Today, we explore one of the most shell-populated shorelines in the world: Sanibel Island.

Cradled along Florida’s Southwest Coast, the island provides conditions perfect for multitudes of perfectly preserved shells to wash gently ashore.

Why? How? And why should you care?

Let’s get into it because more than just diving into the unique nature of Sanibel Island, we’ll uncover the nature, origins, and importance of the shells themselves.

Their story might surprise you.

Works Cited:

https://www.jstor.org/stable/40865490?read-now=1&seq=2#page_scan_tab_contents

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2017/february/mollusc-evolution.html

https://environment.yale.edu/news/article/sea-levels-rise-mussels-provide-coastal-ecosystem-protections

https://sanibel-captiva.org/sanibel-island-shelling/

https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/the-worlds-7-best-beaches-for-finding-shells/

https://www.shapeoflife.org/news/featured-creature/2018/02/26/anomalocaris

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDQa0okkpf0

https://www.amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/cambrian-arms-race

https://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/seashell-identification/

https://shellmuseum.org/shells-and-science/shells-guide/

https://sanibel-captiva.org/sanibel-island-history-captiva-island-history/

https://sanibelmuseum.org/sanibel-history/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-of-natural-history/2022/06/22/the-story-behind-the-seashells-by-the-seashore/

https://www.museumoftheearth.org/marvelous-mollusks#:~:text=Mollusks%20are%20an%20extremely%20diverse,freshwater%20and%20in%20the%20sea.

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

Follow each adventure visually at:

https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Welcome to the van!

During any road trip, questions are bound to arise as your surroundings change.

Today we ask:

How and when were speed limits first established?

Why do trucks have to stop at weigh stations?

What is the worst state to start a homestead in (and why)?

And finally, what's the absolute flattest state in the United States?

Let's hit the road!

Works Cited:

https://blog.americansafetycouncil.com/the-history-of-speed-limits-in-america/

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Walter-Arnold-Worlds-First-Speeding-Ticket/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140314-flattest-states-geography-topography-science

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/january-2/nixon-signs-national-speed-limit-into-law

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1969-1976/oil-embargo

https://www.nps.gov/home/learn/historyculture/abouthomesteadactlaw.htm

https://redemptionpermaculture.com/7-of-the-worst-states-for-homesteading-and-the-reasons-why/

https://www.freightech.us/post/history-of-trucking-in-america

https://hdfleet.com/facts-every-fleet-should-know-about-truck-weigh-stations/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/50421599/?clipping_id=15388481&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjUwNDIxNTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NjcxMTgxNzgsImV4cCI6MTc2NzIwNDU3OH0.NlPl0r7aeCgmNjlU7lpVqcBezgwKvQkoQL1i-KOsYD4

https://law-school.open.ac.uk/blog/red-flag-act

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

Follow each adventure visually at:

https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Nashville has a Parthenon ... why?

Nestled into Centennial Park in Nashville, Tennessee, lies an exact-size and detail replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece.

The thrilling story of America's Parthenon might surprise you.

Safe travels!

Works Cited:

https://www.jstor.org/stable/42626877?read-now=1&seq=12#page_scan_tab_contents

https://www.jstor.org/stable/42626877?searchText=the+parthenon&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dthe%2Bparthenon%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fspellcheck_basic_search%2Ftest&refreqid=fastly-default%3A9d9ba02e0f9f5e7a7c507ab701fa1ffe&seq=7

https://www.jstor.org/stable/826893?read-now=1&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

https://www.jstor.org/stable/501468?read-now=1&seq=2#page_scan_tab_contents

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/parthenon/hurwit.html

https://www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/british-museum-story/contested-objects-collection/parthenon-sculptures

https://www.history.com/articles/parthenon-acropolis-ancient-greece-engineering

https://library.nashville.gov/blog/2019/10/nashville-athens-southbut-why

https://www.nashvilleparthenon.com/history

https://www.stephdavidbaxter.com/the-nashville-parthenon/

https://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/athena-vs-poseidon-contest-name/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZDnv110iWo&t=498s

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-rise-and-fall-of-worlds-fairs-180979946/

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

Follow each adventure visually at:

https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/