Send us a text A tiny town with no stoplight. A maker who keeps a notebook by his bed. And a film that asks a simple question: if you hide it, will they come? We pull back the curtain on our Geocaching International Film Festival finalist and the real story that inspired it—how Chad (aka Tricassius) turns dreams into intricate gadget caches that draw people from around the world to Gilby, North Dakota. We walk through the entire creative journey, from the Field of Dreams spark to the choice ...
Send us a text A grand staircase, carved wood, and a story that refuses to fade—Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana, has all the makings of a legend. We sat down with Erica Taylor, who manages adult and teen services and unexpectedly became the point person for all things paranormal, to explore why this Victorian Gothic landmark draws both researchers and ghost hunters. From the founding vision of Willard Carpenter to the community’s decades-long fascination with the Gray Lady, this conver...
Send us a text A virtual geocache pointed us toward one of America’s most delightfully odd treasures: Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Museum. What started in a San Antonio garage now lives inside a soaring, neon-kissed shrine at The Colony’s Truck Yard, where porcelain “columns,” floor-to-ceiling seats, and a playful ceiling homage to Michelangelo turn folk art into a full-sensory experience. We swap FOMO for wonder as we tell the story of a hospital-door detour that became a permanent exhibit pie...
Send us a text A city this generous doesn’t just welcome you—it hands you a map and dares you to follow your curiosity. We land in San Diego on a points ticket, grab a budget Turo with unlimited miles, and set off to turn the weekend into a living treasure hunt built around a geocaching block party called “Signal’s Island.” From push-scootering through Balboa Park’s Spanish Revival plazas and the new Comic-Con Museum to logging Adventure Labs woven into art, gardens, and a towering zoo statue...
Send us a text Craft breweries have evolved into must-visit destinations for travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences across America. In this episode, we dive into why these local establishments offer so much more than just great beer—they're gateways to understanding a community's character, history, and values. We share personal stories from breweries that left lasting impressions, from a plant bingo night in Minnesota to a pig farm brewery connection in Duluth where we tracked our...
Send us a text Join Craig and Josh as they share their experiences visiting bucket-list roadside attractions they've previously featured on the podcast but never seen in person. • Josh visits the World's Biggest Ball of Paint in Alexandria, Indiana, adding layer #30,085 and becoming a brief world record holder • Meeting Michael Carmichael, the passionate creator who started painting layers on a baseball in 1977 • Craig explores the Badlands National Park in South Dakota, comparing its unique...
Send us a text Support the show Facebook Instagram Youtube
Send us a text West Bend Cache Bash stands apart from typical geocaching mega events because it's organized by the town's Chamber of Commerce, highlighting how this Wisconsin community has embraced geocaching as a tourism draw while offering $1,000 in cash prizes to participants. We discover what makes this event special through our experiences finding creative and high-quality geocaches. • West Bend Cache Bash features 66 brand-new caches designed specifically for the event • Josh reaches h...
Send us a text We explore the hidden treasures of Michigan through Craig's recent two-and-a-half-week journey across 72 of the state's 83 counties, revealing why the often-forgotten Upper Peninsula might be America's best-kept travel secret. • Traversing Michigan's varied landscape from farmlands to freshwater beaches • Discovering the Upper Peninsula's unique character and wilderness (30% of Michigan's land area) • Crossing the magnificent 5-mile Mackinac Bridge that connects the two penins...
Send us a text Wisconsin Dells represents the ultimate tourist destination in the heartland of America, complete with water parks, unique geological formations, and quirky attractions. We dive into this nostalgic vacation spot that transforms an entire town into an amusement park experience with activities for all ages. • Noah's Ark Water Park features over 50 water slides including innovative experiences like the Black Anaconda roller coaster water slide • Wisconsin Duck tours use WWII-era ...
Send us a text Venture into the world of location-based gaming as we explore how Munzee transforms ordinary travel into extraordinary adventures. Join hosts Joshua and Craig as they welcome Rob, President of Munzee, for an insider's look at this 14-year-old global phenomenon that serves as the perfect companion for curious travelers. Discover why Munzee has been called "the love child of geocaching and Pokemon Go" as Rob explains the game's unique blend of physical QR code hunting and virtua...
Send us a text We reveal our top 10 rest areas across the United States, from basic facilities to spectacular view points to full-on tourist complexes that have become destinations in their own right. • Rest areas provide safety, convenience, and often unexpected attractions for travelers • Clean bathrooms remain a top priority, with Buc-ee's setting the gold standard • Many stops feature historical exhibits, museums, and cultural attractions • Location and scenic views elevate basic rest st...
Send us a text What happens when 5,000+ geocachers descend upon Morgantown, West Virginia? Pure magic, unexpected friendships, and countless stories worth telling. Join us as we pull back the curtain on our Geo Woodstock 21 adventure – from the spectacular highs of performing our live podcast to a standing-room-only crowd to the technical woes that left our recording unusable (again). Before reaching Morgantown, Josh took a soul-stirring detour to Pittsburgh's Mr. Rogers statue where the bel...
Send us a text Ever wondered what happens when two location-based gaming enthusiasts walk into a town called Uranus? This episode takes you on a journey to one of Route 66's most memorable roadside attractions—Uranus, Missouri—a place built entirely on juvenile humor and unexpected charm. Discover the fascinating backstory of how this quirky destination came to be when businessman Louis Keene pivoted from adult entertainment venues to family-friendly (technically) attractions after pushback ...
Send us a text Jeff Wagg returns to the podcast with a special travel challenge as he explores three supposedly "boring" American towns and reveals the fascinating stories, attractions, and historical significance hidden within each location. • Bagley, Minnesota (pop. 1,305) offers beautiful Lake Lomond with its haunting loon population, the legend of "Green Jenny," and Minnesota's longest-used prison • Sandwich, New Hampshire (pop. 1,466) served as the filming location for "On Golden Pond" ...
Send us a text St. Louis deserves far more than just a glance at the Gateway Arch as you drive through. This overlooked Midwestern gem offers some of the most unique attractions in America, as Craig discovered while celebrating his 50th birthday with an adventure-packed itinerary crafted by AI. The Gateway Arch impresses not just with its towering presence but with fascinating engineering details. Did you know it forms a perfect half-circle, with its 630-foot height matching its width exactl...
Send us a text We explore the charming town of Floresville, Texas, as we attend the 23rd annual Geocaching Texas Challenge and discover what makes small-town America so special through conversations with locals and participation in this unique competitive event. • Host to the Texas Challenge geocaching mega-event with teams competing for regional pride • Meeting Mayor Gloria Morales-Cantu who welcomed geocachers to her community of 8,000 residents • Exploring the stunning town mural depictin...
Send us a text Buckle up for our most anticipated episode of the year—the 2025 Roadside Attractions March Madness Championship! With special guest Courtney from The Brewery Adventure podcast completing our judging panel, we're setting out to crown America's ultimate roadside attraction from a bracket of 23 quirky, fascinating, and sometimes bizarre destinations. The competition features everything from architectural oddities to pop culture landmarks. Marvel at the Paper House in Massachusett...
Send us a text Join us as we embark on a delightful journey through America’s most unique roadside attractions, culminating in a playful March Madness showdown! Our exploration reveals how these quirky landmarks represent more than mere stops along the way; they capture the spirit of adventure inherent in all road trips. Excitement builds as listeners help us select the best attractions to compete in this year’s tournament. • Overview of notable roadside attractions discussed • Personal tra...
Send us a text In this episode of Treasures of Our Town, hosts Joshua and Craig explore the unique and charming towns across the USA, focusing on the oldest active geocaches. They share their experiences from the recent BamaRama mega event, discuss the significance of geocaching, and highlight the hidden gems surrounding these historical caches. The conversation is filled with personal anecdotes, travel tips, and insights into the geocaching community. In this conversation, Joshua and Craig e...