American Road Trip Talk

In this edition of American Road Trip Talk, we pay a visit to the Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla, Missouri before it closes its doors on September 30. Since its grand opening in 1933 and opening the current store in 1977 from what used to be a Shell gas station, the Totem Pole Trading Post stocks its shelves with handcrafted gifts and merchandise that represent the image of Route 66. The owner o...

Brian Gushue is a man who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and needs a wheelchair for his mobility. Despite his disability, Brian didn't let that hold him down and began taking road trips to the nation's NFL stadiums. He set a goal to attend 500 games and has quickly exceeded that goal. Find out more about his inspirational travel adventures in and between the stadiums as he joins us for thi...

While the Big Leaguers are busy rounding the bases, we’ll be rounding the MLB ballparks in road trips designed just for baseball fans. From New York to Los Angeles and everything in between, Timothy Malcolm takes plots out routes that makes the most out of every mile and keep everything easy for your planning needs in his book, “Baseball Road Trips: The Complete Guide to All the Ballparks, with Be...

A great road trip doesn’t have to be done entirely by automobile. In fact, some of the best views can only be witnessed by parking your vehicle along the scenic drives and stepping foot where your vehicle can’t go to make it to the best possible viewpoints. Today it is a ride along Michigan's famous Route M22 with outdoor writer Jim DuFresne author of "Trails of M22". One of America's great drives...

Our guest for this episode is Amy Beadle, Marketing Manager of the Springfield Illinois Convention & Visitors Bureau. She has exciting news to share about the upcoming 23rd Annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival. With a plethora of activities and venues to offer, this is one of the signature events celebrated every year in the Land of Lincoln. When putting Route 66 on glorious disp...

This week on American Road Trip Talk, meet New York Vinnie, filling in for Gary Mantz as he takes some time away from the show. In this edition, he chats with automotive adventurer Jeff Zurschmeide who took a road trip through America's Last Frontier in Alaska. It's much different than taking a road trip within the continental United States, and is an experience that should not be missed! See Priv...

In this episode, artist and frequent contributor Erika Nelson shares her deep appreciation of Art Cars. An art car is a vehicle that has had its appearance modified as an act of personal artistic expression. Among the highlights of our interview: Houston's Art Car Parade, Seattle’s art car inclusion in the Fremont Fair/Solstice event, Art Car World in Douglas, Arizona and Minnesota's passionate gr...

47 years ago, Elvis Presley passed into history. The King of Rock and Roll “left the building” at the age of 42. Today, we remember his too-short life and celebrate his incredible legacy with Cory Cooper, widely regarded Elvis expert. In addition to Graceland and Tupelo, where else can fans of The King visit to pay homage? Cory has select recommendations to offer. See Privacy Policy at https://art...

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...