Alphabet Sleep Alphabet Sleep

This week features a stormy late-night road trip down the open interstate. Switch off the radio and instead, tune in to the sound of the moment as you are quietly driven to a destination you've always wanted to visit. With the passenger seat reclined, concentrate on the relaxing sound of raindrops softly pitter-patter against the windshield. Listen to the gentle mechanical whir of the blades as they wipe the glass clean. Listen to the soft, constant low hum of the motor softly shifting gears and the sound of tires as they kick up small puddles on the highway pavement. Close your eyes and enjoy this sleepy commute to a new place. 43.83735, -101.77668

Nestled within the lush terrain of the Appalachian Mountains, the leftover grist water mills are weatherworn relics of a bygone era. Since the 1870s, water cascading over the Cable Mill's wooden wheel has reverberated through surrounding Cades Cove and Great Smoky Mountain National Park. As a calm rush of water down the aged timber flume crashes over its lazily spinning wheel and into the stream below, the gears within the Millhouse chime in with the occasional soft creak and clang. Visitors who pause to listen can hear these relaxing sounds echo timeless craftsmanship throughout the hills of Appalachia. 35.58513, -83.84445

Tonight on our sleep travel podcast, we visit one of the largest natural wetlands on Earth. As twilight descends on Everglades National Park, this remote wilderness undergoes a remarkable transformation, revealing a hidden world of nocturnal activity and extraordinary nature sounds. The trill of chirping crickets fills the humid air above the dense marshes and mangroves, punctuated by the intermittent splashes of fish and reptiles as they break the water's surface below. Silhouettes of herons and egrets glides gracefully against the moonlit sky, traversing with ease this unique 1.5 million acre ecosystem in southern Florida. 25.21470, -80.85034

In the heart of a snow-covered wilderness, a secluded cabin stands as a bastion against an icy winter night. The warm glow of an old wood burning stove radiates from the center of the cabin, casting dancing shadows across its wooden walls. The gentle murmur of kindling ignites the scene, shortly followed by the crackling crescendo of logs freshly chopped as they embrace the growing flames. Each snap and pop reverberates through the cabin as the scent of burning wood permeates the cozy rustic living space, infusing the atmosphere with a pleasant earthy aroma. 45.65615, -92.69977

This week, listen in on a relaxing hike through remote wilderness amongst the satisfying sound of footsteps in fresh snow. The air is crisp and cold with an intermittent breeze. A recently passed snow storm has blanketed the forest white in every direction. Each step yields a pleasing crunch as the pristine snow softly packs beneath shoe soles. A periodic pause makes way for the calls of birds that echo through the bare branches. Some would be quick to point out that this snow is perfect for making snowballs, but there's not another soul for miles. 44.22240, -90.56128

Since 1952, the S.S. Badger has been making a seasonal four-hour trek across Lake Michigan connecting Manitowoc, WI and Ludington, MI. The low drone of the rumbling engines along with waves gently crashing across the hull make for a soothing combination of white noise. The soft intermittent clanking of the ship's vibrating steel frame is a familiar sound to generations of passengers. At seven stories tall, this ferry has space for hundreds of people, cars, and bicycles, but there's always room for one more. So climb aboard and take a relaxing slow-paced journey on this moving National Historic Landmark. 43.94932, -86.45034