American Road Trip Talk

Bodie, California was booming in 1876 after discovery of an impressive vein of gold. The town however went into decline in subsequent decades and was known as a ghost town by 1915. Today, thanks to its designation as a National and California historical landmark, Bodie is widely regarded as the most popular ghost town in America, with about 200,000 visitors yearly. Jamie Jensen guests with travel...

We visit once again with our friend Erika Nelson, creator and curator of the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things Traveling Roadside Attraction Museum, headquartered in Lucas, Kansas. Erika has toured much of America with her artistic wonders on rolling display. This time, we ask her about her personal favorites. So many pieces from which to cho...

Our annual episode saluting The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival celebrates the 40th anniversary of a springtime festival that draws eager crowds from around the world. The event shows off Western Washington at its most floridly spectacular. Matt Shea joins us with a survey of the displays and other local delights that make the trek to Skagit a special experience every year. See Privacy Policy at http...

Observing the Do’s and Don’ts of getting your car, truck or SUV ready for a memorable trek aka The Big Road Trip is serious business. Karl Petry of the Garden State Pontiac Club is a go-to guy for advice on how to prevent costly automotive trouble from hampering your next open-road adventure. (Encore Presentation) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at htt...

Phoenix, Arizona is famous as a sun-drenched metropolis with a stunning desert panorama under the gaze of Camelback Mountain and plentiful recreational and cultural attractions to offer. On March 13, 1997 though, all those Phoenician charms were eclipsed in the night sky by the presence of eerie lights with no definitive explanation. Reactions of the populace ranged from curiosity to anxiety to pa...

The 95th Academy Awards will be presented on March 12, 2023, in a ceremony held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Geoffrey Mark, a “walking encyclopedia” of show business, shares his knowledge of the venues that make Hollywood the Mecca of moviemaking and a tourist destination for film lovers around the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art1...

March 3 is World Wildlife Day. We celebrate the occasion by exploring a haven for a majestic yet at-risk marvel of nature. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is the nation’s largest natural-habitat refuge developed specifically for African and Asian elephants. The Sanctuary operates on 3,060 acres in Hohenwald, TN – 85 miles southwest of Nashville. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...

The revamped and newly relaunched Mt. Hood Territory Tap Trail celebrates Oregon Craft Beer Month throughout February, 2023. Mt. Hood Territory is a year-round adventure destination and the popular trail is bigger and better than ever. Our guest, Jarrod Lyman, is Communications Manager for Oregon City, where many breweries, cideries and distilleries on the Tap Trail reside. See Privacy Policy at h...

Just as many people prefer to dine in unique restaurants, there are road-travelers who choose offbeat places to stay the night. Some of the more unusual digs can be found in Washington. Off the beaten path we go, with contributor Matt Shea sleuthing around the Evergreen State! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-...

Jersey, baby! The Sopranos was filmed in Atlantic Beach, Belleville, Bloomfield, Clifton, East Brunswick, East Rutherford, Fort Lee, Garfield, Harrison, Kearny, Lincoln Tunnel, Lodi, Lyndhurst, Matarazzo's Farm, New Jersey Turnpike, Newark, Newburgh, North Arlington, North Bergen and North Caldwell (Tony Soprano's House). Karl Petry, Newark native and indie filmmaker, takes us on a tour of locatio...

Winter is a challenge every year in places like Buffalo, New York and Woodstock, Illinois. Well-prepared Buffalo stalwarts best the brutal weather no matter how cold or how much snow lands. Meanwhile, Woodstock residents are proud of their town's heritage as the shooting location for the film Groundhog Day. Jamie Jensen has the scoop, er, shovel. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and...

Why pay more or settle for less when negotiating the purchase of an automobile in 2023? What are the tricks and traps to avoid at the dealership or used car lot? Listen to insider talk from Rich Lubben, retired veteran of the car sales industry and take those insights with you when you shop around! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/p...

The largest and longest auction of the year for Barrett-Jackson runs from January 21-29, 2023. Have the chance to explore the city of Scottsdale, the auction venue – the Westworld of Scottsdale, and immerse yourself in car memorabilia all week long. Car culture enthusiasts everywhere won’t want to miss this spectacular event! Mark Greene of Cars Yeah joins us with the details. See Privacy Policy a...

When “kitsch” first emerged, the prevalent view of art critics and historians was that gaudy roadside attractions were good for a laugh and a bit of banal gratification thanks to sentimentality. Motoring visitors to the Pacific Northwest, however, now are inclined to perceive such icons as a quirky welcome to the neighborhood. Harriet Baskas shares her appreciation of these beckoning behemoths. (E...

Elvis Presley, The King of Rock and Roll, left a great legacy of popular songs, hit movies and his beautiful sprawling home which is still a top tourist destination in Memphis, Tennessee. From hardscrabble roots in the delta town of Tupelo, Mississippi to the heights of fame and fortune, the journey of Elvis can be traced from boyhood home to his ultimate home in a single day. Cory Cooper guests....

There is a doughnut shop and bakery in Clare, Michigan that has been in constant operation since 1896. This heritage business was just weeks from closing when members of the Clare Police Department came to the rescue. All nine of them. They saved a beloved local enterprise. We meet two of these heroes in this episode. (Encore presentation) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califo...

Welcome to Seneca Falls, the Real Bedford Falls! Each year, the town celebrates It's A Wonderful Life Festival the second weekend in December. But the Museum is open all year round. Memorabilia abounds in this magical place of seasonal mirth and endless goodwill no matter when you come to town. (Encore presentation) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at h...

Christmas in Detroit takes a backseat to nobody as The Motor City rolls out a new vision of its wintry self year after year. The festive lights and artistic displays at venues across the Metro area inspire large crowds of eager locals and visitors alike. Amy S. Eckert joins us to report on the highlights of this year’s celebration! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pri...

Have you made a pilgrimage to the heritage sites of your favorite musical performers? Lots of us have and will continue to make the trek to the birthplaces, homes, studios, and commemorative locations of our tuneful idols. Geoffrey Mark has lots to share about a sprawling informal trail of appreciation for legends of song. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Noti...

Wherever you go around Puget Sound, a blaze of electric glory is close by and ready to enhance your enjoyment of the Season. Matt Shea scouted some of the best venues for Holiday Lights displays and found dazzling arrays along a veritable Christmas corridor between Seattle and Tacoma. Get the details before you get in the car! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy...

Erika Nelson, when she is not gracing the American landscape with her popular art projects, curates the Worlds Largest Collection of the Worlds Smallest Versions of the Worlds Largest Things. “Roadside Yuletide” is a phrase we coined to describe public monuments erected for when ‘Tis the Season. They are seen around the country. Erika shares about several of the best. See Privacy Policy at https:/...

Autumn in New England sets a table of natural splendor for modern pilgrims who find something close to heaven on the winding roads of a heritage region. Jamie Jensen has been there and done that more than once. He joins us with tales from his travels. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

This season, see Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum near Chicago! From Nov. 19 through Jan. 7, 2023, guests can explore 18 different features along a tree-lined one-mile walking trail immersed in color and light. What better time to visit than during the Centennial celebration of a suburban arboreal paradise? Dec. 14 is the date of the Arboretum’s founding in 1922. See Privacy Polic...

After many years of sharing their passion for style and performance with the world, some very bright lights of car culture have passed on in 2022. Their departure leaves a void, yes, but their brilliance remains behind to inspire the advance of automotive technology. Mark Greene of Cars Yeah is on hand to share their stories. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy N...

For those who dare, the Halloween fright season has arrived! With it comes a plethora of choices for enjoying a darned good scare thanks to ghoulishly creative folks around Seattle and Puget Sound. Matt Shea visits to share the spooky details. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .