American Road Trip Talk

The Pony Express was a fast mail service operating from 1860 to 1861 that used relays of horse-mounted riders to deliver mail between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California in about 10 days. It was a significant means of communication before the advent of the transcontinental telegraph. Ron Bell, poet and raconteur of this short-lived but critical time when storm clouds of Civil War were gathering, is our guest.

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In this edition, we feature a new exhibit at The Hollywood Museum. Iconic Rides: A Drive Through Time brings the past forward with famous cars that were like family friends on shows like The Dukes of Hazzard, Scooby-Doo and The Love Bug. Today, they are nostalgic reminders of what pop culture was like “back in the day.” Geoffrey Mark, The Walking Encyclopedia of Classic Hollywood, is our guest.

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In this episode, we visit with Mark Greene, Founder of the Cars Yeah podcast. You've heard Mark on American Road Trip Talk over the years, sharing his passion for cars and car culture. Listen for information about exciting events and places to inspire the automotive enthusiast in you.

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The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival 2025 is underway in Washington state and frequent contributor Matt Shea joins us for his annual survey of the venues and activities that have made the monthlong event a great Pacific Northwest tradition.

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Amy Beadle, Marketing and Advertising Manager for Visit Springfield, returns with news of upcoming events that demonstrate why the Illinois Capital city is where “History Comes Alive.”

The 63rd Annual International Carillon Festival is coming May 22-25, 2025 at the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon. First held in 1962, the prestigious Festival has earned an unsurpassed tradition of presenting the world’s finest carillonists/carillonneurs.

Exclusive Route 66 Art Exhibition: Celebrating the Iconic Artwork of Bob Waldmire – Springfield native, nomadic hippie, gifted artist, and Route 66 icon! Located in The Pharmacy Art Gallery in downtown Springfield, Fridays and Saturdays July 2025-December 2026.

Carpenter Park Original Route 66 Pavement – Nestled beside the scenic Sangamon River, this quarter-mile stretch of road has remained untouched and overgrown for nearly 90 years. Beginning July 1, 2025, visitors can stroll down this historic pathway, enjoying wayside signage that offers fascinating insights into the past, while soaking in the breathtaking scenery and rich history of the area.

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An emerging trend in the car collector world features vehicles reimagined by builders who bring famous marques into the 21st century including Mustang, Camaro, Shelby Cobra, Porsche 911, Broncos, Toyota Land Cruisers and others. Instead of building them exactly like they were in the 60s and 70s, these classic beauties have been given entirely new underpinnings. The chassis, drivetrains, engines (gas or electric), brakes and interior features make them faster, safer and easier to drive than the originals. Mark Greene, Founder of the Cars Yeah podcast, visits to talk about why this movement is becoming popular.

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Lucas, Kansas is preparing to host APRIL FOOLS-A-PALOOZA, a vibrant local art festival, where the town's artists and organizations come together to showcase their work. This event is held annually on April 1st and features open houses where visitors can meet and interact with artists in their studios. In addition, the Lucas Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting vendor booths at Lucas Community Center, where visitors can browse and buy. Erika Nelson joins us to talk about the community, its history and significance as an artistic mecca.

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Take a ferry ride back in time to Michigan’s Mackinac Island, the car-free destination in the Straits of Mackinac where the Great Lakes Huron and Michigan meet. Here, the streets are lined with Victorian-era buildings, and getting around is by foot, horse-drawn carriage, or bicycle. In 100 Things to Do on Mackinac Island Before You Die, experienced travel writer and photographer Kath Usitalo helps you explore this historic island. She is our guest on this episode.

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Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985 after being replaced by the interstate highway system. Nevertheless, The Main Street of America’s hold on several generations of road-trippers, including people not yet born when the last section of U.S. 66 was bypassed, has endured. Thanks to civic and individual efforts, the legacy of our Mother Road retains its neon glow and monumental status. Joey Madia visits with a survey of sites where nostalgia and artistic expression fuel the imagination.

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Famous cars owned (or driven) by famous people: how could they disappear? An aura of mystery shrouds the fate of some legendary autos; all with a unique story to tell that nevertheless remains incomplete without sure knowledge of their whereabouts. Classic car aficionado Karl Petry guests with strange accounts of phantom rides that may be out of sight but are definitely not out of mind. American Road Trip Talk airs Fridays at 1:00 pm Pacific on 1150 KKNW Seattle and 1150kknw.com

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