Today the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most recognized teams in the NBA.  But one night in Carroll, Iowa back in 1960, the story of that franchise almost came to an end.  They were the Minneapolis Lakers back then and what took place in that small town is still an event the team remembers today...

Today the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most recognized teams in the NBA.  But one night in Carroll, Iowa back in 1960, the story of that franchise almost came to an end.  They were the Minneapolis Lakers back then and what took place in that small town is still an event the team remembers today...

The Near-End of the NBA Lakers

You may have thought Thanksgiving dates back to the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony in today’s state of Massachusetts.  But, in a moment we’ll travel to the farm that claims to have held that first feast many years prior...

You may have thought Thanksgiving dates back to the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony in today’s state of Massachusetts.  But, in a moment we’ll travel to the farm that claims to have held that first feast many years prior...

The First Thanksgiving

During World War II many airplanes made landings on places other that a smooth concrete runway.  The planes of the era were made to stand the force of landing on difficult terrain.  After the war, that fact came in very handy for one landing in an Iowa corn field...

During World War II many airplanes made landings on places other that a smooth concrete runway.  The planes of the era were made to stand the force of landing on difficult terrain.  After the war, that fact came in very handy for one landing in an Iowa corn field...

Handy Skills for Landing in an Iowa Cornfield

It was a cold, snowy night in 1960.  Residents of one Iowa town were mostly asleep when they suddenly began to hear what some may have thought was an attack by an airplane.  For some reason the town was being buzzed by a DC3 in the middle of a snowstorm...

It was a cold, snowy night in 1960.  Residents of one Iowa town were mostly asleep when they suddenly began to hear what some may have thought was an attack by an airplane.  For some reason the town was being buzzed by a DC3 in the middle of a snowstorm...

A Town Buzzed by a DC-3

The Pony Express was in operation for just a little over a year, however the story of horses and riders racing mail across the country continues to fascinate....

The Pony Express was in operation for just a little over a year, however the story of horses and riders racing mail across the country continues to fascinate....

Horses & Riders Racing Mail

They say that in real estate, the three most important things are location, location, location.  That was true even in the 1850s.  It led one enterprising family to settle at the joining of two important trails to capture new business

They say that in real estate, the three most important things are location, location, location.  That was true even in the 1850s.  It led one enterprising family to settle at the joining of two important trails to capture new business

Location, Location, Location

It’s called the Christiana Riot – a showdown between a slave owner and those harboring his runaway slaves.  It led to bloodshed here just a few miles north of the Mason Dixon line...

It’s called the Christiana Riot – a showdown between a slave owner and those harboring his runaway slaves.  It led to bloodshed here just a few miles north of the Mason Dixon line...

The Christiana Riot

In the years before the Civil War, many people stood up for the cause of freedom and equality.  Some of those who showed the most bravery were former slaves...

In the years before the Civil War, many people stood up for the cause of freedom and equality.  Some of those who showed the most bravery were former slaves...

Brave Former Slaves

If you, your kids or even your grandkids have seen the movie Cars, then you probably remember the Cozy Cones.  They’re patterned after a real-life motel of concrete wigwams...

If you, your kids or even your grandkids have seen the movie Cars, then you probably remember the Cozy Cones.  They’re patterned after a real-life motel of concrete wigwams...

The Wigwam Hotel

George Strait once sang that he had some ocean front property in Arizona and if you’d buy that he’d throw the golden gate in free.  This Arizona town isn’t exactly on the ocean, but much of its existence depended on it...

George Strait once sang that he had some ocean front property in Arizona and if you’d buy that he’d throw the golden gate in free.  This Arizona town isn’t exactly on the ocean, but much of its existence depended on it...

How the Ocean Affected Yuma

Bringing you the best from across the American Countryside.

American Countryside

Why is there a National Hobo Museum in Britt, Iowa?  I called the museum and they asked if I wanted to interview two hobos.  Of course I did!  I'll take you to Britt to meet real-life hobos and the town that has embraced them for over a century.  

Why is there a National Hobo Museum in Britt, Iowa?&nbsp; I called the museum and they asked if I wanted to interview two hobos.&nbsp; Of course I did!&nbsp; I'll take you to Britt to meet real-life hobos and the town that has embraced them for over a century.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Riding the Rails with Hobos

It's so large it’s a city within a city, with cars and rails headed to all points in the nation. I'll take you inside the yard where 8000-10,000 rail cars are housed at any one time for the fascinating process of getting cargo where it needs to go...and it's all open to visitors from a perch high above the plains.

It's so large it&rsquo;s a city within a city, with cars and rails headed to all points in the nation. I'll take you inside the yard where 8000-10,000 rail cars are housed at any one time for the fascinating process of getting cargo where it needs to go...and it's all open to visitors from a perch high above the plains.

Inside The World's Largest Railyard

You’ll soon find, this was about much more that just a very long walk - it was a walk of faith.  By the end of the journey, some might have regarded Bruce Sweet as an angel sent to minister to those in need.  There is a very strong spiritual component to this story, one that reminds us that our biggest goals in life are often about much more than what is on the surface.  Here’s the story of Bruce and his hike of the full Appalachian Trail

You&rsquo;ll soon find, this was about much more that just a very long walk - it was a walk of faith.&nbsp; By the end of the journey, some might have regarded Bruce Sweet as an angel sent to minister to those in need.&nbsp; There is a very strong spiritual component to this story, one that reminds us that our biggest goals in life are often about much more than what is on the surface.&nbsp; Here&rsquo;s the story of Bruce and his hike of the full Appalachian Trail

Conquering the Appalachian Trail - A Physical & Spiritual Journey

They are the cowboys of Hawaii and I visit with perhaps the biggest paniolo of all, Robby Hind, former livestock manager of the Parker Ranch, the largest ranch in Hawaii at over 200,000 acres.  We take a look at cattle that graze on the lava fields and learn the interesting history behind Mr. Parker, a kid who jumped ship and wound up creating an enterprise that thrives yet today.

They are the cowboys of Hawaii and I visit with perhaps the biggest paniolo of all, Robby Hind, former livestock manager of the Parker Ranch, the largest ranch in Hawaii at over 200,000 acres.&nbsp; We take a look at cattle that graze on the lava fields and learn the interesting history behind Mr. Parker, a kid who jumped ship and wound up creating an enterprise that thrives yet today.

Who Are the Paniolos?

It may sound like a laughing matter, but it was not.  A 25 foot tall wall of molasses was moving through the streets of Boston at 35 miles per hour.  We go to Commercial Street were the tragedy unfolded and explore the changes in our world as a result. 

It may sound like a laughing matter, but it was not.&nbsp; A 25 foot tall wall of molasses was moving through the streets of Boston at 35 miles per hour.&nbsp; We go to Commercial Street were the tragedy unfolded and explore the changes in our world as a result.&nbsp;

The Great Molasses Flood of 1919

He’s a man who’s story would take volumes to tell, and we hit some of the most intriguing points in the life of the amazing showman.  William Cody has different towns that could claim him as his hometown, but North Platte, NE has a strong basis for that title…yet not everyone there is a big fan.  Tthat has to do with Bill’s marriage to Louisa…a marriage that was quite rocky at times.  This tale has many twist and turns and we even get into the mysterious disappearance of some of the Wild West Show cast when they were interrogated by the Germans on the eve of World War I and never seen again.  Here’s the story of William Cody, aka Buffalo Bill.

He&rsquo;s a man who&rsquo;s story would take volumes to tell, and we hit some of the most intriguing points in the life of the amazing showman.&nbsp; William Cody has different towns that could claim him as his hometown, but North Platte, NE has a strong basis for that title&hellip;yet not everyone there is a big fan.&nbsp; Tthat has to do with Bill&rsquo;s marriage to Louisa&hellip;a marriage that was quite rocky at times.&nbsp; This tale has many twist and turns and we even get into the mysterious disappearance of some of the Wild West Show cast when they were interrogated by the Germans on the eve of World War I and never seen again.&nbsp; Here&rsquo;s the story of William Cody, aka Buffalo Bill.

Buffalo Bill - "Good" Guy or "Bad" Guy?

Perhaps you know how and why the product got that name…but there’s much more to this story and it’s all because of the CEO of WD40, Gary Ridge.  

Perhaps you know how and why the product got that name&hellip;but there&rsquo;s much more to this story and it&rsquo;s all because of the CEO of WD40, Gary Ridge.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Intriguing Man Behind the Blue & Gold Can - WD40

We take you the country of Iran in 1979.  Tom Schaefer was working in the U.S. Embassy when he and others working there were taken hostage for 444 days.  It’s an amazing story of keeping mind, body and faith strong in one of the most difficult times a person could face. 

We take you the country of Iran in 1979.&nbsp; Tom Schaefer was working in the U.S. Embassy when he and others working there were taken hostage for 444 days.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s an amazing story of keeping mind, body and faith strong in one of the most difficult times a person could face.&nbsp;

Iranian Hostage Tom Schaefer

On this edition of our podcast I take you to a farm field just outside Clear Lake, Iowa.  It was here on the evening of February 2, 1959, Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens and Waylon Jennings had just played a concert.  But the night would end in tragedy.  It was the event remembered in the first lines of the song Bye Bye Miss American Pie.

On this edition of our podcast I take you to a farm field just outside Clear Lake, Iowa.&nbsp; It was here on the evening of February 2, 1959, Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens and Waylon Jennings had just played a concert.&nbsp; But the night would end in tragedy.&nbsp; It was the event remembered in the first lines of the song Bye Bye Miss American Pie.

The Day the Music Died

Telling the stories behind the people, places and events from across the American countryside.

Telling the stories behind the people, places and events from across the American countryside.

American Countryside - An Amazing Journey

Andrew McCrea travels coast-to-coast to meet people you may have never heard of, with a story you'll never forget.  Hear from the people and places that have played important parts of our past and present.

Andrew McCrea travels coast-to-coast to meet people you may have never heard of, with a story you'll never forget.&nbsp; Hear from the people and places that have played important parts of our past and present.

American Countryside

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