Backroad Odyssey : Travel Stories, Van Life & Road Trip Oddities

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: htt...

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 wo...

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...

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...

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 th...

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...

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...

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 e...

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?search...

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/Gettysbu...

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...

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...

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.o...

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 import...

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...

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...

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 e...

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...

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 anothe...

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...

 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 ht...

 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?  Noah and Noodles here! We...

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 st...

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 on...

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 be...