One of the country’s newest national parks on the coast of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park is a great spot for families to enjoy some time together.  For one family, back in 2013, they could have never imagined the nightmare their family would endure.  Join us as we tell the fairly recent story of a boy that was swallowed into the dune and some of the lessons scientists have learned since.

The organization we are highlighting this episode is:

Save the Dunes - Established in 1952, the mission of Save the Dunes is to protect and advocate for the Indiana dunes, Lake Michigan, and the surrounding natural areas for the betterment of the environment and the people who live, work, and recreate in Northwest Indiana.

Organization Website:  https://savedunes.org/

BECOME A PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/vivaamerica

Our sources for this episode are:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/mystery-why-dangerous-sand-dune-swallowed-boy-180953404/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/indiana-sand-dune-trapped-boy-remains-closed-3-years/

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-miracle-mount-baldy-met-20140914-story.html

https://www.nps.gov/indu/learn/news/newsreleases.htm

https://historydaily.org/sand-dune-swallows-child-freakish-phenomenon-nearly-claims-boys-life

https://www.kokomotribune.com/news/nation_an_world_news/all-involved-agree-sand-dune-rescue-a-miracle/article_4d8b207c-ed73-50b0-b572-f2b58ab6735e.html

The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful parts of our country.  But many who travel there, don't venture farther north than Seattle.  But the San Juan Islands are not to be missed.  Join us this week as Cameron shares the story how their existence as part of the US is related to a murdered pig and a German Kaiser.  We also sneak in a few stories about the Manassas Castle - considered one of the most haunted places on the West Coast.  Enjoy!

There’s something for everyone in today’s episode.  If you plan to check Mississippi off of your travel list, this episode has some awesome ideas for you.  We visit the Natchez Trace itself, a 444 mile scenic drive that almost no one knows about - Rocky Springs - a ghost town that you can visit to this day, Windsor Mansion - today known as Windsor Ruins (for a reason) and the very mysterious place known as Witches Dance.

The organization we are highlighting this episode is:

Fuller Center Bike Adventure - building a better world one house at a time.  They host a bike race where participants bike all 444 miles of the Natchez Trace!

Organization Website: https://www.fullercenterbikeadventure.org/natchez/

BECOME A PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/vivaamerica

Our sources for this episode are:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natchez_Trace

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ms-windsorruins/

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ms-witchdance/

We have probably all heard of the Bermuda Triangle, but join us this episode to explore what makes it legendary. From its sheer size and scope to all the things that make it unimaginably unique.  The triangle is the final resting place to many.

This murder actually takes places JUST beyond the boundaries of the Acadia National Park.  Leslie Spellman had never hiked alone.  What a cruel twist of fate that she would be dead within 24 hours of doing so for the first time.  Though her dog with the red bandana makes it out alive, to this day Leslie’s murder remains a mystery.

The organization we are highlighting this episode is:

Friends of Acadia preserves, protects, and promotes stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations.

Organization Website: https://friendsofacadia.org/

BECOME A PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/vivaamerica

Our sources for this episode are:

https://www.darkdowneast.com/episodes/lesliespellman

https://www.foxbangor.com/news/item/48570-asticou-azalea-garden-1977-murder-still-unsolved/

https://books.google.com/books?id=FjaPDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA107&lpg=PA107&dq=leslie+spellman+red+bandana&source=bl&ots=HT9rdOGg_5&sig=ACfU3U3kMleIDguWigkgBtH2Wcl89KRx4A&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiZ_tvNnoX2AhVLSTABHTquALMQ6AF6BAgYEAM#v=onepage&q=leslie%20spellman%20red%20bandana&f=false

https://murderpedia.org/male.H/h/hicks-james.htm

We decided to invite Adam and Lexie onto the podcast today to give their perspective about the stories we have shared and the trips we have been on.  Get to know our family a little better with today's episode.  Enjoy!

The Grand Canyon is one of our country’s most popular National Parks and even one of the 7 natural wonders of the WORLD.  When I heard about the mid-air collision of 2 passenger planes in 1956 I was shocked that I had never heard of it.  This episode dives in to the tragedy thanks to Mike Nelson, one of the family members of an unfortunate soul aboard one of the planes that day.

The organization we are highlighting this episode is:

Organization description:  Grand Canyon Conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park and has been supporting the Grand Canyon for over 90 years. Their vision consists of 3 main points. They want to see:

Organization Website: https://www.grandcanyon.org/

BECOME A PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/vivaamerica

Our sources for this episode are:

https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

The book - “We are going in” by Mike Nelson - more info here: ​​https://wearegoingin.com/

The City Museum in St. Louise, Missouri is a playground for all ages.  Today we share the result of Bob Cassily's eccentric vision as well as his mysterious death.  Thanks for joining us on this adventure.  

Sources for this episode are:

https://www.citymuseum.org/about-us/history/

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/city-museum-founders-widow-believes-her-husbands-death-in-2011-was-murder/article_08e16daf-b457-507d-9a38-9a7bccbad21c.html

If you have never heard of the Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, GA… well today is the day.  Once the largest mental hospital in the world, it’s history is astonishing and still mostly a secret today.  Join us for a horrible dive into the past of this hospital and the history of mental health itself.

The organization we are highlighting this episode is: NAMI GEORGIA

NAMI Georgia strives to :

https://namiga.org/get-involved/donate/

BECOME A PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/vivaamerica

Our sources for this episode are:

https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional/asylum-dark-past-relived-cycle-ends/uq2OK0dgHCeynhFUGba36O/

https://georgialibraries.omeka.net/s/central-state-hospital/page/the-beginning

http://www.peteearley.com/2019/03/15/the-worlds-largest-mental-asylum-from-the-horrors-of-the-back-wards-to-todays-jails-and-prisons/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5bUS7JMU5s