Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story

What starts as a European trip in 1987 turns into a quirky quest across England after a chance bookstore discovery, and eventually becomes something far more meaningful than anyone expected.
Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy are joined by award winning mystery writer Michael Balter, who shares how stumbling upon a coffee table book listing historic pubs across England accidentally launched him on an unforgettable pub crawl adventure. What began as "let's see if we can find these places" became a journey crisscrossing the English countryside, visiting tiny villages, atmospheric taverns, and discovering stories in every corner.
But Michael's 1987 trip wasn't just about pubs. Along the way, he experienced a life-changing reunion with his long-lost biological father in Berlin, proving once again that travel has a funny way of revealing what you're really searching for, whether that's a perfect pint in a centuries-old pub or missing pieces of your own story.
The conversation weaves between colorful English pub tales, practical travel lessons learned the hard way in an era before Google Maps and smartphones, and the deeply human side of international travel. How being far from home can bring you closer to who you are. There's also a peek at Michael's upcoming novel Dead Exit, plus a brand new, slightly chaotic game where listeners try to guess where in the world Crystal is this time (no passports required).
This episode is part travel memoir, part accidental quest story, and part reminder that the best trips don't always go according to plan, and that's exactly why we remember them.
What You'll Discover:
How a bookstore find turned into an accidental pub crawl across England
Why traveling without modern tech made every pub hunt feel like a real adventure
What it's like to track down historic taverns in tiny English villages
How Michael's European journey led to reconnecting with lost family in Berlin
Why pubs and local hangouts tell you more about a place than guidebooks alone
How travel stories turn into novels and sometimes into healing
A new interactive game that might just become a Stacking Adventures staple
This Episode Is For You If:
You love the idea of travel with an accidental quest built in
You're drawn to stories where serendipity leads to the best adventures
You've ever wondered what travel was like before smartphones solved everything
You believe the best discoveries happen when you follow unexpected leads
You're looking for your next unique travel challenge or inspiration
Question for You:
Have you ever taken a trip where a random discovery (a book, a recommendation, a wrong turn) completely changed your plans for the better? Share your story in the comments or the Stacking Adventures community. Bonus points if it involved tracking something down without Google's help.

What would happen if you said yes to the adventure that's been quietly tugging at you for years?
Joe Saul-Sehy talks with author and long distance cyclist Cory Mortensen, who decided to stop dreaming about a big ride and actually pedal one. He biked from Canada to Mexico along Highway One.
This isn't just about cycling. It's about committing to something that feels bigger than you, preparing without overthinking, and discovering what you're capable of when the road stretches out in front of you. Cory shares how solitude, unexpected kindness, and a willingness to stay curious shaped his journey just as much as the miles did.
Whether your epic adventure is a bike trip, a hiking trail, or something completely different, this episode is a reminder that the best stories start when you stop waiting for perfect conditions.
What You'll Discover:
How to prepare for a long distance adventure without getting stuck in planning paralysis
What Cory learned about resilience by riding day after day with no shortcuts
Why solitude can be one of the most powerful and underrated parts of any journey
How to stay safe and confident while navigating busy cities and remote roads
The kind of gear that matters when you're living on the road
Why naming your bike is not as ridiculous as it sounds once you've spent enough miles together
How books and stories can fuel your sense of adventure
What it feels like to reach the finish line and why it's never really the end
How to stay mentally young by saying yes to new experiences
Why serendipitous encounters often become the most memorable part of any trip
This Episode Is For You If:
You've been saying "one day I'll do that" for years
You want permission to commit to something that scares you a little
You're curious what happens when you finally stop planning and start doing
You need inspiration to turn your own adventure from dream to reality
You believe life is meant to be lived, not just planned
Cory's story might be the nudge that turns one day into now.
Our show notes are at StackingAdventures.com
You'll find Cory's book in our Gear Of The Day picks
Share YOUR cycling (or other) adventure: StackingAdventures.com/MyStory

Alright, Adventurers…let's hear it. Where are you going in 2026—and what's the trip you really want to take if time, money, and real life would kindly stop being so clingy? Whether you've got a big international swing planned or you're stacking mini-adventures closer to home, this is your official invitation to say it out loud and let the rest of us cheer you on (and possibly steal your ideas).
This year's travel planning comes with a little more structure, a little more imagination, and a whole lot more "let's actually do the thing." We're talking trips with friends, family getaways, bucket list locations, and those oddly specific travel goals that make perfect sense once you've lived through exactly one chaotic airport day and sworn you'll never travel unprepared again.
And because this is the Clubhouse, we're not just updating our passports—we're leveling up the way we share the adventure. New segments are coming in, a few are getting retired, and we're kicking off the year with the kind of energy that makes you want to open a notes app titled "Trips I'm Booking Before I Talk Myself Out of It."
In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy reveal what they're chasing in 2026—from big dream destinations (yes, Tuscany is in the conversation) to surprise events on the calendar, including a wedding trip to Lebanon. They also share what's changing inside the Clubhouse this year, including a new game inspired by "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" and some fresh ways for Adventurers to participate beyond just listening.
What You'll Hear in This Episode
The annual Clubhouse meeting and what it means for the year ahead

Crystal's 2026 travel goals and the trips she's determined to make happen

Joe's jam-packed itinerary, including a surprise international wedding trip

Why some segments are getting retired (moment of silence)

What new segments are being introduced for 2026

How the Clubhouse will be more interactive this year

A new travel game concept that'll make you rethink how you "plan" trips


Our Gear of the Day Store: StackingAdventures.com/GearOfTheDay

Tell us your story OR sign up for our new Where In The World Is Crystal Dreaming About Traveling? StackingAdventures.com/MyStory

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that surprise you. In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy hit the road expecting a great trip—and come back with a whole new appreciation for West Virginia (and a certain famous theme park just over the border).
From the cozy charm of small towns to jaw-dropping national park views, this journey blends classic road-trip spontaneity with practical travel lessons you can steal for your next getaway. Along the way, Crystal and Joe talk fall colors, unexpected highlights, and the kinds of little decisions that can make a trip smoother, cheaper, and more memorable.
Dollywood plays a starring role early in the adventure, complete with themed hotels, comfort food done right, and that unmistakable feeling of being somewhere people genuinely want you to have a good time. But the trip doesn't stop at rides and cinnamon bread. As the road winds into West Virginia, the pace shifts—mountains rise, crowds thin, and the kind of views that make you pull over "just one more time" start to appear.
This episode is a reminder that you don't need an overseas flight to feel like you've escaped. With the right planning, a flexible attitude, and a few smart gear choices, a road trip can deliver just as much magic as a passport stamp.
You'll hear about:
Why Dollywood is more than a theme park—and how to do it right

What surprised Crystal and Joe most about West Virginia

Scenic drives, national parks, and places worth slowing down for

How small towns can become trip highlights (if you let them)

Affordable ways to add comfort and convenience to a road trip

Travel gear that actually earned its spot in the car

Lessons learned from unexpected weather, pit stops, and detours

Why some trips are better when you don't overplan every minute

As you listen, we'd love to hear from you:
What's a destination that completely exceeded your expectations once you finally went?
Drop your answer in the Stacking Adventures Clubhouse or the comments and inspire someone else's next trip.
Whether you're planning a fall road trip, dreaming about national parks, or just looking for ideas closer to home, this episode proves that great adventures don't always require a long flight—just a willingness to explore what's right in front of you.

Planning a trip to London and wondering what's actually worth your time versus what's just tourist theater? Karen Cordaway from the Everyday Bucket List podcast and her husband Rich are guest hosting this episode to share what they've learned from their own London adventures. This originally aired as an episode of their podcast, in fact, Everyday Bucket List! 
Karen and Rich have done the research, made the mistakes, and figured out what works. They can tell you what lives up to the hype, what you can skip entirely, and the hidden spots most visitors never discover because they're too busy following the same crowded itinerary everyone else has...
From whether the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is worth the crowd crush to why Greenwich deserves way more time than most itineraries give it, they break down how to experience London without wasting days on disappointments.
Rich shares a unique tip most guidebooks miss entirely. Walking under the Thames River via the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. It's free, it's fascinating, and it's the kind of experience that makes a trip memorable beyond just checking boxes on a landmark list. Karen adds practical advice about timing, transportation, and how to balance the iconic must-sees with the neighborhoods and experiences that give you a feel for the actual city.
Whether you're planning your first London adventure or returning to dig deeper, this episode gives you the kind of insider knowledge that transforms a good trip into a great one. Crystal and Joe set the stage with holiday updates and future episode teasers, then hand the mic over to Karen and Rich for a guest-hosted deep dive into one of the world's most visited cities.
What You'll Take With You:
Karen and Rich's honest take on London's biggest tourist attractions and which ones deliver
Why Greenwich is the hidden gem most visitors skip but absolutely shouldn't
The Greenwich Foot Tunnel experience and why walking under the Thames beats another museum
Practical timing and transportation tips that save you hours of frustration
How to balance iconic landmarks with authentic London neighborhoods and experiences
What's worth the crowds and what's better left to the Instagram tourists
The insider perspective that only comes from people who actually know the city
This Episode Is For You If:
You're planning a London trip and overwhelmed by conflicting advice online
You want to experience London like someone who lives there, not just visit it
You're tired of guidebook recommendations that waste your limited travel time
You're wondering which famous London attractions actually live up to their reputation
You believe the best travel advice comes from people who know a place deeply, not just visited once
Before You Hit Play, Think About This:
If you've been to London before, what's one thing you wish you'd known before your trip? And if you're planning to go, what's the one experience you're most excited (or most nervous) about? Drop your thoughts in the comments because Karen and Rich's perspective might completely change your itinerary.