Backroad Odyssey : Travel, Van Life & Lost Locations

Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee claims to be the birthplace of Rock and Roll.

But just what does it mean to be “The Birthplace of Rock and Roll”?

Can we accept such a claim without first diving even deep into the murky depths of American musical history.

Noodles and I head to Memphis to find out ...

(Beneath the shadow of Graceland and within earshot of the blues of Beale street - the small label hosted musical greats like Howlin’ Wolf, B. B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Adams , Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and a young Elvis Presley.)

Works Cited:
Great book:
The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll: The Illustrated Story of Sun Records and the 70 Recordings That Changed the World
Fantastic documentary produced by Quincy Jones:
The History of Rock 'n' Roll - TV Mini Series (1995) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Ptv_7VqO4&list=PLIhBC_-F81kxTgSYJUMVXmjPwrLf8aXTP
Additional articles and references:

https://www.jstor.org/stable/30003142?read-now=1&seq=7#page_scan_tab_contents
https://www.jstor.org/stable/1214792?read-now=1&seq=17#page_scan_tab_contents
https://www.jstor.org/stable/494739?read-now=1&seq=2#page_scan_tab_contents
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/11/16/the-elvic-oracle
https://sunrecords.com/history/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXGubLQcnAg
https://wearememphis.com/play/music/brief-history-memphis-music/
https://musicmecca.org/a-brief-history-of-memphis-music/
https://timeline.carnegiehall.org/genres/rock-n-roll
https://timeline.carnegiehall.org/genres/boogie-woogie
https://www.classical-music.com/articles/blues-music
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/blues-music-guide
https://www.strathmore.org/community-education/public-education/shades-of-blues/blues-clues/
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gospel-music-guide
https://thegoldenageofrock.com/rock/the-influence-of-gospel/
https://www.history.com/news/race-records-bessie-smith-big-bill-broonzy-music-business
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/500-greatest-songs-podcast-hound-dog-elvis-presley-1234998378/
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-whitewashing-of-black-music-five-singles-m

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/

What started as a modest drug store now welcomes millions of curious travelers ...

Welcome to Wall Drug!

Home to a Robot T-rex, 6,000 cowboy boots, animatronic singers, a working chapel - and of course, their famous 5 cent coffee ...

Join my dog Noodles and I as we explore the wild story of Americas largest and most bizarre drug store!

Works Cited:

https://www.nps.gov/people/tedhustead.htm

https://www.maturesolotraveler.com/post/wall-drug-in-south-dakota-has-something-for-everyone

https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/wall-drug-south-dakota-western-art/

https://www.npr.org/2024/07/22/nx-s1-5040502-e1/wall-drug-relies-on-tourism-to-keep-its-doors-open-for-the-locals-who-need-it

https://www.roadtripusa.com/the-road-to-nowhere/south-dakota/wall-drug/

https://www.walldrug.com/about-us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5yDfkrphPU

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/

A water-logged marsh along highway 37, just west of Vallejo, California contains an object that perplexes, repulses and fascinates passing travelers.

How did this get here? The answer might surprise you.

This is the story of The Lone Toilet.

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/

In the bustling metropolis of Seattle, Washington, a curious resident claims the shadows beneath Aurora Bridge ....

Those who dare to venture below the bridge- more accurately, those that survive to tell the tale - speak of his sheer size, stern gaze and possessive nature...

But few can tell you the reason for his residency ... and that, my friends is a story worth telling.

This is the story of the Fremont Troll
In depth:
What if a single piece of public art could encapsulate the history, culture, and spirit of an entire neighborhood? Join us as we explore the captivating tale of Seattle's Fremont Troll. Beginning with the nostalgic Norwegian folklore of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," we unravel how this story inspired the creation of the 18-foot, 13,000-pound sculpture that has since become an icon of the Fremont neighborhood.
Wander with us through Fremont's vibrant streets—teeming with artists, students, and tech professionals—and witness firsthand the community's deep connection to this monumental troll.

Trolloween:
https://fremontartscouncil.org/trolloween
Song about the Fremont Troll (by Chicago the band - Majungas)
https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-fremont-troll/1276333443?i=1276333444
Works Cited:
https://www.seattletimes.com/life/a-brief-history-of-the-fremont-troll-a-menace-that-evokes-a-smile/
https://seattle.curbed.com/2019/6/4/18650083/fremont-bridge-troll-history-location
https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0122e.html
https://wanderwisdom.com/travel-destinations/All-About-the-Seattle-Fremont-Troll-and-How-to-Find-It
https://wedgwoodinseattlehistory.com/2015/05/01/history-of-the-fremont-neighborhood-in-seattle/
https://historylink.org/File/1320
https://visitseattle.org/neighborhoods/fremont-wallingford/
https://fremontartscouncil.org/trolloween
https://seattle.curbed.com/2019/6/4/18650083/fremont-bridge-troll-history-location
https://themonumentous.com/exploring-the-economic-and-cultural-impact-of-the-fremont-troll/

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/

Today we explore three methods for staying nights in your van - as well as dive into WHEN each method might be necessary.

Learning how, when and where to camp on the road is essential in happily and safely living from your van.
So let's dive into it, shall we?

As always, we’ll also take listener questions at the end... which include:

• What are some good camping meals?
• Which cryptic would you bring in the. Can with you for a co/host travel buddy for an episode?
• What's the most beautiful campsite you've been to?

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/