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

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

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

By: Noah Mulgrew
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Summary

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!

© 2026 Backroad Odyssey : Travel Stories, Van Life & Road Trip Oddities Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail - The Incredible True Story

    Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail - The Incredible True Story
    27 Aug 2026

    Eleven kids. Twenty-three grandchildren. One very long walk.

    Today we're telling the story of Emma Gatewood - a 67-year-old grandmother who sets out alone to hike ALL 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

    We'll explore the ancient history of the Appalachian Mountains, the origins of the trail, and attempt to answer the following question using Emma's fascinating story:

    WHY do we choose to move?

    Here at Backroad Odyssey, we're usually obsessed with the destination.

    Today, in our new iteration of Travel Stories, it's all about the journey.

    Works Cited:

    https://grandmagatewood.com

    https://www.jstor.org/stable/44131250?searchText=the%20appalachian%20mountain%20trail&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dthe%2Bappalachian%2Bmountain%2Btrail%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Ac1f67e4f400c38c37098f1ae0c2eff19

    https://www.jstor.org/stable/25764487?searchText=the%20origins%20of%20the%20appalachian%20trail&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dthe%2Borigins%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bappalachian%2Btrail%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Ae4482aadf5df41c9fbd7e04331c23981

    https://www.outdoors.org/resources/amc-outdoors/history/grandma-gatewood-the-first-woman-to-solo-hike-the-entire-appalachian-trail/

    https://appalachiantrail.org/about/atc-history/

    https://appalachiantrail.org/news-stories/where-the-appalachian-trail-began/

    https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/geology/appalachians

    http://www.virginiaplaces.org/geology/appalachians.html

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIV2o-OWYTs

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIV2o-OWYT

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VO2Oujz3jA


    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/
    Show more Show less
    32 min
  • The Price of Utopia - The New Harmony Experiments

    The Price of Utopia - The New Harmony Experiments
    19 May 2026
    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%3A729865f03db7e18a3b377a052be0999bhttps://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=8-1https://www.jstor.org/stable/2716919?oauth_data=eyJlbWFpbCI6ImJhY2tyb2Fkb2R5c3NleXBvZEBnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJpbnN0aXR1dGlvbklkcyI6W10sInByb3ZpZGVyIjoiZ29vZ2xlIn0&oauth_data=eyJlbWFpbCI6ImJhY2tyb2Fkb2R5c3NleXBvZEBnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJpbnN0aXR1dGlvbklkcyI6W10sInByb3ZpZGVyIjoiZ29vZ2xlIn0&oauth_data=eyJlbWFpbCI6ImJhY2tyb2Fkb2R5c3NleXBvZEBnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJpbnN0aXR1dGlvbklkcyI6W10sInByb3ZpZGVyIjoiZ29vZ2xlIn0https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1324&context=mastershttps://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1377&context=communalsocietieshttps://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=1https://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=2https://www.ijhf.org/members/1980/frances-wrighthttps://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=4https://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=9https://newharmony-in.gov/about-new-harmony.phphttps://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.htmlhttps://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1324&context=mastershttps://www.econlib.org/library/columns/y2025/schansbergutopianexperiments.htmlhttps://americanhistory.si.edu/brown/history/1-segregated/separate-but-equal.htmlhttps://online.utpb.edu/about-us/articles/psychology/the-psychology-of-cults/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyHLLzmNje0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0jCH7QVhm4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmDDCsdQNAYNoah 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/
    Show more Show less
    56 min
  • Chasing Margaritaville: The Jimmy Buffet Story

    Chasing Margaritaville: The Jimmy Buffet Story
    7 Apr 2026

    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/
    Show more Show less
    41 min
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