Wayward Stories

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! A little sidetrack adventure a few weeks ago inspired an idea within me…more of a question really, at first. Why doesn’t Arkansas, with all of our glorious forestry roads and backcountry trails, have designated backcountry byways? A short fact-check indeed confirmed we have none so designated, so your ever-benevolent host (mòi)  decided to designate a few of my fav...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we continue a series we started last year and digitally explore Bend, Oregon! Join me this week as I look at the many incredible aspects of Central Oregon and discover why Bend belongs on top of everyone’s bucket list! From waterfalls to the Cascades, volcanic landscapes to backcountry byways and including a National Park and a smattering of State Parks,...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we wrap up a series we started about this time last year, and head back to Cali for the final installment! Join me this week as I reminisce on exploring some of the beaches and sights to see along California Highway 1 from Watsonville to Point Reyes Station.     If you’d like to get in touch send me an email at   mywaywardstory@gmail.com   Or   Head on ov...

This week we take our yearly philosophical sidetrack and explore the direction of the podcast, the outdoor sub-culture at large, and purpose in production, as it were.  No new wilderness adventures this week, save perhaps the wilderness of the soul…   I want to thank you all for tuning in, and encourage you to reach out if you’d like to get in touch at mywaywardstory@gmail.com   If you’d like to c...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!   This week we take a road trip to several different Civil War battlefields located throughout Western Arkansas, Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Missouri. They range from NPS National Historic Sites to State Parks, museums to driving tours, and each one has a potent story to tell! Join me this week and learn about a few more interesting places to get you off of the c...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!   This week we pick up where we left off when last we met. In this show we talk about the glancing blow we landed on Arizona, committing 1 day of our 5 day trip to exploring Route 66 from Albuquerque to Petrified National Forest. After that we wrap up the show discussing a day 5 that found us exploring caves in a desert box canyon, a ghost town and the abandoned mi...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! Our holiday adventure is complete, and this week we’re going to talk about the adventures we found! Tales of back country drives through tunnels in dramatic box canyons, ancient cultural relics, petroglyphs, national monuments, Route 66 and the Big Chili Cartel await you in this week’s show! Tune in to hear all about it! If you’d like to get in touch, send me an em...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!   This week we’re going on a road trip into the past! I recently took a couple of weekend road trips to Little Rock and Eastern Arkansas to explore Plum Bayou Archeological State Park, Hampson Archeological Museum State Park, and Parkin Archeological State Park. These three state parks represent excellent examples of indigenous cultures here in Arkansas, from the l...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!   This week we’re going to explore some bucket list Rail Trails from every corner of the US! Rail Trails are an awesome option for you to get outside and see some amazing landscapes! You can find them across the US, and they offer easy hikes or rides for all experience levels, and get you access to landscapes you might otherwise never get to see. Listen in tonight...

Welcome back to the Wayward Stories Podcast!   Happy Thanksgiving Y’all!   This year, circumstance dictated that I had to stay a little closer to home for my yearly thanksgiving adventure, so I set off into the Ozarks to chase some waterfalls and epic bluffs. Listen in tonight to learn about a beautiful little stretch of Falling Water Creek and its many waterfalls and scenic drives…from Fuzzy Butt...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!   It’s spooky season once again! This year we’re going to take a dive into some creepy legends and folklore from some of our great national parks! From the Grand Canyon to the Smokies, the Ozarks to the Great Lakes, tonight’s show is chock full of things that go bump in the backcountry night…   So pull up your camp chair, snuggle up with a friend around the fire an...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!   This week we’re going to talk about a very recent rescue our team effected in the backcountry on the Ozark Highland Trail. A hiker had a mishap and was unable to self-rescue, and we, along with other responding agencies, were able to execute a successful extraction. We’re telling this story tonight because you guys always seem to love the Search and Rescue episod...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week, we explore my recent opportunity to ride a passenger excursion train on a 150-mile round trip through the gorgeous Boston Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. It’s a full day ride featuring trestles that tower 125 feet about the valley floor, a 1702’ long tunnel on the highest railway pass between the Apps and the Rockies, and follows along Frog Bayou for th...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we take a weekend road trip back in time! Come along with me as we take a little journey down America’s Mother Road, Route 66 through Oklahoma’s beautiful Green Country. From kitschy road side attractions of a bygone era to thriving community gathering places revitalized in the spirit of the mother road, there’s a little bit of both the old and the new in...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!  This week we’re going to explore some new territory and share a listener submitted itinerary for an epic road trip through our great American Southwest! This trip covered some 2,900 miles over 8 days, touched 7 states and no less than 5 National Parks amongst many other locales along the way! Listen in tonight as we go through her itinerary stop by stop and then s...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!   After a dark week catalyzed by an egomaniacal geology professor with a penchant for sadism, we’re back with a brand new episode about one of Oklahoma’s best state parks! Robber’s Cave State Park is an area deep in the San Bòis Mountains of SE Oklahoma filled with tales of famous outlaws and the loot they buried….and your humble host has some personal experiences...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!   This week we head back out to Cali to dream another dream. In this installment of the California  Dreamin’ series we explore some beautiful Santa Clara County Parks located in the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains and take a little day trip east into Yosemite. It is true that things cost 4x as much in Cali…but I would counter that things are also 4x as beautif...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!   This week we spend the first half of the episode catching up on the archeological dig that necessitated dropping a classic episode last week, and talk about some new adventure ideas for you guys, like geocaching and a Native American museum to explore. In the second half, we talk about one of Arkansas’ best state parks, Devil’s Den. Devil’s Den has beautiful hike...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!   Rather than have a couple of dark weeks due to an exciting opportunity I must seize upon, I’ve chose to drop another classic episode.  Listen y’all…this weekend I get to go do archeology! Lifelong dream! But I promise you, for all of you who haven’t listened to the entire back catalogue…you WILL enjoy this classic. IMO it’s possibly the very best early episode I...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!  After spending the last week maligned with Satan’s head cold, aka Covid-19, our Memorial Day weekend was looking pretty bleak. But with a slight upturn in health, and the reality of a 3 day weekend being wasted a real possibility …decisions were made. Roadtrips were had. And Missouri’s section of historic Route 66 was discovered. In addition to exploring several d...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!  In this week’s show we kind of meander about a bit. Much like my adventures, I just go where the road takes me!  This time around we take a look at a recent trend that’s highly detrimental to the natural beauty of the Buffalo River, fake people, and my thoughts as we start to explore the world of van life!  I hope you’ll listen in tonight, and feel free to weigh i...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!  In this week’s show, we take a little side trail from the my usual adventures and live a little of the high life!  I recently collaborated on a series of short articles for the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa in beautiful Eureka Springs, AR…and tonight’s show is all about my experiences there. From caves to ghosts, train rides to history tours, and some of the best food...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!  This week we go back to day dreaming about bucket list trips of the future. This time around we’re heading out to the redwoods, dramatic cliffs and crashing surf of Big Sur California, for a little road-trip through some of the most beautiful country you can find anywhere. Join us this week to learn about some amazing places to spend some time being awed by mama n...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories!   This week we fire the Search & Rescue series back up and talk about a very important topic. Knowledge of how to effect self rescue can mean the difference between life and death. Just a little know-how and forethought can go a long way to seeing you find your way home eventually.  Help your rescuers help you!   Join us tonight to learn all about it!   For more ch...

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we talk about some bucket list trip ideas I’ve been lusting after in the fallout being stuck at home doing homework. This episode is for all of you nomads out there longing to run free.  check out www.waywardstories.com   or  send me an email at mywaywardstory@gmail.com   thanks for listening!