Dark Wanderings

Krampus is quickly becoming a beloved Christmas monster in the United States and the cultural zeitgeist. Laura explains to Rebecca what the legend is in the past and how romance novels are influencing the present. While an oddball Germanic tradition reaching into our Pagan past of Europe. He resembles other legends, including that of Iceland; but his modern interpretation has taken some unique turns.

Becca does something different this week and interviews a friend about growing up in Iceland in the 1960s and 1970s and what that meant around Christmas time. Iceland is home to notoriously unique and peculiar legends around lads, witches, and a mischievous cat. 

We're all told one story - pilgrims (a group of puritans) running from religious persecution landed on our shores to a new land. The Native Americans (Indians) aided these pilgrims in their conquering of what is modern day New England. We're given cute cartoons, plays, horrifically racist paper outfits and headdresses, and told it's all okay under the guise of history and American exceptionalism. The fairy tale, is just that, a made up fantasy of how 17th century Europeans blended with Native Peoples. The reality is much more complicated and malicious, and is a small part of the greater genocide of the Americas. Today, we explore that past in the hopes that we can move away from the fairytale and have a better conversation on the meaning and insult of our so-called Thanksgiving.

Colorado is home to some odd traditions. While parades, polar plunges, and nude skiing top the list, a lot of people miss the well-loved tradition of Coffin Racing. About 30 years ago a group of people got together in Manitou Springs and took one of their local legends and turned it into a Halloween extravaganza. This was a hope to increase tourism in the shoulder season for a town that mostly operated on summer visits to the area, especially Pikes Peak. Laura and Becca visit the 2022 races and learn more about the even than expected! They also need a hearse

Laura and Becca are kicking it close to home in Estes Park, Colorado. They decided to check out the historic and supposedly VERY haunted Stanley Hotel in August of this year. Did Becca have a ghostly encounter? Or are ghosts like Moose and elusive characters that hide from and dislike tourists?  We also share a PSA on marijuana usage on federal lands....and other Colorado things. Don't miss this!  Music by DJ Spooky

Episodes 3 & 4 are a dive into what the hell happened when a group of 80 people in a wagon train tried to take shortcuts, left late, and followed bad advice in 1846-1847. We also delve into the history of what exactly defines cannibalism and when it has occurred in more recent history. As always, we encourage additional reading and exploration if this is a topic that really interests you! Additionally, this content may be disturbing, so skip it and sit tight a couple weeks for when we move onto something less intense. Read More Instagram Twitter References/Alternative Sources A lighter take on the Donner Party: You’re Wrong About Books: Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History – by Bill Schutt The Best Land Under Heaven: The Donner Party in the Age of Manifest Destiny – by Michael Wallis Sites to Visit Nebraska Scotts Bluff National Monument/Chimney Rock – Scotts Bluff, Nebraska Wyoming Fort Laramie – Fort Laramie Ayers Natural Bridge – Douglas National Historic Trails Interpretive Center – Casper Independence Rock – Natrona County Little Sandy Crossing – Rock Springs Fort Bridger Utah Donner-Reed Museum – Grantsville, Utah Nevada California Trail Interpretive Center – Elko, Nevada California Donner Memorial State Park – Truckee, California Donner Memorial Museum – Truckee, California Sutter’s Fort – Sacramento, California

Episodes 3 & 4 are a dive into what the hell happened when a group of 80 people in a wagon train tried to take shortcuts, left late, and followed bad advice in 1846-1847. We also delve into the history of what exactly defines cannibalism and when it has occurred in more recent history. As always, we encourage additional reading and exploration if this is a topic that really interests you! Additionally, this content may be disturbing, so skip it and sit tight a couple weeks for when we move onto something less intense. Read More Instagram Twitter References/Alternative Sources A lighter take on the Donner Party: You’re Wrong About Books: Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History – by Bill Schutt The Best Land Under Heaven: The Donner Party in the Age of Manifest Destiny – by Michael Wallis Sites to Visit Nebraska Scotts Bluff National Monument/Chimney Rock – Scotts Bluff, Nebraska Wyoming Fort Laramie – Fort Laramie Ayers Natural Bridge – Douglas National Historic Trails Interpretive Center – Casper Independence Rock – Natrona County Little Sandy Crossing – Rock Springs Fort Bridger Utah Donner-Reed Museum – Grantsville, Utah Nevada California Trail Interpretive Center – Elko, Nevada California Donner Memorial State Park – Truckee, California Donner Memorial Museum – Truckee, California Sutter’s Fort – Sacramento, California

This week we are visiting the 20th and 21st century versions of the anatomical model. Is it ethical? What’s the story? Just HOW do they make them? While we don’t have concrete answers, we ask a lot of questions and naturally share our opinions! Show Resources: Exhibitions Body Worlds Bodies: The Exhibition Real Bodies Museum of Human Bodies Research & News NPR Piece: Origins of Exhibited Cadavers Questioned (2006) Tales from the Organ Trade (Journeyman Pictures) Denver Museum of Nature and Science: “The Hikers” Blog

In our first episode EVER we delve into some weird wonders hidden in the Pitti Palace in Florence, Italy! While stunning, and beautiful in their own ways, these anatomical models had a big influence on the time they were created and into today. Becca tells Laura about her experience seeing them, and why they're important markers of the past and present obsession with anatomy.  Read more Instagram