Backroad Odyssey : Travel Stories, Van Life & Road Trip Oddities

Noah Mulgrew
  • 5.0 (26)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Traveling America's backroads, road trip experts - Noah and Noodles - explore fascinating locations overlooked while traveling.  Living out of a van, they unravel the - often shocking - story behind each neglected story or location. If you love travel, exploration and unique locations -  join us on the road! 

  1. The Price of Utopia - The New Harmony Experiments

    MAY 19

    The Price of Utopia - The New Harmony Experiments

    Today, we’re heading to the Indiana frontier, where not one, but two bold experiments in utopian living took shape. First, a deeply religious community led by a self-proclaimed prophet, convinced they were preparing for the Second Coming of Christ.  Then, a dramatically different vision: a secular society built on equality, education, and shared ownership, led by a Welsh social reformer. Two visions. Two ideologies. One small town. Both attempts unfolded in New Harmony, Indiana—and both left behind stories that are as strange as they are fascinating. So buckle up… we’re off to Utopia friends. Works Cited:  https://www.jstor.org/stable/27790455?searchText=robert%20owen&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Drobert%2Bowen%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A729865f03db7e18a3b377a052be0999b https://www.amazon.com/New-Harmonys-first-Utopians-1814-1824/dp/B0006XMLN0/ref=sr_1_1?crid=D8WN5WDQOEBF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EZq-yHE7pEvysml3BGzp6-SywGpm4tuU8b8rOtXEvGQhmoCmbOSIo2jl4RgfSeGZS1_Ds5fcLGIRXemg42tBe7vscUmCYUzN3erAizvn8AUy7H32EYcIppNsokXkjdPGte2RMiSSn1T4Vb8-CyTUCw.5cHNPt0SxB01HYicMdo_tzMtDIKl6NuDsqEhxZhHs4Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=new+harmony%27s+First+Utopias&qid=1778114064&sprefix=new+harmony%27s+first+utopias%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1 https://www.jstor.org/stable/2716919?oauth_data=eyJlbWFpbCI6ImJhY2tyb2Fkb2R5c3NleXBvZEBnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJpbnN0aXR1dGlvbklkcyI6W10sInByb3ZpZGVyIjoiZ29vZ2xlIn0&oauth_data=eyJlbWFpbCI6ImJhY2tyb2Fkb2R5c3NleXBvZEBnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJpbnN0aXR1dGlvbklkcyI6W10sInByb3ZpZGVyIjoiZ29vZ2xlIn0&oauth_data=eyJlbWFpbCI6ImJhY2tyb2Fkb2R5c3NleXBvZEBnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJpbnN0aXR1dGlvbklkcyI6W10sInByb3ZpZGVyIjoiZ29vZ2xlIn0 https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1324&context=masters https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1377&context=communalsocieties https://www.jstor.org/stable/2707769?searchText=robert+owen&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Drobert%2Bowen%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Aece5e69492f146ab67e66e74e080afd5&seq=1 https://www.jstor.org/stable/27792086?searchText=robert+owen&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Drobert%2Bowen%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Aece5e69492f146ab67e66e74e080afd5&seq=2 https://www.ijhf.org/members/1980/frances-wright https://www.jstor.org/stable/2221015?searchText=robert+owen&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Drobert%2Bowen%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Aece5e69492f146ab67e66e74e080afd5&seq=4 https://www.jstor.org/stable/27786079?searchText=new+harmony&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dnew%2Bharmony%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A1d85ec71d8acb464201d9d5ba956b19e&seq=9 https://newharmony-in.gov/about-new-harmony.php https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofWales/Robert-Owen-Father-British-Socialsm/ https://bookviewcafe.com/temporary-utopia-the-lovely-new-harmony-commune/ https://www.econlib.org/library/columns/y2025/schansbergutopianexperiments.html https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1324&context=masters https://www.econlib.org/library/columns/y2025/schansbergutopianexperiments.html https://americanhistory.si.edu/brown/history/1-segregated/separate-but-equal.html https://online.utpb.edu/about-us/articles/psychology/the-psychology-of-cults/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyHLLzmNje0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0jCH7QVhm4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmDDCsdQNAY Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at: https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

    56 min
  2. Chasing Margaritaville: The Jimmy Buffet Story

    APR 7

    Chasing Margaritaville: The Jimmy Buffet Story

    Who is Jimmy Buffett and why should you care?  On our drive north, we make an unexpected stop at his childhood home in Pascagoula, Mississippi.  While visiting locations important to Buffett's life, we ask three simple questions:  Who is Jimmy Buffett?What is unique about his fanbase?Why is it worth looking into the life and legacy of "The Mayor of Margaritaville?Fan of his music or not - you - like me - will learn something from the life he led.  Cheers and safe travels!  As promised, here is some material to look into: Buffett's first band in New Orleans:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PVU4dhQgzY&list=RD7PVU4dhQgzY&start_radio=1 Early Buffett song mentioned in the show:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMn0mP3LsIM&list=RDwMn0mP3LsIM&start_radio=1 Buffett's last known performance, two months before his death: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGDqdEIF8a4&list=RDVGDqdEIF8a4&start_radio=1 Works Cited:  https://www.amazon.com/Jimmy-Buffett-Good-Life-All/dp/1501132563/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZPFJCAEK9SF0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sXZUYvIcnlFq-FPD7L7hMejksDMdkzLDqwWAnrhAu8bJmVmqBOefJS-oyL2oiIgmvulSsnyKxKSIoqoe6UUwy69eZ77wq-OsTbBmj0JutNVL_WtYzs3PfExsS8SQtaIYr4P5bCq1sjlF6UHBcuNSWbnYTKALcU_Iqs5l5WPPCbRidfUAJd2vMa77AUWWj5kTuHzJjJr51cHZYP42yyk7Q6JCNS_aRtgQINLNrTCiGpk.2s57gS1KvJExJrkW5dBTSb_Q_Q_szWoSedekzUUCbrY&dib_tag=se&keywords=jimmy+buffet+a+good+life+all+the+way&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1775158981&sprefix=jimmy+buffet+a+good+life+all+the+way%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-1 https://www.history.com/articles/yacht-rock-origins-counterculture-reaction https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/music/is-jimmy-buffett-yacht-rock-a-look-into-genre-classification/ https://www.jimmybuffett.com/about https://www.margaritavillekeywest.com/jb-in-key-west https://www.mobile.org/blog/post/license-to-chill-a-guide-to-jimmy-buffetts-mobile/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-nVWYVTz20 Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at: https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

    41 min
  3. The Sirens of the Spring - Lore, Legends & The Weeki Wachee Mermaids

    MAR 20

    The Sirens of the Spring - Lore, Legends & The Weeki Wachee Mermaids

    Modern Mermaids are friendly; they haven't always been so kindhearted ...  Today, we dive into the obscure origins of the mermaid myth, uncover the darker aspects of their story, and attempt to understand modern portrayals of the mythical maid of the sea.  We'll brave the seas of Ancient Greece, hear the solemn hymns of medieval monks, and witness the ethereal mermaid performances at Weeki Wachee State Park.  Come on in, the water's fine! Or, is it ...?  Works cited:  https://www.jstor.org/stable/44085758?read-now=1&seq=12#page_scan_tab_contents https://www.jstor.org/stable/40920822?read-now=1&seq=13#page_scan_tab_contents https://lithub.com/part-of-our-world-on-the-mermaids-of-walt-disney-hans-christian-andersen-and-w-b-yeats/ https://www.ripleys.com/stories/mermaid-history https://iakovidis.medium.com/behind-the-mythology-mermaids-749cd44ace5c https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/marine-mammals/mermaids-manatees-myth-and-reality https://www.historyhit.com/singing-sirens-the-mesmerising-history-of-mermaids/ https://fairytalefridays.substack.com/p/the-little-mermaid Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at: https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

    31 min
  4. The City of Perpetual Sun - A Portrait of St. Petersburg

    FEB 24

    The City of Perpetual Sun - A Portrait of St. Petersburg

    Welcome to St. Petersburg, Florida. In between the pristine beaches, thriving art scene, and historic neighborhoods of the aptly named “Home of Perpetual Summer,” we ask three thought-provoking questions:   What makes St Petersburg, Florida, uniquely deserving of the title “The Home of Perpetual Summer”? Did a single coin toss, as legend suggests, decide the city’s name? And finally, how did one St. Pete brewery reclaim and redefine a long-time symbol of oppression within the city?  Safe travels!  Works Cited  https://geog.ufl.edu/2025/04/17/stpete/ https://www.history.com/articles/florida https://www.weather.gov/fsd/season https://spmoh.com/betting-on-the-sunshine/ https://www.vox.com/videos/408969/stpetersburg-florida-weather-sunny-sunshine https://www.greenbenchbrewing.com/green-bench-history https://spmoh.com/the-life-lies-of-st-petes-founding-mother-2/ https://www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/st-petersburg-african-american-deuces-neighborhood/ https://www.stpetebikingtours.com/post/how-st-petersburg-got-its-name-it-might-not-be-what-you-heard http://www.saint-petersburg.com/famous-people/peter-demens/ https://theweeklychallenger.com/a-visual-history-of-civil-rights-social-change-in-pinellas-county-part-3/ https://tampamagazines.com/a-visual-timeline-of-st-petersburg/ https://www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/7/14/a-stone-of-hope-green-bench-brewery-in-st-petersburg-florida Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at: https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

    24 min
  5. The Shell Capital of the World - Sanibel Island

    FEB 5

    The Shell Capital of the World - Sanibel Island

    Today, we explore one of the most shell-populated shorelines in the world: Sanibel Island.  Cradled along Florida’s Southwest Coast, the island provides conditions perfect for multitudes of perfectly preserved shells to wash gently ashore. Why? How? And why should you care?  Let’s get into it because more than just diving into the unique nature of Sanibel Island, we’ll uncover the nature, origins, and importance of the shells themselves.  Their story might surprise you.  Works Cited:  https://www.jstor.org/stable/40865490?read-now=1&seq=2#page_scan_tab_contents https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2017/february/mollusc-evolution.html https://environment.yale.edu/news/article/sea-levels-rise-mussels-provide-coastal-ecosystem-protections https://sanibel-captiva.org/sanibel-island-shelling/ https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/the-worlds-7-best-beaches-for-finding-shells/ https://www.shapeoflife.org/news/featured-creature/2018/02/26/anomalocaris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDQa0okkpf0 https://www.amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/cambrian-arms-race https://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/seashell-identification/ https://shellmuseum.org/shells-and-science/shells-guide/ https://sanibel-captiva.org/sanibel-island-history-captiva-island-history/ https://sanibelmuseum.org/sanibel-history/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-of-natural-history/2022/06/22/the-story-behind-the-seashells-by-the-seashore/ https://www.museumoftheearth.org/marvelous-mollusks#:~:text=Mollusks%20are%20an%20extremely%20diverse,freshwater%20and%20in%20the%20sea. Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at: https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

    27 min
  6. On the Road - America's Flattest State: Which One Takes the Crown?

    JAN 22

    On the Road - America's Flattest State: Which One Takes the Crown?

    Welcome to the van!  During any road trip, questions are bound to arise as your surroundings change.  Today we ask:  How and when were speed limits first established?  Why do trucks have to stop at weigh stations?  What is the worst state to start a homestead in (and why)?  And finally, what's the absolute flattest state in the United States?  Let's hit the road!  Works Cited:  https://blog.americansafetycouncil.com/the-history-of-speed-limits-in-america/ https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Walter-Arnold-Worlds-First-Speeding-Ticket/ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140314-flattest-states-geography-topography-science https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/january-2/nixon-signs-national-speed-limit-into-law https://history.state.gov/milestones/1969-1976/oil-embargo https://www.nps.gov/home/learn/historyculture/abouthomesteadactlaw.htm https://redemptionpermaculture.com/7-of-the-worst-states-for-homesteading-and-the-reasons-why/ https://www.freightech.us/post/history-of-trucking-in-america https://hdfleet.com/facts-every-fleet-should-know-about-truck-weigh-stations/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/50421599/?clipping_id=15388481&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjUwNDIxNTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NjcxMTgxNzgsImV4cCI6MTc2NzIwNDU3OH0.NlPl0r7aeCgmNjlU7lpVqcBezgwKvQkoQL1i-KOsYD4 https://law-school.open.ac.uk/blog/red-flag-act Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at: https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

    34 min
  7. The Parthenon, Y'all - The Gods Visit Nashville

    12/11/2025

    The Parthenon, Y'all - The Gods Visit Nashville

    Nashville has a Parthenon ... why?  Nestled into Centennial Park in Nashville, Tennessee, lies an exact-size and detail replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece.  The thrilling story of America's Parthenon might surprise you.  Safe travels!  Works Cited: https://www.jstor.org/stable/42626877?read-now=1&seq=12#page_scan_tab_contents https://www.jstor.org/stable/42626877?searchText=the+parthenon&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dthe%2Bparthenon%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fspellcheck_basic_search%2Ftest&refreqid=fastly-default%3A9d9ba02e0f9f5e7a7c507ab701fa1ffe&seq=7 https://www.jstor.org/stable/826893?read-now=1&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents https://www.jstor.org/stable/501468?read-now=1&seq=2#page_scan_tab_contents https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/parthenon/hurwit.html https://www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/british-museum-story/contested-objects-collection/parthenon-sculptures https://www.history.com/articles/parthenon-acropolis-ancient-greece-engineering https://library.nashville.gov/blog/2019/10/nashville-athens-southbut-why https://www.nashvilleparthenon.com/history https://www.stephdavidbaxter.com/the-nashville-parthenon/ https://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/athena-vs-poseidon-contest-name/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZDnv110iWo&t=498s https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-rise-and-fall-of-worlds-fairs-180979946/ Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at: https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

    31 min
  8. On the Road - Why Are Barns Red?

    12/02/2025

    On the Road - Why Are Barns Red?

    Today, Midwestern highways inspire us to ask: Why are barns red? What defines the boundaries of the Midwest? Why are Hay Bales round? And finally, most controversially, perhaps, which Midwestern state has the worst drivers? Let's explore the answers as we hit the road!  Works Cited:  https://blogs.loc.gov/picturethis/2018/05/a-closer-look-why-barns-are-red/ https://dahp.wa.gov/barn-paint-colors https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/why-are-all-swedish-cottages-painted-red-180975914/ https://falurodfarg.com/en/about/the-story-of-the-red-cottage/ https://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/maybe-the-midwest-is-a-state-of-mind/ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/18/us/midwest-states-harris-trump.html https://www.forbes.com/sites/kionasmith/2021/03/18/this-is-why-hay-bales-are-round/ https://www.vermeer.com/na/balers/history Noah and Noodles here! We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey. Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations. Follow each adventure visually at: https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

    20 min
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About

Traveling America's backroads, road trip experts - Noah and Noodles - explore fascinating locations overlooked while traveling.  Living out of a van, they unravel the - often shocking - story behind each neglected story or location. If you love travel, exploration and unique locations -  join us on the road! 

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