Nerd Roamer

Leonhard Seppala and Togo deliver the antitoxin to the next driver, and the drivers find themselves in the final stretch of their journey. Gunnar Kaasen and the dog (allegedly) leading his sled, Balto, make the final push into Nome and get the glory. 

As we wrap up our series on the Nome Serum Run, we'll take a look at the lasting effects of the remarkable journey on those involved, the history of Alaska, and on public health policy.

For more episodes of Nerd Roamer, find us and subscribe on your podcast service of choice - we are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and many more! For detailed show notes, pictures and bonus content, check out our website nerdroamer.com. 

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As the epidemic of Diphtheria in Nome rages, a race against pathogen begins. Vials of antitoxin, the only treatment available for the deadly disease must make it to Nome from the outside world. There will not be a single moment to spare. In their time of need, these Alaskans turned to the the most reliable means of winter transport they knew - the dog sled. 

Teams of drivers are organized into a relay stretching from the town of Nenana, a railway depot in the interior of the state, to Nome on the frozen coast. The most perilous part of the journey will require crossing a twenty-mile stretch of pack ice on the Norton Sound, exposed to the elements in the middle of blizzard in the pitch black darkness of night. There is only one man and lead dog for this job - the indefatigable Leonhard Seppala and his legendary Siberian Husky, Togo.

For more episodes of Nerd Roamer, find us and subscribe on your podcast service of choice - we are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and many more! For detailed show notes, pictures and bonus content, check out our website nerdroamer.com. 

For news and announcements, you can follow us on Instagram or Twitter @nerdroamer

Winter has fallen in the small town of Nome, Alaska in 1925, and the town doctor, Curtis Welch, has made a startling discovery - an epidemic of deadly Diphtheria is spreading though the town's children like wildfire. Cut off from the outside world by the pack ice on the Bering Sea, Dr Welch and the people of Nome are powerless against the pathogen in their midst.

In this first of our three part series on "The Great Race of Mercy," we cover the origins of the Nome Diphtheria epidemic that inspired beloved Hollywood movies like Balto and Togo. We explore the origins of the city of Nome, the history and biology of Diphtheria, and the treatments available at the time. 

For more episodes of Nerd Roamer, find us and subscribe on your podcast service of choice - we are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and many more! For detailed show notes, pictures and bonus content, check out our website nerdroamer.com. 

For news and announcements, you can follow us on Instagram or Twitter @nerdroamer

Tidal wave! Watch out!

Much ado is made about Tsunamis in popular culture. While these massive waves have nothing to do with tidal forces, there is a type of wave that does - a tidal bore. Found in only a few locations around the world, these fascinating waves require a specific mix of elements in order to occur.

Alaska's Turnagain Arm is one of these locations, and the tidal bore waves seen there are impressive - sometimes reaching up to 10 feet high! 

We will explore what makes the geography of this area so unique, and go on some tangents about the colorful figures from the "Age of Exploration" that gave European names to many of the features to which tourists now flock.

Pairs well with: Travel to Alaska (especially the Seward Highway) and the Bay of Fundy

Deep Dives: Alaska Bore Tide Viewing Guide: https://www.alaska.org/advice/alaska-bore-tide

It's October, and that means it's time for some shows that will raise the hair on the back your neck. In this episode, we discuss the fascinating Native American legend of the Wendigo. 

Stories of the Wendigo originate from Algonquian people of the Great Lakes region such as the Cree and Ojibwe. The cannibalistic creature is said to haunt the cold, northern woods, where it cannibalizes people at night, and uses supernatural powers and trickery to turn others into Wendigoes. 

We discuss the origins of the legend, and some historical accounts such as the strange events of La Pointe (now Madeline) Island in Lake Superior, as well as the story of Swift Runner in Alberta, Canada.

We also touch on modern depictions, such as The Wendigo by Algernon Blackwood, the novel Pet Semetary by Stephen King and why the legend has so much staying power and cross-cultural appeal.

Listen to the very end if you want to know how to survive your own Wendigo encounter!

Pairs well with trips to the north woods - places like northern Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin; as well as Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta i Canada. Goes well with Halloween anywhere, or as part of a binge on topics related to Native American history and culture. 

In order to stay up to date on all things Nerd Roamer, give us a follow on Instagram or Twitter, where we can be found: @nerdroamer

For links to pictures, videos and show notes for each episode, check out our website at www.nerdroamer.com

Deep Dives:

Moose Meat & Wild Rice - Basil Johnston

The Wendigo - Algernon Blackwood

In this Nerd Nugget, we revisit Great Smoky Mountains to share our 4 favorite hikes in the park, and four spectacular places to visit for amazing photos and epic memories.

Listen to find out which ones we pick! If you want to share your favorite places in the Great Smoky Mountains, leave a comment on Instagram or send us a Tweet @nerdroamer. Check our website nerdroamer.com out for episode notes and other bonus content.

Lastly, be sure to subscribe and leave Nerd Roamer Podcast a review on your Podcast App of choice - it really helps us out!

Roam wisely, nerds.

The first in our Nerd Roamer's Guide series. Come with us as we trek deep into the hardwood forests of the Appalachian Mountains to uncover the hidden history and amazing wildlife that makes the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina so special. 

Whether you just have an interest in history or nature, or if you're planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains and need that sweet background info, we will fill you in on everything you need to know.

In this episode, we cover the history of the park from before the arrival of humans to the present day, and also cover the unique ecology, varied habitats, and unique creatures that helped the Great Smoky Mountains attain International Biosphere Reserve Status. 

Be sure to follow Nerd Roamer on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss out on our upcoming Nugget Episode with our Top 4 Hikes and Things to See in the Great Smoky Mountains - you won't want to miss it!

This episode pairs well with trips on US 441, I-40 and to Knoxville, TN, abd Asheville or Cherokee North Carolina.

In order to stay up to date on all things Nerd Roamer, give us a follow on Instagram or Twitter, where we can be found: @nerdroamer

For links to pictures, videos and show notes for each episode, check out our website at www.nerdroamer.com

Close your eyes and you can just smell it: the cheese curds frying in oil, french fries, melting ice cream and ... manure? It's fair season! Except not this year. In memory of our beloved agrarian get-togethers, come along as we wax both philosophical and poetic about this timeless tradition. We'll trace the origins of these gatherings from ancient times, to Precolumbian America, to the livestock shows staged by agricultural societies in the Northeast that gave rise to our modern county and state fairs.

As a case study, we will take a look at what I consider to be the greatest fair of them all, the Minnesota State Fair, and examine how what started as an exposition to draw settlers to the frontier has morphed into a celebration of the unique mix of things that make a place special. Not to be forgotten will be a discussion of the unique Minnesota celebration of Minnesota's Dairy Princess - Princess Kay of the Milky Way - and her signature butter effigy. 

We will wrap up with some fun facts about state fairs around the country, and will sprinkle in some thoughts on fairs from great American writers along the way - and in the spirit of our fairs, we'll do it all together.

Theme Song: Places I've Been by Johnny Hogg

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Shout out this episode to Candian History Ehx! Prolific source of content on the history of America's upstairs neighbor.

Our two part series on the "New Jersey Man-Eater" of 1916 concludes. In this episode, we dive into the panic and hysteria that followed the five shark attacks outlined in the previous episode, including but not limited to, Woodrow Wilson's "War on Sharks," and the hunt for the shark responsible for the killings.

We will also cover how attitudes towards sharks have evolved over the years and the media's role in driving this, as well as the development of various shark attack prevention methods, and how these relate to shark conservation.

As before, this episode pairs well with trips to New Jersey and New York in particular, but is also a great companion for any trip to the ocean from Maine to Key West and from Honolulu to San Diego.

Knowledge Nugget: Tips from the International Shark Attack File on how to reduce your risk of being bitten by a shark.

Deep Dive: The International Shark Attack File has a treasure trove of shark statistics and information - a great source of learning materials for adults and children alike! https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/

Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @nerdroamer and check out our website at Nerdroamer.com!

The summer of 1916 saw the US engulfed in an oppressive heat wave. An epidemic of polio swept America's major cities as America's families huddled at home, pensively listening to news of "The Great War" and wondering if the USA would get drawn into the conflict. For those of means, the cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean promised sweet relief from the summer heat, wide open spaces and fresh air to escape the plague-stricken city, and an opportunity to forget the horrific violence playing out just beyond the horizon. It must have seemed as though no place on earth could be safer - until...

In this first episode of two parts, we will review the circumstances of the 1916 Jersey Shore shark fatalities and the terror that gripped America. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we will break down America's response to the attacks, review shark conservation policy over the years, and take a look at what can be done in the present day to minimize human-shark conflicts and preserve these magnificent creatures.

Pairs well with: Travel to any ocean or beach area! Especially New Jersey and the Jersey Shore, including US Highway 9 in particular.

Knowledge Nugget: Top Five Fun Shark Biology Facts

Deep Dive:  Twelve Days of Terror - book by  Richard Fernicola, MD

For news and updates regarding Nerd Roamer Podcasts, you can follow us on Instagram and Twitter @nerdroamer. You can also check out our website at nerdroamer.com for show notes, episode collections, and bonus material. If you have a question or comment on an episode, you can reach us at [email protected], and you might just find your question featured in our Listener Mail segment!

Roam Wisely, Nerds.