American Road Trip Talk

On this edition of American Road Trip Talk, discover Louisiana's Cajun Bayou, just 35 miles south of New Orleans and home to the unapologetic Cajun culture of Lafourche Parish. The bayou stretches over 100 miles, flowing through communities and defining traditions. Festivals, charter fishing trips, tours through mysterious swamps, classic regional architecture and restaurants that offer you a chan...

Matt Shea is the guest host of American Road Trip Talk this week. Listen as he interviews Kristen Brandel and Christa O’Brien, two ladies that are living their road trip dream by crossing the country in an RV. Their journey started June 3 in Florida; so far, they have traveled west and north to Washington state, experiencing a variety of popular RV resorts along the way and collecting plenty of go...

Want to get far away from the noise and haste of daily life on your next vacation? Isle Royale National Park is a great destination for those seeking unspoiled beauty and unhurried adventure in the wild. Our guest is Jim DuFresne, a Michigan travel and outdoor expert who has been writing on where to go and what to do in the Great Lakes State for over 30 years. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.c...

The AAA Route 66 Road Fest was held June 22-23, 2024 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and our guest, Joey Madia, was a featured speaker. If you were in attendance, lucky you! For the rest of us, Joey offers a vicarious experience of the event including sights and sounds, encounters with Mother Road experts and a brief recap of his “Weird 66” presentation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cali...

The great outdoors and western Washington are synonymous in the minds of fishers, hikers and campers who make the most of the mildest time of year. There are plenty of places you can enjoy for a couple of days or longer if you know where to look, reports our contributor, Matt Shea. These lakes and campgrounds are “little gems” in The Evergreen State and Matt has experienced many of them. In this e...

Cruising Pacific Coast Highway in Oregon from Cannon Beach to Gold Beach offers road-trippers a sizable stretch of scenic wonders and an opportunity to get acquainted with the easygoing hospitality of small towns along the way. Jessica Dunham, author of The OPEN ROAD: 50 BEST ROAD TRIPS in the USA, will be with us to share her enthusiasm for this famous route and details of several unique places f...

“Rainbows end down that highway where ocean breezes blow,” according to The Grateful Dead. When Mark Greene of Cars Yeah fame fulfilled a road trip dream alongside Blake, his then 8 year-old son, the two adventurers bonded unforgettably as they basked in the glory of the open air. Their journey stretched 1,328 miles along Highway 101 and took 6 days to complete. As you hear the stories that Mark s...

On Flag Day in America, we dedicate this episode to three sites that celebrate the story of the Star-Spangled Banner: Fort McHenry, the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail and a reference to the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House. Visitors have an opportunity to feel a personal connection with these venerable locations through a fuller understanding of their significance. See Privacy Policy...

Don’t you wish you could dine where legends of Hollywood’s Golden Age loved to meet, greet, drink and eat? Good news: you still can! In this episode, Geoffrey Mark, a “walking encyclopedia” of show business history, shares classic stories from Tinseltown and insights about what to expect if you make a pilgrimage to extant eateries where fine food and drink plus classy ambience have traditionally a...

In advance of the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, we feature The National D-Day Memorial, located in Bedford, VA. It has been called “a must visit for anyone interested in World War II or American military history." Though it serves as the national memorial for American D-Day veterans, its scope is international as expressed in the statement, "In Tribute to the valor, fidelity and sacrifice of Allied F...

We often hear the phrase, “All gave some, some gave all.” Today’s episode is in honor of Memorial Day, dedicated to the brave Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in wartime. Our guest, Matt Shea, a frequent contributor to this program, has researched the history of Memorial Day and will share some of what he discovered. In addition, Matt is going to tell us about various places you can visit...

In this episode, step into the world of Andrew Jackson, 7th President of the United States. History comes alive within the walls of The Hermitage, his magnificent house. Hear the story of this enigmatic figure and let your imagination wander through the rooms that witnessed his larger-than-life personality. Ann Dee McClane, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Andrew Jackson Foundation...

Move over, Boomers! In American auto culture, the trend toward younger enthusiasts with upwardly mobile careers and a taste for the finer things in life has become increasingly evident. Mark Greene, host of the Cars Yeah podcast, reveals the dynamics behind the market for classic cars that newer generations find most appealing. (Encore Presentation) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...

In this episode, meet Kyle Horvath, Director of Tourism for all of White Pine County, Nevada which includes Ely and the gateway community to Great Basin National Park, Baker. Listen and you will learn much about this four-season mountainous destination with a deep connection to the Silver State and American History that also maintains a strong appreciation for arts and culture, major events, and g...

Stretching from Chicago, Illinois, to Los Angeles, California, Route 66, also known as the “Mother Road” and the “Main Street of America,” was one of the country’s major thoroughfares for nearly half a century. Route 66 became one of the most famous roads in America, having been popularized in American culture through books, songs, music, magazines, movies, and television shows… The construction o...

Planning a 2024 summer road trip? Our guest Amy Beadle is the marketing manager at the Springfield (Illinois) Convention and Visitors Bureau. In this episode, we hear about a plethora of events and venues that make Springfield a great place to visit. History comes alive in the Land Of Lincoln! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privac...

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival celebrates the glory of Spring and the abundant splendor of Mother Nature from April 1st to April 30th, 2024. In this episode, Matt Shea provides specifics regarding what you can expect and how to get maximum enjoyment from your experience at this dazzling Washington State destination. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...

The Total Solar Eclipse of April 8, 2024 is approaching fast and Jamie Jensen, who is celebrating publication of the 10th Edition of his Road Trip USA travel guide, joins us to talk about the best cities and towns to view the celestial event. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Henry Martyn Leland was an American machinist, inventor, engineer, and automotive entrepreneur. He founded the two premier American luxury automotive marques, Cadillac and Lincoln. His motto was, “Craftsmanship a creed, accuracy a law.” In this episode, we hear much about his determination and innovative genius from Karl Petry, a graduate of the Lincoln Technical Institute and admirer of Mr. Lelan...

Erika Nelson joins us to recount a pop-up show at TeePee Junction in Lawrence, Kansas. Erika responded to the “Hillbilly Halfwit”, Armando Minjarez responded to "La Salsa Man", and Mona Cliff responded to the teepees. The purpose was to examine caricatures of people in our roadside attractions and what they might mean to the traveling public. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cal...

Mark Greene of Cars Yeah says, “For me an adventure drive is when you go off the freeway and onto the back roads, or no roads, out into the wilderness. Away from cities and on roads in unique locations where tourists rarely venture.” Mark is our guest and he has stories of remarkable men and women who have done it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ht...

Washington State has more than her fair share of small towns with plenty of charm to lure visitors away from the city life of Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma et al as well as from out-of-state to the natural beauty and town culture that offer a unique experience in each locale. Contributor Matt Shea has lots to share about these mellow destinations. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Ca...

Route 66 is a long story that is still being told. The glory of The Mother Road endures with a resilience underscored by her responsiveness to movements of not only the countless people she has carried but also of turbulent American racial history. Joey Madia discusses “Sundown Towns” that once posed a menacing threat to African-Americans who traveled with the burden of bigotry in mind. (Encore Pr...

Seaside Aquarium is one of the oldest aquariums on the West Coast. Founded in 1937, the aquarium is privately owned and the descendants of some of the founders still are active in its operation. Manager Keith Chandler fills us in on the star attractions and many activities awaiting you at a legendary place in Oregon’s oldest resort town.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califor...

On February 9, 1964, The Beatles made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show and on that electrifying night, Beatlemania swept across America. Geoffrey Mark is our guest for a discussion of the places where the Fab Four performed, stayed and visited during their initial trip to the USA. Which locations still can be seen today? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...