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? 

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/what

https://fcit.usf.edu/florida/lessons/boktower/boktower.htm

https://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? 

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_contents

https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/533052.pdf?refreqid=fastly-default%3Ad146d4b6e5ed41c5e832ff85c4a86fab&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&origin=&initiator=&acceptTC=1

https://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%3A723b24f3b96cc1b239f31e404af1b5f0

https://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%3A3c95b3f77d76c297970671f8bc926102

https://www.flatheadlakers.org/flathead-lake-monster

https://www.jahernandez.com/posts/flessie-the-flathead-lake-monster-of-montana

https://whistlingandy.com/blogs/the-blog/the-legend-of-the-flathead-lake-monster-a-mystery-of-the-

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_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

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/0fi5zxiqhFLLUfuzVuGptm

The Rest Is History (The Nazi Rise to Power) : 

•      https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rest-is-history/id1537788786?i=1000640028826

Dan 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_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

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=master201019

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/nyregion/lucy-elephant-nj-airbnb.html

https://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-dc28e6d374b3

Mixer: 

• 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-neighbors

https://www.audubonwe.org/owlwatch

https://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? 

The thrilling conclusion to the Salem Witch Trials is explored... 

At the location where the first accusations of witchcraft were made, Noodles and I tackle popular theories, forgotten history and overlooked locations.

Although,  it’s temping to attribute one cause to the Salam Witch trials - the reality and it’s implications are much more complex.

What happened in Salem Village in 1692 is both strange and familiar, ridiculous and understandable, outlandish and conventional. 

More than anything - the story of the trials, with its showings of fear, courage, cruelty, unpredictability, -  showcase the deepest parts of human nature in us all.

works cited: 

https://www.jstor.org/stable/42909493?read-now=1&seq=13#page_scan_tab_contents

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-brief-history-of-the-salem-witch-trials-175162489/

https://daily.jstor.org/caused-salem-witch-trials/

https://salemwitchmuseum.com/2023/05/17/debunking-the-moldy-bread-theory/

https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Salem-Witch-Trials-Documents/plot-summary/

https://www2.tulane.edu/~salem/Chronology%20of%20Accusations.html

https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/n92.html

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-salem-witch-hanging

https://salemwitchmuseum.com/locations/bridget-bishop-home-and-orchards-site-of/

https://salemwitchmuseum.com/2023/05/17/debunking-the-moldy-bread-theory/

https://www.history.com/news/notable-women-executed-salem-witch-trials

https://www.sausd.us/cms/lib/CA01000471/Centricity/Domain/457/hysteria%20or%20psychedlics.pdf

Today we’ll be discussing everything involved with raising a healthy dog on the road. 

(We talk a bit about my dog van-dog Noodles, as well) 

We’ll also take listener questions at the end… 

Including: 

•      Why don’t more people visit the Salem you went to?
•      Have you heard of the ergot theory? 
•      What’s your least favorite town you’ve been to? 
•     What do you use to write? 
•     What was one thing that surprised you when recording the Salem episode?

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? 

Ever want to visit the real Salem? 

Join Noodles and I as we visit the location responsible for the start of the infamous witch trials.


----

A small shop is filled to the brim with sage, tarot cards and spell books. 

Thick incense obscures eager shoppers and visiting tourists. 

In the bustle, a  small book captures your attention

“The Witches - Salem, 1692” 

The story contained within its pages begins NOT in the bustling modern town of Salem with its shops and attractions, but miles inland in the small house of a pastor. 

The first accusations of witchcraft are made inside its walls, stoking the fire of communal hysteria, religious zealotry and and ultimately the conviction and execution of 20 individuals. 

We visit the dark stone foundation far from the attractions of Salem. 

works cited: 

https://www.jstor.org/stable/42909493?read-now=1&seq=13#page_scan_tab_contents

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-brief-history-of-the-salem-witch-trials-175162489/

https://daily.jstor.org/caused-salem-witch-trials/

https://salemwitchmuseum.com/2023/05/17/debunking-the-moldy-bread-theory/

https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Salem-Witch-Trials-Documents/plot-summary/

https://www2.tulane.edu/~salem/Chronology%20of%20Accusations.html

https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/n92.html

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-salem-witch-hanging

https://salemwitchmuseum.com/locations/bridget-bishop-home-and-orchards-site-of/

We discuss my struggle with ADD. 

I don’t share this story lightly - in fact it’s incredibly hard for me - but I hope that, if you’re listening and can relate, you'll benefit. 

We’ll also take listener questions - including: 

• Did the Healing Springs water actually taste good? 
• What's your studio setup? 
• Do you have nicknames for Noodles? 

Grab a drink and let's hang out! 

Battles rage throughout the 13 American Colonies … 

In rural South Carolina - on what is now called Slaughter Field - two British soldiers lie dying from their wounds. 

Death is but a certainty …  

Ancestors of the Wassamasaw Tribe carry the soldiers to a spring known for it's healing properties. 

6 months pass, the soldiers - assumed dead - walk back into the barracks in perfect health. 

How?

Noodles and I visit the springs to find out.


Works Cited: 

https://www.gowinlaw.com/blog/2018/6/25/the-deed-to-god

https://www.southcarolinapublicradio.org/sc-news/2020-10-21/the-legend-of-healing-springs-keeps-pilgrims-coming-back-for-more-water

https://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/revolution_slaughter_field.html

https://theclio.com/entry/15013

https://www.scpictureproject.org/barnwell-county/healing-springs.html

Today we’ll be discussing three methods I use to find offbeat locations. 

No edits. No Script. 

We’ll  take listener questions at the end… 

p.s.

For whatever reason, I’ve never been interested in what’s the popular thing to do - it might be the crowds, the conformity of it all or just a general lack of interest… 

But because of this, I’ve always searched for what’s off the beaten path - particularly when it comes to traveling. 

Over the years I’ve narrowed down my approach to three methods that are effective in finding interesting locations that people might not actively seek out…

The Donner Party gaze upon a path whose crossing grows less likely with each passing day. 

Death by cold or slow starvation is now - very much - a looming reality. 

Less than three miles from the summit, two frightening options become apparent:

• Abandon your remaining supplies and brave the grueling 10 day snow-laden trek across the mountains… 

OR

• Choose to retreat and wait out for a clearing in the weather. 

Neither, encourage optimism. 

 Feelings of loneliness can surface anywhere - especially when you’re on the road. 

Is van life glorified on social media? What do you do when loneliness strikes? Have you ever seen a UFO?!

We discuss all of this and more as we unpack what it means to feel lonely while living full time in a van. 

No script. No edits.

Grab a drink and let’s hang out.. 

Hundreds of thousands traveled the roughly 2,500 miles from Missouri to the pacific coast - chasing fertile soil, better fortune and predictable climate. 

Among the thousands to have made this difficult journey westwards, no single group has garnered as much attention, or endured so much, as the roughly 87 people now referred to as the Donner Party …

 Upon reaching their destination, 47 of the 87 remain… what happened? 

Works Cited: 

Stuckey, M. E. (2011). The Donner Party and the Rhetoric of Westward Expansion. Rhetoric and Public Affairs, 14(2), 229–260. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41940539

https://discover.hubpages.com/education/Donner-Party-Women-A-Tribute

https://sierranevadageotourism.org/entries/pioneer-monument/ed43023c-be23-4ee6-bbdc-f6b0b6eea706

https://www.jstor.org/stable/41780798?read-now=1&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

https://www.jstor.org/stable/41940539?searchText=the+donner+party&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dthe%2Bdonner%2Bparty%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Afae995de23f9342fd8c370bad8d6aabf&seq=8

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Donner-party

https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/donner-party

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1885479/episodes/new

http://thedonnerlife.weebly.com/characters.html

No edits. No script. 

In "Van Life Diaries", we  discuss experiences on the road, pull clips from previous episodes, talk  struggles, successes and everything in between. 

At each conclusion, I answer questions from listeners. Life questions, van questions, nothing is off limits. 

I’m going to grab a drink, if you’re in a position to as well grab a cold one and let’s hang out.. 

A water-logged marsh along highway 37, just west of Vallejo, California contains an object that perplexes, repulses and fascinates passing travelers.

How did this get here? The answer might surprise you. 

This is the story of The Lone Toilet.

Something sinister happened behind these walls ...

I walk past the green shutters and elongated windows of the Jesse James house…

If not for the eerie feeling you get when approaching the entrance… it's beautiful.

I grasp the handle and open the time tested door. 

- 

Jesse James survives shootouts, bullet wounds and the ravages of they American Civil War… but his murder, and the shadowy series of events leading to a gun aimed at the back of his exposed head at his home in St. Joseph Missouri, that’s a story worth telling.  

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-8c8dceb62f2c


Civil Disobedience, Full Text:

https://libertas.org/books/civildisobedience.pdf



Works Cited:


https://www.amazon.com/Civil-Disobedience-Henry-David-Thoreau/dp/1619490927

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://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

A vast collection of hand - carved, impossibly detailed, seemingly priceless wooden clocks rest around you. 

Never sold or bought, you are told … only collected. Some of them feet taller than yourself. 

One question plagues your mind as you observe the intricate patterns carved into the wood. 

How did these get here? 

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/1619490927

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/

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_contents

https://aktalakota.stjo.org/lakota-legends/devils-tower/

https://alpinist.com/features/in-the-bears-lodge/

https://www.nps.gov/deto/learn/nature/tower-formation.htm

https://www.britannica.com/place/Devils-Tower-National-Monument

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwy7GqE-G9o

https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-the-Little-Bighorn

https://travelwyoming.com/article/bear-lodge-the-sacred-history-of-devils-tower/

https://docuseek2.com/bf-dt

https://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?