Roadtrip Details
For 40 days in January and February 2009, Corey and Liam traveled from Milwaukee to Los Angeles visiting Irish Fireside listeners and readers. They blogged, vlogged and photographed the entire trip… here’s what they came up with.
LISTEN TO A SEGMENT FROM THE ROADTRIP
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READ THE ROADTRIP BLOG ENTRIES (remember they are posted with the most-recent first)
Special thanks to Flip Video for providing us with their MinoHD camera!
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ROADTRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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DAY 1 – Wisconsin
Our van, Fiona, gets a good wash before leaving Milwaukee and heading to Stevens Point, WI, where we meet up with our friend Tony.
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DAY 2 – The Twin Cities
Onwards to Minneapolis, MN, for a warm welcome at Kieran’s Pub on a very chilly night.
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DAY 3 – The Twin Cities
We experience A LOT of what the Twin Cities has to offer…Keegan’s Pub, the Center for Irish Music, Irish Set Dancing.
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IRISH SET DANCING
What a time we have learning all about Irish Set Dancing.
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DAY 4 – Iowa & the Gunder Burger
Tom Sweeney fixes a tasty breakfast, Liam shows his sour cream raisin pie expertise, and we head to Gunder, IA, to experience the Gunder Burger at the Irish Shanti.
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ICY ROADS IN IOWA
The roads were treachorous in northern Iowa, and we could hardly believe how many cars we spotted in the ditch.
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DAY 5 & 6 – Iowa & Soappouri
Despite the nasty roads, we managed to make Irish Oatmeal Soap with Cindy from Soapourri. Then it was off to the John Wayne Birthplace.
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DAY 7 & 8 – Texas & New Mexico
The weather started getting much nicer in Texas and New Mexico. Plus, we stopped in Shamrock, TX.
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DAY 9 – Tucson
We made our way to the Rex Allen Cowboy Museum before arriving in Tucson, AZ, for a session at the Auld Dubliner.
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DAY 10 – Ajo, AZ – Finding Charlie
Liam made an emotional return to Ajo, AZ, where his father once worked, and Susie O’Connor gave us a bit of a surprise.
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DAY 11 – Tucson
Bit Devine shared the connection between Celtic and cowboy music, and we did a little two-stepping. Then there was a stop at the San Xavier Mission before a hoolie at the Sanford home where we sampled a bit of Irish poteen.
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DAY 12 – Phoenix
The Phoenix Irish community came to life as we visited the Irish Cultural Center and Seamus McCaffery’s. Then it was time for some toe-tapping music at the Lis Doon Varna Pub where the McMorrows were playing.
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DAY 13 – Sedona & Flagstaff
A scenic drive through Sedona and Flagstaff.
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DAY 14 – Arizona Route 66
Liam and Corey travel old Route 66 from Arizona to California.
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DAY 15 & 16 – Posh Day in Temculah
Liam and Corey take a break with what their friends in Ireland would call a Posh Day…relaxation, good times and pampering. All in Temecula Southern California Wine Country.
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DAY 17 – Tea Time in San Diego
It’s tea time in San Diego with Kim.
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DAY 18 – Shabu Shabu
The Roadtrip hits Pasedena, CA, for an Irish-American-Japanese-German feast.
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DAYS 19-26A – PALM SPRINGS
We do some leprechaun hunting in Palm Springs.
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DAYS 19-26B – PALM SPRINGS
We enjoy some evenings in Palm Springs.
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DAYS 27-29 – LA & Ventura
A visit with our Irish-American friends Katie Harrington near Hollywood and Michael Connolly in Ventura.
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DAYS 30-31 – Ventura to Lake Tahoe
This part of the roadtrip includes fields, fruit trees, a snowy mountain and a run-in with the law.
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Celtic Harp Music with Anne Roos Parts 1 & 2
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DAYS 32-33 – Nevada & Utah
We begin our eastward journey with some interesting sites in Nevada and Utah…including Thunder Mountain www.thundermountainmonument.com, the strangest stop on our trip.
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DAYS 33-34 – Utah & Colorado
We visit Liam’s old Colorado haunts, cross the Rockies and visit Buffalo Bill…and Dracula. All in one video.
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DAYS 35 & 36 – Colorado & Kansas
We meet up with the Unsinkable Molly Brown, stop in at Fort Hayes and get a big smooch from Liam’s cousin Joycie.
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DAYS 37, 38, 39 & 40 – Kansas to Wisconsin
We close out our trip with a visit to the Raglan Road Pub in Kansas City, MO, where Danielle Fitzpatrick gives us some great Irish Dancing with music provided by Colin Farrell & Damien McCarthy. Then we head back to the cold and snow of Wisconsin.
We have several interviews and features from the trip that we’ll be adding soon as well. So although this finishes off the driving part of the journey, it doesn’t mean you’ve seen the last of our adventure.
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