Big Daily Blend

Boots Court Motel at the Crossroads of America

Celebrate National Road Trip Day (May 23) with us on a special episode of Big Blend Radio’s Jefferson Highway Show! Our guest, Janna Conklin, provides an insightful overview of what to experience at the renowned and historic Boots Court Motel & Visitor Center, located in charming Carthage, Missouri.
Experience the perfect blend of vintage charm and modern comfort at this beautifully restored boutique gem, nestled along historic Route 66 and the Jefferson Highway at the “Crossroads of America.” Discover why notable guests like Clark Gable and Gene Autry flocked here, and why USA Today recently ranked it the 5th Best Roadside Motel in the U.S. for its commitment to historic preservation and guest experience.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or your next great American road trip, you'll see why the Boots Court Motel on the “Pines to Palms” Jefferson Highway is a must-visit. Stay the night, take a guided tour, or browse their unique collection of souvenirs and take home a piece of history!
🎧 Listen now and start planning your visit:- Boots Court Motel & Visitor Center: https://bootscourt66.com/ - Jefferson Highway Association: https://jeffersonhighway.org/ 
📅 Tune in every 4th Thursday at 6pm CST to the Historic Jefferson Highway Podcast: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/ 

A Southern Minnesota Minne-Roadtrip Adventure

Get ready to hit the open road in celebration of National Road Trip Day (May 23)! In this special episode of Big Blend Radio’s Jefferson Highway Show, we take you on a Southern Minnesota adventure along the historic Jefferson Highway, spotlighting the charming Minne-Roadtrip destinations of Owatonna, Faribault, and Northfield.
Our featured guests—Glenda Smith, Devin Winjum, and Rachel Trnka—share insider tips, hidden gems, and can’t-miss experiences across these three scenic towns. From historic museums and art centers to hand-rolled candies, cave-aged cheeses, and scenic trails, this episode is your guide to small-town charm, rich history, unique shopping, and delicious dining in Southern Minnesota.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or your next great American road trip, you'll see why this stretch of the “Pines to Palms” Jefferson Highway is a must-visit.
🎧 Listen now and start planning your perfect road trip!
🛣️ Learn More & Start Planning- Minne-RoadTrip: https://www.minneroadtrip.com/ - Visit Owatonna: https://visitowatonna.org/  - Faribault Area Chamber & Tourism: https://visitfaribault.com/ - Visit Northfield: https://www.visitnorthfield.com/ - Jefferson Highway Association: https://jeffersonhighway.org/ 
📅 Tune in every 4th Thursday at 6pm CST (except holidays) to the Historic Jefferson Highway Podcast: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com 

Hi-Way Cafe and Western Motel - Classic Road Trip Destinations in Vinita, Oklahoma

Get ready to hit the open road! In this special episode of Big Blend Radio's Jefferson Highway Show, we're gearing up for National Road Trip Day (May 23) with guest Beth Hilburn, co-owner of the retro-charming Hi-Way Cafe and Western Motel in Vinita, Oklahoma. Nestled on both the historic Jefferson Highway and legendary Route 66, these roadside gems are must-stops for travelers seeking nostalgia, great food, and unique attractions.
From the towering 24-ft “Big Bill” Muffler Man and the iconic Mohawk Trail “Big Indian” statue, to their famous Guinness World Record-holding car, Beth shares the story behind these beloved landmarks and how they keep the spirit of American road trips alive. Hear what makes Hi-Way Cafe a family-friendly destination with hearty meals and retro flair, and why the newly renovated Western Motel is a top choice for a clean, comfortable, and affordable stay.
Explore the charm of Vinita, Oklahoma, and discover why this community is a shining stop along the "Pines to Palms" Jefferson Highway—stretching from Winnipeg to New Orleans.
🎧 Listen now and start planning your next great American road trip!
🛣️ Learn More:* Hi-Way Cafe: https://hi-waycafe.com/ * Western Motel: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/western-motel-in-vinita-oklahoma/ * Jefferson Highway Association: https://jeffersonhighway.org/ 
📅 Tune in every 4th Thursday at 6pm CST (except holidays) to the Historic Jefferson Highway Podcast: https://jefferson-highway.podbean.com/ 

Explore the Historic and Sacred Sites of Hawai’i

In honor of Pacific Islander Heritage Month, this Big Blend Radio episode of Lost Angel Travel Adventures with Linda Ballou  explores the sacred sites of Hawai’i and the ancient legends and history that surround them.
✈️ Visit incredible Hawaiian locations like:🌺 Pu’ukohola Heiau (Temple on the Hill of the Whale)🌴 Waipio Valley of the Kings🌀 Hikiau Heiau at Kealakekua Bay🏝️ Pi’ilanihale Heiau – the largest temple in Polynesia🌿 Limahuli Garden on Kauai⛰️ Halawa Valley on Moloka’i🌬️ Nu’uanu Pali on Oahu…and more!
📚 Learn about Linda’s historical novel "Wai-nani: A Voice from Old Hawai’i," inspired by the legendary wife of the warrior-chief who united the islands:🔗 http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/Wainani.html 
🌍 Follow Linda’s travel adventures & books:🔗 https://lostangeladventures.com 
🎧 New episodes air every 3rd Wednesday at Noon PST🎙️ Subscribe to Big Blend Radio:https://lost-angel-travel-adventures.podbean.com 

Exploring the Mississippi Blues Trail

Happy Travel Tuesday! 🎙️In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s Journey Jukebox with Lisa, we’re diving into the soul of the South with an unforgettable journey along the Mississippi Blues Trail! 🎸🎤
Join travel writer Lisa Evans as she explores legendary landmarks like Robert Johnson’s Crossroads, 100 Men Hall in Bay St. Louis, and Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi—where she caught a powerful performance by Shemekia Copeland. Discover the stories behind the trail’s historic markers and the influential musicians who made the Blues a global phenomenon.
🗺️ Read Lisa’s Full Article:👉 https://rovology.com/united-states/mississippi/my-journey-of-discovery-along-the-mississippi-blues-trail/ 
🎵 Listen to the Journey Jukebox Playlist on Spotify:👉 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7humUf03LIW04t8LiJSSN9?si=54c7630328284648 
📚 About Lisa Evans:Author of "100 Things to Do in Coastal Mississippi Before You Die"🌐 https://writerlisa.com/ 🌐 https://www.gosmart.travel/advisors/lisa/evans 
📅 New Episodes Air Every 3rd Tuesday at 12pm CST!🎧 Listen & Subscribe: https://journeyjukebox.podbean.com/ 

Doug Tallamy - Nature’s Best Hope

Saving the planet starts at home, and kids can help! Celebrate PLANT SOMETHING DAY with this 2023 episode of Big Blend Radio featuring Doug Tallamy, ecologist and professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, and author of New York Times bestseller, "Nature’s Best Hope." Hear about how he is working to inspire the next generation of conservationists through is latest book, NATURE’S BEST HOPE YOUNG READERS’ EDITION: How You Can Save the World in Your Own Yard (Timber Press).
"Nature’s Best Hope" is a guide to fighting the decline in wildlife populations through the use of native plants. Now, kids can join the Homegrown National Park movement and learn how to protect the planet through small and approachable acts of conservation in their own backyards! See: https://www.homegrownnationalpark.org/

Meet Marie Antoinette’s Favorite Painter with Author Judith Lissauer Cromwell

Who was Louise-Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun—and why is one of history’s most successful female artists still relatively unknown?
📘 In this episode, we celebrate Creativie Beginnings Month with historian and biographer Judith Lissauer Cromwell who shares insights from her new book: “Louise-Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun: Portrait of an Artist, 1755–1842.” From 18th-century France to exile during the French Revolution, discover how this trailblazing portraitist overcame gender barriers to become a legend in her time.
🎧 Listen now + learn more: https://www.judithcromwell.com 
📌 This Episode is also featured on Big Blend’s Podcast Channels:• Women Making History• A Toast to The Arts• Way Back WhenListen here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

The Epic Journey and Daring Escapes of the First Army Rangers of WWII

in honor of Armed Forces Day, we're spotlighting this episode of Big Blend Radio’s WAY BACK WHEN History Show featuring Mir Bahmanyar—acclaimed author, military historian, and TV/film producer—discussing his gripping new book, "The Houdini Club: The Epic Journey and Daring Escapes of the First Army Rangers of WWII."
A former U.S. Army Ranger who served in the Second Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Mir Bahmanyar brings unmatched authenticity to the story of WWII’s elite “Darby’s Rangers.” He shares the untold, uncensored saga of the original Army Ranger battalions—highlighting their brutal training, combat missions across North Africa, Sicily, France, and Italy, and the legendary POW escapes that earned them the nickname “The Houdini Club.”
Bahmanyar draws from firsthand interviews, personal correspondence, and newly uncovered historical sources to portray the raw courage and human drama behind one of America’s most daring military units. His military expertise, deep research, and storytelling make this episode a must-listen for history lovers, military buffs, cultural travelers, and fans of WWII true stories.
Mir Bahmanyar holds a B.A. in History from University of California at Berkeley and an M.A. in War Studies from King's College London. Mir served on the Board of Directors for the 75th Ranger Regiment Association and was an Associate Historian of the World War Two Ranger Battalions Association. Learn more about his work and books: www.mirbahmanyar.com/
Subscribe to Big Blend Radio's WAY BACK WHEN History show, here: way-back-when-history.podbean.com/