134 – Phantoms – Spirit Lake, ID

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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

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122 – Puckwudgies – Anderson IN

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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

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121 – Caddo Lake State Park Bigfoot – Uncertain, TX

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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

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115 – Huggin’ Molly – Abbeville, AL

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On this week’s episode, Harley and Brett fight the spring snow to explore Abbeville, Alabama, you know….the Yellowhammer State, the “Heart of Dixie” or the “CottonState”.

We discuss a creepy haunting, phantom, cryptid or something called Huggin’ Molly. How scary can it be with a name like Huggin’ Molly?

This oddity may or may not scare you, but don’t let that keep you from traveling here. The town is like a time-capsule.

The Statue of Leroy Brown, the famous fish? Yes we are telling fish stories and ours is bigger than yours.

Brett spends some time explaining his theories on hugs and he is offering free hugs from the back of his panel van. So come one, come all…

No Episode of the Travel Oddities Podcast would be complete without a place to grab a bite. Huggin’ Molly’s restaurant obviously has been listening to our show. They have the lore and they built a store! If you run into the propriators…..tell them we accept cash or card.

The Top 5 was instrumental in the completion of this episode.

Specials thanks to Logan for the beautiful feedback and for sharing his story.

Huggin’ Molly
Huggin’ Molly Restaurant
Leroy Brown
Abbeville, AL
Visit Abbeville
Outro Music

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109 – Lalaurie Mansion – New Orleans, LA

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On this week’s episode, Harley and Brett are gearing up for Mardi Gras in the most unique city in America, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Harley is a year older and apparently the light is fading fast…you know, because he is 44.

We have a great interview with Lyn Gibson, aka The Twisted Southern Horror Queen about Madame Lalaurie and the Lalaurie Mansion. Madame Lalaurie might have been the sickest person alive at the time.

New Orleans is one of the world’s most fascinating cities – it’s home to a truly unique melting pot of cultures, and we explore some of the more unusual aspects.

We found a way to get a real behind-the-scenes look at New Orleans Mardi Gras at Mardi Gras World.

Harley and Brett never stop scouring a town until we find something awesome to eat…and we found the fat dude at BigCheezy at Henry’s uptown Bar. This place takes the grilled cheese to a whole new level.

The Travel Oddities Top Five is full of music and good times, just like New Orleans, LA.

Support our newest sponsor, Ecosia.org, for free!

Check out Lyn Gibson’s Work
The Twisted Southern Horror Queen show on The Edge Radio
New Orleans Online
New Orleans Wiki
Ecosia.org
The Big Cheezy
Henry’s Uptown Bar
Mardi Gras World
The Lalaurie Mansion
New Orlean’s Chamber
New Orleans News
Outro Music
The Legion: Ghost

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104 – Thom Reed’s UFO Encounter – Sheffield, MA

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On this week’s episode, Brett and Amy break out their Bostonian accents to explore one of the coolest places in the US, Sheffield, MA.

We discuss the Thom Reed’s UFO encounter.

This oddity is spooky because of the validity of Thom’s account.

The history behind the Ashley House is something we didn’t know before we looked into this location.

Amy , again, hates all things outdoors. If you are not like Amy, than you will love the idea of traveling to Sheffield.

No Episode of the Travel Oddities Podcast would be complete without a place to grab a bite, and we found a something for everyone at Bish Bash Brew and Que.

The Top 5 is for the dogs.

Chamber of Commerce
Thom Reed
Bash Bish Brew n Que
The Ashley House
Music by Mike Masse

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101 – Blythe Intaglios – Blythe, CA

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Brett and Harley are traveling back to the west coast, to get a bird’s eye view of an oddity that Giorgio Tsoukalos would flip his lid to visit. Welcome to Blythe, CA, home of the mysterious Blythe Intaglios.

The story of the Blythe Intaglios starts several thousand years ago….or in a galaxy far, far away. The mysterious builders of these gigantic geoglyphs are still an unknown. Don’t you worry, we have more than a theory or two and we are here to share.

Aside from being home to one mystical oddity, Blythe California is known as the center of the water sport universe and is one of the most beautiful stretches of California desert that you can find.

We also found a gem of a spot for any rock-hound. The Hauser Geode Beds are famous for the rich and varied gem filled geodes, hiking camping and family fun.

With a rebel yell, The Travel Oddities Podcast cried, more, more, more…BBQ. Rebel BBQ is the embodiment of everything a restaurant should be and they have a BLT that tears me up just writing this.

The Top 5 from California includes several break-downs by Brett and Harley, but we were setup by Amy. …so really listen to the show or the tree-huggers win!

Blythe
Blythe Intaglios
Hauser Geode Beds
Rebel BBQ
Music by Mike Masse

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92 – Black Mist – Casa Grande, AZ

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We’re taking a road trip to the big house this week. Casa Grande Arizona is filled with mysterious tales of the unknown and frightening but we’ve found an oddity that is sure to leave you thinking twice about going into the desert after dark.

A silent black mist slowly creeps through the canyons stalling cars and baffling hikers as it slowly engulfs them. Is it an ancient native American spirit in search of the souls of lonely travelers or just one of the dust storms so common in the area? We’ll hash out the lore and delve into the local legends.

All work and no play makes Harley a hangry dude, so we’ll grab a bite to eat at the Big House Cafe. All you can eat tacos, people! This is what we’ve been training for. It’s go time, Oddballs!

While you’re in town, take a side trip to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. Mysteriously abandoned by the Sonoran “Hohokam” people in the 1400’s, we’ll explore the majestic landscape and remains of the village they left behind. So, was it famine and disease that caused them to abandon this once thriving village, or perhaps something more sinister. Maybe it was all the freakin rattlesnakes in the state of Arizona!

Speaking of snakes, Brett’s Top 5 is bound to get you a little…..’rattled’……Get it…rattled?……No?

Music by Mike Masse
Black Mist
Casa Grande
Casa Grande Chamber
Casa Grande Dispatch
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Big House Cafe

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91 – Were-otter – Sitka, AK

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We’re taking a trip to the seaside town of Sitka, Alaska this week to discuss (arguably) the most adorable cryptid we’ve ever covered. The Kooshdakhaa are a mythical shape-shifting race of were-otters found in the stories of the Tlingit and Tsimshian Indians of Southeastern Alaska. Vicious soul stealing monster or cute and cuddly life saver? I’m still waiting on an email response from Charlie Sheen…..

We’ll visit the Fortress of the Bear for an up close and personal look at these incredible Alaskan Bears. Set against the Tongass National Forest, this habitat offers daily tours. Learn the challenges they face as the staff work to rescue these incredible giants. And I think Amy has found her spirit animal.

We’ll stop for a bite at the Bayview Pub for a delicious Elk burger. Tony and Patricia have created a warm and welcoming restaurant sourcing their seafood fresh from the docks. Harley may scoff at the deliciousness of it but Amy is ready for some Rockfish tacos-served grilled, blackened, or house-dipped beer-battered and fried. With the largest selection of beer in town and 10 TVs, we may just have to move in.

We’ll honor a true Iditarod hero in the top 5 and learn what not to do with a moose.

Sitka
Fortress of the Bear
Bay view Pub
Sitka Sentinel
Alaska State Trooper Academy
Alaska Raptor Center
Charlie Sheen
Music by Mike Masse

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89 – Grave of the Greenbriar Ghost – Lewisburg, WV

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After a midweek intervention and come-to-Jesus meeting, Amy joins Harley for episode 89, The Grave of the Greenbriar Ghost in Lewisburg West Virginia.

On this episode of the Travel Oddities Podcast, we’re discussing how the after death visitations to her momma made this the only known case in which testimony from a ghost helped covict a murderer.

Zona Heaster Shue had crap taste in men but a very keen sense of justice. We discuss the murder, burial and exumation of sweet young Zona as well as the accusation, trial, and conviction of her handsome a-hole husband Trout Shue.

We descend 120 feet below Earth’s surface to visit the Lost World Caverns. Too hot for ya outside? Enjoy the 45 minute underground tour where the temperature is always 52 degrees.

Patrons say the samll unassuming mom and pop joint ‘When Pigs Fly BBQ’ is some of the best bbq in the state of West Virginia. With a slogan like, “More meat falls off of our sandwich than the other guy puts on his.”, we say it’s worth a try. Sunday BBQ buffet? yes, please!!!

Brett’s Top 5 is filled with jail time, food stamps, and the biggest family reunion in the US.

We send out the love to Jayme Rae, Amy humbly apologizes to Nita for her blatant lack of Viking knowledge ……….and will somebody tell Denny ‘The Meme War King” Kish to call us? Dude is hilarious!

All this and more, on episdoe 89 of the Travel Oddities Podcast.

“Only two kinds of people ever leave Lewisburg West Virginia – those who will return and those who wish they could.”

Greenbrier Ghost Wiki
Pigs Fly BBQ
Lost World Caverns
Lewisburg History
Music by Mike Masse

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