Discovering America's Vintage Roadside Attractions
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Release Date: 06/25/2025
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
What would happen if you said yes to the adventure that's been quietly tugging at you for years? Joe Saul-Sehy talks with author and long distance cyclist Cory Mortensen, who decided to stop dreaming about a big ride and actually pedal one. He biked from Canada to Mexico along Highway One. This isn't just about cycling. It's about committing to something that feels bigger than you, preparing without overthinking, and discovering what you're capable of when the road stretches out in front of you. Cory shares how solitude, unexpected kindness, and a willingness to stay curious shaped his...
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Alright, Adventurers…let’s hear it. Where are you going in 2026—and what’s the trip you really want to take if time, money, and real life would kindly stop being so clingy? Whether you’ve got a big international swing planned or you’re stacking mini-adventures closer to home, this is your official invitation to say it out loud and let the rest of us cheer you on (and possibly steal your ideas). This year’s travel planning comes with a little more structure, a little more imagination, and a whole lot more “let’s actually do the thing.” We’re talking trips with...
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Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that surprise you. In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy hit the road expecting a great trip—and come back with a whole new appreciation for West Virginia (and a certain famous theme park just over the border). From the cozy charm of small towns to jaw-dropping national park views, this journey blends classic road-trip spontaneity with practical travel lessons you can steal for your next getaway. Along the way, Crystal and Joe talk fall colors, unexpected highlights, and the kinds of little decisions that can...
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Planning a trip to London and wondering what's actually worth your time versus what's just tourist theater? Karen Cordaway from the Everyday Bucket List podcast and her husband Rich are guest hosting this episode to share what they've learned from their own London adventures. This originally aired as an episode of their podcast, in fact, Everyday Bucket List! Karen and Rich have done the research, made the mistakes, and figured out what works. They can tell you what lives up to the hype, what you can skip entirely, and the hidden spots most visitors never discover because they're too...
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The first Christmas song of the season hits, and suddenly Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy are deep into holiday travel daydreaming mode. Some people want snow, twinkling lights, and mulled wine at a European Christmas market. Others want to flee the cold entirely and spend December with their toes in warm sand. Both are valid, and this episode celebrates them equally. Crystal and Joe map out their top five dream holiday escapes, from sparkling European markets to sun-drenched beaches that make you question why anyone owns a winter coat. They reflect on destinations that nail the holiday...
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Some people go to Barbados and never leave their resort. They come home with a tan and some poolside photos, having experienced about 10% of what the island actually offers. Crystal Hammond just wrapped her third trip to Barbados with the same group of friends, and she's here to tell you what you're missing if you think paradise begins and ends at the swim-up bar. Don't get her wrong—the resorts are fantastic, and there's real value in a good all-inclusive. But Barbados has layers most tourists never discover, from local rum shops to muddy ATV adventures to beaches where you're more likely...
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River cruises look amazing in the brochures, but are they actually worth the money? Or do you end up trapped on a floating hotel with mediocre food and tours you could've Googled yourself? Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy sit down with Nathan and Kathrin, two experienced travelers who just finished a Viking River Cruise through France's Rhône Valley. They're here to give you the real story about what worked, what surprised them, and whether this style of travel lives up to the hype (spoiler alert: mostly yes, with some important caveats). From the towering Papal Palace in Avignon to the...
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Want to know how to travel smarter? Ask people who obsess over every dollar and still manage to see the world. Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy just got back from FinCon in Portland, where they collected travel wisdom from some of the sharpest money minds and most experienced travelers they know. These aren't Instagram travel influencers with brand deals—these are people who've figured out how to maximize every trip, extract value from corporate travel, and turn credit card points into actual adventures. From Lacey Langford's wallet-friendly strategies to Steve Stewart's genius networking...
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Here's what most music lovers get wrong about road trips: they hit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and call it done, missing dozens of museums where music history is still alive, personal, and unexpected. Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy sit down with Josephine Matyas and Craig Jones, co-authors of The Music Lovers' Guide to North America, who've spent decades visiting music museums across the continent—from world-famous institutions to tiny storefronts kept alive by passionate locals. They've got the insider stories about what makes each one special, which ones are worth the detour, and...
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Ready to turn your everyday spending into first-class experiences? In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Crystal Hammond, Joe Saul-Sehy, and Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez dig into the art (and a little science) of mastering travel points. Whether you’re a seasoned jet-setter or just starting to explore the rewards world, this episode will help you stack your points like a pro—and actually use them for those dream vacations. From strategic credit card pairing to maximizing transfer bonuses, the trio dives into how to make every dollar work double-time. You’ll learn how to build flexible reward...
info_outlineReady to time-travel without the flux capacitor? In this nostalgia-packed episode of Stacking Adventures, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond hit the open road—metaphorically speaking—to explore some of America’s most iconic roadside landmarks, unforgettable signage, and quirky attractions that make every road trip an adventure worth taking.
Joining them is Americana enthusiast and Instagram-fueled author Rolando Pujol, who’s turned his childhood fascination with vintage neon and roadside kitsch into a full-fledged love letter to U.S. travel history. From giant peaches to lobsters as big as your car, from architectural oddities to places that scream "you can’t get this experience on Zoom," this episode is a celebration of the beautifully weird, wildly nostalgic, and unmistakably American.
What You'll Explore Along the Way
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Road Signs that Raised Us: From Chicago’s White Sox signage to the Breezewood rest stop, Joe and Crystal reminisce about the places burned into our memory through pure roadside repetition.
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Rolando’s Retro Obsession: Discover how childhood drives through Sleepy Hollow turned into an Instagram account, which turned into a book deal. If you've ever pulled over to snap a photo of a fiberglass dinosaur, you'll feel seen.
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Where Quirky Meets Culinary: McDonald’s golden arches take a starring role—not just for fries but for its ever-evolving architecture. Plus, hear about Wild Blueberry Land in Maine, an oversized burrito haven in Arizona, and the cult-worthy Boll Weevil eatery.
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Signs of the Times: Learn why neon signs, repurposed buildings, and goofy roadside sculptures tell us more about a town than any chamber of commerce brochure ever could.
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The Enchanted Highway and Route 66: What happens when you mix art, open roads, and a passion for preservation? You get destinations that belong on every Adventurer's bucket list.
Why This Episode Hits the Road (and Your Feels)
Beyond the entertainment value (and serious Instagram inspo), this episode celebrates how road trips connect us to history, creativity, and identity—one vintage sign or giant lobster at a time. You’ll laugh, you’ll map your next trip, and you might even dig out that old road atlas.
Got your own favorite roadside gem? Share it with the Adventurer community! Your quirky dive bar, haunting ghost town, or 20-foot gnome might just make someone else’s travel dreams come true.
Here's how to tell your story: StackingAdventures.com/MyStory. You'll have five whole minutes to share YOUR roadside attraction adventure!