Bill On The Road
  • ROAD TRIP IDEAS
    • SIGHTSEEING
    • AMERICA
    • ROAD QUIRK
  • Interviews
  • Get My Books
  • Tips
  • Appearances
  • About Bill On The Road
    • About Bill Clevlen
    • Media Kit Request
    • Booking Information
  • Contact
REDISCOVER AMERICA
Road Trip To San Antonio, Texas
Finding The American Dream – Why I Wrote...
This is the Covered Bridge Capitol of the...
This Is The Most Beautiful Drive In America
Covington Georgia is the Hollywood of the South
Columbia: A Gateway To South Carolina
Tennessee’s Country Music Passport
Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas
Quincy, Illinois – An Authentic River Town
Things To Do In Little Rock Today
  • ROAD TRIP IDEAS
    • SIGHTSEEING
    • AMERICA
    • ROAD QUIRK
  • Interviews
  • Get My Books
  • Tips
  • Appearances
  • About Bill On The Road
    • About Bill Clevlen
    • Media Kit Request
    • Booking Information
  • Contact
0

Bill On The Road

ODDS & ENDS

Life On The Road In 2017

by Bill Clevlen December 31, 2017
by Bill Clevlen

At the end of each year, I take some time to look back and reflect on all of the things I’ve experienced.  As usual, some of the moments were amusing, a few heartbreaking and many were pretty awesome.  2017 was a mixed bag for sure – but, I suppose that’s pretty much the definition of life.  All we can do is enjoy the positive, learn from the negative and just be thankful to be alive.

Here are some of my highlights from the last 12 months:

 

I was honored to receive my very first travel journalism award for one of my podcast interviews.

One of the coolest things to happen in any of my travels was this Summer in Little Rock, Arkansas. The city lit all of their downtown bridges up – just for me.  They turned red, white and blue while I stood on the Big Dam Bridge, promoting 100 Things To Do In America Before You Die.

Actress Kirstie Ally sent me a tweet and invited me to her house for Christmas.  I didn’t go.

I was thrilled to find packed houses in venues across the country, full of people interested in road trips across America.

Received a bogus $75 parking ticket while in a major mid-west city.  Wrote a complaint letter to the city’s Mayor.  Received a check from the city for $75 six weeks later.

Spent 12 hours stranded on an Amtrak train.  I don’t think I’ll ever ride one again.

Performed at the historic Iowa theater in downtown Winterset, Iowa in July.

Watched thousands of copies of my book go up in flames in a warehouse fire – live on television.

Stood in a lot of interesting places:  the historic headquarters of The Pony Express, the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, and on the front lawn of Walt Disney’s childhood home.

Went to Popeye’s home town.

Was part of a torch carrying mob.

I played the washboard with a Cajun band in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Toured my first prison and stood on death row and in the gas chamber at the Missouri State Penitentiary.

Met thousands of people at book tour events across the country.  I shared fun stories and laughs while hopefully inspiring people to take road trips across the U.S.  While all of the stops were memorable, the standing room only audience at the Kansas City Public Library was something I’ll never forget.  It was incredible.

Watched the solar eclipse from a Pickleball court.

Started doing travel contributions to XM satellite radio which is heard by millions of people across North America.

Snuck into the football stadium at Ole Miss in Oxford, MS. and somehow made it onto the field.

Sat alone in the middle of Kansas City’s Union Station.  Surrounded by strangers, tears streamed down my face after learning just how many people care about me.

Dodged traffic to straddle the state line between Virginia and Tennessee.

Standing on the border of Tennessee and Virginia in Bristol.

Left a radio station I had been on for most of my adult life.  Wound up on a better one, with owners I actually respect.

Was accepted as a member of the Society of American Travel Writers.

A photo I took of the St. Louis Arch wound up featured on The Weather Channel.

Went zip lining in complete darkness.

Stood in the spot where Martin Luther King, Jr was killed.

Hosted/announced the Mid-America Emmy Awards again – this time with a couple of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters.  Standing next to ‘Big Easy’ Lofton, who is 6 feet, 9 inches tall made an hilarious photo op.

Posted a photo of a bottle of SKI soda in Breese, Illinois.  It somehow went viral and had 100,000 views in the first 12 hours.  A picture of a soda bottle.  Go figure.

Made two commercials with my Dad.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana was the only book tour stop where the library put out an entire spread of food for the audience.

Climbed inside the world’s tallest mailbox.

The owner of the world’s largest knitting needles said I was the only person she’s ever let use them. Saw the world’s first bread slicer.

And OJ Simpson’s Ford Bronco.

Toured the College Basketball Hall of Fame.

The expensive looking publicity photo used on my book tour was taken on an I-phone by my Dad who has zero experience taking pictures.

Hope you had a great year and I look forward to bringing you more great stories from the road in 2018.

 

Best wishes,

-Bill

0
FacebookTwitterPinterest
Bill Clevlen

Bill Clevlen is a travel journalist, broadcaster and freelance writer based in Saint Louis, Missouri. His stories can be heard on radio and television, including on SiriusXM Satellite Radio or read in traditional media outlets like The Los Angeles Times. He's the author of four travel books - 100 Things To Do In America Before You Die, Driving Across America An American Road Trip For Kids, and Finding The American Dream.

previous post
Lake Tahoe Fun Facts
next post
Dirty Sounding American Towns

Buy My Latest Travel Book!

Finding The American Dream

Follow Bill On Instagram!

billontheroadusa

A rare peaceful, quiet downtown Nashville. Even El A rare peaceful, quiet downtown Nashville. Even Elvis can’t believe it! #nashville #downtown #travel #tnvacation #nashvilletn #musiccityusa #tn #elvis #roadtrippin
Nashville may just be the “mural capital of the Nashville may just be the “mural capital of the south”! They are everywhere! #murals #nashville #tnvacation #ontheroad #roadtrips #travelblogger #usa #art #thesouth
True story - I was at an awards show about 15 year True story - I was at an awards show about 15 years ago, and down the red carpet walked Keith Urban, and his “date” - Loretta Lynn. Every reporter swooned over Urban, and I was the only one that talked to Miss Loretta. She is absolute country music royalty and I’m glad she has a statue here now at the Ryman Auditorium. #countrymusic #travel #lorettalynn #rymanauditorium #nashville #tnvacation #ontheroad #downtown #usa #nash
It’s crazy to see how fast Nashville and the sur It’s crazy to see how fast Nashville and the surrounding areas are growing. I have lots of great memories in Nashville. I started coming to Fan Fair back in 1999! (Back when it was fun, and not so commercial.) #travel #nashville #ontheroad #roadtrippin #murals #tnvacation #weekend #usa #america #travelingram #believe
Have I mentioned that I “love y’all”? 🤣❤️ #nashville #travel #ontheroad #2021 #tnvacation #roadtrippin #thesouth #murals #usa #art
Happy 75th birthday to Dolly Parton! Was there any Happy 75th birthday to Dolly Parton! Was there anything cooler than being in her presence back in 2019? Uh.. no. The photo with her statue was from 2016. #travel #dollyparton #dollywood #pigeonforge #ontheroad #birthday #tnvacation #2021 #dollyblog
Martin Luther King, Jr lived here as Pastor of Dex Martin Luther King, Jr lived here as Pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama from 1954-1960. I featured the house, which you can still tour, in my latest book, Finding The American Dream. 

While I was there in February 2019, I happened to notice a man from the neighborhood walk by the house and stop in his tracks. He dropped to his knees and said a quick prayer, before continuing his walk. It was pretty touching, and a reminder of what MLK meant to many people who grew up in that generation.

#travel #mlk #famoushomes #history #ontheroad #martinlutherkingjr #montgomeryAL #visitalabama  #america #usa #roadtripping #civilrights #holidays
Howdy gals, I’d like to wish you a happy Nationa Howdy gals, I’d like to wish you a happy National Hat Day! 😉  Flashback to filming a fun segment on how cowboy hats are made in Bryan, Texas. Yee haw! #travel #cowboys #nationalhatday #texas #bcs #visittexas #roadtrips #usa #fashion
Fun interview today with @chicagopizzatours! Be su Fun interview today with @chicagopizzatours! Be sure to watch our conversation about all things pizza and learn about their guided tours in @choosechicago! You can find the full segment on our Facebook, YouTube, and Rumble channels. #pizza #chicago #pizzatours #roadtrips #food #ontheroad #yum #interviews
Flashback to the night I played the washboard at a Flashback to the night I played the washboard at a bar in Lafayette, Louisiana. What a fun night in America’s happiest city! 😁🇺🇸 #travel #ontheroad #lafayette #america #music #cajan #instruments #louisiana #ontheroad
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a 35 mil Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a 35 mile stretch of coastline along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Just don’t roll down the hill, or you’ll spend an entire day trying to get back to the top. #travel #michigan #traversecity #roadtripping #findyourpark #outdoors #america #water #lakemichigan #puremichigan
So much fun interviewing the Founder of @natdaycal So much fun interviewing the Founder of @natdaycal - the #1 trending social media topic of all-time! Marlo Anderson is a stand up guy who turned a blog into a huge enterprise and found his own American Dream. Happy to call him a friend. You can see our segment on my Rediscover America YouTube channel. #travel #nationalday #holidays #ontheroad #livestream #america #fun #northdakota #interviews #roadtrips
For me, the worst part of 2020 was not being able For me, the worst part of 2020 was not being able to speak to audiences in-person. I have so much fun telling stories and talking about travel to great people all over the country. Hoping that I get back to that soon! #travel #ontheroad #usa #america #roadtripping #libraries #books #KC #traveling #meetingsandevents #2021
Just finished the first live video of 2021! I must Just finished the first live video of 2021! I must be part Italian because I can’t talk without waving my hands around. And I love lasagna. So, there’s that. 😁 #travel #ontheroad #livevideo #midwestteavel #2021 #roadtrippin #usa #visitamerica #bill #livestreaming
Ready for another year of adventure. I’m excited Ready for another year of adventure. I’m excited about the places I’ll be visiting in 2021, including some cool outdoor experiences. #travel #parks #roadtrippin #stl #moparks #usa #outdoorsy #hikesofinstagram #newyear #midwest #travelblogger #freshair
First “live” of 2021 happens on Monday afterno First “live” of 2021 happens on Monday afternoon! Join me for a look at 20 road trip ideas that start in St Louis! Based on my top performing post of 2020, I’ll share some other advice and ideas for your travel plans! RSVP now on my Bill On The Road Facebook page, or watch later on our new YouTube channel. 🇺🇸🙄 #stlouis #stl #roadtrips #travel #missouri #midwest #usa #2021 #traveling #facebook
Let’s try this again... Happy New Year! Here’s Let’s try this again... Happy New Year! Here’s hoping to less BS and more road trips in 2021! 😉🇺🇸 #travel #roadtrips #2021 #nye2020 #traveling #usa #overitalready #newyears #midwest #new #america #ontheroadagain #freshstart
I’ve seen my share of waterfalls but this will a I’ve seen my share of waterfalls but this will always be one of my favorites. Bond Falls is so beautiful, and can’t be truly captured on camera. It’s located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  #waterfalls #daup #travel #midwestravel #water #ontheroad #nature #hiking #usa #michiganphotographer #bondfallsmichigan
Celebrating the end of this stupid year by giving Celebrating the end of this stupid year by giving you 20% off everything in my online store until the stroke of midnight 2021! Get all four of my travel books for a great discount to say good riddance to 2020! Link to site is in profile! 🇺🇸 #travel #books #ontheroad #endoftheyear #midwesttravel #2021 #travelingram #roadtripping #sales #newyears #usa #american
This cherry filled French toast from Door County m This cherry filled French toast from Door County may be the only good thing to come out of 2020.  #travel #foodies #doco #frenchtoast #doorcounty #wisconsin #roadtrippin #yum #foodphotos #2020sucks
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Have You Seen These Stories?

  • 1

    Top 20 Road Trips From Saint Louis

  • 2

    Top 20 Road Trips From Kansas City

  • 3

    Top 20 Road Trips From Dallas

  • 4

    9 Quirky Things To Do In Milwaukee

  • 5

    Honoring MLK’s Legacy The Other 364 Days

LATEST TRAVEL TIPS

Subscribe for the latest road trip ideas, behind the scenes updates, travel tips & videos from Bill On The Road!

viagra here kamagra kokemuksia here
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Email

@2021 - Bill On The Road | Rediscover America


Back To Top