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Travels With Randy Podcast

Travels With Randy Podcast

Written by: Randy Smythe and Kevin Harmon
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 Randy Smythe has retired and now spends his time travelling all over the United States, visiting National Parks, baseball stadiums, and this year - ALL of Route 66 Our weekly podcast will follow Randy and get weekly updates on where he's been, what he's seen, and who he's met - as well as sprinkle in some retirement planning advice, income stream ideas, and e-commerce news and discussion with his good friend Kevin "Bubba" Harmon.@2026 Travels With Randy Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • TWR Route 66 Ep 15: Illinois - East St Louis To Springfield

    TWR Route 66 Ep 15: Illinois - East St Louis To Springfield
    Apr 30 2026
    Travels With Randy Route 66 Episode 15 is here! Illinois - East St Louis To Springfield Personal Updates and Life Stories Bubba and Randy caught up on personal updates, including Randy's recent trip to Washington and Kentucky, where he visited family and retrieved his van. Randy shared an amusing story about discovering a spoiled hot dog in his van's freezer, which caused an unpleasant smell. Bubba discussed his family's plans, including bringing Luke home from Clemson for the summer, while Logan will stay in Raleigh to work as a waiter and potentially train as a bartender. They also talked about the challenges some college students face in finding internships, noting that unpaid internships are now rare. The conversation ended with Randy sharing his experience working as a runner at Mary Tyler Moore Enterprises, where he witnessed actor Lawrence Fishburne auditioning for bit parts in various TV shows. Entertainment Industry and Work Experiences The conversation covered personal experiences in the entertainment industry, with one participant sharing their experience working as a runner at Dick Clark Productions, including a memorable task of transporting Dick Clark and his wife's dogs in their Jaguar. The discussion also touched on Bubba's experience working at a coal plant in Decatur, Illinois, where they handled unusual materials like burning tires. The conversation ended with a reference to their ongoing discussion about Route 66, picking up where they left off last week after covering Missouri and St. Louis. Route 66 Illinois Tour Discussion Randy discussed the different routes of Route 66 in Illinois, highlighting the clear signage in the state that indicates different route periods. They shared details about two main routes near St. Louis, including the Chain of Rocks Bridge and the original 1926-1930 route through Mitchell and Edwardville to Hamel. Randy recommended visiting the Chain of Rocks Bridge and suggested a loop route through Mitchell, Edwardville, Hamel, and potentially Collinsville to see the world's largest ketchup bottle, before continuing to Springfield via the original 1926-1930 route. Route 66 Antique Mall Visit Randy described visiting an antique mall in Livingston, Illinois, which features kitschy Route 66 memorabilia including a giant pink elephant and a trailer referencing Brownsville Station's "Martian Boogie" song. They recommended a detour from the 1930 route to see the pink elephant and Ariston Restaurant in Litchfield, which is the longest continuously operating restaurant on Route 66, having moved from the original 1926 alignment in 1930. Bubba, who is from Decatur, Illinois, provided context about the geographic location of these sites between St. Louis and Springfield in southern Illinois. US 250th Anniversary and Route 66 The discussion focused on the 250th anniversary of the United States and the centennial of Route 66, with participants clarifying that the correct term for a 250-year milestone is "semiquincentennial." They discussed early American settlements and how quickly cities developed, with Bubba mentioning his visits to historical sites like Jamestown. The conversation then shifted to Route 66 in Illinois, where Randy explained that the route spans approximately 300 miles from the Mississippi River to Chicago, with Springfield located about 75-80 miles from the river. Randy noted that visitors can see multiple landmarks including the Ariston Cafe, Pink Elephant, and antique mall by following different route alignments. Route 66 Historical Discussion The discussion focused on Route 66, with Randy describing the route through Gillespie, Carlinville, and surrounding areas. They discussed the historical significance of the old courthouse in Carlinville and the original Ariston restaurant location. Bubba shared his experience growing up in a farming community and working seasonal farm jobs, including tassel corn work, which paid better than minimum wage jobs at the time. Randy explained the different alignments of Route 66 from 1926 to 1930 and mentioned the unique red brick section in Auburn, which is the only red brick road on the entire 2,400-mile route. AI Character Design Planning Session Randy and Bubba discussed Randy's travel experiences, particularly his journey along Route 66, where he had initially rushed through locations but later learned to slow down and explore more thoroughly. They then engaged in a creative exercise to design an AI character named Beth, deciding on specific features including deep blue eyes, dark brown wavy hair, and an olive complexion. The team planned to have Beth create her own visual representation using an AI tool like Grok or ChatGPT, which they would then share on their TWR social media page. Illinois Route 66 Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed the geographical and political dynamics of Illinois, particularly focusing on the contrast between Chicago and the rest of the state, including Springfield as the state ...
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • TWR Route 66 Ep 14: Missouri - Springfield To St Louis

    TWR Route 66 Ep 14: Missouri - Springfield To St Louis
    Apr 22 2026
    Travels With Randy Route 66 Episode 14 is here! Missouri - Springfield To St Louis Randy's Washington Travel Experiences Bubba and Randy discussed Randy's recent travel experiences, including his visit to Washington State and the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival near Bellingham. Randy explained the festival's timing and agricultural significance, noting that tulips only bloom for 3-4 weeks and the farmers harvest the buds for next year's planting. He also discussed Washington's apple orchards, which are located on the drier side of the Cascade Mountains, and Randy invited Bubba and Linda to visit the orchard country in the future. The conversation ended with Bubba mentioning they needed to continue discussing Route 66 from their previous week's podcast. Route 66 Ozarks Journey Discussion Randy and Bubba discussed their Route 66 journey through Missouri, focusing on the Ozarks region and comparing it to other mountain ranges. Beth provided insights about the geology of the Ozarks and their similarities to the Appalachians. They also talked about the distance between Lebanon, Missouri, and the Lake of the Ozarks and briefly mentioned the TV show "Ozark." The conversation included corrections about the location of Branson, which is more similar to Gatlinburg and Myrtle Beach than Joplin. Route 66 Discussion and Planning Bubba and Randy discussed Route 66, with Randy providing corrections about Steak 'n Shake being founded in Normal, Illinois, not Springfield. They talked about visiting various towns along the route, including Lebanon which has a Route 66 museum and park with murals. Randy shared an encounter with an elderly man showing off his Ford Galaxy at a Route 66 park, and they discussed the potential for conducting interviews with local enthusiasts for future documentation. Route 66 Photography Project Update Randy discussed his Route 66 photography project, including his collaboration with Route66photos.org to share historical and contemporary images of various towns along the route. He noted increased activity and events, such as new signage unveilings, particularly in Siligman, and observed that travelers are planning trips for May around Memorial Day. Randy also provided insights into the different alignments of Route 66 in Missouri, recommending taking the byways and loops to experience the diverse historical sections of the route. Route 66 Travel Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed their travels along Route 66, focusing on various towns and attractions. They explored the history of Rolla, Missouri, including the story behind its name and the closure of Totem Pole Trading Post in 2024. Randy shared details about a neon light park in St. Robert, Missouri, and mentioned meeting a mural artist who has created over 50 murals along Route 66. He also discussed visiting Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store, where Randy noted the presence of the world's largest belt buckle nearby, and highlighted the humorous nature of the attraction. Route 66 Travel Experience Randy shared details about his recent trip, discussing stops in various towns along Route 66, including a large candy store and the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri. He explained the history behind the town's name and described the murals in Cuba. Randy also recommended taking the original Route 66 from Gray Summit to St. Louis, highlighting the beautiful drive through suburban neighborhoods and the Gateway Arch, which he noted is the smallest national park in the country. Route 66 Discussion and Updates Randy and Bubba discussed the historical and current routes of Route 66 across the Mississippi River near St. Louis, highlighting the Chain of Rocks Bridge as a key historical site now closed to traffic. He shared personal anecdotes about traveling through challenging areas like Gary, Indiana, and discussed Randy's ongoing Route 66 photography project, which has generated significant engagement on their Facebook page with over 1 million monthly page views. The conversation also touched on their broader podcast history, which began with Randy's goal to visit all national parks in a year, and they teased an upcoming special announcement for next week's episode. SO. MANY. PHOTOS - Come join the conversation on Facebook with our 33,000 friends! https://www.facebook.com/travelswithrandypodcast Have a great idea for the guys? Want to sponsor us? Want us to sell something National Park or Route 66 related? Want to be a guest? Want to pay for both of us to go to Alaska? Want me to stop asking questions? bubba@travelswithrandypodcast.com !!
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • TWR Route 66 Ep 13: Missouri, Joplin To Springfield

    TWR Route 66 Ep 13: Missouri, Joplin To Springfield
    Apr 15 2026
    Travels With Randy Route 66 Episode 13 is here! Missouri, Joplin To Springfield Route 66 Missouri Trip Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed Randy's recent Route 66 trip through Missouri, focusing on the section from Joplin to Springfield. They covered the challenges of navigating different route alignments and the unique attractions along the way, including a stop at Gay Parita in Missouri. Randy explained that Joplin has become more of a tourist trap over time, with Route 66 originally passing through downtown rather than the newer attractions. Route 66 Decommissioning History Randy and Bubba discussed the history of Route 66, focusing on how different states decommissioned parts of the route before national decommissioning in the 1980s. Beth clarified that Missouri's segment was reduced towards Springfield rather than as far west as Joplin, and that California's segment was one of the last to be decommissioned. The conversation highlighted how Route 66's significance declined over time due to factors like the Great Depression, World War II, and the rise of interstates, though efforts continue to preserve its cultural heritage. Route 66 Trip Highlights Randy shared details about his Route 66 trip, highlighting notable stops including Boots Court in Carthage, which has been renovated and serves as a popular accommodation for travelers. He discussed Spencer, Missouri, where someone purchased the entire town for restoration, and mentioned visiting other towns like Webb City and Carterville, which have mining history and unique landmarks like the Miner's Bank building from 1907. Randy noted he missed some interior photos during the initial trip and planned to return in the fall for more comprehensive documentation. Route 66 Historic Gas Station Randy shared photos of Route 66 drive-ins and discussed visiting a historic Sinclair gas station in Perida, Missouri, which has been family-owned for over 60 years. He interviewed George, who runs the station with his wife Barbara, learning that the property originally operated as a cattle ranch before becoming a gas station in 1926. The conversation highlighted the challenges of preserving historic Route 66 sites, with many towns along this "ghost stretch" of the highway now having minimal remaining landmarks. Route 66 Travel Experience Randy shared details about his recent Route 66 visit, including a stop at Gay Parita in Parita, Missouri, where he met a local character named George. He discussed the Route 66 Auto Museum in Springfield, which featured notable vehicles like the Batmobile and Ghostbusters ambulance. Randy also provided advice about navigating Route 66, suggesting that travelers follow multiple signs and explore different alignments to avoid missing attractions. Route 66 Travel Plans Discussion Randy discussed his upcoming travel plans, including visiting a car museum and exploring Springfield, Missouri, which is the birthplace of Route 66. They shared details about Springfield's historical sites, including an old barbershop and a museum dedicated to Route 66, as well as recommendations for dining at the College Street Cafe. Randy also noted the well-maintained condition of infrastructure in Missouri and Oklahoma compared to other states along Route 66. Route 66 Travel Discussion Randy and Bubba discussed Randy's recent Route 66 travel experiences, including visits to Uranus Fudge Factory and Merrimack Caverns in Missouri. He highlighted the inconsistent signage along Route 66 across different states, noting Missouri's unique blue historical Route 66 signs. The conversation also touched on the history of Steak and Shake, founded in Springfield, and the challenges of engaging with people who deny established scientific facts about space exploration. The conversation ended with plans for Randy to share photos from Springfield and the upcoming stretch to St. Louis, and he discussed an upcoming product launch related to Route 66 history.

    SO. MANY. PHOTOS - Come join the conversation on Facebook with our 33,000 friends!

    https://www.facebook.com/travelswithrandypodcast

    Have a great idea for the guys? Want to sponsor us? Want us to sell something National Park or Route 66 related? Want to be a guest? Want to pay for both of us to go to Alaska? Want me to stop asking questions? bubba@travelswithrandypodcast.com !!
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    1 hr and 7 mins
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