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

What started as a modest drug store now welcomes millions of curious travelers …  

Welcome to Wall Drug!

Home to a Robot T-rex, 6,000 cowboy boots, animatronic singers, a working chapel - and of course, their famous 5 cent coffee … 

Join my dog Noodles and I as we explore the wild story of Americas largest and most bizarre drug store! 

Works Cited: 

https://www.nps.gov/people/tedhustead.htm

https://www.maturesolotraveler.com/post/wall-drug-in-south-dakota-has-something-for-everyone

https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/wall-drug-south-dakota-western-art/

https://www.npr.org/2024/07/22/nx-s1-5040502-e1/wall-drug-relies-on-tourism-to-keep-its-doors-open-for-the-locals-who-need-it

https://www.roadtripusa.com/the-road-to-nowhere/south-dakota/wall-drug/

https://www.walldrug.com/about-us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5yDfkrphPU

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

Follow each adventure visually at:

https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Southern Florida is home to an aquatic gentle giant: THE MANATEE. 

But how much do we really know about this wondering benign behemoth? 

Noodles and I dive deep into the warm springs, rivers and tributaries of Florida to research this fascinating creature. 

As always we'll answer listener questions at the end, which include: 

• Who or what did you learn to appreciate after research for the sun records episode? 
• Can you keep plants alive in your van? 
• What’s the best hike you’ve done? 
• Did you get to visit any other petroglyph locations while in Utah? 

Works Cited:

https://www.jstor.org/stable/1373656?searchText=florida+manatees&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dflorida%2Bmanatees%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A78fba27a60e9b2b6ca9f6a42fb5cfa7b&seq=1

https://www.leegov.com/parks/parks/manateepark

https://www.mmc.gov/priority-topics/species-of-concern/florida-manatee/

https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/marine-mammals/mermaids-manatees-myth-and-reality

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/columbus-mistakes-manatees-for-mermaids

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

Follow each adventure visually at:

https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee claims to be the birthplace of Rock and Roll.

But just what does it mean to be “The Birthplace of Rock and Roll”? 

Can we accept such a claim without first diving even deep into the murky depths of American musical history. 

Noodles and I head to Memphis to find out … 

(Beneath the shadow of Graceland and within earshot of the blues of Beale street - the small label hosted musical greats like Howlin’ Wolf, B. B. King,  Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Adams , Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and a young Elvis Presley.)

Works Cited:

Great book:

The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll: The Illustrated Story of Sun Records and the 70 Recordings That Changed the World


Fantastic documentary produced by Quincy Jones:

The History of Rock 'n' Roll - TV Mini Series (1995) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Ptv_7VqO4&list=PLIhBC_-F81kxTgSYJUMVXmjPwrLf8aXTP


Additional articles and references: 

https://www.jstor.org/stable/30003142?read-now=1&seq=7#page_scan_tab_contents

https://www.jstor.org/stable/1214792?read-now=1&seq=17#page_scan_tab_contents

https://www.jstor.org/stable/494739?read-now=1&seq=2#page_scan_tab_contents

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/11/16/the-elvic-oracle

https://sunrecords.com/history/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXGubLQcnAg

https://wearememphis.com/play/music/brief-history-memphis-music/

https://musicmecca.org/a-brief-history-of-memphis-music/

https://timeline.carnegiehall.org/genres/rock-n-roll

https://timeline.carnegiehall.org/genres/boogie-woogie

https://www.classical-music.com/articles/blues-music

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/blues-music-guide

https://www.strathmore.org/community-education/public-education/shades-of-blues/blues-clues/

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gospel-music-guide

https://thegoldenageofrock.com/rock/the-influence-of-gospel/

https://www.history.com/news/race-records-bessie-smith-big-bill-broonzy-music-business

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/500-greatest-songs-podcast-hound-dog-elvis-presley-1234998378/

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-whitewashing-of-black-music-five-singles-made-popular-by-white-artists/

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/6/27/2036225/-On-original-Black-music-successful-white-cover-songs-and-a-culture-of-covetousness-and-cruelty

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

Follow each adventure visually at:

https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Today we explore just a SMALL sample of the various cryptids and oddities that are said to inhabit our nations most pristine landscapes.

These aren't your average cryptids folks ...  


As always, we'll answer listener questions at the end, which include: 

What advice would you give to someone thinking about solo travel? 

What if anything surprised you about the Ave Maria Grotto? 

Did you do anything else in Scranton while there? 

Who produces your show? Do you edit it? 

Does your van ever get stuck? 

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

Follow each adventure visually at:

https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

A miniature city crafted from recycled materials lies in the Alabama woods.

One solitary Bavarian Monk is behind its construction. 

Noodles and I join the thousands of visitors stopping to admire this humble monk’s startling creation - This is the story of the Ave Maria Grotto. 

Works Cited:



https://georgiabulletin.org/commentary/2013/11/a-real-life-fairy-tale-brother-joseph-and-the-ave-maria-grotto/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEF8n2GqQpM

https://pilgrimsprogress.blog/2021/09/06/a-brief-history-of-the-benedictine-order/

https://www.durhamworldheritagesite.com/learn/history/benedictine-order/definition

https://www.messynessychic.com/2021/07/13/when-injury-killed-his-humble-dream-he-built-a-whole-miniature-world-instead/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WblURwNX-VU

https://www.avemariagrotto.com/about.html

https://www.thecrazytourist.com/30-amazing-hidden-gems-in-alabama/

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

Follow each adventure visually at:

https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Can a tree own itself? 

In Georgia the answer is a resounding ... KINDOF! 

The curios story of one trees accepted autonomy is a tale worth telling - Noodles and I visit it's location in Athens, Georgia to investigate. 

As always, we'll answer listener questions at the end - which include: 

How much energy does your solar power produce? 

What happens when Noodles can’t go to a location for an episode? 

How long did you spend in the Blockbuster? Did you see the movie props gifted by John Oliver? 

Any upcoming episodes you’re excited about? 

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

Follow each adventure visually at:

https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

One solitary Blockbuster Video location remains ... 

The story of this lonesome Blockbuster provides a lens into the larger rise and fall of an American icon.

Noodles and I visit Bend, Oregon to unpack the truly fascinating story of The Worlds Last Blockbuster.

Works Cited:


https://www.jstor.org/stable/41948252?searchText=blockbuster+video&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dblockbuster%2Bvideo%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A2e2181c12e0dcbf0453e4916fb6bb497


https://www.jstor.org/stable/24411692?searchText=blockbuster%20video&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dblockbuster%2Bvideo%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A0ee9160783ad78079a9ef9af1e980484

https://www.thestreet.com/technology/history-of-netflix-15091518


https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregsatell/2014/09/05/a-look-back-at-why-blockbuster-really-failed-and-why-it-didnt-have-to/


https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8704802/

https://www.businessinsider.com/rise-and-fall-of-blockbuster


https://thebolditalic.com/so-i-visited-the-last-blockbuster-on-the-planet-and-all-i-got-was-this-t-shirt-ffc6d2ed414d

https://inspireip.com/blockbuster-failure-story/#:~:text=However%2C%20Blockbuster%20ignored%20customers'%20preferences,and%20ease%20in%20watching%20videos.

https://hbr.org/2011/04/how-i-did-it-blockbusters-former-ceo-on-sparring-with-an-activist-shareholder

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/the-last-blockbuster-netflix-oregon-b1817869.html

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

Follow each adventure visually at:

https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Scranton, Pennsylvania is inseperable from the hit-series “The Office.” 

Although, the show was primarily filmed in California, the series writers took inspiration from many real-life Electric City locations.

Noodles and I stop to visit three such Office locations in Lackawanna County - join us as we explore the wonderful world of "The Office"

As always we'll take listener questions at the end!

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

Follow each adventure visually at:

https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Explore the darker side of Iowa City ... 

A somber statue - once a golden bronze - is now the subject of countless curses, hauntings and general misfortune. 

Few dare to meet it’s soot embalmed gaze; those that due invite sickness, dreadful curses and even death.

 This - at least - is the reputation of Iowa City's Black Angel.





Works Cited: 


https://www.iowa-city.org/weblink/0/doc/1481292/Electronic.aspx#:~:text=There%20are%20also%20a%20few,re%2D%20minder%20of%20her%20sins.

https://notebookofghosts.com/2023/07/08/the-black-angel-of-iowa-fact-fiction/

https://vocal.media/horror/iowa-the-black-angel

https://adventuresincemeteryhopping.com/2024/03/29/iowa-city/

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

Follow each adventure visually at:

https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

The REAL story behind the infamous Salem Witch Trials might surprise you ... 

Noodles and I travel to the ruins where the first accusations of witchcraft were made in 1692.

In this bonus compilation - we revisit dark secrets, bizarre proceedings and ponder the enduring legacy of the trials. 

Why did the Salem Witch happen? Join us at the ruins of the village parsonage to find out. 

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

Follow each adventure visually at:

https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/