In this encore edition of American Road Trip Talk, we are diving deep into the Garden State’s most enduring legends. Our special guest, Karl Petry, will serve as our guide through the strange and fascinating history of the region. Among them, the terrifying “New Jersey Devil”, the state’s clown prince of Paterson, Lou Costello, and the luxurious seaside resort town of Cape May. Also, there is the forbidding Sleepy Hollow, made famous by Washington Irving. Buckle up for a journey through folklore and history!

Encore presentation originally aired January 9, 2026

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In this episode of American Road Trip Talk, listeners are taken on a nostalgic journey through the rolling hills of the Ozarks to explore the vibrant history and quirky roadside culture of Pulaski County, Missouri. Guest Beth Wiles, Executive Director of the Pulaski County Tourism Bureau, guides travelers along 33 intact miles of historic Route 66, highlighting iconic stops that range from the scenic bluffs of Devil’s Elbow to the eccentric humor of the Uranus "sideshow" complex. The discussion weaves together the deep heritage of the region—including the Trail of Tears and Civil War history—with essential road trip experiences like hunting for neon signs, sampling local barbecue and burgers, and discovering the authentic "Mother Road" spirit that draws visitors from around the globe.

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This year Route 66 is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and we've invited the executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, Casey Claypool, to chat about famous stops, diners and events happening in Illinois to celebrate the Centennial. Website: https://illinoisroute66.org

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In this episode of American Road Trip Talk, we sit down with researcher and former Finding Bigfoot host Cliff Barackman, who is also the curator of the North American Bigfoot Center. In the town of Boring, Oregon, the center distinguishes itself from typical roadside attractions by operating as a serious natural history museum dedicated to the anthropological study of Sasquatch. Travelers passing through the Pacific Northwest are invited to explore a vast curation of evidence—including track casts, historical film analysis, and even a "butt print" from the Blue Mountains—offering a fascinating and educational pit stop for anyone curious about the mystery of North America’s elusive wild ape.

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Gary Mantz sits down with Sally Fuller to chat about this friendly little competition between Liberal, Kansas, and Olney, England, with women running 415 yards down the streets of each town flipping pancakes. It all started in 1950 from a magazine picture of the Olney women racing each other to the church. Liberal Jaycee President R.J. Leete contacted the Rev. Ronald Collins, Vicar of St. Peter and St. Paul’s church in Olney, challenging their women to race against women of Liberal. Like in Olney, the traditional prize of the race is the “Kiss of Peace” from the verger (bellringer). It is still the only race of its kind on the planet. Website(s): https://pancakeday.net / https://visitliberal.com

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In this episode of American Road Trip Talk, we pay another visit to Springfield, Illinois, where Amy Beadle discusses the city's extensive preparations for the 2026 Route 66 Centennial. Beadle outlines a robust calendar of upcoming events, including a unique Centennial 5K race on the historic fairgrounds' dirt mile track, the return of the International Carillon Festival over Memorial Day weekend, and the "History Comes Alive" program featuring world-class Abraham Lincoln reenactors. The conversation also covers essential travel tips, from exploring the city's walkable historic sites to sampling local culinary icons like the "Horseshoe" sandwich and the original Cozy Dog.

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In this week’s edition of American Road Trip Talk, we are diving deep into the Garden State’s most enduring legends. Our special guest, Karl Petry, will serve as our guide through the strange and fascinating history of the region. Among them, the terrifying “New Jersey Devil”, the state’s clown prince of Paterson, Lou Costello, and the luxurious seaside resort town of Cape May. Also, there is the forbidding Sleepy Hollow, made famous by Washington Irving. Buckle up for a journey through folklore and history!

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In this week’s edition of American Road Trip Talk, Sharon Strouse joins us whose has been involved with the National Scenic Byway program since 1997. As Executive Director of NSBF, she leads our member driven nonprofit organization to be the ‘National Voice of Scenic Byways and Roads,’ along with our national partners. Supporting byway leaders to protect and enhance their byway resources has been her aspiration. Through planning, fund-raising and education, she has gained experience at the local, state and national levels working with byways and byway leaders.

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