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Travels With Randy PodcastAuthor: Randy Smythe and Kevin Harmon
Randy Smythe has decided to retire at age 59 and spend an entire year traveling across the United States with the goal of visiting every US National Park. 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. Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Places & Travel, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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TWR Route 66 Ep 12: Kansas - All 12.8 Miles Of It
Episode 12
Tuesday, 7 April, 2026
Travels With Randy Route 66 Episode 12 is here! Kansas - All 12.8 Miles Of It Gas Prices and Supply Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed current gas prices, with Bubba noting prices over $100 in North Carolina to fill his car and speculation about higher prices in California. he explored the impact of the Iran conflict on oil supply, with Bubba sharing insights about oil tanker speeds and the time it takes for supply changes to affect markets. The conversation also covered Route 66 preparations for the summer driving season, with Randy noting improvements in some states' readiness compared to earlier in the year, and he briefly discussed upcoming USPS Route 66 postage stamps. Route 66 Celebration Planning Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed the upcoming Route 66 celebrations in 2026 and 2027, noting the numerous events planned across eight states. he explored opportunities for companies like Coca-Cola and Ford to capitalize on the nostalgia associated with Route 66, suggesting potential partnerships and promotional activities. Randy shared insights about the well-preserved 12.8-mile stretch of Route 66 in Kansas, which was bypassed by Interstate 44 in 1961, and mentioned his personal connection to the state as his birthplace. College Experience and Career Paths Randy shared his college experience, describing how he spent his first year partying and watching TV instead of attending classes, leading to his dismissal from school. He discussed how his brother, who had previously attended the same college, had taken a more responsible approach and later worked at Boeing for 40 years. The conversation concluded with a discussion about how career expectations and job stability have changed across generations, with Bubba and Randy comparing their different career paths and the employment patterns of his children. Route 66 Kansas Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed Route 66 in Kansas, focusing on the small section with three towns: Baxter Springs, Riverton, and Galena. Randy explored the Rainbow Bridge, a historic Marsh arch bridge over Brush Creek, and the significance of Galena as the location where the character "Tater" from Cars was inspired by a real-life person. The conversation also touched on Bubba's potential return to sales and his previous experience working with Linda at the same company in sales roles. Route 66 Kansas History Discussion The discussion focused on Route 66's history in Kansas, where Beth explained that the 12.8-mile stretch through Baxter Springs, Riverton, and Galena was strategically chosen for political reasons rather than being the most direct route. The conversation also covered Randy's ongoing Route 66 road trip, where he discovered he missed many local attractions and dining experiences while focusing primarily on photography. Randy acknowledged he would return in the fall to explore more of the route, including visiting inside venues and experiencing local restaurants that were recommended by the Facebook community following his posts. Route 66 Photography Updates Randy shared updates about his Route 66 photography journey, highlighting his recent visits to Kansas towns including Baxter Springs, Galena, and Riverton. He described notable locations including the Kansas Route 66 Visitor Center, the Rainbow Bridge, and the famous "Tow Tater" at Gearhead Curio in Galena, which was inspired by the Pixar character Mater. Randy recommended that people visiting the central United States take a weekend trip to experience the Kansas section of Route 66, particularly if he're planning a longer Route 66 journey through Missouri, Oklahoma, or Arkansas. Route 66 Road Trip Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed a road trip along the historic Route 66, highlighting the 13-mile paved section in Kansas from 1926 and visiting towns like Joplin, Missouri. he noted the lack of Starbucks but mentioned the presence of Cracker Barrel restaurants along the route. The conversation also touched on Joplin's attractions and its similarities to other tourist destinations, before clarifying that Mark Twain was not connected to Joplin but was associated with Hannibal, Missouri. The discussion ended with a lighthearted exchange about memory and brain usage. Artemis II and AI Discussion Bubba discussed NASA's Artemis II mission to the moon, sharing his enthusiasm for space exploration and the recent lunar photos. he talked about the challenges of taking photos from space, including camera placement issues, and discussed NASA's plans to build a lunar base near potential water sources at the moon's South Pole. The conversation then shifted to AI tools, where he shared his experiences using different AI assistants like Claude, Perplexity, and Manus for various tasks including driving navigation, stock trading, and content creation. The discussion concluded with updates about his Travels with Randy podcast, including plans for upcoming content and potential merchandise. 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 !!
