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Roads Less Traveled: Ghosts, PNW Legends, and the Road Trip That Sparked a Podcast

Celebrating One Year of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes: The Journey, The Stories, and What’s Next

It’s hard to believe that a whole year has passed since we first launched Rainy Day Rabbit Holes! What started as a fun road trip through the Pacific Northwest has turned into a year-long adventure filled with strange stories, incredible guests, and, of course, plenty of laughs. To celebrate, we’re revisiting the road trip that sparked our podcast journey and reflecting on some of our favorite moments from the past year.



The Road Trip That Sparked a Podcast

Let’s take you back to August 2023. We were just two friends, Shea and Jody, who loved diving into weird stories and historical oddities, but we hadn’t yet taken the plunge into podcasting. That all changed when we hit the road for a journey through the Pacific Northwest that would not only spark some of our first episodes but also ignite our passion for sharing these stories with the world.


Our first stop was historic Astoria, Oregon—a town brimming with history, charm, and, yes, ghost stories. Astoria is known as the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies, and it’s packed with fascinating tales. One of the highlights? Clara C. Munson, Oregon’s first female mayor, elected in 1910, who made her mark on this town and its history. But Astoria’s fame isn’t just historical—it’s also home to quirky landmarks and stories that add to its unique character. But Astoria’s fame isn’t just historical—it’s also home to quirky landmarks, like the house where The Goonies was filmed.



But Astoria isn’t just a quaint historical town—it’s one of the most haunted places in the Pacific Northwest. Jody shares a chilling ghost story from the town’s past that left us intrigued and curious about what other spooky secrets were waiting to be uncovered in the region.


After soaking in Astoria’s rich history, we continued down the Oregon coast to the breathtaking Heceta Head Lighthouse. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific, this iconic lighthouse has been guiding ships since 1894. But what really caught our attention was the ghost story surrounding its keeper’s house, now a cozy bed and breakfast. According to legend, a lady in gray roams the halls, moving objects and occasionally making her presence known to guests. The eerie yet beautiful setting became the perfect ending to our road trip—and the perfect beginning to Rainy Day Rabbit Holes.



A Year of Stories and Incredible Guests

Fast forward to today, and we’ve spent the past year diving into the strange, the mysterious, and the downright bizarre. Along the way, we’ve been lucky enough to sit down with some incredible guests who’ve shared their expertise and passion for history, mystery, and storytelling. We’re so grateful to everyone who’s been a part of our journey!


Here are just a few of the amazing guests we’ve had the pleasure of hosting:

  • Allison Gill, host of The Daily Beans, Jack, and Clean Up On Aisle 45, joined us for an unforgettable deep dive into the Oregon Land Fraud Trials and the corruption that shaped the West.

  • Brad Holden, historian and author, helped us uncover the wild bootlegging days of Tacoma, shining a light on notorious bootlegger Pete Marinoff.

  • Historian Michael Sullivan told the fascinating tale of Ray Gamble, Tacoma's Millionaire Magician, sharing insights into his life and the intriguing history of magic in our city.

  • Chris Staudinger, owner of Pretty Gritty Tours, shared his deep knowledge of Tacoma’s history, including the story of William and Alice Blackwell, who helped shape the city’s future.


And that’s just the beginning. As we look back on the past year, we also wanted to highlight a few of our favorite episodes:

  • The Summer of Saucers: Ever wonder how the Men in Black phenomenon started? Spoiler alert—it all traces back to here in the Pacific Northwest! We dove into UFO sightings, government cover-ups, and how this strange cultural phenomenon was born.

  • The Creepy Tale of Linda Hazzard: Known as the "Starvation Doctor," Linda Hazzard’s story is as chilling as it is unsettling. This episode explores how she preyed on wealthy clients, leading them to a gruesome end in the name of “medical treatment.”

  • The Pig Wars: A hilarious yet bizarre chapter in history where a dispute over a single pig nearly caused an all-out war between the United States and Britain on the San Juan Islands. If you haven’t heard it yet, it’s definitely one of the quirkiest stories we’ve covered!


What’s Next for Rainy Day Rabbit Holes?

As we look ahead to another year of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes, we’re just getting started. We’ve got so many exciting stories in the works, from eerie ghost tales to quirky historical conspiracies, and we can’t wait to share them with you. Plus, we’ve got even more amazing guests lined up, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to our rabbit holes.

And if you’re craving even more content, we’ve got you covered. By signing up for our Patreon, you’ll get ad-free episodes a day early, plus bonus content that dives even deeper into the stories you love. Follow the link at the bottom of the page to learn more!


Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or you’re just now joining us, thank you for being a part of this journey. Here’s to another year of laughter, curiosity, and endless rabbit holes!




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