The Traveling Fool

Bob Bales
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Traveling off the tourist path. Talking about those places most tourists just don't know about because, well, nobody ever told them. Also travel tips and news about travel and tourism to make your trip a little easier, cheaper and more memorable.

  1. May 8

    Left for Dead, How One Texas Ranger Became A Legend

    Send us Fan Mail Wounded, no food, no water, no weapon. A young Texas Ranger wakes up on the ground near the Nueces River, realizes everyone has left him for dead, makes a decision that turns him into a legend. Subscribe for more travel history stories, share this with a friend planning a Texas Hill Country weekend, and leave a review with the next destination you want us to cover. Please subscribe and leave a review on I-Tunes. Feel free to drop me an email I would love to hear from you editor@thetravellingfool.com You can sign up for my email list Past Podcasts  Follow me on social media FaceBook Twitter now X LinkedIn Instagram

    9 min
  2. From Tiny Eden Texas To D-Day Glory And A College Town Worth Visiting

    May 1

    From Tiny Eden Texas To D-Day Glory And A College Town Worth Visiting

    Send us Fan Mail A lot of towns get remembered for a stadium or a slogan. Bryan-College Station deserves to be remembered for a man most people can’t name and for the living history that still surrounds Texas A&M. We trace the life of Major General James Earl Rudder, born in tiny Eden, Texas, who goes from teacher and coach to leading the 2nd Ranger Battalion on D-Day at Point Du Hoc, where Rangers scale 100-foot cliffs under brutal fire, take enormous casualties, and still get the mission done. We also follow him into the Battle of the Bulge, where his unit fights outnumbered and holds long enough to slow the German advance. From there, the story shifts from battlefield to public service. Rudder returns home, racks up a lifetime of honors, and eventually becomes president of Texas A&M and later leads the Texas A&M University System. That arc gives real weight to a visit in College Station, because the campus is not just a place to tour, it is a place to understand how military tradition, leadership training, and Texas history intersect. Then we get practical: what to do in College Station and Bryan if you’re building a weekend trip. We talk can’t-miss stops like Rudder’s statue, the Corps of Cadets museum displays, the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and the Museum of the American GI. We also share travel tips on Kyle Field, Veterans Memorial Park, great local hotels like The George and Cavalry Court, the surprisingly strong food scene, plus stops like Brazos Distillery, Messina Hof, and more. If you like travel with meaning, hit play, then subscribe, share the show, and leave a review so more people can find it. Please subscribe and leave a review on I-Tunes. Feel free to drop me an email I would love to hear from you editor@thetravellingfool.com You can sign up for my email list Past Podcasts  Follow me on social media FaceBook Twitter now X LinkedIn Instagram

    16 min
  3. How a Small Texas Town Became Famous for the Most Unofficial Attraction Ever

    Apr 3

    How a Small Texas Town Became Famous for the Most Unofficial Attraction Ever

    Send us Fan Mail A small Texas town holds one of the most improbable American legends: a tightly run brothel that fed families during the Depression, helped sheriffs solve crimes, and then ignited a statewide showdown once a TV crusader and a governor took notice Please subscribe and leave a review on I-Tunes. Feel free to drop me an email I would love to hear from you editor@thetravellingfool.com You can sign up for my email list Past Podcasts  Follow me on social media FaceBook Twitter now X LinkedIn Instagram

    32 min
  4. The Most Important 2026 Travel Trends You Need to Know

    12/26/2025

    The Most Important 2026 Travel Trends You Need to Know

    Send us Fan Mail We map the biggest travel shifts for 2026 using real search data, from spontaneous short escapes and small-town storytelling to purpose-driven city breaks and the return of cruises. Practical questions and examples help you plan a flexible, meaningful trip without the stress. Please subscribe and leave a review on I-Tunes. Feel free to drop me an email I would love to hear from you editor@thetravellingfool.com You can sign up for my email list Past Podcasts  Follow me on social media FaceBook Twitter now X LinkedIn Instagram

    25 min
  5. Corsicana Texas, World Famous Bakery, One Legged Daredevil and a Reel Cop

    12/19/2025

    Corsicana Texas, World Famous Bakery, One Legged Daredevil and a Reel Cop

    Send us Fan Mail A quiet Texas town with a world-famous sweet tooth, a high-wire legend, and an oil claim that rewrote state history—Corsicana packs more surprises per mile than most big cities. We head south of Dallas to trace how a German baker created an early mail-order empire, why a mysterious one-legged tightrope walker still draws visitors to a simple grave, and how one cop built a parallel career on set while bridging trust back at home. Please subscribe and leave a review on I-Tunes. Feel free to drop me an email I would love to hear from you editor@thetravellingfool.com You can sign up for my email list Past Podcasts  Follow me on social media FaceBook Twitter now X LinkedIn Instagram

    23 min
  6. Incredible man Born in 1700s, Died in 1900s: Was He Really That Old?

    12/12/2025

    Incredible man Born in 1700s, Died in 1900s: Was He Really That Old?

    Send us Fan Mail We chase the disputed lifespan of Isaac Brock from headstone to census record, then turn a myth hunt into a smart Waco travel plan. Between archives, museums, and good food, we map a route where Texas legend meets places worth your time. Please subscribe and leave a review on I-Tunes. Feel free to drop me an email I would love to hear from you editor@thetravellingfool.com You can sign up for my email list Past Podcasts  Follow me on social media FaceBook Twitter now X LinkedIn Instagram

    22 min
  7. Holiday Travel Tips: Smart Ways to Make Your Trip Easy This Year

    12/05/2025

    Holiday Travel Tips: Smart Ways to Make Your Trip Easy This Year

    Send us Fan Mail We share a practical holiday travel game plan to cut stress, avoid delays, and keep your cool from booking to baggage claim. From early departures and car prep to smart packing, safety, and flexibility, these tips help you arrive safe and sane. Please subscribe and leave a review on I-Tunes. Feel free to drop me an email I would love to hear from you editor@thetravellingfool.com You can sign up for my email list Past Podcasts  Follow me on social media FaceBook Twitter now X LinkedIn Instagram

    21 min
  8. Travel Deals 101: How to Hunt Down the Best Vacation Savings

    11/28/2025

    Travel Deals 101: How to Hunt Down the Best Vacation Savings

    Send us Fan Mail Prices keep climbing, but the best travel bargains are hiding in plain sight. We walk through the smartest ways to cut travel costs using military portals, deal alerts, credit card strategies, and overlooked memberships that unlock private rates and perks. The goal is simple: stack savings on flights, hotels, cruises, and resorts without sacrificing quality. Please subscribe and leave a review on I-Tunes. Feel free to drop me an email I would love to hear from you editor@thetravellingfool.com You can sign up for my email list Past Podcasts  Follow me on social media FaceBook Twitter now X LinkedIn Instagram

    25 min
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Trailer

About

Traveling off the tourist path. Talking about those places most tourists just don't know about because, well, nobody ever told them. Also travel tips and news about travel and tourism to make your trip a little easier, cheaper and more memorable.

Information

  • Creator
    Bob Bales
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Traveling Fool
  • Show Website
    The Traveling Fool