Travel Oddities

On ep 136 of The Travel Oddities Podcast, look out Louisville! The boys are back in town and this time they’re hot on the trail of the Louisville Demon Leaper. This time around Brett promises to keep his halves to minimum. As anyone who visits soon discovers, Louisville is one of the most uniquely authentic destinations on the planet. Welcome to “Bourbon City!” Yes, Bourbon is a spirit that comes in a glass, but it’s also a spirit that defines their culture and compassion, their arts and parks, their creative energy. It’s this same spirit that continued and created Louisville itself – a city that combines heritage with innovation, authenticity with originality, quirkiness with friendliness in a way that’s completely unique. While this isn’t their first trip to Louisville and definitely not their first cryptid, this may in fact be a Travel Oddities first, though..a Gargoyle. That’s right, The Louisville Demon Leaper has been terrorizing residents and onlookers at the Walnut Baptist Church for years. A creature believed to be a cross between a Moth Man and some even say Batman? If gargoyles and Batmen aren’t in the itinerary then you definitely need to check out Bardstown Road. It’s the Vegas strip of the South without deviant behavior and showgirls. Although there may in fact be show girls. There is soooo much to do on Bardstown that they could hardly fit it in. Some deep cuts and choice cuts were made but you’re bound to find something to do and eat. Speaking of eating on Bardstown. This week they hit another national treasure, Jack Fry’s. This gem dates back to the ‘30s and is a must when you are in the area. Mysterious Universe – Demon Leaper Local News of the Demon Leaper Louisville Travel Info Better Days Records MEGA Cavern Cave Hill Cemetery Jack Fry’s Those Conspiracy Guys – Mothman Blurry Photos – Spring Heeled Jack Episode 135 – Sensabaugh Tunnel Episode 7 – Pope Lick Monster Help us keep the show running by joining our Patreon! Patreon Page Subscribe, Rate & Review – ITunes Google Play Stitcher You can support our efforts anytime you shop on Amazon – To Shop Amazon for Any and All Items, Just Click Here Share us with your friends – Facebook Twitter You can share original art, clips, show ideas, trip reports or writing a blog entry for our page. Just click here.

Have your heard of the Haunted Sensabaugh Tunnel in Kingsort, TN? On episode 135 of the Travel Oddities Podcast, Brett and Harley face their fear of the dark and head into this creepy urban legend. Kingsport Tennessee is a small city nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It is within a day’s drive of most of the US. Lauded by golfers and walkers alike, you are not likely to find a more peaceful land of parks and historical sights. If your tastes lean further towards to spooky end of the street, you are going to love the haunted Sensabaugh Tunnel. Legends of murder, ghosts, satanic rituals and automobile high jinks abound around this very creepy tunnel. If you hear the crying baby, it may just be too late for you. If you chicken out on the haunted tunnel, The Kingsport Carousel may be more your speed. This is a totally renovated 1956 Allen Herschell Carousel and it is treasured by the locals. When it is time for a quick meal, Pal’s Sudden Service is the place to be. Pal’s Sudden Service a local chain that serves incredible food, has lightning-fast drive thrus, and personalized service. It is more than a meal, it is an experience. Sensabaugh Tunnel Story 1 Sensabaugh Story 2 Sensabaugh Story 3 Kingsport, TN Visit Kingsport Kingsport Carousel Kingsport Chamber Behind the scenes in Kingsport City of Kingsport Pal’s Sudden Service Outro Music Outro Band Special thanks to our Patreons: A.R. Foitswagle Aaron and Jaymie Rae Babel Help us keep the show running by joining our Patreon! Patreon Page Subscribe, Rate & Review – ITunes Google Play Stitcher You can support our efforts anytime you shop on Amazon – To Shop Amazon for Any and All Items, Just Click Here Share us with your friends – Facebook Twitter You can share original art, clips, show ideas, trip reports or writing a blog entry for our page. Just click here. Fill out our survey!

Do you know about the phantoms of Spirit Lake, Idaho? On episode 134 of the Travel Oddities Podcast, Harley and Brett confront the ghosts(plural) that are said to inhabit the beautiful waters of Spirit Lake. Spirit Lake, ID is a logging town and we are fairly certain that is a Travel Oddities first. Not only is this place picturesque with a scenic downtown, they have an activity for any outdoor enthusiast. Like so many of the legends we discuss, this one starts with some spooky Native American legends. The Phantoms of Spirit Lake have their origin in these legends, and whether you are a believer or you just love the stories, this one has you covered. What is the story behind the phantoms? When is the best time of year to run into a phantom? If you like your adrenaline spikes to originate from something a little more mundane, then you are going to love Silverwood Theme Park in Athol, Idaho. It is located in beautiful North Idaho, and has over 65 rides, slides, shows and attractions, including one that was voted best in the country by Travel Channel. After your adventures in this town, you are going to need to refuel, and Messy’s Burgers is just the place to do that. Messy’s is a quick food restaurant in beautiful Spirit Lake, Idaho. Serving burgers, rippers (deep fried hotdogs), milkshake and floats. Brett and Harley have not been able to come to a truce on the review front, so strap in, it gets really bleepy! Haunted Spirit Lake Spirit Lake Ghost Sightings Spirit Lake, ID Spirit Lake Tourism Info SilverWood Theme Park Messy’s Burgers Outro Music Outro by Buckcherry Special thanks to our Patreons: A.R. Foitswagle Aaron and Jaymie Rae Babel Help us keep the show running by joining our Patreon! Patreon Page Subscribe, Rate & Review – ITunes Google Play Stitcher You can support our efforts anytime you shop on Amazon – To Shop Amazon for Any and All Items, Just Click Here Share us with your friends – Facebook Twitter You can share original art, clips, show ideas, trip reports or writing a blog entry for our page. Just click here. Fill out our survey!

Do you know about the curse of the petrified forest in Petrified Forest Arizona? On episode 133 of the Travel Oddities Podcast, Harley and Brett brave the desert for a return to one of the building blocks of the Travel Oddities concept. Harley uses his feels to help you understand the glorious nature of this beautiful place. If you are into hiking and adventures, this national park will keep you busy. There are newly opened areas and all sorts of new ways to experience the beauty of the painted desert. If you are into spooky curses, this park has you covered as well. The curse of the Petrified Forest has been reported regularly for almost a hundred years, but don’t worry, its easy to avoid…just don’t take anything from the forest. What is the source of the curse? Is Brett an unknowing victim of the curse? If you don’t want anything to do with all of this curse business, but you do want a souvenir, then we have a suggestion for you: check out the Painted Desert Indian Center in Holbrook, AZ. From giant dinosaur statues to tiny Kachina dolls, this place has everything the road weary traveler needs to prove that they made the trip. If you just need some grub, then you are going to have to check out Fat Olives in Flagstaff, AZ. Ingredients imported from Italy, this place makes an authentic Naples style pizza that will make you want to kick little cesar in the jimmy. Brett and Harley are also slated for their very first speaking engagement at the Haunted Bourbon event in November….stay tuned. Stories of the Petrified Forest Background of the Curse of the Petrified Forest Curse News Petrified Forest Park Painted Desert Indian Center Fat Olives Haunted Bourbon Outro Music Outro Band Special thanks to our Patreons: A.R. Foitswagle Aaron and Jaymie Rae Babel Help us keep the show running by joining our Patreon! Patreon Page Subscribe, Rate & Review – ITunes Google Play Stitcher You can support our efforts anytime you shop on Amazon – To Shop Amazon for Any and All Items, Just Click Here Share us with your friends – Facebook Twitter You can share original art, clips, show ideas, trip reports or writing a blog entry for our page. Just click here. Fill out our survey!

On this week’s episode, Harley and Brett are headed back to Sweet Home Alabama to hunt down the White Thang in Decatur, AL. Decatur is located on the Tennessee River in Morgan County, Alabama. It has a rich history and activities for any traveler. So, what is the Alabama White Thang, aside from being a misspelled cryptid? Let’s just say that it is a big, white and scary bigfoot, dog, lion thang. Do you like your cryptids to scream in your face? If you don’t like being yelled at by mythical creatures, may we suggest checking out some of the best bbq while listening to live entertainment at the Riverfest BBQ and Music Fest? This event is held on the third weekend in September every year. We stop in at The Railyard. This is a Farm To Fork Restaurant in Historic Downtown Decatur. Alabama White Thang Decatur Alabama Riverfest BBQ The Railyard Outro Music Puddles Pity Party Special thanks to our Patreons: A.R. Foitswagle Aaron and Jaymie Rae Babel Help us keep the show running by joining our Patreon! Patreon Page Subscribe, Rate & Review – ITunes Google Play Stitcher You can support our efforts anytime you shop on Amazon – To Shop Amazon for Any and All Items, Just Click Here Share us with your friends – Facebook Twitter You can share original art, clips, show ideas, trip reports or writing a blog entry for our page. Just click here. Fill out our survey!

On this week’s episode, Brett and Harley are monkeying around in Hartford City, IN to check out the Demon House known locally as The Monroe House. Harftford City, Indiana was an 1800’s boom town that outlasted their neighbors by the strength of the sticky note. If you like hiking trails, you are going to love this little city. The Monroe House is a realtor’s nightmare and will probably guest star in your nightmares as well. This demon infested house has been running off residents and even hardened paranormal investigators for years. Does the Orkin Man spray for demons? Would you spend a night in the demon house? What’s in the basement? What is the scariest thing to hear on an EVP? If you don’t want to solve the mystery of the Monroe House, maybe you should check out the Ft Wayne Children’s Zoo. This Zoo is less than an hour away from Hartford City in Ft Wayne, IN, and has some truly unique and fun activities especially for the kids. We stop in at Ivanhoe’s Ice Cream and Sandwich Shoppe for one of their one hundred flavors of ice cream and Harley screams at another bad review. Find out how to become a member of the 100 Club. Hint: You do not have to send money to Pat Robertson. The Monroe House Paranormal Lockdown Ivanhoe’s Kid’s Zoo Outro Music Outro Musician Help us keep the show running by joining our Patreon! Patreon Page Subscribe, Rate & Review – ITunes Google Play Stitcher You can support our efforts anytime you shop on Amazon – To Shop Amazon for Any and All Items, Just Click Here Share us with your friends – Facebook Twitter You can share original art, clips, show ideas, trip reports or writing a blog entry for our page. Just click here. Fill out our survey!

On this week’s episode, Harley and Brett have to pretend to be qualified for dude-ranch life to explore the beautiful mountain town of Ennis, MT. Ennis is nestled between three mountains with some of the best rivers in the country. It also has a cowboy charm that will have you dusting off your spurs and shining your six-shooter….or whatever actual cowboys do…we just see them on T.V. We discuss the legend of the Shunka Warakin(just think giant, primitive, red-haired, crazy wolf). They have been spotted in Montana, Illinois, Nebraska, Idaho and Iowa. What does the Ioway term,shhuhnkha Warahwalkin, mean according to Loren Coleman? Where did the modern legend begin? What is Ringdocus? How many sheep would a shunka warakin eat in a year? If you are tired of running from large wolf creatures…maybe you can have cute husky creatures pull you on a friendlier adventure. Spirit of the North Sled Dog Adventures is now on our bucket lists. The Bear Trap Grille is a must if you are traveling to this little mountain town. Shunka Warakin Wiki Stories of the Shunka Warakin Pictures of the Shunka Warakin Spirit of the North Sled Dog Adventures Bear Trap Grille Outro Music Outro Musician Help us keep the show running by joining our Patreon! Patreon Page Subscribe, Rate & Review – ITunes Google Play Stitcher You can support our efforts anytime you shop on Amazon – To Shop Amazon for Any and All Items, Just Click Here Share us with your friends – Facebook Twitter You can share original art, clips, show ideas, trip reports or writing a blog entry for our page. Just click here. Fill out our survey!

On this week’s episode, Harley and Brett are feeling the heat, literally it’s 110 degrees in Oklahoma, so we are excited for some cooler adventures in Conewago Township, PA. Brett may give up grilling for the team in exchange for a dip into one of Pennsylvania’s cool rivers. The Conewago Screamer may be kissin’ cousins with The Mothman or maybe a dragon, but either way it’s seven foot tall and has glowing red eyes. We found a scary story from Lon Stickler about the Conewago Screamer, also known as the Conewago Phantom, and we have a new found respect for Lon. What did Lon Strickler see in the woods in 1988? Is there a Boy Scout badge for not crapping your pants when you see a seven foot tall, red-eyed phantom in the woods? What is the temperature in Pennsylvania right now and if it is less than one hundred, can we come over? If want to see some seven foot behemoths that aren’t cryptids, may we suggest The Weightlifting Hall of Fame in York, PA? Mangia! Mangia! is a great Italian restaurant in Hershey, but they have a BYOB policy which makes them one of the greatest of all time. Conewago Screamer story by Phantoms and Monsters Conewago Township Weightlifting Hall of Fame Mangia! Mangia! “Happy” – Pharrell Williams (BadWolf 3 Piece) Feat. Cameron Bruce & Hannah Foster BadWolf Help us keep the show running by joining our Patreon! Patreon Page Subscribe, Rate & Review – ITunes;; Google Play Stitcher;; You can support our efforts anytime you shop on Amazon – To Shop Amazon for Any and All Items, Just Click Here Share us with your friends – Facebook;; Twitter;; You can share original art, clips, show ideas, trip reports or writing a blog entry for our page. Just click here. Fill out our survey!

On episode 126 Harley and Brett are headin’ back to Callie to revisit a town with a perfect climate, blue sky, clean air, world-famous thermal winds for aerial sports and, the crowning jewel, a sparkling 3,300 acre recreational lake, Lake Elsinore, California. We found a new oddity in an old town. Not only does Lake Elsinore have a haunted highway, but it also has its own lake monster, Elsie. When was Elsie spotted? Is Elsie a dinosaur? Not interested in a monster hunt? Maybe you could check out The Cleveland National Forest. This place has top notch hiking, biking and even bird watching. If you are feeling more adventurous, check out Skull Canyon for some extremely high zip line fun(?). No Episode of the Travel Oddities Podcast would be complete without a place to grab a bite, and The Lake House Elsinore may be just what you are craving. Can’t get enough Lake Elsinore? Check out Episode 98, where we discuss the Haunted Ortega Highway and a lot more about Lake Elsinore. Mysterious Universe – Story of Elsie – Brent Swancer Lake Elsinore Lake Elsinore Chamber of Commerce Skull Canyon Zip Line The Lake House Elsinore Cleveland National Forest Help us keep the show running by joining our Patreon! Patreon Page Subscribe, Rate & Review – ITunes Google Play Stitcher You can support our efforts anytime you shop on Amazon – To Shop Amazon for Any and All Items, Just Click Here Share us with your friends – Facebook Twitter You can share original art, clips, show ideas, trip reports or writing a blog entry for our page. Just click here. Fill out our survey!

On episode 125, Harley and Brett have a most excellent adventure exploring Odon, Indiana. Odon may be small but it has quite a few things to offer the bachelor on the move. Odon has a two thirds female population… The Odon Fire Poltergeist is a most baffling mystery and the town of Odon has haunted by the tale since the 1940s. What could cause a house to catch fire over twenty times in a day in front of numerous witnesses? A G.D. Fire Poltergeist! How can you deal with a poltergeist? Do the movies have it right when it comes to ghosts? Want something a little darker? How about a cavernous canoe ride in the Bluespring Caverns? We cannot vouch for the cooking skills of the Odon Fire Poltergeist, but Smokin Jim’s BBQ knows what to do with the flames! Odon Fire Poltergeist Movie Poltergeist Blue Springs Cavern Smokin Jim’s BBQ OKC River Sports Music by Mike Masse Outro Music Subscribe, Rate & Review – ITunes;; Google Play Stitcher;; You can support our efforts anytime you shop on Amazon – To Shop Amazon for Any and All Items, Just Click Here Share us with your friends – Facebook;; Twitter;; You can share original art, clips, show ideas, trip reports or writing a blog entry for our page. Just click here. Fill out our survey!

On episode 124, Harley and Brett are dusting off the history books to explore the city of Richmond, Virginia. Richmond has been called the Best River City to live in by, the city with the best street art in the entire world, the Best Affordable Place To Take A Vacation, the “most fun and affordable U.S. city, 2014’s Best Destinations, and the Best U.S. Historical Destination. The Hollywood Vampire is a legend that has haunted Richmond, VA and the historic Hollywood Cemetery since the 1920’s. Local residents claim that the mausoleum of W. W. Pool holds the remains of a vampire. Where can you find the Hollywood Vampire? Do you show the signs of being a vampire? Is Brett Manzer a vampire? With all of the accolades thrust upon Richmond, you would think there would be loads of entertainment and you would be right. If you interests are more literary than Anne Rice, we suggest you check out the Edgar Allan Poe Museum. This museum celebrates the grim author’s life and work with one of the largest collections of letters, manuscripts, and artifacts related to the writer. They also have is socks, which seems to be a little stalkerish to us. When you are ready for give your dogs a rest and grab some food…Unleashed – Gourmet Hotdogs can’t be beat! Hollywood Vampire Are you a vampire? Richmond, VA Poe Museum Unleashed Gourmet Hotdogs Outro Music Subscribe, Rate & Review – ITunes;; Google Play Stitcher;; You can support our efforts anytime you shop on Amazon – To Shop Amazon for Any and All Items, Just Click Here Share us with your friends – Facebook;; Twitter;; You can share original art, clips, show ideas, trip reports or writing a blog entry for our page. Just click here. Fill out our survey!

On this week’s episode, Harley and Brett are feeling a little rusty, but excited about a little place called Baird, Texas. Brett doesn’t believe in the thrill of the hunt, but he does believe in the power of antiques. The Mystery of the Spider Rocks is all about Coronado’s mythical stash of gold from the seven cities of Cibola or about the gold of the Spanish conquistadors from the early 1700s. The Spider Rocks are not giant spider eggs nor do they have anything to do with Spiderman. Where should you start your hunt for the gold? Baird TX is hot, but there is still a lot to do in the area. If you aren’t on the hunt for treasure, Frontier Texas! is a world class interactive museum and visitor center located in downtown Abilene, Texas. Lytle Land and Cattle Company may be the treasure you have really been looking for…..Texans know their steak. Mystery of the Spider Rocks Baird, Texas Lytle Land and Cattle Frontier Texas Emily Road – “Life Is a Highway” cover – Tom Cochrane Help us keep the show running by joining our Patreon! Patreon Page Subscribe, Rate & Review – ITunes;; Google Play Stitcher;; You can support our efforts anytime you shop on Amazon – To Shop Amazon for Any and All Items, Just Click Here Share us with your friends – Facebook;; Twitter;; You can share original art, clips, show ideas, trip reports or writing a blog entry for our page. Just click here. Fill out our survey!

On this week’s episode, Harley is back from his trip to Florida and he and Brett use the frequent flyer miles to visit Anderson, Indiana. Brett got to revisit one of his worst fears…little things. Puckwudgies are knee high(an average knee high) forest spirits with a taste for blood and apparently the Mounds State Park has been overrun. What is Puckwudgie? What can you do to increase your chances of a Puckwudgie encounter? Do Puckwudgies like Skittles? From festivals, museums, hiking, and theatre to shopping, racing, and a casino, Anderson, IN has something for everyone all year long. There is a reason that it is called the Pittsburgh on White River. Puckwudgies weren’t scary enough? There is more…Indy Scream Park is rated one of the scariest Halloween events in the country. You don’t have to have your black belt to eat at Ninja of Japan, but maybe something with an elastic waist might help. The Top 5 is not Muppet friendly. Indy Scream Park Visit Madison County Puckwudgie Puckwudgie Reddit story Ninja of Japan Indy Scream Park Outro Music Help us keep the show running by joining our Patreon! Patreon Page Subscribe, Rate & Review – ITunes;; Google Play Stitcher;; You can support our efforts anytime you shop on Amazon – To Shop Amazon for Any and All Items, Just Click Here Share us with your friends – Facebook;; Twitter;; You can share original art, clips, show ideas, trip reports or writing a blog entry for our page. Just click here. Fill out our survey!

On this week’s episode, Harley and Brett kick off summer right with a trip to Uncertain, Texas. Yes, we are sure. Harley had a great interview with Ken Gerhard, a cryptozoologist and field investigator for The Centre for Fortean Zoology. We discuss the Caddo Lake State Park Bigfoot and the similar sightings in the area including some outings with Lyle Blackburn and the Fouke Monster. What is Bigfoot? What can you do to increase your chances of a Bigfoot encounter? What is the Devil’s Elbow? What project is Ken working on? Uncertain, TX was originally called this by the surveyors, because they were Uncertain to whether this place was in Texas or Louisianna. The local sheriff was quoted as saying, “You’ve got to either know where you’re goin’ or be lost to find it.” Need more Bigfoot? The Texas Bigfoot Research Center runs the Original Texas Bigfoot Conference just down the road in Jefferson, TX. Check it out and you just might meet. Bob Gimlin, Dr. Jeff Meldrum, Lyle Blackburn, Ken Gerhard, Nick Redfern, or Shelly Covington-Montana. The Shady Glade Cafe may be the only restaurant around, but that hasn’t stopped them from making some crazy good country cookin’! The Top 5 is bigger in Texas. Ken Gerhard Ken’s Books City of Uncertain, TX Texas Tourism Texas Bigfoot Research Center Shady Glade Resort Outro Music Outro Music by Jade Bird Subscribe, Rate & Review – ITunes Google Play Stitcher You can support our efforts anytime you shop on Amazon – To Shop Amazon for Any and All Items, Just Click Here Share us with your friends – Facebook Twitter You can share original art, clips, show ideas, trip reports or writing a blog entry for our page. Just click here. Fill out our survey!

Due to a series of mishaps, our regularly scheduled episode has been delayed. To sate your appetite for sweet, sweet Travel Oddities love, we have brought you a scary story from our archives.