Things I Learned On The Road In 2016

 

  • Dubuqe, Iowa has the shortest and steepest railroad in the world.
  • Kansas is less “flat” than Florida.
  • The greatest public green space in America? Falls Park in Greenville, SC.
  • Naples, Florida is just like Beverly Hills, CA – except that people are friendly.
  • Having to share a bed with your Dad is acceptable so long as nobody moves the big pillow in the middle.
  • A guy in Topeka has the largest collection of Evil Knievel stuff in the world.

  • Made two different stops in “Uranus, MO”
  • I fell in love with Wichita, Kansas.  What a cool city.
  • Fort Collins, Colorado inspired the look of Main Street USA at Disneyland
  • Detroit isn’t scary.
  • Mount Rushmore isn’t as big as I thought it would be.
  • Columbus, Ohio is the best place in America to find something for breakfast.
  • The biggest mailbox in the world is in Casey, Illinois.

  • When I retire, I want to open a place like Fizz Soda Shop in Johnson City, TN.
  • Apparently everyone secretly (or not so secretly) hates my white sunglasses.
  • I hosted the Mid America Emmy Awards in Branson.  In a giant, glass box.
  • I met Olympic star Gabby Douglas by chance on a stop in Indianapolis.

  • Even though I hate everything about the circus – The Ringling in Sarasota, FL is awesome.
  • Rode two mountain coasters.
  • The best pizza place of the year? Nona’s Pizzeria in Watertown, TN
  • The most beautiful drive in America is the Beartooth Scenic Byway.
  • Wisconsin Dells is cool for families but not for single guys that despise public pools.
  • I found myself in parked in Oprah’s driveway in Venice, FL
  • Best ice cream? Whitey’s in the Quad Cities.

  • Teared up reading quotes on a plaque from Joplin, MO tornado survivors.
  • My visit to Buffalo, WY inspired me to start watching Longmire.
  • Nearly gagged eating mutton in Owensboro KY.
  • I got to hang out with the former President of RCA Records in his “man cave”.  So cool.
  • Little Richard learned how to put on make up at a drug store in Macon, Georgia in the 50’s. Nobody cared.
  • Yelled “stop running from me” to a Hooters waitress in Jacksonville, FL while trying to return her pen.
  • Saw “KITT” from the show Knight Ryder in Gatlingburg, TN

  • Finally visited America’s least visited state: North Dakota
  • Met the love of my life in South Dakota.  Who could have seen that one coming?
  • I fed giraffes, elephants and rhinos.
  • I stayed at an AirBNB in Georgia but couldn’t sleep. Excessive toad noises outside!
  • Found a museum dedicated entirely to vacuum cleaners.  It didn’t suck. (See what I did there?)
  • Learned that Jonesborough, TN is the storytelling capital of the world.
  • I “met” Big Bird in Atlanta.

 

  • I spent a day with a founder of Cracker Barrel. He has a card in his wallet for free meals – anytime.
  • Remembered once again that I’m one of the luckiest guys on the planet.  I love my country and love highlighting all of the people and places that make it great.

 

 

 

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