Welcome Back to Wayward Stories! It’s been a long six week hiatus, but we’re back! Life has been crazy and I’ve been running like a maniac trying to keep things on track, but excuses aside it’s time for a new episode. This week we’re going to talk about some truly hidden gems…since modern travel writers don’t seem to know what the term “hidden” act…

Welcome Back to Wayward Stories! This week I embark upon both literal and philosophical adventures as I contemplate the importance of seizing the moments of our lives before they disappear like dust in the wind (see what I did there?). In addition to this philosophical sidetrack, we talk about some of my recent adventures as well as some of our lis…

Welcome Back to Wayward Stories! This week we explore Arkansas’…and America’s…First* National Park…Hot Springs! Listen in now to hear all about it! If you’d like to get in touch with me, just shoot an email to mywaywardstory@gmail.com -or- Head on over to www.waywardstories.com Thanks for listening!By Justin Minor

Welcome Back to Wayward Stories! This week…well, we all know what happened this week. It was the much anticipated 2024 total solar eclipse, and it scurried its way right over my head in this great state of Arkansas. This week’s episode details my adventure to find a wilderness setting in which to experience and capture it. This experience truly mov…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! A little sidetrack adventure a few weeks ago inspired an idea within me…more of a question really, at first. Why doesn’t Arkansas, with all of our glorious forestry roads and backcountry trails, have designated backcountry byways? A short fact-check indeed confirmed we have none so designated, so your ever-benevolen…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we continue a series we started last year and digitally explore Bend, Oregon! Join me this week as I look at the many incredible aspects of Central Oregon and discover why Bend belongs on top of everyone’s bucket list! From waterfalls to the Cascades, volcanic landscapes to backcountry byways and including…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we wrap up a series we started about this time last year, and head back to Cali for the final installment! Join me this week as I reminisce on exploring some of the beaches and sights to see along California Highway 1 from Watsonville to Point Reyes Station. If you’d like to get in touch send me an email a…

This week we take our yearly philosophical sidetrack and explore the direction of the podcast, the outdoor sub-culture at large, and purpose in production, as it were. No new wilderness adventures this week, save perhaps the wilderness of the soul… I want to thank you all for tuning in, and encourage you to reach out if you’d like to get in touch a…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we take a road trip to several different Civil War battlefields located throughout Western Arkansas, Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Missouri. They range from NPS National Historic Sites to State Parks, museums to driving tours, and each one has a potent story to tell! Join me this week and learn about a few…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we pick up where we left off when last we met. In this show we talk about the glancing blow we landed on Arizona, committing 1 day of our 5 day trip to exploring Route 66 from Albuquerque to Petrified National Forest. After that we wrap up the show discussing a day 5 that found us exploring caves in a dese…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! Our holiday adventure is complete, and this week we’re going to talk about the adventures we found! Tales of back country drives through tunnels in dramatic box canyons, ancient cultural relics, petroglyphs, national monuments, Route 66 and the Big Chili Cartel await you in this week’s show! Tune in to hear all abou…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we’re going on a road trip into the past! I recently took a couple of weekend road trips to Little Rock and Eastern Arkansas to explore Plum Bayou Archeological State Park, Hampson Archeological Museum State Park, and Parkin Archeological State Park. These three state parks represent excellent examples of …

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we’re going to explore some bucket list Rail Trails from every corner of the US! Rail Trails are an awesome option for you to get outside and see some amazing landscapes! You can find them across the US, and they offer easy hikes or rides for all experience levels, and get you access to landscapes you migh…

Welcome back to the Wayward Stories Podcast! Happy Thanksgiving Y’all! This year, circumstance dictated that I had to stay a little closer to home for my yearly thanksgiving adventure, so I set off into the Ozarks to chase some waterfalls and epic bluffs. Listen in tonight to learn about a beautiful little stretch of Falling Water Creek and its man…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! It’s spooky season once again! This year we’re going to take a dive into some creepy legends and folklore from some of our great national parks! From the Grand Canyon to the Smokies, the Ozarks to the Great Lakes, tonight’s show is chock full of things that go bump in the backcountry night… So pull up your camp chai…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we’re going to talk about a very recent rescue our team effected in the backcountry on the Ozark Highland Trail. A hiker had a mishap and was unable to self-rescue, and we, along with other responding agencies, were able to execute a successful extraction. We’re telling this story tonight because you guys …

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week, we explore my recent opportunity to ride a passenger excursion train on a 150-mile round trip through the gorgeous Boston Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. It’s a full day ride featuring trestles that tower 125 feet about the valley floor, a 1702’ long tunnel on the highest railway pass between the Apps an…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we take a weekend road trip back in time! Come along with me as we take a little journey down America’s Mother Road, Route 66 through Oklahoma’s beautiful Green Country. From kitschy road side attractions of a bygone era to thriving community gathering places revitalized in the spirit of the mother road, t…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we’re going to explore some new territory and share a listener submitted itinerary for an epic road trip through our great American Southwest! This trip covered some 2,900 miles over 8 days, touched 7 states and no less than 5 National Parks amongst many other locales along the way! Listen in tonight as we…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! After a dark week catalyzed by an egomaniacal geology professor with a penchant for sadism, we’re back with a brand new episode about one of Oklahoma’s best state parks! Robber’s Cave State Park is an area deep in the San Bòis Mountains of SE Oklahoma filled with tales of famous outlaws and the loot they buried….and…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we head back out to Cali to dream another dream. In this installment of the California Dreamin’ series we explore some beautiful Santa Clara County Parks located in the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains and take a little day trip east into Yosemite. It is true that things cost 4x as much in Cali…but I w…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we spend the first half of the episode catching up on the archeological dig that necessitated dropping a classic episode last week, and talk about some new adventure ideas for you guys, like geocaching and a Native American museum to explore. In the second half, we talk about one of Arkansas’ best state pa…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! Rather than have a couple of dark weeks due to an exciting opportunity I must seize upon, I’ve chose to drop another classic episode. Listen y’all…this weekend I get to go do archeology! Lifelong dream! But I promise you, for all of you who haven’t listened to the entire back catalogue…you WILL enjoy this classic. I…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! After spending the last week maligned with Satan’s head cold, aka Covid-19, our Memorial Day weekend was looking pretty bleak. But with a slight upturn in health, and the reality of a 3 day weekend being wasted a real possibility …decisions were made. Roadtrips were had. And Missouri’s section of historic Route 66 w…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! In this week’s show we kind of meander about a bit. Much like my adventures, I just go where the road takes me! This time around we take a look at a recent trend that’s highly detrimental to the natural beauty of the Buffalo River, fake people, and my thoughts as we start to explore the world of van life! I hope you…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! In this week’s show, we take a little side trail from the my usual adventures and live a little of the high life! I recently collaborated on a series of short articles for the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa in beautiful Eureka Springs, AR…and tonight’s show is all about my experiences there. From caves to ghosts, train r…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we go back to day dreaming about bucket list trips of the future. This time around we’re heading out to the redwoods, dramatic cliffs and crashing surf of Big Sur California, for a little road-trip through some of the most beautiful country you can find anywhere. Join us this week to learn about some amazi…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we fire the Search & Rescue series back up and talk about a very important topic. Knowledge of how to effect self rescue can mean the difference between life and death. Just a little know-how and forethought can go a long way to seeing you find your way home eventually. Help your rescuers help you! Join us…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we talk about some bucket list trip ideas I’ve been lusting after in the fallout being stuck at home doing homework. This episode is for all of you nomads out there longing to run free. check out www.waywardstories.com or send me an email at mywaywardstory@gmail.com thanks for listening!…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we’re trying on a new pair of boots…we’re bringing back one of our earliest episodes as a “classic”. This episode looks back on a night I spent on the face of Big Bluff overlooking the Buffalo National River, chasing after an elusive Long exposure of the Milky Way. Not only did I get that picture, but also…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! After an unexpected dark week due to personal reasons, we’re back with a brand episode. This week we add to our on-going search and rescue series with some fresh tales from the field. As a matter of fact, search and rescue is part of the reason I couldn’t get an episode out last week. Tonight we talk about two diffe…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we explore one of, what is in my opinion, Arkansas’ best state parks. Petit Jean State Park offers a literal crap-ton of hiking, an impressive 90 ft waterfall, a beautiful lodge, and some of the best sunrise/sunset views in the entire state. We also talk at length about getting our children engaged and inv…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we take a look back at 2022 for me personally, and explore what it means to build a foundation to prepare to challenge big goals in our lives. As always, my hope is that you might hear something tonight that will inspire you to challenge your own personal summits. thanks for listening! check out www.waywar…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we pick up where we left off when we last met…exploring Southern New Mexico. In part 2 of this 2 part series, we’ll talk about hiking to an abandoned tuberculosis sanatorium high in the Organ Mountains, White Sands National Monument and much more! I hope you’ll join us tonight for an adventure in the high …

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week is part one of a two part series in which I tell you all about my very recent birthday/thanksgiving road-trip to explore southern New Mexico. This week we talk about Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Three Rivers Petroglyph site, Lake Valley Historic Site (an abandoned mining town) and National Backc…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week’s show was inspired by the many amazing guides and outfitters I spent 3 days hanging out with at the 2022 Ozark’s Outdoor Recreation Expo. If you are one of the many people for whom the planning and hassle that goes into getting out and exploring the world is something you simply don’t have the time or ene…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories, my spooky Wayward Souls! This week’s episode is getting a special early drop, so you guys can listen over your spooky holiday weekend! This week I tell some stories from my past about some really creepy encounters I’ve had while out exploring the world. I was legend tripping before legend tripping was cool 😂 Let me …

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! It’s time once again to embrace spooky season! This week we talk about a virtual cornucopia of road trip ideas that will get you out of the house and boots on the ground at some of America’s legendary haunts. Any reason for a road trip is a good one, but spooky reasons for a ghost trip? My favorite. If you like the …

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! We explore some life perspectives, say goodbye to the Xterra, and discuss choosing the right adventure rig for you! This episode does wander about a bit, kind of a potpourri of topics, but you guys know me well enough by now to know that’s what exactly how I like to roll through this life 😂 Listen in to check it out…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! Back by popular demand, this week we delve into some more Search and Rescue stories and give you fine folks a peek behind the curtain. We will discuss a recent overnight stay in the Poteau Mountain wilderness where we preplanned a trail and spent the night enjoying a deep dark backcountry night! Tune in to hear all …

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we explore the concept of day trips based on my personal adventures this past Labor Day weekend. For those of us who really utilize our adventures as a therapeutic device to combat various anxiety disorders, the rising cost of gasoline (and everything else) fueled by super charged inflation has really put …

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we take a look at a recent hike I did in the Ouachita Mountains of SW Arkansas to a cave reportedly visited by the infamous outlaw Belle Starr. It’s more of a scramble than hike, but the cave itself is pretty incredible to check out. And for those of you who are more backcountry than bougie, more trekker t…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! In this week’s episode, we combine an idea I’ve had on the back burner for awhile now, an episode about the art of the road trip, and an actual, impromptu, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants road-trip to good old Tejás last weekend. It was a great trip, and hopefully it will make for a good episode! Listen in to find out…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we dive into some tips and tricks to help lessen the squeeze of skyrocketing inflation and possibly give you some solid ideas to help keep you on the road! For many of us, our adventures are a key component of our anxiety relief strategies. I know from personal experience, as well as talking to some of our…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week we explore a hidden gem of paddling in the Ozarks! War Eagle Creek is known mostly for passing through the famous water wheel at War Eagle Mill, but not a lot of folks know that it’s an absolutely prime creek for a backcountry excursion in the Arkansas Ozarks. The smallmouth fishing is prime, the water coo…

Welcome back to Wayward Stories! This week’s episode is, at its heart, my love letter to the Buffalo River. 2022 marks the 50 year anniversary of this incredible sacred place being protected and preserved by our National Park Service. Perhaps you were unaware, but this magnificent piece of American wilderness nearly became a lake before conservatio…

This weeks episode is, at it's heart, a travelogue spanning the last 5 years of my life. A significant life change has occurred, and the time has come for me to say goodbye to big purple. This episode is a little bit of a walk down memory lane for me as I reminisce on the many cities and regions I’ve gotten the opportunity to explore in my time wit…

Welcome to Wayward Stories! In this episode we continue the last episode’s theme of gear selection. We cover several topics and just have a kind of open discussion about the current gear decisions I’ve been faced with and some good practices when trying to make those tough decisions. Join us and join the conversation! To see more visit www.waywards…

Welcome to Wayward Stories! This week’s episode is really just an open-ended discussion of the thought processes behind the way we choose and utilize our gear to chase our passion for adventure. I talk at length about some of my current gear quandaries and how I arrive at a decision through research, trial and error. Listen in this week and head ov…

How many of you have heard of Platt National Park? How many of you even KNEW Oklahoma HAD a National Park? Show of hands…be honest! As it turns out, Oklahoma had one of America’s earliest established National Parks and it maintained that status until 1976 when it was absorbed into two other properties to become the Chickasaw National Recreation Are…