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A simple plan to tackle Nevada’s ET Highway turns into a cross-state quest for awe. We kick things off in Phoenix and climb toward Flagstaff, chasing a crisp horizon and a stop at a veterans memorial built to catch the sun at 11:11 on 11/11. The Grand Canyon delivers that familiar shock of scale from new South Rim overlooks, and then Route 66 starts pulling us back in time. Seligman feels like a living postcard, Kingman frames your car under an iconic sign, and Oatman steals the show with wooden storefronts, a daily shootout, and wild burros who wander the street like they own it.

We veer into California for Joshua Tree National Park and watch the landscape morph into Dr. Seuss silhouettes and boulder gardens. Earthcaches push us off the road to touch geology, and the golden-hour light makes even the cholla glow. On the way back, a roadside cache under a giant Coke bottle and a plane casually landing for supplies remind us that desert highways never run out of surprises. Then it’s Vegas for a quick reset, where budget-friendly beds come with steep fees and the food is pricey but memorable. We meet friends, pull the slot lever once, and wake up early for the main event.

Nine cars. Thousands of caches. A system that replaces every container and turns a blank desert shoulder into a well-oiled route. The ET Highway demands patience, spare tires, and teamwork, but the payoff is huge: a full sweep logged and a convoy full of stories. Tonopah adds color with dinner at the Mizpah Hotel—said to be the most haunted in America—and a stroll past the Clown Motel and its neighboring historic cemetery, where hand-stamped plaques record how lives ended in stark detail. It’s a raw counterpoint to the neon a few hours south.

The finale is pure future: The Sphere and The Wizard of Oz in 16K. The tornado brings wind and cold across the seats. Snow drifts from the ceiling. Apples drop. And flying monkeys become drones circling overhead. It’s the classic film, intact, surrounded by AI-extended worldbuilding that turns watching into inhabiting. If the Grand Canyon is a natural wonder that humbles, this is a man-made wonder that lifts your jaw and won’t let go. Hit play for the full route, the geocaching tactics, the small-town gems, and a cinematic experience you’ll be talking about for weeks. If you enjoy the journey, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review to help others find these hidden treasures.

https://sunshinehousecoffee.com/our-story

 Wizard of Oz the making at the Sphere.

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A tiny town with no stoplight. A maker who keeps a notebook by his bed. And a film that asks a simple question: if you hide it, will they come? We pull back the curtain on our Geocaching International Film Festival finalist and the real story that inspired it—how Chad (aka Tricassius) turns dreams into intricate gadget caches that draw people from around the world to Gilby, North Dakota.

We walk through the entire creative journey, from the Field of Dreams spark to the choice to keep dialogue sparse and the emotions loud. You’ll hear how we staged early-morning “wake-up” shots, filmed build montages without spoiling secrets, and used shelter belts as our stand-in for the iconic cornfield. Then we dig into the edit: rotoscoping dozens of “ghost cachers,” layering subtle sound design, and crafting a score that rises from crickets to a full-on swell as the town fills with arrivals. There’s even a behind-the-scenes confession about an alternate HQ cameo we loved but cut to keep the focus on Gilby.

It wasn’t all smooth—our theater premiere nearly fell apart when the DCP failed, and a single HDMI cable saved the day. Along the way, we celebrate the broader GIF reel, call out standout entries, and share why we chose heart over easy laughs. If you love geocaching road trips, gadget caches, and small towns with big stories, this one hits all the search-worthy notes: geocaching film festival, Gilby North Dakota, travel hidden gems, and the craft behind cinematic cache hunts.

Subscribe to the show, share this episode with a cacher who needs a new destination, and leave a review to help more travelers find their way to the “Disneyland of geocaching.” What moment gave you chills—Chad’s trembling pen, the first ghost, or the final cars rolling into Gilby?

Josh OG Video (Grandmother)

Alternate Ending

GIFF Film

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A grand staircase, carved wood, and a story that refuses to fade—Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana, has all the makings of a legend. We sat down with Erica Taylor, who manages adult and teen services and unexpectedly became the point person for all things paranormal, to explore why this Victorian Gothic landmark draws both researchers and ghost hunters. From the founding vision of Willard Carpenter to the community’s decades-long fascination with the Gray Lady, this conversation maps where history and haunting intersect.

Erica shares how a disputed inheritance evolved into local lore, why staff log credible sightings, and the one voicemail that still gives us chills: a 3 a.m. call of clicks and whispers traced to a locked staff-room extension. We dig into the library’s ghost cams—multiple live feeds drawing millions of views—and the specific hotspots where visitors feel cold spots, smell sudden perfume, or catch strange movement. If you’re planning a trip, get practical guidance for exploring the upstairs reading room, the bright children’s floor, and the infamous basement hallway, all while respecting the library’s first purpose: access, learning, and community.

Geocachers will love the inside scoop on GCA4C4, one of the rare indoor webcam caches. We talk favorite points, multi-cam strategies, and how the cache evolved from the dial-up era to smartphone screenshots. Beyond the building, we highlight Evansville must-dos—Bosse Field from A League of Their Own, local museums, and riverfront history—because place is part of the magic. Whether you lean skeptic or believer, you’ll hear how embracing myth can welcome new patrons, preserve architecture, and turn a library into a living story. Enjoy the ride, then tell us: what would you do first at Willard—hunt ghosts or log the webcam?

If this conversation sparked your curiosity, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review. Your support helps more travelers find hidden gems—and maybe a gentle haunt or two.

Joshua's Video

Webcam Geocache

Library Link

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A virtual geocache pointed us toward one of America’s most delightfully odd treasures: Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Museum. What started in a San Antonio garage now lives inside a soaring, neon-kissed shrine at The Colony’s Truck Yard, where porcelain “columns,” floor-to-ceiling seats, and a playful ceiling homage to Michelangelo turn folk art into a full-sensory experience. We swap FOMO for wonder as we tell the story of a hospital-door detour that became a permanent exhibit piece, the final geocacher pack-out before the move, and the ongoing hunt for seat #1341—still tucked away somewhere, if our banana-box notes are right.

The Truck Yard itself is a vibe: backyard party energy, rotating food trucks, live music, and the Beard Science Sour House pouring high-character drafts and cocktails served in IV bags. Step out of the museum and into a private tiki-adjacent karaoke room, where we belt Elvis under a parade of taxidermy squirrels. Then expand the map. In nearby McKinney, Tupps Brewing mixes rustic mill charm with patio fires, Martin House pours Texas-strong favorites, and Arcade 92 resurrects joystick nostalgia for one flat entry fee. It’s a perfect loop for geocachers and Munzee players who value the chase as much as the destination.

We also dig into why location-based games keep delivering: they nudge us off the highway and into the places locals love, where stories linger longer than any log entry. If The Colony is on your route, go see the museum, scan the hidden caches and Adventure Lab, sip a sour, and sing one song you didn’t plan on. And if you spot that elusive 1341 plate, send us a photo—we’ll cheer from anywhere. Enjoyed the journey? Follow, share with a friend who loves roadside Americana, and leave a quick review so more curious travelers can find their next stop.

Josh Video

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A city this generous doesn’t just welcome you—it hands you a map and dares you to follow your curiosity. We land in San Diego on a points ticket, grab a budget Turo with unlimited miles, and set off to turn the weekend into a living treasure hunt built around a geocaching block party called “Signal’s Island.” From push-scootering through Balboa Park’s Spanish Revival plazas and the new Comic-Con Museum to logging Adventure Labs woven into art, gardens, and a towering zoo statue, the day unfolds with pace and purpose.

The coast ups the stakes. In La Jolla, a sunrise sea-kayak tour becomes a geology lesson as we bounce through surf, trace a fault line between limestone and harder rock, and make the call to skip churning cave mouths—then pivot to Sunny Jim Sea Cave via a hidden staircase inside a rock shop. That same spirit of play leads to a rare webcam cache on a tide-lashed pier and to a plate of ocean-fresh fish tacos at Duke’s, where the view is pure Pacific. Community fuels the journey: we swap stories at a beach bonfire welcome, run into TV producer Dave Barsky, and hear that Mike Rowe listened to our Dirty Jobs episode and loved it.

San Diego’s Navy roots open a pop-culture loop. We eat barbecue at the Kansas City Barbecue—the Top Gun bar where Goose pounded “Great Balls of Fire”—and later chase a virtual cache at the restored Top Gun House in Oceanside, complete with a Kawasaki out front for that Maverick shot. The block party itself delivers real activities: gadget caches tied to Adventure Labs, a coconut cream pie contest, path tag left-right-center, and costume flair worthy of Gilligan’s Island. Add an omakase-level meal at Sushi Ota and a CITO cleanup on Imperial Beach, and the weekend turns into a model for city adventures that blend exploration, service, and story.

Ready to build your own San Diego treasure map—packed with geocaches, sea caves, pop-culture stops, and unforgettable bites? Subscribe, share this episode with your travel crew, and leave a quick review to help more curious listeners find the show.

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Craft breweries have evolved into must-visit destinations for travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences across America. In this episode, we dive into why these local establishments offer so much more than just great beer—they're gateways to understanding a community's character, history, and values.

We share personal stories from breweries that left lasting impressions, from a plant bingo night in Minnesota to a pig farm brewery connection in Duluth where we tracked our dinner from farm to table. Through these experiences, we illustrate how breweries foster connections between travelers and locals in ways that traditional tourist destinations simply cannot match.

The conversation explores the unique atmospheres that make breweries special travel stops—rustic décor featuring local materials, bar tops made from single slabs of timber, outdoor patios perfect for stargazing, and game areas that encourage social interaction. We discuss how even non-beer drinkers can enjoy these spaces, with many breweries offering family-friendly environments, pet-friendly policies, and excellent food options through rotating food trucks showcasing local culinary talent.

For the more tech-savvy traveler, we examine how the Untapped app enhances brewery experiences by gamifying beer sampling while connecting enthusiasts worldwide. RV and van travelers will appreciate our deep dive into Harvest Host, a membership program that connects travelers with breweries offering overnight accommodations in exchange for patronage—a perfect way to support local businesses while experiencing America's craft beer scene.

As Oktoberfest approaches, there's no better time to add breweries to your travel itinerary. Whether you're seeking insider knowledge about a community, a place to socialize with locals, or simply a comfortable space to relax after a day of exploration, craft breweries deserve a prominent place on every traveler's map.

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Join Craig and Josh as they share their experiences visiting bucket-list roadside attractions they've previously featured on the podcast but never seen in person.

• Josh visits the World's Biggest Ball of Paint in Alexandria, Indiana, adding layer #30,085 and becoming a brief world record holder
• Meeting Michael Carmichael, the passionate creator who started painting layers on a baseball in 1977
• Craig explores the Badlands National Park in South Dakota, comparing its unique landscape to other national parks
• Free camping along the Badlands rim offers spectacular sunrise and sunset views
• Josh discovers Garfield-themed Munzee icons in Muncie, Indiana, hometown of cartoonist Jim Davis
• Exploring Wall Drug in South Dakota, a classic roadside stop famous for its numerous highway billboards
• Josh visits "Uranus, Indiana" - a smaller version of the Uranus, Missouri attraction we previously featured
• Craig checks out the Mitchell Corn Palace with its elaborate corn murals that change themes annually
• The current "Wonders of the World" theme features landmarks like the Sydney Opera House created entirely from corn

Support the podcast at patreon.com/treasurefortown where we'll share photos from these roadside adventures. Have feedback or ideas? Email us at treasuresofour [email protected].

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West Bend Cache Bash stands apart from typical geocaching mega events because it's organized by the town's Chamber of Commerce, highlighting how this Wisconsin community has embraced geocaching as a tourism draw while offering $1,000 in cash prizes to participants. We discover what makes this event special through our experiences finding creative and high-quality geocaches.

• West Bend Cache Bash features 66 brand-new caches designed specifically for the event
• Josh reaches his 10,000th geocache milestone with a Back to the Future themed multi-cache
• Creative cache designs include a pirate-themed "X marks the spot" distance puzzle
• A car wash themed cache requiring players to push toy cars through tubes to reveal codes
• Severe weather creates challenges but doesn't dampen the geocaching community's spirit
• Local Wisconsin culture experienced through cheese curds, local restaurants and a retro arcade bar
• The event attracts families with kid-friendly caches like the popular "Pull My Finger" monkey cache
• West Bend proudly calls itself the "Geocaching Capital of the Midwest" with thousands of caches in the area

If you've enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting us on Patreon at patreon.com/treasuresofourtown - your support helps us continue creating fun and informative content about unique destinations across America.

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We explore the hidden treasures of Michigan through Craig's recent two-and-a-half-week journey across 72 of the state's 83 counties, revealing why the often-forgotten Upper Peninsula might be America's best-kept travel secret.

• Traversing Michigan's varied landscape from farmlands to freshwater beaches
• Discovering the Upper Peninsula's unique character and wilderness (30% of Michigan's land area)
• Crossing the magnificent 5-mile Mackinac Bridge that connects the two peninsulas
• Finding pristine swimming spots like Perrot Lake with crystal-clear freshwater
• Visiting quirky attractions like the 500-pound "man-killing clam" at Seashell City 
• Exploring Michigan's craft beer scene with creative flight presentations
• Experiencing authentic American moments like roadside lemonade stands
• Attending the Midwest Geobash event with its community impact on local businesses
• Using apps like I Overlander to find free overnight parking spots
• Witnessing spectacular Lake Michigan sunsets that rival ocean vistas

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcasting app. You can also follow us on social media or reach out via email at [email protected].

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