TheCampyTraveler

Hollie
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Places & Travel

Hello! Campy, nerdy people. I'm Hollie the campy traveler, and on this podcast I explore the weird, whimsical, dark and delightful stories hiding beneath the surface of history, folklore and culture. I enjoy connecting curious listeners with fascinating people, unusual traditions and real places worth exploring. Let's get curious. 

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    The Evolution of Halloween: from Sacred Fires to Trick-or-Treat

    Send us Fan Mail Halloween didn’t arrive fully formed. It was assembled, story by story, from Irish tales of an unlatched night, medieval prayers for the dead, Scottish guisers, a trickster who fooled the Devil, a Hudson Valley ghost story, a century of outhouse-tipping, and a cartoon boy in a pumpkin patch. This episode follows the story from Gaelic Samhain to trick-or-treat, separating documented history from the legends people added later. Segment | Starts at | Length | Optional cut inside Cold open (Tootie, flour, furniture) | 0:00 | 3:30 | none Your intro and the one idea | 3:30 | 2:20 + your intro | none Story One: The Dare at Cruachan (Samhain, Nera) | 5:50 | 7:30 | Tlachtga, 0:40 Story Two: The Beggar at the Door (souling, guising) | 13:20 | 4:35 | none Story Three: Stingy Jack | 17:55 | 5:25 | none Story Four: A Mirror at Midnight (Burns, divination) | 23:20 | 3:40 | Joyce, 0:40 Story Five: Ichabod Crane and the Pumpkin | 27:00 | 4:20 | Salem, 0:40 Story Six: Tootie’s Flour (pranks) | 31:20 | 2:25 | none Story Seven: The Town That Guarded Its Outhouses | 33:45 | 3:55 | candy panic, 0:45 Story Eight: Día de los Muertos | 37:40 | 2:20 | whole story Story Nine: The Boy in the Pumpkin Patch | 40:00 | 2:35 | none Closing | 42:35 | 2:05 | none Sign-off and outro | 44:40 | 1:00 + your segments | none Touch It Places Anoka, Minnesota, USA — The Halloween Capital of the World, known for its historic citywide Halloween celebrations.Oaxaca, Mexico — Experience colorful Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) traditions.Mexico City, Mexico — Explore spectacular Day of the Dead parades, altars, and celebrations.Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland — Experience the Samhuinn Fire Festival, inspired by ancient Celtic seasonal traditions.Galway City, Ireland — Celebrate Halloween with the Gaillimh Ah-Boo! Festival and Macnas Parade.Hill of Ward (Tlachtga), County Meath, Ireland — Explore an ancient ceremonial site associated with Samhain.Cave of the Cats (Oweynagat), County Roscommon, Ireland — Discover a legendary cave believed in Irish mythology to connect to the Otherworld.National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, County Mayo, Ireland — See a traditional carved turnip lantern, an early predecessor of the pumpkin jack-o-lanternBooks/Pop culture/Media: explore without travel Movies:  Meet Me in St Louis, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and CocoDocumentaries Samhain: The Birth of Halloween hosted by Micheal Londra The Real Story of Halloween on Sling TV Books  Non-FictionThe Halloween Encyclopedia by Lesley Bannatyne Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night by Nicholas RogersFiction: The Witching Hour by Ann Rice, The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington IrvingSources Still curious? I’m thrilled to aid and abet a deep dive. Here are some of the sources I used, and a couple extra that I only scratched the surface: Hutton, Ronald. The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. Oxford University Press, 1996. (Excerpted online at https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/10/christian-not-pagan-origins-of.html; read the book itself for citation.)UCD School of Archaeology. “The Hill of Ward Project.” https://www.ucd.ie/archaeology/research/howDiscover Boyne Valley. “The Hill of Tlachtga and Samhain.” https://discoverboynevalley.ie/node/1319Jackman, Neil. Samhain sites in Ireland, TheJournal.ie. https://jrnl.ie/1146097HISTORY. “History of the Jack-o’-Lantern.” https://loki.editorial.aetnd.com/topics/halloween/history-of-the-jack-o-lanternMental Floss. “What’s the Origin of the Jack-O’-Lantern?” https://mentalfloss.com/article/12865/whats-origin-jack-o-lanternsStar Tribune. “Tipped-over outhouses and freed cows: How Anoka became ‘Halloween Capital of the World.’” https://www.startribune.com/article/601165608CBC News. “Albertans may have been 1st to say ‘trick or treat.’” (Nicholas Rogers, 1927 Alberta newspaper citation.) https://amp.cbc.ca/lite/story/1.3829669Heritage Park Historical Village. “From Tricks to Treats: Western Canadian Contributions to Halloween.” https://heritagepark.ca/news-stories/from-tricks-to-treats-western-canadian-contributions-to-halloween/Edmonton City Archives. “Trick or Treat.” https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/edmonton_archives/trick-or-treatThe Canadian Encyclopedia. “L’Halloween au Canada” (UNICEF campaign, wartime sugar rationing). https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/fr/article/halloweenBannatyne, Lesley. “When Halloween Was All Tricks and No Treats.” Smithsonian Magazine, October 27, 2017. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-halloween-was-all-tricks-no-treats-180966996/Handwerk, Brian. “Halloween: Costumes, History, Myths, and More.” National Geographic, October 19, 2018. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/101029-halloween-costumes-ideas-history-science-nationBachelor, Blane. “The History of American Jack-o’-Lanterns.” National Geographic, October 27, 2020. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/the-twisted-transatlantic-tale-of-american-jack-o-lanternsSmithsonian Institution. “Five Facts About Día de los Muertos.” https://www.si.edu/stories/5-facts-about-dia-de-los-muertos-day-deadSmithsonian National Museum of American History. “Day of the Dead at the Smithsonian: It’s Not Halloween.” https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/stories/day-dead-smithsonian-its-not-halloweenIrving, Washington. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (1819–1820). Public domain: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41Meyer, Kuno, trans. “The Adventures of Nera” (Revue Celtique, 1889). Online at the Celtic Literature Collective: https://maryjones.us/ctexts/nera.htmlPrimary cultural works cited in the script Meet Me in St. Louis. Directed by Vincente Minnelli. MGM, 1944.It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Directed by Bill Melendez. CBS, first aired October 27, 1966.Burns, Robert. “Halloween” (1785).Joyce, James. “Clay,” in Dubliners (1914).Shakespeare, William. The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

  2. Oct 23

    The Pirate Captain Kidd part 2: Moons are only good for romantic endeavors...

    Send us Fan Mail Captain Kidd finally has it all: a royal commission, a beautiful family, a magnificent ship, and a mission to hunt down the world’s most wanted pirates. What could possibly go wrong? Oh, just about everything. Grab your coffee and join Hollie, TheCampyTraveler, and guest Evee as we follow Kidd into the voyage that would make—or break—his legacy. From a crew stolen out from under him to deadly disease, a fatal argument involving a wooden bucket, and a treasure-laden ship that sparks centuries of debate, Kidd’s dream adventure turns into a maritime mess. Was he a law-abiding privateer pushed to desperation, or was this the moment he crossed the line into piracy? The evidence is complicated, the stakes are enormous, and the ocean is full of trouble. Plus, we’ll explore real pirate destinations and pop-culture rabbit holes inspired by Kidd’s legend. Settle in, stay curious, and prepare to watch a captain’s luck run out Where You Can  Touch It:  1. River Thames, London Stand beside the river where Kidd's expedition nearly failed before it even reached open water, after much of his crew was impressed into Royal Navy service. "Captain Kidd's bad luck started before he even reached the sea." 2. National Maritime Museum, Greenwich One of the world's finest maritime museums. Learn about privateering, navigation, naval warfare, and daily life aboard ships like the Adventure Galley. "Want to understand what life aboard Kidd's ship was really like? This is the place." 3. Fort Kochi, India Located near the waters where Kidd captured the Quedagh Merchant — the controversial prize that would forever alter his reputation. "The legal battle over this capture still fascinates historians today." 4. Nosy Boraha (Île Sainte-Marie), Madagascar Perhaps the world's greatest pirate destination. Kidd sought refuge here while his crew unraveled and his fortunes collapsed. "This is where Captain Kidd's world truly began to fall apart." 5. Pirate Cemetery, Nosy Boraha One of the only authentic pirate cemeteries in the world — a rare chance to stand among the graves of real pirates. "If any place captures the atmosphere of the Golden Age of Piracy, this is it." 6. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis Home to a massive, permanent interactive exhibit called National Geographic Treasures of the Earth — and the most significant part of its Kidd connection is a real, 17th-century iron cannon recovered directly from Captain Kidd's shipwreck in the Dominican Republic. Indiana University researchers legally brought the cannon to the U.S. for testing, conservation, and stabilization, and in 2011 — to coincide with the 310th anniversary of Kidd's execution — it went on permanent display, submerged in a specialized freshwater casing to protect the metal. "You can see a piece of Captain Kidd's actual wreck — in Indiana, of all places." 7. Living Museum of the Sea, off Catalina Island, Dominican Republic Established in 2007 after a diver found the wreckage in just ten feet of water, researchers from Indiana University identified the ship as Kidd's controversial prize, the Quedagh Merchant. Their preservation approach was a world first — the planet's first marine park allowing divers to visit a wreck while preserving it in situ, protecting both the vessel and the ecosystem that's grown up around it. "You can dive alongside Kidd's ill-fated prize and the sea life that now calls it home." 8. Baie des Forbans (Pirates' Bay), Madagascar A picturesque bay forever linked with pirates and privateers. This is where listeners can imagine Kidd's disastrous encounter with Robert Culliford and the mutiny that followed. "Next episode, Captain Kidd sails home... only to discover he's become the pirate everyone is hunting." Fictional Works One Piece, creator Eiichiro Oda (1997–present) — Features the pirate Eustass Kid, a direct homage to Captain Kidd, ambitious and fearless in the same mold as his namesake.Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie (1904) — References Kidd throughout, including "Kidd's Creek"; Barrie drew on real pirate folklore to build Neverland's mythology.Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates by Howard Pyle (1921) — Includes "Tom Chist and the Treasure Box," featuring Kidd's buried treasure; Pyle's illustrations shaped modern pirate imagery.Captain Kidd (1945), dir. Rowland V. Lee, starring Charles Laughton — The definitive mid-century Hollywood villain portrayal of Kidd.Documentary The UnXplained, hosted by William Shatner"The Golden Age of Pirates" — Season 7, Episode 1 (aired Oct 4, 2024)"America's Lost Treasures" — Season 4, Episode 17 (aired Nov 4, 2022)References Zacks, Richard. The Pirate Hunter: The True Story of Captain Kidd. New York: Hyperion, 2002.Konstam, Angus. Pirates: The Complete History from 1300 BC to the Present Day. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2008.Marquis, Samuel. Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal. 2025.Ritchie, Robert C. Captain Kidd and the War Against the Pirates. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1986.Cordingly, David. Under the Black Flag: The Romance and Reality of Life Among the Pirates. Random House.

  3. Oct 23

    The Pirate Captain Kidd part 1: Cabin Boy to Captain

    Send us Fan Mail The rope snapped. Was it a sign from God—or just the last contradiction in a much bigger conspiracy? In 1701, Captain William Kidd stood on the gallows, condemned as a pirate. But here’s the twist: just a few years earlier, he’d been a respected sea captain with a royal commission and the backing of some of England’s most powerful men. So how did a crown-approved pirate hunter become an infamous villain? Grab your coffee and join Hollie, TheCampyTraveler, as we dig into the curious, complicated life of Captain Kidd. From a poor Scottish childhood to Caribbean mutinies, colonial battles, and the powerful friendships that shaped his fate, we’re separating the man from the legend—one suspicious turn at a time. Plus, discover real places to explore and literary rabbit holes to follow. This is Part One of a tale of ambition, betrayal, and the blurry line between privateer and pirate. Where You Can Touch It If today's episode has you itching to follow Captain Kidd's footsteps in person, I've put together today's featured destinations in the show notes —  so you can plan your own dark-history adventure. 1. Dundee, Scotland Most historians believe this is where William Kidd was born, around 1645. Walking the waterfront gives you a real sense of just how humble his beginnings were. "This is where Captain Kidd's remarkable story begins." 2. The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum A window into Dundee's maritime culture, and the seafaring world that shaped Kidd as a child. "What did life look like for a poor Scottish boy growing up in a port city? This museum helps answer that." 3. Trinity Church, New York City Kidd became a respected member of New York society and supported the early Trinity Church. Standing here really drives home how far he'd climbed. "By this point, William Kidd wasn't just surviving — he was thriving." 4. Fort James Site (Battery Park), New York City The original fort is long gone, but this is where Kidd helped defend the city during Leisler's Rebellion and earned the reputation that would eventually lead to his royal commission. "This is where Captain Kidd became a hero instead of just another sailor." 5. Deptford Royal Dockyard, London Little remains today, but this is where the Adventure Galley was built — the ship that would change everything for Kidd. "This is where England built the ship that would ultimately destroy Captain Kidd." 6. Painted Hall & Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich One of Britain's most beautiful maritime landmarks, sitting on the waterfront Kidd sailed past on his way out for his most famous voyage. Books, Pop Culture & Media Documentary The UnXplained, hosted by William Shatner "The Golden Age of Pirates" — Season 7, Episode 1 (aired Oct 4, 2024)"America's Lost Treasures" — Season 4, Episode 17 (aired Nov 4, 2022)Fictional Works The Gold-Bug by Edgar Allan Poe (1843) — Follows a coded treasure map said to mark the location of Captain Kidd's lost treasure. Helped cement the enduring image of Kidd as the archetypal treasure-burying pirate, influencing countless treasure-hunting stories to follow.The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving (1824) — Inspired by Kidd's legend of buried treasure, this tale follows an ordinary man who must outwit the devil himself to claim treasure Kidd supposedly buried. Notable as one of the earliest works to fold Kidd and his treasure into American folklore.References Zacks, Richard. The Pirate Hunter: The True Story of Captain Kidd. New York: Hyperion, 2002.Konstam, Angus. Pirates: The Complete History from 1300 BC to the Present Day. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2008.Marquis, Samuel. Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal. 2025.

  4. Oct 22

    Witch Trials, but not Salem

    Send us Fan Mail Salem gets all the credit — but the real story of American witch hunting starts almost sixty years earlier, in Connecticut, and doesn't end until a healer named Grace Sherwood is bound and thrown into a Virginia river. This episode traces the fifty-year Connecticut panic that quietly wrote the legal playbook Salem would later run off a cliff — and the woman who survived the very last chapter of it. Content note/Trigger warning: This episode includes references to death, executions, and historical violence, discussed in a folkloric and historical context including the death of a child. Please take care of yourself and skip this episode if needed. Sources Still curious? I’m thrilled to aid and abet a deep dive. Here are some of the sources I used, and a couple extra that I only scratched the surface: VISIT: Connecticut Witch Trial History Trail • Ferry Plantation House • Witchduck Road • Witchduck Point • Grace Sherwood Statue • Colonial WilliamsburgREAD: Before Salem • Entertaining Satan • The Devil in the Shape of a Woman • The Witch of PungoWATCH: Grace Sherwood: The Witch of Pungo (PBS) • Our Place, Our Time (PBS) • Cry Witch (Colonial Williamsburg) • Pungo: A Witch's TaleConnecticut Witch Trial Exoneration (2023) Associated Press. (2023, May 26). Connecticut absolves 12 people convicted of witchcraft, apologizes for 'miscarriage of justice'. Fox News.Associated Press. (2023, May 26). Lawmakers absolve accused colonial-era witches, apologize in Connecticut. WSAZ.Associated Press. (2023, May 27). 'Miscarriage of justice': Connecticut lawmakers absolve accused colonial-era witches. The Daily Record.CBS News. (2023). Connecticut weighs exonerating accused witches who were executed in the 1600s: "This was wrong."Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project. (n.d.). Home / Press. connecticutwitchtrials.orgNPR (1A). (2023, June 26). 370 years later, Connecticut is exonerating accused witches.The Middletown Press. (2023, March 3). Lawmakers consider exonerating people convicted of witchcraft in 1600s. PressReader.Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. (2023, February 19). Connecticut apology for witch trials gets a look. PressReader.Connecticut Particular Court Records, 1639–1663. Hartford, CT: Connecticut Historical Society. Museum & Library Holdings.Dayton Daily News. (2023, February 26). Connecticut considers an apology for witch trials. PressReader.Grace Sherwood / The Witch of Pungo Encyclopedia Virginia. (2023, July 19). Grace Sherwood (ca. 1660–1740).Infinite Women. (2025, March 2). Grace Sherwood.Library of Virginia. (2023, October 2). Good witch or a bad witch?: The Grace Sherwood trial and pardon. The UncommonWealth.Neptune Ghosts. (2026, January 12). The Witch of Pungo.Neptune Ghosts. (2026, January 13). Witch Duck Road in Virginia Beach.Salem Witch Museum. (2023, July 28). Grace Sherwood: The "Witch" of Pungo.Virginia Museum of History & Culture. (n.d.). Grace Sherwood: The "Witch of Pungo."Wikipedia. (n.d.). Witchduck Point.Wood, K. L. (2014, July 23). Ducking the witch... Grace Sherwood's trial by water. [Blog post.]

  • 4 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Hello! Campy, nerdy people. I'm Hollie the campy traveler, and on this podcast I explore the weird, whimsical, dark and delightful stories hiding beneath the surface of history, folklore and culture. I enjoy connecting curious listeners with fascinating people, unusual traditions and real places worth exploring. Let's get curious. 

Information

  • Creator
    Hollie
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 TheCampyTraveler
  • Show Website
    TheCampyTraveler