September 12, 2023 • 20 mins
Step into the RV on a cross-America adventure, with guest Alexa Rossy, spirited author of Showering with the Alligators. We'll travel from the spiritual vortex of Sedona to the Rubber Duck Derby in Aspen; from the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs, to a life-size Noah's Ark in Kentucky.
We'll navigate through a beauty pageant at North Carolina's rhododendron festival and the high-energy roller derby scene, explore the biker culture of South Dakota, visit the LBJ Ranch in Texas, and marvel at the majestic canyons of Utah.
Alexa caps these zany, fun examples of Americana remembering a whimsical encounter in a Miami shoe store, showing how people we meet during our travels leave indelible marks on our hearts and minds.
_____
Alexa Rossy is the author of Showering with the Alligators, a recent best-selling travel and humor book. She is once again on the road in her RV, gathering more great tales.
_____
Podcast host Lea Lane blogs at forbes.com, has traveled to over 100 countries, and has written nine books, including the award-winning Places I Remember (Kirkus Reviews star rating, and 'one of the top 100 Indie books' of the year). She has contributed to many guidebooks and has written thousands of travel articles.
Contact Lea- she loves hearing from you! @lealane on Twitter; PlacesIRememberLeaLane on Insta; Places I Remember with Lea Lane on Facebook; Website: placesirememberlealane.com.
New episodes drop every other Tuesday, wherever you listen. Please consider sharing, following, rating and reviewing this award-winning travel podcast.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Lea Lane (00:00):
I have a glamorous creative friend named Alexa
Rossy.
We both grew up in Miami Beachand her new book, Showering with
the Alligators, is about hertravels around America in a
recreational vehicle.
It's filled with wry and wittyobservations of Americana, the
places and people of many partsof the South, Midwest and West.
(00:21):
Welcome, Alexa, to Places.
I Remember.
(Nice to see.
) As y a woman who used to be aSouth Beach maven, and you still
live in Miami area.
how did your charming bookabout discovering the other side
of the United States come about?
Alexa Rossy (00:36):
I met a man and he convinced me to go in an RV with
him.
I had recently been widowed andI thought you know what life
is short.
I'm gonna give it a try.
So off we went.
Lea Lane (00:48):
That's what it takes -- somebody to get you out there
.
That's fantastic.
Now I have to ask you about thetitle Showering with the
Alligators.
Tell us.
Alexa Rossy (00:56):
So one of our very first trips was in Stark Florida
, known for the electric chair,the shower and the little air
stream trailer was really tiny,so T-Rex, who was my traveling
person, I nicknamed him that.
So don't worry, go down to theshower house on the park and
(01:17):
take all your stuff.
So I walked down there with mycrocs and my soap on a rope and
there they were alligators ofevery size off to the left.
Well, I got a big chill in theFlorida heat and then I realized
that there was a chain linkfence between the alligators,
(01:38):
but that became the phrase forall the scary fun adventures,
and there were many.
Lea Lane (01:44):
Sounds like a very good phrase to use.
Okay, let's talk about some ofthe places and the situations
and the people of the UnitedStates that you've observed from
RVing through the years, sowe'll go alphabetically.
Tell us about the vortex inSedona, Arizona.
Alexa Rossy (01:59):
Sedona is called the spiritual center of the
United States and the vortexesare swirling.
Things that could be in yourwine glass, could be in your
swimming pool, but in this caseit's in the beautiful, beautiful
mountains and flatlands inSedona.
So we picked a vortex to sit inand get a spiritual uplifting.
(02:21):
I'm not sure it worked for us,but hundreds and thousands of
people go there Intuitives,healers, celebrities, actors,
actresses.
It's a gorgeous place and Iwill tell you that it said that
when God created the earth, heor she decided they would live
in Sedona.
Lea Lane (02:40):
Ah well, those red rocks are beautiful, whether you
see the vortex and feel it ornot.
Let's go to Colorado.
You went to the Rubber Duck,Derby.
Tell us about that.
Alexa Rossy (02:51):
Well, that was in Aspen, and so you see a lot of
very upscale people makingcomplete fools of themselves
with little rubber duck bathtoys.
Each duck costs $5.
They're all numbered and theydump them into the Rio Grande
River -- it's not the big RioGrande, but and then everybody
(03:12):
gathers along the river to seewhose duck is coming in first.
The winner gets $1 million.
Now that's a few years.
Yes, you heard me so a fewyears back.
Maybe now inflation has uppedthe ante, my goodness.
But picture a waterway coveredin yellow rubber duck s.
Lea Lane (03:34):
I would imagine w (all wearing sunglasses).
The ducks, or the people?
(Yes, the ducks, oh my gosh.
Well, that's something I guessI would like, m (you definitely
would).
Alexa Rossy (03:44):
It's an annual event.
Lea Lane (03:45):
Oh, wow, very interesting.
Let's go to mermaids in Floridaat Weekee Watchee Springs.
Alexa Rossy (03:51):
OK, so mermaids in Florida, one of the last of the
old Florida attractions.
The day we went they hadbrought in the mermaids from the
1950s and 60s and of coursethey were a little older, but
they performed just like theywere, 18 years old, flashing
their tails.
And then they brought in thenew one and, honestly, I
(04:14):
reverted to being five years oldwatching a huge tank of bubbles
and sparkles, (and definitelysomething to remind me of the
actress Esther Williams from the50s.
Lea Lane (04:25):
Yeah, it's a wonderful old fashioned place.
I know in Florida, when you goto these things, where do you
stay?
Alexa Rossy (04:32):
We have a big, thick directory of every RV park
in the United States that'sbeen rated, so we look ahead to
see where we might be at the endof the day.
And then we call up one of theparks and we ask them for a
space.
Most times we get it and if not, if all else fails, you can
sleep in the parking lot of aWalmart for free.
Lea Lane (04:56):
I heard that Still going on right, (yeah yeah, I
did an episode with a man whowas also an RV expert.
He said there are lots of clubsnow where you can go stay at
golf courses and country clubsand kind of upscale places as
well.
If you join the club, they'llallow that.
So there's a variety of levels.
I know that.
Alexa Rossy (05:13):
Yes, every kind of level, as long as you're out
there and having fun, exactly,(And you were in an air stream?
Tell us about that.
The first one was an airstream and it's just the most
precious retro little piece ofequipment.
We did end up going to a placewhere they make the air stream.
It's in Ohio and it's veryinteresting.
They take such pride.
(05:35):
Only one crew works on one airstream.
They do not switch offemployees because when they
finish and every little rivetand bolt, they can sit back and
say look, we made this one.
Did they sign them like a workof art?
I looked they might, but no,it's called Jackson Center.
(05:55):
And I said that if any alienever came to the United States
they would think they landed inhome territory, because all the
little shiny things are lined up.
That's funny.
Lea Lane (06:07):
Okay, let's go back to the road.
How about Kentucky?
You went to Noah's Ark inWilliamstown, Kentucky.
Tell us about that.
Alexa Rossy (06:14):
Okay, well, we were in North Carolina, it was
raining, raining, raining and Isaid, boy, we could use an Ark.
And someone said, oh, there isone in Williamstown, Kentucky,
so we went over there.
The Ark is two football fieldslong, it is supposedly the
largest timber wood structure inthe world and it is three
(06:38):
floors.
So apparently the other Ark wasthree decks.
It is a replica of Noah's Ark.
It has everything that the Arkmight have had: beautiful
baskets, exotic carpets,hammocks.
And they do have the animals,but they're outside the Ark.
Lea Lane (06:55):
How ma ny animals?
Alexa Rossy (06:59):
Well, they had kangaroos and just all kinds of
things.
They were not inside.
If they were out, I would saythat Noah would not have
recognized this Ark, as it wasair conditioning, it had Wi-Fi
and a gift shop.
Lea Lane (07:15):
I like this Ark.
Okay, well, let's move alonghere from Kentucky We'll go to
Montana, and there were lots ofthings you did there.
I want to talk about the SunRoad N National Park.
Alexa Rossy (07:26):
When you're in an.
Lea Lane (07:27):
RV.
You have to sometimes takeroads that are a little dicey.
Tell us about that.
Alexa Rossy (07:31):
It's called going to the Sun Road and it smells
like pine and it's glowing andbeautiful, quite frosty.
It's all about the water.
The first day we went was nastyand freezing and we had to go
back the second day and we gotthe Chamber of Commerce Day.
It's about 50 miles on themotorcycle.
(07:52):
(Oh, my goodness, that's right,you had a motorcycle as well.
Lea Lane (07:56):
So yeah, oh yeah.
You like that.
Alexa Rossy (08:01):
I do it.
Yes, I got to like it.
I feel safe on it because T-rexis a career pilot and he's very
careful and no problem.
Yeah, and it's so beautifulthat you forget that you could,
you know, fall off the glacier
Lea Lane (08:19):
That's the way to do it forget all those things.
Part of the great thing abouttraveling like this is you get
to meet people.
There are a couple of people inMontana that when I was reading
your book I was struck with hMartha who raises worms.
Tell us about her.
Alexa Rossy (08:31):
Martha.
Martha raised red wiggler worms, which I'd never heard of, and
apparently they are the wormsthat we use to eat garbage.
They love bacteria.
They send them to coffeeplantations because the coffee
grows in two years.
T three.
Martha also told me that theworms are bisexual, so they're
(08:55):
all completely dateable.
Lea Lane (08:59):
Was Martha dateable.
Alexa Rossy (09:01):
I didn't want to think about that.
Lea Lane (09:03):
Okay, well, we'll go from.
t here was also Bob Wilson.
You met a very interesting manin Deer lodge, Montana.
Tell us about him.
Alexa Rossy (09:10):
We had toured the Montana State Prison, which is
quite a foreboding, dark,depressing place.
But across the street there wasa prison gift shop and one of
the officials in the Montanagovernment had decided they
wanted an inmate to run it.
So this gentleman was pickedout of several thousand other
(09:33):
prisoners.
He was exemplary.
Anyway, we didn't really knowmuch about it, we just went to
gift shop so I told him we hadjust toured the prison.
He told me he had been livingthere for gosh I don't know how
many years he was an accomplisep o a murder murder murder or
murder.
So it's the first time I hadspoken with that kind of person.
Well, that was that.
(09:54):
You know, it was completelydelightful and the door i wide
open.
He has a phone but it can onlycall .
You know, call the prison.
He was quite shy and he saidwhen he started his job the
money looks so different becausehe hadn't seen it in 20 years.
He was afraid to talk to people, but anyway he's been there.
So we bought a lot of beautifulthings made by the prisoners
(10:17):
and the money goes toward theirCantines cantines or their
family support.
Lea Lane (10:21):
Yeah, that's what's so great about travel you would
you meet people?
You otherwise obviously?
wouldn't know and you neverknow right, (Exactly, Let's talk
about New Mexico.
You mentioned aliens fromanother planet.
How about Roswell, New Mexicoand the UFO convention?
Alexa Rossy (10:36):
No, well, I'm lucky I'm still here.
We heard that they were havingtheir annual UFO convention, so
we went to Roswell and Roswellis an out-of-this-world place.
You know the great story aboutsomething falling from the sky
many, many years ago and theythought it was a UFO and that's
(10:57):
how Roswell became famous.
So they do it up big.
They have a parade, Walmart hasa big float.
It says we've come to shop, themotel say come, crash with us.
And it goes on and on.
People are dressed up in neonand they have a museum with a
little mummy alien and they evenhave a panel of people who have
(11:19):
been abducted and come back andtalk about it, but they're
usually from the same kind ofplace.
Lea Lane (11:25):
I don't know what that is, but they're usually in a
rural area.
Alexa Rossy (11:29):
We.
Lea Lane (11:31):
Not many city people say that, but that's fascinating
.
Alexa Rossy (11:34):
Yes, and I did want to tell you that all the light
poles in Roswell have alienheads on the top of them,
something I never would haveknown.
Lea Lane (11:43):
Let's go to North Carolina, and there are a couple
of things there that fascinatedme from your book.
One was the beauty pageant thatyou visited.
Alexa Rossy (11:51):
Well, in Bakersville, North Carolina,
they have an annual rhododendronfestival.
The rhododendron is thebeautiful pink flower and that
time of year it coverseverything.
It looks like a pink blanket.
So we went over there to seethe flowers and then found out
that there would be arhododendron queen crowned that
very night in the high school.
This is big so we bought afive dollar ticket.
(12:14):
We found a great seat next tothe runway.
Craig was horrified that he hadto sit through a beauty pageant
.
(I'll bet.
) And then it began and thegirls came out one by one, each
one so pretty, poised, nervous,wobbling in their high heels.
They had to do gown, they hadto do bathing suit.
He started to to less w than hewas before and then he started
(12:41):
to pick out who he thought wouldwin.
And these girls getscholarships, they are
encouraged to live their lifedream and you know what I say
now is they realize they couldbe president of the United
States or just the best man, nNorth Carolina.
Lea Lane (12:59):
Fascinating.
Now, another thing I love withwomen is the roller derby.
That's something from the 1940sand 50s way way back.
Tell us what's going on nowwith the roller derby.
Alexa Rossy (13:10):
Well, that roller derby was in Asheville, North
Carolina, and pictures sale dayat Lohmann.
The women are well, here.
I the rules.
re you roll in the pack onroller skates?
The idea is to get in front ofthe pack.
And they all have to have akiller instinct, but they have
(13:32):
something else going for themwhich is their si undefined a
uniform, and they have veryraunchy nickname.
So in between the fishnets andthe tube top, you've got so fond
of giving stitches, or rigor,morticia, and so on and so on.
The rules say don't push, don'tshove, don't pull.
Lea Lane (13:53):
They all pushed, shoved, that's right that's why
the rules were made veryinteresting.
Combination of beauty pageantsand roller derbies.
I love it.
That's going to South Dakotaand some of your experiences
there.
I know you went to MountRushmore and you visited some
hot springs, but the thing thatI was most interested in was
bike week and stir just SouthDakota.
Tell us about bike week.
Alexa Rossy (14:15):
Picture five hundred thousand motorcycles
cruising around most of themare Harley.
Some of the guys come fromEurope.
This is a big deal and myfeeling is it's their one chance
to get away from whatever theydo in real life and it's a mixed
bag.
So we went on the BMW, whichwas the novelty.
(14:36):
It's a beautiful, beautifularea and, you know, one day we
took a ride over to Wyoming tosee the Devil's Tower.
Lea Lane (14:44):
r member that yes in the movie from yes Close
Encounter s-- bikers.
Alexa Rossy (14:49):
Some of them a very scary tattoos, do ?
Fringes, chain?
They want you to take clothesoff, which I did not.
Do you know for a string ofbeads?
They have to do better thanthat.
When I did talk to some of thescary, scarier one ones, the
sculptor, many of them werelawyers, dentist s doesn't s,,
(15:11):
it's just their time out to havea great, great week.
Lea Lane (15:14):
Very interesting again , meeting people and finding out
things as you go on the road,which is what we love about
travel Texas.
You went to the LBJ ranch, theLyndon Baines Johnson ranch.
Tell us a little about that.
Alexa Rossy (15:28):
Well, it's near the hill country which is so
beautiful in Texas.
Texas Rangers were out there.
Regardless of your politicalviews B had a very, very
interesting personality and asbig and bold as he was, the
ranch was what they called theirheart place and it's acres and
acres, and after he died theydonated it, it so anybody can
(15:50):
come in.
But you can go through thehouse.
You can see the hideous shagshed carpeting.
There were telephones in everyroom, there were televisions,
but it's free range.
So when you drive through theproperty, there could be a horse
, there could be a cow, therecould be a deer scampering in
front of you.
(16:10):
So we really loved it for itsbeauty.
It's a very calm, restful place.
I imagine that the worldleaders who came there were very
surprised because of thecontrast to his big, bold .
Lea Lane (16:25):
Exactly.
Yeah well, let's go to Utah.
I know you went to hear theMormon Tab?
urn Is acle there enough waterin there to float?
Because I know.
Alexa Rossy (16:40):
I'm not sure this is a few years back, but you
clearly can float.
You don't think so?
And then all of a sudden,you're sitting there with an
invisible chair, so I was soglad that I had that experience.
And of course, when you get out, you have enough salt on you to
make a hundred thousand meals.
Yeah, fun to do.
Lea Lane (17:00):
The area of Utah I just have to mention the Canyon
area is one of the mostbeautiful places in America.
I'm sure you drove through them.
I know from the book.
Did you have a favorite canyon?
Alexa Rossy (17:11):
Can have a favorite .
It's like your children likeyou know, with each turn you go
oh look at this one, look atthis.
Lea Lane (17:18):
It's exceptional.
It is obviously you learn lotsof things on the road.
Alexa Rossy (17:22):
One of the things I learned is that people are
people and that is the universal.
But it's just a symbol.
In Iowa it could be somebody'scorn crop and in Miami Beach,
well, flash.
And.
Lea Lane (17:36):
Lamborghini.
Well, the name of the podcastis Places.
I Remember.
So, Alexa, out of all yourstories and all your experiences
, can you share one favoritewith us to end it?
Alexa Rossy (17:48):
Well for me.
I love meeting different people, and so it was the
serendipitous meeting with awoman in a shoe store in Miami,
Florida.
We just had an instantconnection, turned out she was
from Kentucky and we exchangenames and addresses.
So when we were leaving JacksonCenter, Ohio, I looked at the
(18:09):
map and I went oh, there'sKentucky.
I'm going to call this lady andT-Rex t you are going to call a
lady you met one time in a shoestore I don't play well, you
know, not traveling with AnneLanders.
Anyway, I called her.
She was delighted.
She had this syrupy southernaccent.
(18:30):
She invited us to theirbeautiful ranch with race horses
which is why she was in Miamito begin with, running a Gulf
stream.
They were the most lovelycouple.
She had won many trophiesriding horses, he had been a
banker.
They were very, very down toearth.
We became lifelong friends andthey are now gone.
(18:53):
I get a little emotional, but Iwas able to contact their son,
who now has my book, and gave mepermission to use their names,
which I don't have to.
But meeting people, that's it.
That's it for me.
Lea Lane (19:10):
Absolutely.
You know I've been doing manyepisodes are almost at 100 now
and so many times the endingmemory is about people.
No matter where in the world,no matter how glamorous or how
beautiful the scenery, it's thepeople that matter to so many of
us.
So thank you for sharing thatvery touching and thank you so
(19:31):
very much, Alexa Rossy.
You're the author of thecharming, funny memoir of your
RV adventures in the US.
Keep on going out there
Alexa Rossy (19:42):
Aren't we lucky that we get to go -yeah.
I have a glamorous creative friend named Alexa
Rossy.
We both grew up in Miami Beachand her new book, Showering with
the Alligators, is about hertravels around America in a
recreational vehicle.
It's filled with wry and wittyobservations of Americana, the
places and people of many partsof the South, Midwest and West.
(00:21):
Welcome, Alexa, to Places.
I Remember.
(Nice to see.
) As y a woman who used to be aSouth Beach maven, and you still
live in Miami area.
how did your charming bookabout discovering the other side
of the United States come about?
Alexa Rossy (00:36):
I met a man and he convinced me to go in an RV with
him.
I had recently been widowed andI thought you know what life
is short.
I'm gonna give it a try.
So off we went.
Lea Lane (00:48):
That's what it takes -- somebody to get you out there
.
That's fantastic.
Now I have to ask you about thetitle Showering with the
Alligators.
Tell us.
Alexa Rossy (00:56):
So one of our very first trips was in Stark Florida
, known for the electric chair,the shower and the little air
stream trailer was really tiny,so T-Rex, who was my traveling
person, I nicknamed him that.
So don't worry, go down to theshower house on the park and
(01:17):
take all your stuff.
So I walked down there with mycrocs and my soap on a rope and
there they were alligators ofevery size off to the left.
Well, I got a big chill in theFlorida heat and then I realized
that there was a chain linkfence between the alligators,
(01:38):
but that became the phrase forall the scary fun adventures,
and there were many.
Lea Lane (01:44):
Sounds like a very good phrase to use.
Okay, let's talk about some ofthe places and the situations
and the people of the UnitedStates that you've observed from
RVing through the years, sowe'll go alphabetically.
Tell us about the vortex inSedona, Arizona.
Alexa Rossy (01:59):
Sedona is called the spiritual center of the
United States and the vortexesare swirling.
Things that could be in yourwine glass, could be in your
swimming pool, but in this caseit's in the beautiful, beautiful
mountains and flatlands inSedona.
So we picked a vortex to sit inand get a spiritual uplifting.
(02:21):
I'm not sure it worked for us,but hundreds and thousands of
people go there Intuitives,healers, celebrities, actors,
actresses.
It's a gorgeous place and Iwill tell you that it said that
when God created the earth, heor she decided they would live
in Sedona.
Lea Lane (02:40):
Ah well, those red rocks are beautiful, whether you
see the vortex and feel it ornot.
Let's go to Colorado.
You went to the Rubber Duck,Derby.
Tell us about that.
Alexa Rossy (02:51):
Well, that was in Aspen, and so you see a lot of
very upscale people makingcomplete fools of themselves
with little rubber duck bathtoys.
Each duck costs $5.
They're all numbered and theydump them into the Rio Grande
River -- it's not the big RioGrande, but and then everybody
(03:12):
gathers along the river to seewhose duck is coming in first.
The winner gets $1 million.
Now that's a few years.
Yes, you heard me so a fewyears back.
Maybe now inflation has uppedthe ante, my goodness.
But picture a waterway coveredin yellow rubber duck s.
Lea Lane (03:34):
I would imagine w (all wearing sunglasses).
The ducks, or the people?
(Yes, the ducks, oh my gosh.
Well, that's something I guessI would like, m (you definitely
would).
Alexa Rossy (03:44):
It's an annual event.
Lea Lane (03:45):
Oh, wow, very interesting.
Let's go to mermaids in Floridaat Weekee Watchee Springs.
Alexa Rossy (03:51):
OK, so mermaids in Florida, one of the last of the
old Florida attractions.
The day we went they hadbrought in the mermaids from the
1950s and 60s and of coursethey were a little older, but
they performed just like theywere, 18 years old, flashing
their tails.
And then they brought in thenew one and, honestly, I
(04:14):
reverted to being five years oldwatching a huge tank of bubbles
and sparkles, (and definitelysomething to remind me of the
actress Esther Williams from the50s.
Lea Lane (04:25):
Yeah, it's a wonderful old fashioned place.
I know in Florida, when you goto these things, where do you
stay?
Alexa Rossy (04:32):
We have a big, thick directory of every RV park
in the United States that'sbeen rated, so we look ahead to
see where we might be at the endof the day.
And then we call up one of theparks and we ask them for a
space.
Most times we get it and if not, if all else fails, you can
sleep in the parking lot of aWalmart for free.
Lea Lane (04:56):
I heard that Still going on right, (yeah yeah, I
did an episode with a man whowas also an RV expert.
He said there are lots of clubsnow where you can go stay at
golf courses and country clubsand kind of upscale places as
well.
If you join the club, they'llallow that.
So there's a variety of levels.
I know that.
Alexa Rossy (05:13):
Yes, every kind of level, as long as you're out
there and having fun, exactly,(And you were in an air stream?
Tell us about that.
The first one was an airstream and it's just the most
precious retro little piece ofequipment.
We did end up going to a placewhere they make the air stream.
It's in Ohio and it's veryinteresting.
They take such pride.
(05:35):
Only one crew works on one airstream.
They do not switch offemployees because when they
finish and every little rivetand bolt, they can sit back and
say look, we made this one.
Did they sign them like a workof art?
I looked they might, but no,it's called Jackson Center.
(05:55):
And I said that if any alienever came to the United States
they would think they landed inhome territory, because all the
little shiny things are lined up.
That's funny.
Lea Lane (06:07):
Okay, let's go back to the road.
How about Kentucky?
You went to Noah's Ark inWilliamstown, Kentucky.
Tell us about that.
Alexa Rossy (06:14):
Okay, well, we were in North Carolina, it was
raining, raining, raining and Isaid, boy, we could use an Ark.
And someone said, oh, there isone in Williamstown, Kentucky,
so we went over there.
The Ark is two football fieldslong, it is supposedly the
largest timber wood structure inthe world and it is three
(06:38):
floors.
So apparently the other Ark wasthree decks.
It is a replica of Noah's Ark.
It has everything that the Arkmight have had: beautiful
baskets, exotic carpets,hammocks.
And they do have the animals,but they're outside the Ark.
Lea Lane (06:55):
How ma ny animals?
Alexa Rossy (06:59):
Well, they had kangaroos and just all kinds of
things.
They were not inside.
If they were out, I would saythat Noah would not have
recognized this Ark, as it wasair conditioning, it had Wi-Fi
and a gift shop.
Lea Lane (07:15):
I like this Ark.
Okay, well, let's move alonghere from Kentucky We'll go to
Montana, and there were lots ofthings you did there.
I want to talk about the SunRoad N National Park.
Alexa Rossy (07:26):
When you're in an.
Lea Lane (07:27):
RV.
You have to sometimes takeroads that are a little dicey.
Tell us about that.
Alexa Rossy (07:31):
It's called going to the Sun Road and it smells
like pine and it's glowing andbeautiful, quite frosty.
It's all about the water.
The first day we went was nastyand freezing and we had to go
back the second day and we gotthe Chamber of Commerce Day.
It's about 50 miles on themotorcycle.
(07:52):
(Oh, my goodness, that's right,you had a motorcycle as well.
Lea Lane (07:56):
So yeah, oh yeah.
You like that.
Alexa Rossy (08:01):
I do it.
Yes, I got to like it.
I feel safe on it because T-rexis a career pilot and he's very
careful and no problem.
Yeah, and it's so beautifulthat you forget that you could,
you know, fall off the glacier
Lea Lane (08:19):
That's the way to do it forget all those things.
Part of the great thing abouttraveling like this is you get
to meet people.
There are a couple of people inMontana that when I was reading
your book I was struck with hMartha who raises worms.
Tell us about her.
Alexa Rossy (08:31):
Martha.
Martha raised red wiggler worms, which I'd never heard of, and
apparently they are the wormsthat we use to eat garbage.
They love bacteria.
They send them to coffeeplantations because the coffee
grows in two years.
T three.
Martha also told me that theworms are bisexual, so they're
(08:55):
all completely dateable.
Lea Lane (08:59):
Was Martha dateable.
Alexa Rossy (09:01):
I didn't want to think about that.
Lea Lane (09:03):
Okay, well, we'll go from.
t here was also Bob Wilson.
You met a very interesting manin Deer lodge, Montana.
Tell us about him.
Alexa Rossy (09:10):
We had toured the Montana State Prison, which is
quite a foreboding, dark,depressing place.
But across the street there wasa prison gift shop and one of
the officials in the Montanagovernment had decided they
wanted an inmate to run it.
So this gentleman was pickedout of several thousand other
(09:33):
prisoners.
He was exemplary.
Anyway, we didn't really knowmuch about it, we just went to
gift shop so I told him we hadjust toured the prison.
He told me he had been livingthere for gosh I don't know how
many years he was an accomplisep o a murder murder murder or
murder.
So it's the first time I hadspoken with that kind of person.
Well, that was that.
(09:54):
You know, it was completelydelightful and the door i wide
open.
He has a phone but it can onlycall .
You know, call the prison.
He was quite shy and he saidwhen he started his job the
money looks so different becausehe hadn't seen it in 20 years.
He was afraid to talk to people, but anyway he's been there.
So we bought a lot of beautifulthings made by the prisoners
(10:17):
and the money goes toward theirCantines cantines or their
family support.
Lea Lane (10:21):
Yeah, that's what's so great about travel you would
you meet people?
You otherwise obviously?
wouldn't know and you neverknow right, (Exactly, Let's talk
about New Mexico.
You mentioned aliens fromanother planet.
How about Roswell, New Mexicoand the UFO convention?
Alexa Rossy (10:36):
No, well, I'm lucky I'm still here.
We heard that they were havingtheir annual UFO convention, so
we went to Roswell and Roswellis an out-of-this-world place.
You know the great story aboutsomething falling from the sky
many, many years ago and theythought it was a UFO and that's
(10:57):
how Roswell became famous.
So they do it up big.
They have a parade, Walmart hasa big float.
It says we've come to shop, themotel say come, crash with us.
And it goes on and on.
People are dressed up in neonand they have a museum with a
little mummy alien and they evenhave a panel of people who have
(11:19):
been abducted and come back andtalk about it, but they're
usually from the same kind ofplace.
Lea Lane (11:25):
I don't know what that is, but they're usually in a
rural area.
Alexa Rossy (11:29):
We.
Lea Lane (11:31):
Not many city people say that, but that's fascinating
.
Alexa Rossy (11:34):
Yes, and I did want to tell you that all the light
poles in Roswell have alienheads on the top of them,
something I never would haveknown.
Lea Lane (11:43):
Let's go to North Carolina, and there are a couple
of things there that fascinatedme from your book.
One was the beauty pageant thatyou visited.
Alexa Rossy (11:51):
Well, in Bakersville, North Carolina,
they have an annual rhododendronfestival.
The rhododendron is thebeautiful pink flower and that
time of year it coverseverything.
It looks like a pink blanket.
So we went over there to seethe flowers and then found out
that there would be arhododendron queen crowned that
very night in the high school.
This is big so we bought afive dollar ticket.
(12:14):
We found a great seat next tothe runway.
Craig was horrified that he hadto sit through a beauty pageant
.
(I'll bet.
) And then it began and thegirls came out one by one, each
one so pretty, poised, nervous,wobbling in their high heels.
They had to do gown, they hadto do bathing suit.
He started to to less w than hewas before and then he started
(12:41):
to pick out who he thought wouldwin.
And these girls getscholarships, they are
encouraged to live their lifedream and you know what I say
now is they realize they couldbe president of the United
States or just the best man, nNorth Carolina.
Lea Lane (12:59):
Fascinating.
Now, another thing I love withwomen is the roller derby.
That's something from the 1940sand 50s way way back.
Tell us what's going on nowwith the roller derby.
Alexa Rossy (13:10):
Well, that roller derby was in Asheville, North
Carolina, and pictures sale dayat Lohmann.
The women are well, here.
I the rules.
re you roll in the pack onroller skates?
The idea is to get in front ofthe pack.
And they all have to have akiller instinct, but they have
(13:32):
something else going for themwhich is their si undefined a
uniform, and they have veryraunchy nickname.
So in between the fishnets andthe tube top, you've got so fond
of giving stitches, or rigor,morticia, and so on and so on.
The rules say don't push, don'tshove, don't pull.
Lea Lane (13:53):
They all pushed, shoved, that's right that's why
the rules were made veryinteresting.
Combination of beauty pageantsand roller derbies.
I love it.
That's going to South Dakotaand some of your experiences
there.
I know you went to MountRushmore and you visited some
hot springs, but the thing thatI was most interested in was
bike week and stir just SouthDakota.
Tell us about bike week.
Alexa Rossy (14:15):
Picture five hundred thousand motorcycles
cruising around most of themare Harley.
Some of the guys come fromEurope.
This is a big deal and myfeeling is it's their one chance
to get away from whatever theydo in real life and it's a mixed
bag.
So we went on the BMW, whichwas the novelty.
(14:36):
It's a beautiful, beautifularea and, you know, one day we
took a ride over to Wyoming tosee the Devil's Tower.
Lea Lane (14:44):
r member that yes in the movie from yes Close
Encounter s-- bikers.
Alexa Rossy (14:49):
Some of them a very scary tattoos, do ?
Fringes, chain?
They want you to take clothesoff, which I did not.
Do you know for a string ofbeads?
They have to do better thanthat.
When I did talk to some of thescary, scarier one ones, the
sculptor, many of them werelawyers, dentist s doesn't s,,
(15:11):
it's just their time out to havea great, great week.
Lea Lane (15:14):
Very interesting again , meeting people and finding out
things as you go on the road,which is what we love about
travel Texas.
You went to the LBJ ranch, theLyndon Baines Johnson ranch.
Tell us a little about that.
Alexa Rossy (15:28):
Well, it's near the hill country which is so
beautiful in Texas.
Texas Rangers were out there.
Regardless of your politicalviews B had a very, very
interesting personality and asbig and bold as he was, the
ranch was what they called theirheart place and it's acres and
acres, and after he died theydonated it, it so anybody can
(15:50):
come in.
But you can go through thehouse.
You can see the hideous shagshed carpeting.
There were telephones in everyroom, there were televisions,
but it's free range.
So when you drive through theproperty, there could be a horse
, there could be a cow, therecould be a deer scampering in
front of you.
(16:10):
So we really loved it for itsbeauty.
It's a very calm, restful place.
I imagine that the worldleaders who came there were very
surprised because of thecontrast to his big, bold .
Lea Lane (16:25):
Exactly.
Yeah well, let's go to Utah.
I know you went to hear theMormon Tab?
urn Is acle there enough waterin there to float?
Because I know.
Alexa Rossy (16:40):
I'm not sure this is a few years back, but you
clearly can float.
You don't think so?
And then all of a sudden,you're sitting there with an
invisible chair, so I was soglad that I had that experience.
And of course, when you get out, you have enough salt on you to
make a hundred thousand meals.
Yeah, fun to do.
Lea Lane (17:00):
The area of Utah I just have to mention the Canyon
area is one of the mostbeautiful places in America.
I'm sure you drove through them.
I know from the book.
Did you have a favorite canyon?
Alexa Rossy (17:11):
Can have a favorite .
It's like your children likeyou know, with each turn you go
oh look at this one, look atthis.
Lea Lane (17:18):
It's exceptional.
It is obviously you learn lotsof things on the road.
Alexa Rossy (17:22):
One of the things I learned is that people are
people and that is the universal.
But it's just a symbol.
In Iowa it could be somebody'scorn crop and in Miami Beach,
well, flash.
And.
Lea Lane (17:36):
Lamborghini.
Well, the name of the podcastis Places.
I Remember.
So, Alexa, out of all yourstories and all your experiences
, can you share one favoritewith us to end it?
Alexa Rossy (17:48):
Well for me.
I love meeting different people, and so it was the
serendipitous meeting with awoman in a shoe store in Miami,
Florida.
We just had an instantconnection, turned out she was
from Kentucky and we exchangenames and addresses.
So when we were leaving JacksonCenter, Ohio, I looked at the
(18:09):
map and I went oh, there'sKentucky.
I'm going to call this lady andT-Rex t you are going to call a
lady you met one time in a shoestore I don't play well, you
know, not traveling with AnneLanders.
Anyway, I called her.
She was delighted.
She had this syrupy southernaccent.
(18:30):
She invited us to theirbeautiful ranch with race horses
which is why she was in Miamito begin with, running a Gulf
stream.
They were the most lovelycouple.
She had won many trophiesriding horses, he had been a
banker.
They were very, very down toearth.
We became lifelong friends andthey are now gone.
(18:53):
I get a little emotional, but Iwas able to contact their son,
who now has my book, and gave mepermission to use their names,
which I don't have to.
But meeting people, that's it.
That's it for me.
Lea Lane (19:10):
Absolutely.
You know I've been doing manyepisodes are almost at 100 now
and so many times the endingmemory is about people.
No matter where in the world,no matter how glamorous or how
beautiful the scenery, it's thepeople that matter to so many of
us.
So thank you for sharing thatvery touching and thank you so
(19:31):
very much, Alexa Rossy.
You're the author of thecharming, funny memoir of your
RV adventures in the US.
Keep on going out there
Alexa Rossy (19:42):
Aren't we lucky that we get to go -yeah.
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