American Road Trip Talk

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 this edition of American Road Trip Talk!

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 Beer, Bites, and Sights Nearby”!

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, Jim will let us know the best spots to get out of your car and immerse yourself in color as summer makes the change into fall.

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 display, nobody does it better than the folks in Springfield!

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!

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 group of art car creators.

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.

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 chance to dine like a local: there is plenty to see and do "up the Bayou" and "down the Bayou." Our guests are Cody Gray and Ian Wallis from Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou tourism office.

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 good stories to share. You’ll hear some of the best and also get sound advice on planning a similar nomadic adventure of your own!

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.