/


https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/henry-david-thoreau

https://www.nps.gov/places/walden-pond-in-the-walden-pond-state-reservation.htm

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-David-Thoreau/Legacy

https://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%3A72522dc3d6533569a459300965ee7714

https://www.britannica.com/topic/lauma

https://www.groveandgrotto.com/blogs/articles/178895815-the-lore-of-fairy-doors

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/elf-door-at-demings-height-park

https://www.wildernessireland.com/blog/irish-folklore-fairies/

urban-fairies.com 

http://urban-fairies.com/background.html

https://www.crowsbone.com/blogarchive/the-otherworld-spirit-realms-of-celtic-lore

https://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_contents

https://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=1

https://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%3Aa133a6037338dba4e02368034c584234

https://www.history.com/news/slavery-profitable-southern-economy

https://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

https://civilwarintheeast.com/confederate-regiments/alabama/15th-alabama-infantry/

https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/slavery/experience/education/narratives2.html

https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/first-battle-of-bull-run#section_2

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/william-c-oates

https://www.history.com/news/why-the-civil-war-actually-ended-16-months-after-lee-surrendered

https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/battle-of-gettysburg

https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS2548

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/he-was-full-of-pluck/

https://www.npr.org/2003/06/29/1305860/the-battle-of-gettysburg-a-timeline

https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/july-02

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/33121/33121-h/33121-h.htm

http://npshistory.com/series/symposia/gettysburg_seminars/4/essay5.htm

https://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?