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Kev’s Favorite Podcast

by Kev
written by Kev

Kev’s Favorite Podcast

 You might think to yourself, hey I thought this was a travel blog and not a site about what shows I download. You are right, but podcasts have been an essential part of my travel life, and in a small way encouraged me to start this site (along with some friends), so it is all tied together. Enjoy Kev’s favorite podcast!

External links are in blue, feel free to click them, and red text is the affiliate links where I can get a kickback at no cost to you.

Below are Kev’s favorite podcasts for travel, inspiration, self-improvement, and entrepreneurship

If you are curious about what a podcast is or how to listen to them, check out this website by the Podcast Host. 

What do I like about podcasts?

  • A flexible format
    • You can listen to them on most mobile devices
    • Works great for travel
    • Not tied to a screen
    • You can listen to them when they are convenient for you
  • Podcasts can range from inspirational, educational, to downright fun
  • Often they are downloadable to your device so the podcasts can be available even when cell or WIFI is not available
mobile-phone-samsung-music-39592

Phone, headphones, and your favorite podcast app.

These are my favorite podcasts that I enjoy and feel free to let me know what you enjoy.

Kev’s favorite Travel podcast

Extra Pack of Peanuts – Weekly

Extra Pack of Peanuts (EPOP) is the first travel podcast I listened to and subscribed to their show.  Travis and Heather are world travelers, but include domestic travel and traveling with a child. EPOP focuses on budget travel by giving suggestions to spend your travel dollars and where you should cut back.

Travis runs a “boot camp” on airline points so you can “travel more and spend less.”

Zero to Travel -Weekly

Jason on the Zero to Travel continues to be an inspiration for me with his positive attitude on life, and his show encourages me when I an down. He and Travis of EPOP often are on each other programs and together host a community together, more on that later.

Outside of travel, he and I share a love of coffee, and we both use an Aeropress to make coffee in the morning. A quick plug for the Aeropress, it’s a handy device for making a great cup of coffee as you travel. Check it out; it is an excellent coffee make when you are on the go. 

Betty in the Sky with a Suitcase – Monthly

Betty in the Sky with a Suitcase is less of “how-to” show but more of the other side of travel, travel through the eyes of a flight attendant and her travel companion, Herman, a stuffed turtle with suction cup feet.

Some of her stories do include travel tips, but often they are humorous stories about how people behave as they travel. If you fly regularly, you would probably appreciate this show. Occasionally Betty in the SKy does have adult situations and language.

Travel Commons – Monthly

Travel Commons hosted by Mark Peacock, a traveler out of Chicago, He offers fun travel stories and practical tips for both for business and casual travel. I appreciate his light-hearted yet practical stores and advice.

Travelogue – Archived

December 2018 was, unfortunately, the last time they released a new show, and I hope they bring it back. The archives for this show has timeless content, such as traveling with family and groups, and what to do when everything goes wrong, Many of their location suggestions are still current. If you have the time, it is worth checking the archives of this show. The show is around table type discussion and does contain adult language.

Beyond Bourbon Street – biweekly

Mark on Beyond Bourbon Street shares his love of his hometown, New Orleans. After listening to Mark’s podcast, you’ll want to return to New Orleans or visit the Cresent city for the first time.

Mark’s podcast offers an insiders view of New Orleans, including everyday life, festivals, museums, history, snowballs, food, and a plethora of more including suggestions for your visit. Often he gives other locals a chance to share their expertise.

You can listen to podcasts on both mobile devices as well on your computer

Kev’s favorite fun and inspirational podcast

Drink & Learn – Sporadic

Drink & Learn hosted by Elizabeth, a drink historian, and Abigal, a bartender, both are based out of New Orleans and share their knowledge of all things drinking.

The ladies cover the history of drinks, how the drinks evolved, to how to make one yourself. If you enjoy mixed drinks and hard liquors, this podcast is for you.

If you find yourself in New Orleans, Drink & Learn host drinking tours where you can drink and learn about the drinks, and the history of the Cresent City

This American Life – Weekly

This American Life, actually a public radio show, hosted by Ira Glass, that shows journalism in story form. Topics range from politics to just everyday life.

Other shows from This America Life

I also enjoy Serial and S-Town, S-town, aka Shit Town, was a single season show based on John’s life in a small town in Alabama, and also the going on’s in that town. S-Town has mature language and situations.

The Moth – couple times a week

The Mouth podcast is a collection of stories told by amateur storytellers sharing their life with us; every show has a theme. This show is also on many public radio stations.

To help me sleep

Sleep with me

Sleep with Me is not a “naughty” podcast but a podcast to help you relax. Scooter helps you sleep by telling wondering stories with speech patterns, including studdering that helps to shut your brain off. I use this podcast often, especially if my mind is going a mile a minute. This podcast may sound odd, but it works well for me; it may take a few tries before it starts to work for you.

Motivation

The Brendon Show – Weekly

The Brendon Show, hosted by Brendon Burchard, encourages high-performance habits that are within your reach. Often we do not realize what we are capable of achieving.

Ted (Variety of shows and schedules)

Ted stand for Technology Entertainment, and Desing and the show contains a series of talks of everyday people doing extraordinary things.

pexels-photo-1113804

An excellent podcast can motivate you to get going.

Kev’s favorite entrepreneurship podcast

Fizzle – Weekly

The Fizzle show helps entrepreneurs get started and keep going, so they do not fizzle out. I am also part of their online community if you are interested in joining me check them out here. The online community includes courses and group coaching.

Courage and Clarity – Weekly

Steph started Courage and Clarity is for the ladies, but several of us guys follow as well. Steph is also part of the Fizzle team, and she has solo shows but often has a guest, people who are living the life of an entrepreneur.

Location Indie – Weekly

I mentioned this podcast above, but Travis from EPOP and Jason from Zero to Travel team up together and host this show helping and encouraging people to live the location independent lifestyle.

I hope that you enjoyed finding out Kev’s favorite podcast and maybe found a new podcast to enjoy!

Safe Travels!

Kev

If you want to reach out, contact me here. Please check out other blog posts here and if you are interested in supporting TWK click here.

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Day TripThings To DoTravel RamblingsTravel Thoughts

Day trip with dad: Monroe, WI

by Kev
written by Kev

Day Trips with my dad: Monroe, WI

Every month or so my dad and I take a trip to Monroe, Wisconsin, the Limburger Cheese Capitol of the US. The population is like that of my hometown, but it seems to have a different feel. The city is about an hour and a half drive and makes for a nice short day-trip.

Where we like to eat

Amy’s Corner Café

Amy's Corner Cafe

Amy’s Corner Cafe, Monroe, WI

My dad enjoys, Amy’s Coner Cafe is a quint hometown restaurant, with a long counter with build in stools, booths, and a few table and chairs for you to enjoy your meal. Often on Saturday morning, it has been busy, or we had to wait for a place to sit.  Once we even shared a table with a few people, that was fun.

Amy’s offers a breakfast and brunch menu and is not open for dinner. If you are looking for an old school place to eat, this is it!

Baumgartner’s Cheese Store & Tavern

Baumgartner’s is a fun place to go as well, for they don’t judge you if you have a beer with your soup and cheese sandwich at 9:30-10:00 in the morning!

Baumgartner Cheese Store and Tavern celebrates the Swiss history of Monroe with decor interlaced with whimsical signs. If you come in for a drink and food, you will have the choice of several beers both on tap and containers, plus a full bar. For food, they offer cheese and other sandwiches including their famous Limburger cheese sandwich, soup, or chili.

Before you leave, check out the merchandise area and bring home something fun. For fun, you can have your server attempt to get your dollar bill to stick to the ceiling.

Places to visit

When in season, we explore the farmers market or the Flee Market that is at the fairgrounds.

Marv’s Farm Toys and Antique Store

Marv’s runs a low tech store, bring cash for he doesn’t take cards, and you probably figured out he doesn’t have a website. The retired carpenter gathered farm toys and other treasures that for the right price he will let them go home with you.

The store’s location: 1512 1/2 11th street Monroe, WI, phone (608) 558 2185 and is only open on Saturday’s

Direction’s to Marv’s to the best of my ability

Getting to Marv’s can be tricky, his shop is in an alley that runs parallel with 15th Ave and 16th Ave and access to the ally is off of 11th ST and 12th St.  The best way to find Marv for the first time is to look for 1512 11th Street you should see sign for Marv’s. Walk down the alley, and once you pass a set of stairs, you should find Marv’s door.

Visual Direction to Marv's

Visual directions to Marv’s off of 11th Street, the red arrow points to his door.

Minhas Brewery, Winery, Distillery, and Resturant

Brewery

Minhas Craft Brewery, the former Hubber brewery is a fun place to visit. The brewery offers tasting, brewery tours, a beer memorabilia museum, plus retail.

The retail area includes brewery and beer branded clothing and beer accessories. If you want to bring some suds home with you, the brewery sells there own brews, and they sell overruns of contract beers they brew.

My favorite brews include

  • Hubber Premium
  • Hubber Bock
  • Rhinelander Special

Distillery and more

Across the street are the Minhas Distillery, Winery, and restaurant.

I have purchased a few things from the distillery; the sample bottles work well for travel. I have not been to the winery nor restaurant.

Cheese

We follow beer procuring with cheese gathering at Alp and Dell Shop or occasionally another local cheese shop. Apls and Dell is an award-winning cheese producer plus they sell others cheese makes cheese.

Not in Monroe but on our way there

The first or last stop of this journey is to Kauffman’s Country Store outside of Beloit, WI, for spices and candy novelties such as gummy chicken feet. What determines when the stop takes place is who is behind the wheel. If I am driving to Monroe, we stop on the way there, but if my dad is behind the wheel, it becomes a return trip stop. (We both have our reasons for why we go there when we do, but over time we learned not to argue the point.)

We don’t often change things up too much but for an occasional guest. Sometimes if the flea market is going on, we go to that, but that is about the only change.

Dad waiting for me so we can go in the brewery

Minhas Brewery

Why we go to Monroe

What makes us happy and possibly the root of this Wisconsin pilgrimage (the gathering of beer and cheese), is the time we spend together.

Our conversations are often about work, how jobs can be stressful. We never solve any world problems, but we spend time together. I think that is what our Monroe trip is all about.

What you can get out of this tale

Bitterness can engulf much of our lives, often caused by politics, work, people, or a multitude of other worries. We need time to be grateful, even for the trivial things in life. It amazes me how quickly we become depressed and bitter.

I am thankful for the time I can spend with my dad. Not everyone has this privilege anymore. I am very grateful that I can travel as much as I do, I am lucky, and I know that.

I believe if we are more grateful and look for the good in things we can improve our outlook on life. We can make our lives better by having an event to look forward to, such as a road trip with your dad or another cherished person. Often what brings joy to our life can also bring joy to someone else’s as well.

What do you need for a trip like ours:

  • A destination
  • Patients and understanding
  • Your listening skills and a good story
  • A full tank of gas
  • A decent car
  • Someone you love and any excuse to spend time with them will do

If you are interested in reading more of my travel stories, please sign up for the newsletter/ sign up on my email list

Safe travels!

Kev

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Day TripThings To DoTravelTravel Hints and Tips

Chicago: a day trip with trains

by Kev
written by Kev

A day trip to Chicago

On a beautiful July day in 2016, I rode Amtrak’s Hiawatha from Sturtevant, WI to Chicago, IL, a trip I have done many times before.

Amtrak’s Hiawatha at the Sturtevant, WI, stop

While I didn’t have a solid plan for the day, I made up my mind while traveling the 63 miles down to Chicago. I decided to watch passenger trains roll in and out of Chicago Union Station.

Chicago’s Roosevelt Rd Bridge and Amtrak and BNSF Metra rail yards

Roosevelt Road Bridge is a mile south of Chicago Union Station that you can either walk or take a bus to get there. From this bridge, you can get an elevated view of Amtrak’s coach yard and BNSF Metra’s yards. Often there are private rail cars in storage that are visible from the bridge.

Many trains travel through this area daily, including Amtrak’s long-distance and regional railroads and BNSF Metra trains. If you walk a little further east, you can view the Metra trains that use the LaSalle St Station. The CTA “L” can be observed in this area as well.

A view from Roosevelt Rd Bridge

Besides watching trains depart and return to Chicago Union Station, often train sets are being built or taken apart. Amtrak and Metra both have train washes in the area, Metra’s in near Whole Foods and Amtrak’s is south of the bridge and the last building on the right (facing south).

Roosevelt Rd Bridge is a well-known area for watching passenger trains. This bridge is a reasonably safe area for you to bring kids, but like any big city, be aware of your surroundings. Occasionally there are panhandlers, but they usually are closer to the S. Canal St corner and don’t bother you much.

Watching trains is a fun activity for the young and the young at heart. If you plan on hanging out for a while, there are several places to get food or dink such as Starbucks, Whole Foods, Target, Portillo’s, and a few local spots.

When to visit 

To get the most activity the weekday morning and evening rushes are your best bet, but weekends and afternoons work well too.  The first Amtrak train leaves at 7:00 am, the Lincon Service and the long=distiance trains start at 1:45 pm and another at 2 pm.  The first train to return is the Capitol Limited around 8:45.  Metra starts arriving around 5:30 am and leaving around 6:30 am.

Having a few timetables downloaded on your phone and this page can help you figure out when trains are arriving or leaving. During the morning and evening rush hours are the best times to catch more trains.

Why go?

Day trips like are fun because you get a nice walk in, and possibly some new Instagram or Facebook photos (if that is your thing), and memories, and fun to hang out others into watching trains.

If you are in the greater Chicago area, Amtrak or Metra trains could bring you into Chicago (depending on your location( and make your trip more interested and fun, especially if you bring your kids. Taking the train always makes it a unique journey for them. Plus, parking is expensive, but there is parking by Whole Foods if you drive

If you have a layover at Chicago Union Station this could be a fun way to spend your time, make sure you are back in time. If you lose track of time, you could watch your train leave without you.

Things you need for this trip

  • Camera or smartphone with a camera
  • Good walking shoes
  • Clothing that is right for the weather
  • Water and snacks
  • Spending money

Optional needs

  • Train tickets if arriving by train
  • CTA card if you take the bus (available at Union Station)
  • Uber or Lyft app if you want

An address for a map app: 327 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL

Day trips like this are fun solo trips, but also are a great bonding time for you and a friend or the kids. You do want to make sure that your kids are old enough to walk there and back or that they can ride the bus.

If you are interested in learning about other trip suggestions, please sign up for the newsletter/email list to keep up with all the new of Travels With Kev.

Plan your next day trips soon!

Safe Travels!

Kev

 

 

 

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