American Road Trip Talk

Indulge in a bit of time travel with us as we are joined by Jerry Mathers aka Theodore Cleaver aka the Beaver. Countless Americans grew up (and still enjoy) following the wholesome adventures of a sweet-faced kid from childhood to adolescence. As Jerry reveals, his road stretches from child star to lifelong status as a TV legend.

Detroit native and travel writer Amy S. Eckert recently packed up the bare essentials and headed to the U.P. Her trek to the wondrously wooded region in Michigan, bounded by three of the Great Lakes, rewarded Amy with the experience of getting away from big city pressures and encountering the rich natural beauty that stokes the pride of every Michigander.

Meet NY Vinnie, a longtime auto aficionado with as many stories as miles under his belt. He hosts DriveTime Radio, an entertaining weekly look at the fascinating world of automobiles from the classics to the latest styles and technology. Nostalgia meets modern road life when Vinnie is behind the wheel!

Greater Miami's Coral Castle (Homestead, FL.) is rated by TripAdvisor as one of the Top 35 museums in the nation. The unique complex built by the remarkable Edward Leedskalnin (by himself!) stands as one of the most mystical and architecturally baffling wonders of the modern world. Ken the Tour Guide shares his expertise and local history.

From the stately Palace of the Governors to myriad cultural and scenic venues, Santa Fe is a burnished jewel of the Southwest. We spoke with Hersch Wilson, known as The Zen Firefighter and a local newspaper columnist, about his ardent love for New Mexico’s capital and all it has to offer

Visitors are rewarded with a look backward in the town of Litchfield, one of the premier locations along historic Illinois Route 66; we talked earlier this year with local expert Carol Sneed to get the details about its fascinating history and contributions to the enduring mystique of The Mother Road

In this episode, we trek to legendary Long Beach, Washington. Laying claim to The World’s Longest Beach, this stretch of shoreline is a genteel oasis for retirees and beach bums but also home to Jake The Alligator Man, Rubberneck Row, The World’s Largest Chopsticks and The Whale Skeleton on Long Beach Trail. Matt Shea shares stories from his four decades of pilgrimages to this enticingly offbeat patch of the Pacific Coast.

Need a break from the grinding turmoil and stress of daily life? Climb in and join us on a rollicking tour de force of the wildest, wackiest, most outrageous people, places, and things the Evergreen State has to offer! Harriet Baskas returns with plenty to say about places you will want to visit and can never forget.

Join us on a trip to The Historic Indian Agency House in Portage, Wisconsin for insights into the cultural and historical context surrounding John H. Kinzie's 1830s commission as United States Indian Agent to the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) Nation. Built in 1832, the house was opened as a museum in 1932 by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Wisconsin. This historic site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. (Adapted from agencyhouse.org)

Erika Nelson is an independent artist and educator, exploring the fringes of art and culture as experienced on the back roads and offbeat roadside attractions that dot the American landscape. Her recent exploration of Tulsa, Oklahoma got her up close and personal with a celebrated statue known as the Golden Driller and other memorable landmarks deep in oil country.

With small crowds and social distancing in mind, iconic Graceland is once again open to the public. Elvis Presley aka 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 home to home in a single day. In January we discussed the pilgrimage millions have made with Elvis expert, Cory Cooper.

For the past two decades, Marie D. Jones has been researching and writing her way to literary stardom through non-fiction and fiction genres alike. Marie is also a screenwriter and producer, with a science fiction feature film titled "AURORA," in development with Bright Frontier Films, as well as numerous other projects in various stages of development. She is the author of more than 20 books including Celebrity Ghosts and Notorious Hauntings, a compendium of places to visit (if you dare) that are accessible by road.

Joey and Tonya Madia are renowned for sharing their love of North Carolina, including the Crystal Coast which is an 85-mile stretch of coastline extending from the Cape Lookout National Seashore with 56 miles of protected beaches, southwestward to the New River. The Crystal Coast is a popular area with tourists who revel in the sand, surf and sensational lore of legendary pirates who once plundered the region.

As America gradually reopens to road-trip travel, the dangers of drowsy driving return as well. Thankfully there is a simple and affordable remedy, invented by actor Anson Williams of Happy Days fame, offering quick relief to tired motorists. Hear him describe the benefits of Alert Drops before you set out on your next highway adventure.

For this episode, we talk with prolific author and veteran radio producer Harriet Baskas. Her book, Oregon Curiosities offers a definitive collection of odd, wacky, and decidedly offbeat people, places, and things found uniquely in the Beaver State.

Kim Marcille Romaner, founder of Possibilities Amplified, is an expert on the science of amplifying possibility into reality. Author of The Science of Making Things Happen, Kim helps people, organizations and communities tap into the power of possibility. Until quite recently, you would have found her living fulltime and traveling the continent in her RV with her husband Michael.

Car Culture expert Mark Greene, host of the Cars Yeah podcast, describes himself as an incurable automotive enthusiast. He has spent thousands of hours meeting and interviewing people who have woven their passion for cars, trucks and motorcycles into their businesses and lives. In this episode, Mark shares stories of auto aficionados he admires and discusses some choice car museums just waiting to be discovered when Americans hit the road again.

The city of Savannah proudly claims to be a Top 10 historic place to visit in the United States, welcoming hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. Some people, like celebrated Rock journalist Susan Masino, decide to relocate there and embrace the soul of the South. In this edition, we list some not-to-be-missed places to enjoy when you arrive in the town that charmed even a relentless Civil War General.

We are talking about a world-class vacation! Idaho offers excitement and scenery galore in the southeast sector of The Gem State. When Road Warriors are on the move again, they will be eager to relish some “world’s only” destinations that invite visitors to step back in history or revel in timeless natural beauty. Listen to an inspiring inventory of all that Southeast Idaho promises to those who pursue adventure in the rugged West.

The National Scenic Byway Foundation is the “National Voice of Scenic Byways and Roads.” Experts and volunteers work to strengthen the Byways, advocating for critical funding and promoting increased awareness throughout America. Executive Director Sharon Strouse shares with listeners her longtime experience of supporting concerted efforts to protect and enhance this national treasure.