Radiovagabond

Velkommen til Flashback fredag.

Tag med når jeg er på en køretur på Garden Route øst for Cape Town i Sydafrika – og besøger den berømteRonnies Sex Shop.

Denne episode blev udgivet første gang i juni 2020.

Velkommen til Flashback fredag.

Tag med når jeg er på en lang køretur gennem Sahara Ørkenen.

Denne episode blev udgivet første gang i februar 2019.

HARVEST CELEBRATIONS AND HERITAGE: EXPLORING GOTHENBURG, NEBRASKA

Welcome to another episode from my American road trip. In this one, I've reached Scandinavia … in Nebraska.

I had a "Farm Stay" that I booked through Airbnb. Here they call it "Retreat to Buffalo Creek Valley Bunkhouse" but you can also book it directly at their own website YourBunkhouse.com.

I get to stay in a renovated cabin that used to be the host's Great Grandpa's workshop. I'm greeted by John and their dog and after showing me the cabin, we go over to the main house of the farm where I meet Mary Lou and their grown-up son, Chris.

FROM PASTURES TO PLATE: THE CATTLE INDUSTRY IN GOTHENBURG

Chris is a modern cowboy and as he was about to go check on the cattle roaming around on the fields. He asked me if I'd like to tag along, and obviously I accepted. So, we saddled up – in his pickup truck with the dog in the back and was on our way.

We drove around on the field looking at the cattle. The cows, a bull and even a little baby calf. I got to learn a lot about cattle farming in Nebraska from this fifth-generation cowboy.

As Chris gets out of the car to open the gate to the field, let me talk a little bit about cattle farming here in the state of Nebraska. It's a significant industry, as Nebraska is a major producer of beef in the United States.

You'll find a large number of cattle ranches and feedlots, where cattle are raised for meat production. Nebraska has favourable conditions for cattle farming, including a large supply of grass and feed crops, as well as a good climate for year-round grazing. The state also has a strong transportation infrastructure and is located near major beef-processing centres.

We're driving on a bumpy hilly field, and I can see that Chris is a pro. He's definitely done this before.

It might not be a big farm they have but, in my book, they have a lot of cows, a bull and when I was checking on the cattle with Chris, we spot the cutest little baby calf.

Cattle farmers in Nebraska use a variety of techniques to raise their animals, including pasture-based systems, feedlot operations, and a combination of both. In feedlot operations, they are confined to pens and fed a specially formulated diet to maximize weight gain but in pasture-based systems like here, the cattle are allowed to graze freely on grass.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly cattle farming practices in Nebraska. Many farmers are using techniques like rotational grazing and conservation tillage to reduce the impact of their operations on the land and improve the health of their herds.

Their meat, Bunkhouse Beef, is 100% grass fed beef from start to finish. They guarantee their animals spend their entire lives happily living on open pasture. They are antibiotic feed free, hormone free, and are never fed any grain.

It was absolutely a unique experience staying at a farm in Nebraska and meeting the family. Mary Lou, John, and their son, Chris is in his late 20's and fifth generation of this place – and a real cowboy. He taught me a lot about cattle farming which is an important part of the economy and culture of Nebraska.

THE DANISH ANCESTOR

Chris's mother Mary Lou is 25% Danish, and when I had dinner with the family, she told me a fascination story.

Before we get into the it, I want to mention two things: Firstly, when I was having dinner with the family and Mary Lou told me this story, I wasn't recording. Plus, there were so many details that needed a lot more research, so in the production of this episode, I've asked Mary Lou to do that, and she's been hard at work for days digging into her family history, talking to members of the family, and reading up on old letters and so much more.

Also, I want to say that, with me being Danish, I've chosen to say the names of people and landmarks as we would say it in Danish. And a little funny fact: Mary Lou's great grandfather's name is in their world spelled different than how we would spell it. Mary Lou would say that his name is Neils but in Danish it's actually Niels. Not spelled N-E-I-L-S but N-I-E-L-S. We would never spell it that way, and I bet you anything that Niels himself didn't either – but somehow some time it got changed and stayed that way. Just a little fun fact.

With that, get yourself a nice beverage, send the kids to their room so it's nice and quiet, and get ready for a tale filled with adventure, hardship, excitement, seasickness, and maybe a little bit of scandal.

PIONEERING WOMEN: THE STORY OF A DANISH IMMIGRANT IN GOTHENBURG

Once upon a time, in a village called Råbylille on the small island of Møn in the southern part of Denmark, a girl named Marie was born in the year 1862. She and her family were very poor and as a teenager she dreamed of a better life in the great new country called America.

Her cousin Jim had been there and, and on a visit back to Denmark he called it "a land of opportunity." After some consideration, Marie decided to embark on a journey to this "new land of milk and honey" far, far away in the search of a better life. Or was there another reason?

One early morning, she walked with her niece and dear friend, Kristine the ten kilometres from Råbylille to a dock in Stege on the small island. As they were walking Marie, said to Kristine:

"I am not going to be poor like my parents."

On the small ferry from Møn to Copenhagen, teary-eyed she waved goodbye to her niece, not knowing if she would ever see her again.

I'm guessing that Marie – apart from being nervous, also was exited to the adventure laying ahead but unfortunately, but her excitement pretty quickly turned to nausea, and she spent most of the voyage on her back, praying for dry land. As the ship swayed and groaned, Marie was overcome by the affliction of seasickness, but maybe there was a touch of morning-sickness thrown in as well.

This trip and the seasickness also meant that Marie would never see Denmark again. In a letter home to Kristine in 1883, she wrote:

"A lot of people – like Cousin Jim, go home to Denmark to visit, but as I get so sea-sick that I almost die, I dare not sail, and I shall never come back to Råbylille and Møn again."

It was also told that she could barely watch the wind blow across the water in the stock tank on the Nebraska farm without her getting seasick. But despite being seasick (or something else), she persevered and made it to the shores of America … alive. And after that all the way to Omaha, Nebraska in the center of the country. This in itself is a long journey of more than 1200 miles (2000 km), and she probably made the journey on the brand-new Transcontinental Railroad (originally known as the "Pacific Railroad").

In Omaha, she was introduced to a man named Neils, also from Denmark. He had immigrated with his mother and two brothers from Thisted of their home country a few years earlier. The Danes listening, will know that Thisted is in Thy in the north-western part of Denmark, and very rural. It actually looks a bit like this part of Nebraska. And even with the small distances in Denmark, it's very far from Møn. Just about as far as you can get in the country, and very unlikely that someone from Møn should meet someone from Thisted. But in this story, that's exactly what happened.

Neils, a young 25-year-old man was looking for a suitable wife, and his family in Omaha, apparently had heard about this new young girl from Denmark, fresh of the boat. And a marriage somehow either was arranged, or they were simply introduced to each other by the family and fell in love. Marie fit the bill, and they ended up getting married and settling down in a place called Wild Horse Valley, near Brady, Nebraska.

Marie had a son named Albert, but the circumstances of his birth were shrouded in mystery or maybe a bit of sadness or a small scandal. Officially he was born after Marie and Neils were married on October 2nd in 1886, but someone in the family suspect that this was not his actual birthday. That the date was "adjusted" to cover up a story of his untimely birth.

Also, no one knew for sure who the father of Albert was. Maybe it was Neils, but maybe it was not. One theory was that she had been taken advantage of by a man in Omaha where she worked before she could speak English.

Another theory (that also was the first thing that came to my mind when I heard of a teenage girl going on a one-way ticket across the world without her family), is that the young Marie already was pregnant when she got on the ship from Denmark and had chosen to "flee away" from the shame of having a child out of wedlock. Maybe that was part of the reason she got so sick on the ship from Copenhagen.

Questions on this theory surround the story on both sides of the Atlantic, for even a cousin in Denmark asked a visiting relative:

"Did you ever figure out who the father of Albert was?"

No one will ever know what happened – and it doesn't really matter. No matter what, this is truly a story of people who handled a difficult situation in the best way they knew how. And regardless of the circumstances of Albert's birth, Neils loved him and raised him as his own.

Neils and Marie built a successful farm and an impressive home on the Wild Horse Valley homestead and lived well beyond the poverty level of her Danish parents. It's been said that their house looked like a mansion compared to her home in Råbylille.

They had nine children, but Marie also faced hardships and illnesses and losing two of the children. But they got through all this with a strong belief in God and Jesus. At some point Marie wrote in another letter back to her nice in Denmark:

"Kristine, I am getting old and can't work much anymore, but my daughters work for me."

Marie wasn't really that old: Only 50.

The oldest son Albert went on to marry a Swedish woman and had a family of his own. And their son grew up to become the father of Mary Lou who is telling me the story as I'm having dinner with her and her family on the farm in Nebraska.

In the end, it's a story of people doing the best they can with the hand they've been dealt. Marie's legacy was one of perseverance and love, as she made a life for herself and her family in the "new land" far away.

PARADING IN GÖTEBORG – GOTHENBURG

The Farm is around 20 minutes north of Gothenburg, Nebraska. And as the name indicates there are not only Danish ancestors here. Gothenburg, Nebraska is named after Göteborg, Sweden, and is noted for its large number of residents of Swedish descent.

This Gothenburg was founded in 1882 by Olof Bergstrom. After coming to America from Sweden in 1881, Bergstrom worked for a time on the Union Pacific Railroad, then homesteaded in Dawson County near Gothenburg. He eventually became a land agent for the Union Pacific. They were able to take some land – the so-called "railroad land" and sell it off to fund the railroad.

Bergstrom also selected the site that was to become Gothenburg and located a farmstead about a mile north. The Union Pacific Railroad laid out the original town of eight blocks parallel to the railroad tracks. Bergstrom made several return trips to Sweden to bring more Swedish settlers back to Dawson County.

At the 2010 census there were 3,574 people in 1,494 households, including 974 families, in the city. But the next day I got to see what a vibrant little town it is.

Mary Lou invited me to join them, at their friend, Jan's house on Avenue E across the street from Gothenburg Public Library. Here we would have a front row seat in some garden chairs to the annual Gothenburg Harvest Festival Parade.

It's a big deal for the community and maybe even more so for the kids. Because everyone in the parade is throwing out handfuls of candy.

And what a parade it is! We have fire trucks, marching bands, cheerleaders, and even a guy dressed up as a cow.

But let's not forget the real stars of the show: the dentists with a sign saying, "Fight Tooth Decay the American Way". I'll say. They were also throwing out candy. Yes, you heard me right. These dental heroes are fighting tooth decay the American way, one lollipop at a time. And don't worry, they're not just giving out any old candy. They're giving out the good stuff, the kind that will make you want to come back for more fillings.

As the parade goes on, we see a float from the Gothenburg Methodist Church, complete with red and blue balloons arranged in a star and a giant green t-shirt with a bible quote. And let's not forget the classic American cars, including a hundred-year-old Hudson car. These beauties are a reminder of a simpler time, a time when cars didn't have computers and you had to crank them to start.

And who could forget the winner of the National American Miss beauty pageant, riding on a truck and wearing a tiara? She's the belle of the ball, the cream of the crop, the... well, you get the idea.

As the parade passes me, I reflect on the true heroes of the day: the people of Gothenburg, Nebraska. They have come out in full force to celebrate their town and their community. And isn't that what parades are really all about? So, here's to Gothenburg and all its people. Keep on parading, my new Scandinavian-American friends. Keep on parading.

POEM WRITTEN BY AN AI

The Radio Vagabond Palle Bo, Ventured to Nebraska with a curious glow. On a farm he stayed, and Chris the cowboy he met, Out to count the cattle, they ventured without fret.

He learned about the cows, and their life on the land, Happy cows make better meat, that's what he could understand. And then he heard the story of the ancestor of Mary Lou, Who left Denmark for Nebraska, but why, nobody knew.

Was she pregnant or just poor, seeking a better life? The mystery remains, lost in time's eternal strife. But Palle Bo listened, and the tale she shared, Of how her great-grandmother fared.

The adventure went on, to Gothenburg, they flew, To witness a parade, a colorful view. A white open top Lincoln, the Grand Marshal in tow, With fire trucks and a marching band, the beat, it did flow.

A drawing of a Viking, classic cars shining bright? Tractors and a dentist, all a child's delight. The cheerleaders and balloons, the Church's float, All a part of the show, in this little city, afloat.

And so, the Radio Vagabond, Palle Bo, Continues his journey, still with a great flow. To learn and share, with all who will hear, His tales of travel, bringing us all near.

My name is Palle Bo, and I gotta keep moving. See you.

Her er min ugentlige dagbog om, hvad der er sket denne uge i mit liv som fuldtids-rejsende. Jeg er tilbage i Melbourne efter en tur på the Great Ocean Road.

Velkommen til Flashback fredag.

Tag med når jeg besøger er besøger et børnehjem i Nicaragua

Denne episode blev udgivet første gang i august 2018.

Welcome to this episode of The Radio Vagabond, where I continue my road trip in the old west of the USA. We started in Billings, Montana, went to Yellowstone, and east to Devil's Tower in Wyoming. And in this one, I've driven an hour further east to a place with a Wild West History – and a place that is said to be one of the most haunted hotels in the American West.

My name is Palle Bo. Welcome to f*ing Deadwood… as they say in the TV series.

BLACK HILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA

I'm in The Black Hills, a range of South Dakota mountains known for their stunning natural beauty and rich history. The hills are home to several national parks and monuments, including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, with the iconic carved faces of four American Presidents, and also Badlands National Park, which features unique geological formations and diverse wildlife. More on both of these a bit later.

The Black Hills are also an important cultural and spiritual center for several Native American tribes, including the Lakota and the Cheyenne. In the late 1800s, the Black Hills were the site of the famous Black Hills Gold Rush, which brought thousands of settlers to the area in search of riches.

THE GOLD RUSH PUT THIS PLACE ON THE MAP

And we start in a small town in South Dakota that was a big part of this Gold Rush and so uniquely the old Wild West that it became the location and name of a TV series and a movie.

I'm in Deadwood, South Dakota, a town with a rich and wild history that makes it one of the unique places in the United States. Deadwood attracted some of the most famous figures of its time, including Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.

Today, the town has embraced its history, with many original buildings still standing and used as hotels, restaurants, casinos, and museums. And I start my visit to Deadwood by going to one of these museums.

ADAMS MUSEUM

The Adams Museum is the oldest in The Black Hills, and I go to learn more about the rich history of Deadwood. In 1930 pioneer businessman W.E. Adams founded the Adams Museum right here in Deadwood to preserve and display the history of the Black Hills.

He donated the building to the City of Deadwood. Inside, I speak to Visitor Services Associate at the museum, Diane.

"The Gold Rush attracted many people here, and at the time there were 5,000 people living here. Today only around 1,200."

Deadwood was founded during the Black Hills Gold Rush of 1875, and it quickly became one of the most dangerous and lawless towns in the American West.

Lots of legendary figures used to hang out here, and let me fill you in on two of the most well-known.

WILD BILL HICKOK AND CALAMITY JANE

Wild Bill Hickok was a legendary gunslinger and lawman of the American West, and his death in Deadwood, South Dakota, is one of the most famous events in the history of the Wild West.

Hickok arrived in Deadwood in the summer of 1876, and he quickly became one of the most recognizable figures in town. He was known for his gun skills and reputation as a lawman, and he has often seen playing cards in local saloons.

His friend, Calamity Jane was another famous figure of the American West who called Deadwood home. She was known for her rough-and-tumble lifestyle and was a skilled marksman, but she is best remembered for her association with Wild Bill Hickok.

Calamity Jane claimed to have been married to Wild Bill, but no historical evidence supports this claim. Nevertheless, she remained a popular figure in Deadwood and was known for her wild and adventurous spirit.

Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane represent the spirit of adventure, the lawlessness of the frontier, and a big part of the rich history of Deadwood.

MAIN STREET DEADWOOD

I'm taking a stroll down Main Street. In the Deadwood series, this street was dusty in the sun and muddy when it's been raining. Now the street is paved, and no horses are tied outside the saloons. And it doesn't smell of horse manure and sweaty cowboys. It's still got that iconic Wild West look feel.

It's incredible to think about all the stories and legends created in this small town.

Walking the streets of Deadwood, I can feel the energy of the past and the spirit of the wild west. It's like stepping back to a place where gunslingers, gamblers, and gold miners roamed the streets.

I will explore some of these historic sites Diane told me about at the museum, and my first stop is the saloon where Wild Bill played his last hand of poker.

WILD BILL GOT SHOT HERE PLAYING POKER

On August 2, 1876, Wild Bill was playing a game of poker at Nuttal & Mann's Saloon (Saloon no. 10), when he was approached by a stranger named Jack McCall.

Wild Bill, with his long hair and iconic mustache, was sitting with his back to the door, and McCall came through the door, drew his gun, and shot Wild Bill in the back of the head, killing him instantly.

It was later discovered that McCall was seeking revenge for killing his brother, and he claimed that Wild Bill was responsible.

The death of Wild Bill Hickok shocked the people of Deadwood, and it quickly became a part of the town's folklore.

Hickok's death remains one of the most famous events in the history of the American West, and it's a testament to the lawlessness and violence of the frontier. Although he was known for his skills as a gunslinger, Wild Bill Hickok will always be remembered as one of the most legendary figures of the Wild West.

She lived on for 26 years after Wild Bill got killed, and today, their graves can be found side by side in Mount Moriah Cemetery right here in Deadwood. The signs at the cemetery read:

James Butler Hickok, alias "Wild Bill." Born May 27, 1837. Died August 2, 1887. Victim of the assassin Jack McCall.

Martha Jane Burke, alias "Calamity Jane." Born May 1, 1851. Died August 1, 1903. Her dying request: "Bury me beside Wild Bill".

Even though they are both long gone, their stories continue to captivate people worldwide, and their grave sites are now popular tourist attractions.

THE GHOSTS OF DEADWOOD

With such a rich history and the lawlessness of many people being killed in these streets and saloons, it's no surprise that many people believe that Deadwood also is home to many ghost stories.

One of the most famous ghost stories in Deadwood is that of Wild Bill Hickok, and inside Saloon No 10, I've just seen the chair he was sitting in and in a frame the playing cards he was holding in the poker game – the so-called "Dead Man's Hand."

And it is said that his spirit still haunts the town and that, on occasion, visitors to Deadwood have reported seeing his ghostly figure wandering the streets at night. Some had even claimed to have seen him playing cards in local saloons, just as he was when he was alive.

Another famous ghost in Deadwood is that of Calamity Jane. She is said to haunt the town, and visitors to the cemetery where she is buried, have reported seeing her ghostly figure wandering the grounds. Some have even claimed to have heard her ghostly laughter or the sound of her spurs clanging against the hard ground.

But there are also several other ghost stories associated with Deadwood. The Bullock Hotel, for example, is said to be haunted by the ghost of former owner Seth Bullock, who is said to still walk the halls of the hotel. And the Bella Union Saloon is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who died in a fire there many years ago.

And then, the place I'm heading to now: The Fairmont Hotel. It is said to be one of the most haunted hotels in the American West and the site of one of the most popular ghost tours in the area. The Fairmont Hotel Ghost Tour is a guided tour that takes visitors through the hotel's dark and creepy halls, exploring its haunted history and sharing tales of the spirits that are said to haunt the property.

Inside I meet George, who can tell me more about this place.

GEORGE SAW AND HEARD GHOSTS

According to local legend, the Fairmont Hotel is home to several ghostly entities, including the spirit of a former hotel employee who died on the job and the ghosts of several former guests who never checked out. Some people have reported seeing ghosts wandering the halls or hearing strange noises coming from empty rooms, and the hotel staff has even reported seeing objects move on their own or hearing footsteps when no one is there.

"I didn't believe in ghosts before I got here but I've seen two ghosts in the year and a half, I've been here. I was working upstairs, I saw a guy, dressed in black walk into a room. I went down to chase him, but he wasn't there. I also built a shoe rack, and I go up there and the sneakers are all over the place."

George also tells me that he's only been afraid one time.

"I was sleeping up there one night, and in between our two properties, there was a banging on the wall that shook both places. It was four o'clock in the morning, pitch black, and it was like "BOOM, BOOM, BOOM" about ten times. And that scared me because, I thought, if that ghost can hit the wall like that, he could hit me. And that's the only time, I was really afraid."

The Fairmont Hotel Ghost Tour is a popular activity for visitors to Deadwood, and it's a great way to experience the town's rich and haunted history. The tour guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the hotel's history and the area. They are sure to keep you entertained as they share the stories and legends of the Fairmont Hotel and its ghostly residents.

So, whether you believe in ghosts or not, there's no denying that Deadwood, South Dakota, is a town with a rich and colourful history, and it's a place that is steeped in mystery and intrigue. But what I love about Deadwood is that it's not just a place of the past; it's a thriving community with a bright future. The town has been able to preserve its history while also adapting to the changing times, and it's a great example of how a community can come together to celebrate its heritage while also moving forward.

MOUNT RUSHMORE

I drove about an hour south to Mount Rushmore, a famous landmark in the Black Hills of South Dakota, USA. It is a massive sculpture that features the faces of four American Presidents carved into the side of a granite mountain: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

Historian Doane Robinson first proposed the idea for Mount Rushmore in the 1920s to attract tourists to South Dakota. In 1927, sculptor Gutzon Borglum was commissioned to carve the faces of the four presidents, and work on the project began in October of that year. It was completed in 1941, after over a decade of work.

As you approach this massive sculpture, you can't help but feel a sense of awe. The sheer scale of it is mind-boggling, with the precision of the carving and the sheer determination and hard work that went into this project. To think that this massive carving was created by hand, using only dynamite and chisels, it's just unbelievable.

Today, Mount Rushmore is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, attracting millions of visitors from around the world each year. It is considered a symbol of American democracy and a tribute to the country's rich history. The sculpture also represents the values and ideals that have defined the nation, such as freedom, democracy, and patriotism.

In addition to the carving of the four presidents, Mount Rushmore is surrounded by a National Memorial Park that features trails, scenic overlooks, and a visitor center with exhibits about the site's history and the presidents depicted. Visitors can also attend a lighting ceremony in the evening, where the faces of the presidents are illuminated in a patriotic display.

THE CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL

I know; I rolled that out pretty thick, didn't I? "A symbol to the land of the free and the home of the brave" and all of that. And even before it was finished, some felt that the Mount Rushmore project wasn't that brilliant an idea – when you consider how the land of the free and the home of the brave was stolen from the Native Americans.

And just half an hour's drive from Mount Rushmore, another massive rock carving is in progress. So, I drove out to see that one too.

The Crazy Horse Memorial is a monumental sculpture in the Black Hills of South Dakota and dedicated to the Native American warrior Crazy Horse. It is considered to be one of the largest sculptures in the world.

The sculpture is being carved out of Thunderhead Mountain, and when completed, we will see Crazy Horse mounted on a horse with his arm outstretched, pointing to his people's land.

The Crazy Horse Memorial was commissioned in the 1940s by Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear as a response to the Mount Rushmore project, which he felt was a desecration of sacred land. And The sculpture is being carved by Polish Sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski and now his family (as he passed away in 1982). He started working on it since 1948, and now, about 75 years later – it is still a work in progress.

The Crazy Horse Memorial was envisioned as a way to honor and celebrate Native American culture and history, and to provide a counterpoint to Mount Rushmore.

While the two monuments are located relatively close, they have different themes and messages. The two monuments serve as reminders of the complex and often fraught history of the region and the ongoing efforts to reconcile and recognize the diverse cultural perspectives and contributions that have shaped it.

BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

The next day, I was heading southeast to Nebraska and passed through Badlands National Park. It's some of the most unique and dramatic landscapes I've ever seen, located in southwestern South Dakota.

Badlands is known for its rugged terrain and striking rock formations that consist of layered rock and deep canyons. The landscape is characterized by jagged cliffs, steep mesas, and towering spires formed from sedimentary rock and erosive forces over millions of years.

The terrain is barren and arid, with sparse vegetation and a mix of sagebrush, grasses, and cacti. The predominant colors in the landscape are shades of brown and orange, with streaks of green along the intermittent streams. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, pronghorns, bighorn sheep, and coyotes.

Overall, the Badlands is a stunning and unique natural wonder, and visiting the park is an awe-inspiring experience that is not to be missed. So, I'm glad it was on my way to Nebraska.

NEXT STOP NEBRASKA

In the next episode, I get to have a farm stay in the rural part of Nebraska. Here, I stay with a family, Mary Lou, John, and their grown-up son, Chris, who take me out on the field checking on their cattle. And then Mary Lou will tell me a story of her Danish ancestor who immigrated from my home country, Denmark when she was just a young girl.

All that, and much more in the next episode of The Radio Vagabond.

My name is Palle Bo, and I gotta keep moving. See you.

POEM WRITTEN BY AN AI

In South Dakota's Badlands wild, Palle Bo wandered like a child, Amazed by landscapes, bold and new, That stretched out far, and wide, and blue.

He heard of Hickok, famed and brave, Who met his end in a saloon's enclave, And of Calamity Jane, maybe his wife, Whose spirit lingers, still to life.

At Deadwood, George from the Fairmount Hotel, Shared tales of ghostly guests as well, And Palle, with wonder in his heart, Felt the thrill of the Wild West start.

But beyond the tales of days gone by, Loomed the faces, carved up high, Of four great presidents, proud and true, Gazing out over the Badlands, too.

With awe and wonder, Palle took it in, And felt his heart and soul begin, To truly understand this land, And all the stories, grand and grand.

Now, with sights still fresh in mind, Palle ventures forth to find, The farms of Nebraska, far and wide, Where new adventures yet abide.

Her er min ugentlige dagbog om, hvad der er sket denne uge i mit liv som rejsende. Jeg er kommet ned i den sydlige del af landet langt mod syd.

Velkommen til Flashback fredag.

Tag med når jeg besøger er i New York 20 år efter 11. september 2001

Denne episode blev udgivet første gang i september 2021.

I'm back in the USA after a brief stay in London. In this episode, I'll be in Montana and Yellowstone National Park – where I get up close with a bunch of buffalos and a big bear.

I met Stefan Cattarin of Visit Billings and asked him to say a few words about Billings.

"We are the largest city in the state, we serve about a 500-mile radius as the largest economic hub. We're a railroad town founded in 1882, and part of that American expansion era, but we've since become a progressive cradle in this region."

It's not the typical big American city with skyscrapers, but even though it's not so big, it has a lot of hotels. According to Stefan, they serve around 5,000 room nights with 50 hotels.

"Montana has a draw. People want to come here, so we get a lot of leisure travel and the location between Denver, Seattle and Minneapolis makes it a natural place to stop."

FACTS ABOUT WHERE WE ARE

• With around 100,000 people, Billings is the largest city in Montana and is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and thriving economy.
• Montana is nicknamed "The Treasure State" because of its abundant natural resources, including coal, oil, gold, and silver.
• Billings was once a hub for cowboys and is still known for its rodeo culture, hosting the Montana Fair rodeo each summer.
• Montana is home to more than a million acres of national parks and forests, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
• You can also find the longest undammed river in the lower part of the United States here – the Yellowstone River.
• Montana is one of the largest producers of organic wheat in the United States and is known for its delicious wheat-based products.
• Montana is also known for its thriving arts and music scene, with several venues in Billings hosting live performances and events year-round.
• You have a lot of space here. With only seven people per square mile, Montana is the third least densely populated state in the USA. Only Alaska and Wyoming have fewer people per square mile.

YELLOWSTONE COUNTY MUSEUM IN A HISTORIC CABIN

I spot a museum as I pick up my rental car at Billings Logan International Airport. It's called Yellowstone County Museum. It's placed right on top of the rim, right next to the airport. There's an amazing view here, but once you head inside the historic cabin and see more than 20,000 artifacts.

The Yellowstone County Museum has been open to the public since 1956. The entrance is a historical building called "The McCormick Cabin." It was built as a space for social gatherings by Paul McCormick in 1893 in present-day downtown Billings. The cabin was moved to its current location in 1954 to serve as the Museum's entrance. Executive Director, Terry Steiner, tells me more:

"Teddy Roosevelt and Buffalo Bill were personal friends of Paul McCormick, and they quite frequently came up to sit down and drink cheap scotch and probably smoke cigars in this cabin."

They also have a Buffalo there with fur on one side and a skeleton on the other. Or is it a Bison?

If you're landing in or flying out of Billings, take time to visit the museum. And it's free.

AMERICAN ROAD TRIP BEGINS

Now I'm starting my road trip, and when I met Stefan of Visit Billings, I thought he would be the best to ask what I should see.

"Well, you can't go wrong no matter if you north, south, east, or west. Truly we're known as Montana's trailhead, so we're really that great hub to get you into all the great Montana adventures."

After seeing the buffalo at The Yellowstone County Museum, I decided to head south to see real buffalos in Yellowstone National Park.

DRIVING THROUGH YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most stunning and unique natural wonders in the United States. Spanning across three states, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, this massive park covers over 2.2 million acres – that's almost 9,000 square kilometers and about the size of Puerto Rico or Cyprus.

It's home to an incredible array of geysers, hot springs, and other geothermal features. You can also spot a lot of wildlife, including bears, wolves, buffalos, and elk, and it's surrounded by breathtaking and scenic views that are simply awe-inspiring.

The park's history is rich and fascinating, and it was the first national park in the world, established all the way back in 1872. Over the years, it has become a beloved destination for millions of visitors each year.

One of the most awe-inspiring aspects of Yellowstone National Park is its over 10,000 geothermal features, and we, as visitors, can witness the power of these natural wonders as they boil, bubble, and steam in the midst of the rugged wilderness. I'm driving down towards the most famous of these. It's called Old Faithful – and there's a reason for that. But we'll get to that.

Another fascinating aspect of the park is its diverse wildlife that can be seen roaming freely throughout the park. Visitors can also spot a number of bird species, including eagles, ospreys, and other birds of prey, making it a birdwatcher's paradise.

DON'T GET CLOSE TO THE BEARS

There are signs all over that we should stay at least 100 yards (91 meters) away from wolves and bears. But at a parking lot I saw a bear just a few meters away from a group of people taking pictures. This was crazy dangerous, and a car with some rangers drove up and shouted "move" and "get away" to the people. This was really dangerous, and some of these people could have ended up as bear lunch that day.

I actually caught this on video, and on theradiovagabond.com, you can see it, hear the car with the rangers approaching – and them shouting "move." You'll be shocked to see how close some of them are. Just a few feet away from this huge bear.

OLD FAITHFUL

One of the most popular attractions in the park is Old Faithful, a geyser that has been erupting for thousands of years. It is one of the most famous geysers in the world and is a major tourist attraction.

Old Faithful gets its name from the fact that it erupts every 90 minutes, making it a reliable and predictable geological feature.

It erupts by sending a column of steam and hot water into the air, reaching heights of up to 185 feet (56 meters). The eruption lasts between 1.5 and 5 minutes, and even though its faithful nature, the interval between eruptions can vary a bit. But they do have a sign saying when the next eruption time is.

Old Faithful is one of the world's most famous and well-studied geysers and is a symbol of the natural beauty and geological wonder of Yellowstone National Park. It is a must-see destination for anyone visiting the park and is an experience that visitors will never forget.

I'm watching it from a viewing platform, but you can also take a guided tour to learn about the geyser and the surrounding area. The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center is also a popular destination, offering information about the geyser and other geothermal features in the park. I spent some time there and also watched an interesting video in their movie theatre.

PUT YELLOWSTONE ON YOUR BUCKET LIST

Whether you're an avid hiker, a nature lover, or simply someone who loves to explore new places, Yellowstone National Park is an unforgettable destination that is sure to leave a lasting impression. It's a true bucket list destination that you won't want to miss.

Overall, Yellowstone National Park is one of the most unique and stunning natural wonders in the United States, and my visit to this incredible park is an experience that I'll never forget.

DEVIL'S TOWER WITHOUT ALIENS

I have one more experience to share with you. I made my way across the state of Wyoming from west to east to a unique mountain. It's called Devils Tower, and actually it's not a mountain. It is a geologic formation, a monolith, and a massive chunk of rock rising out of the prairies like a middle finger flipped at the sky.

The rock itself is like nothing you've ever seen before and truly a sight that takes your breath away, a testament to the raw power of Mother Nature. With the unique flat top, it's rugged and covered in deep grooves that speak to the millions of years it's been standing here.

As you approach, you can feel the energy of the place, a pulsing beat that hums through the ground and up into your bones, and you can sense that history and mystery as you wander the base.

Devil's Tower became famous after serving as the centerpiece of the 1977 science fiction movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film tells the story of a group of people who have encounters with aliensafter seeing strange lights in the sky.

The main character, played by Richard Dreyfuss, creates a copy of the tower in his living room and then is drawn there – even though the government tells people to stay away.

They didn't tell me to stay away. Just to stay away with my microphone. I spoke to a ranger telling some interesting stories and asked him if I could record that for the podcast. He said I needed a permit for that and sent me to an office. Here, the manager said that he also wasn't able to give me that permit. I had to send a special request to the PR department of the Park Service – and then MAYBE, I would get a permit in a few weeks.

This is America, and very bureaucratic in this way. Getting anyone to repeat what they just said to visitors into a microphone for a podcast is a long and difficult process, and something I experience again and again in this country – and only here.

But still, I got to admire the unique landscape I remember so well from the movie. In it, the aliens communicate with the humans on the ground through a series of musical tones. And to this day – even though it was just a film – many people visit this place in the hopes of having their own close encounter.

It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the American West and a protected national monument. It's a popular destination for rock climbers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts. It is considered sacred by several Native American tribes, who have a long and rich cultural history tied to the site.

So if you ever find yourself in Wyoming, make the pilgrimage to Devil's Tower. Stand in its shadow, feel its power, and be humbled by the sheer force of nature that created this magnificent landmark. And if you're hoping for an interview, ask a long time in advance.

AI POEM ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED

The Radio Vagabond took a trip to Montana's land, Where cowboys once roamed, wild and bold and grand. He visited a museum in an old cabin brought, With artifacts and stories, all worth a second thought.

He spoke with Terry, learned about the past, Saw a buffalo, or was it a bison at last? Then off to Yellowstone, where nature did astound, A bear so close, the thrill made him resound.

The Old Faithful geyser, shooting high in the air, A sight to behold, a memory so rare. Days he'll never forget, in this big Western state, Where the Radio Vagabond, his journey did create.

And then he went to Wyoming, where aliens once took flight, A special mountain where close encounters took sight. The Radio Vagabond, on his travels, will roam, Bringing tales and wonders to his listeners back home.

My name is Palle Bo, and I gotta keep moving. See you.

Her er min ugentlige dagbog om, hvad der er sket denne uge i mit nomadeliv. Jeg er stadig i Airlie Beach på den australske østkyst, og i denne uge reflekterer jeg lidt over min tid i dette smukke land.