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

Noah Mulgrew
  • 5.0 (24)
  • 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 Shell Capital of the World - Sanibel Island

    2D AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. The Savannah Story - America's First Urban Experiment

    11/25/2025

    The Savannah Story - America's First Urban Experiment

    Today, we walk the oak-lined streets of Savannah, Georgia -  often referred to as America’s first truly planned city.  Savannah’s many parks, measured plots of land, and deeply walkable nature aren’t just an exercise in alternative city planning - the real story of Savannah’s creation might surprise you. The claim we’ll make today is this: Savannah, and Georgia itself to a degree, started as nothing less than a bold experiment challenging the way in which people should live. Curious? Let’s hit the road!  Works Cited:  https://www.jstor.org/stable/40584446?read-now=1&seq=25#page_scan_tab_contents https://www.jstor.org/stable/40577982?read-now=1&seq=13#page_scan_tab_contents https://www.jstor.org/stable/26413048?read-now=1&seq=41#page_scan_tab_contents https://www.jstor.org/stable/40550186?read-now=1&seq=24#page_scan_tab_contents https://www.jstor.org/stable/26228997?read-now=1&seq=9#page_scan_tab_contents https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/counties-cities-neighborhoods/savannah/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbyuNHCDdNM&t=78s https://archive.strongtowns.org/journal/2024/3/8/lessons-on-development-patterns-from-americas-oldest-planned-city https://www.asce.org/about-civil-engineering/history-and-heritage/historic-landmarks/city-plan-of-savannah 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/

    28 min
  6. Travel Stories - Second Families and Road Trip Air Fryers

    11/13/2025

    Travel Stories - Second Families and Road Trip Air Fryers

    Welcome to the van as we dig up travel stories from the DEPTHS of Reddit!  Abby (of Hooks.and.hops) joins us to discuss traveling air fryers, solo expeditions, and obvious vacations with second families.  Buckle up and enjoy this week's laid-back conversation!  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/

    47 min
  7. The Driftless - Caves, Hills, and the Myth of Flyover Country

    10/09/2025

    The Driftless - Caves, Hills, and the Myth of Flyover Country

    Today, we explore a region shrouded in mystery …   An isolated land of rugged hills, carved river valleys, and secluded relics of ages past.  The American Midwest. Specifically, a region untouched by the many terraforming glaciers that flattened much of what we now refer to as the Upper Midwest.  What we find might surprise you...  Recording Locations:  Maquoketa Caves State Parkhttps://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-parks/all-parks/maquoketa-caves-state-park Potosi, Wisconsin  https://www.potosibrewery.com/ Governor Dodge State Park https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/govdodge Mines of Spain -  Dubuque, Iowa https://www.minesofspain.org/ Highway 20, East of Dubuque Works Cited:  https://www.jstor.org/stable/30068294?searchText=glacial%20movement&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dglacial%2Bmovement%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A7adbd841d5b02ad978f1d3558444b56b https://www.jstor.org/stable/30054867?searchText=the+driftless+region&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dthe%2Bdriftless%2Bregion%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Ada2488f7a1a6ca5cd9e7a59f1218795c&seq=1 https://data.wgnhs.wisc.edu/pubshare/ES057.pdf https://eaglebluffmn.org/driftless/ https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-parks/all-parks/maquoketa-caves-state-park https://scholarworks.uni.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1430&context=jias https://www.wisconservation.org/the-driftless-region/ https://geology.utah.gov/map-pub/survey-notes/glad-you-asked/ice-ages-what-are-they-and-what-causes-them/ https://www.agatemag.com/2021/02/the-driftless-the-land-and-humans/ https://www.rafamedina.com/research/bryda/ 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/

    22 min
  8. Travel Stories : The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

    09/18/2025

    Travel Stories : The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

    Welcome to our inaugural collection of travel stories from the depths of Reddit, where my dog Noodles and I react to online tales that range from bone-chilling to heartwarming. After two years on the road, Noodles and I craft informed commentary on Reddits wildest travel stories; the good, the bad and the ugly.  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
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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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