Program 606: Aniakchak; Here Lies America; Ballpark Boys

After visiting battlefield monuments and memorials across the country, Jason Cochran noticed how American history has been written, and re-written, over the years. On the next Travel with Rick Steves, he tells us how the Civil War often still plays a role in how his native South views itself.

We'll also look at summer adventures for the ultimate in social distancing on the Alaska Peninsula. And at the fun a group of high school buddies had on the road trip of a lifetime, when they saw a game at every one of major league baseball's stadiums.

• Adventure travel writer Christopher Solomon
• Jason Cochran, author of "Here Lies America" (Well Hall Books)
• "Ballpark Boys" Travis Smith and Keelan Larsen

• Christopher Solomon describes his adventure in Alaska's Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, with photos, in the article "Baked Alaska" in the May 2014 edition of Outside magazine. His article is also included in the 2015 edition of "Best American Travel Writing."
• Jason Cochran wrote "Here Lies America" about what his visits to monuments of battles and tragedies revealed to him about how American history is written, and re-written.  Jason Cochran also writes guidebooks to Orlando and London as editor-in-chief at Frommers.
• You can listen to an extended interview with the Ballpark Boys, which originally aired on Travel with Rick Steves program #290 in June, 2012.

• "Did you visit a site associated with Native American history? One book that has always stuck with me as the most painful to read is Dee Brown's 'Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.' It tells the story of the relocation, disruption and what some contend is the genocide of the Native Americans." (Craig in Chicago)

• Bobby Horton, "Dixie," The Civil War: Original Soundtrack Recording / Nonesuch
• Dick Miller's National Pastime Orchestra, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," Century of Baseball in Song  / Cape Song
• James Asher, "This Stillness," The Best of Silver Wave, vol. 2 (collection) / Silver Wave
• Peter Kater, R. Carlos Nakai, "Quietude," The Best of Silver Wave, vol. 2 (collection) / Silver Wave
• Steven Cragg, "Summerstream," Discovery / New World Music
• Ray Lynch, "Here & Never Found," No Blue Thing / Ray Lynch Productions
• Alaska Children's Choir (1996), "Alaska Flag Song," Spring Fjord / (self-released)
• Martin Denny, "A-mer-i-ca," Baked Alaska / EMI-Collector's Choice
• * Lights & Motion, "Fireflies," Chronicle / Deep Elm Digital LLC
• Glenn Lee, "Joyful Sounds," None But the Righteous: Masters of Sacred Steel (collection) / Rope A Dope Records
• Americus Brass Band, "Kingdom Coming Quick Step," Music of the Civil War / Summit Records
• Jay Unger, Evan Stover, Matt Glaser, Molly Mason, "Ashokan Farewell," The Civil War: Original Soundtrack Recording / Nonesuch
•  U.S. Air Force Band of Mid America, John Cheetham cond., "Over the Top: Jubilation on the Columbia (Journey of Three Rivers)," Exploration and Discovery / Atissimo!
• Robbie Robertson, "It Is a Good Day to Die," Music for the Native Americans (collection) / Capitol
• David Bowie, Pat Metheny Group, "This is Not America," David Bowie: The Platinum Collection / Parlophone Records
• * Herb Ellis, "America the Beautiful," Texas Swings / Justice Records - Fontana
• Tim Crouch, et al, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," Pickin' on Tim McGraw:  The Bluegrass Tribute, vol. 2 / CMH Records
• Keith Frank, "Silly Puddin'," What's His Name? / Maison de Soul
• Mike Toppins, "American Pie," Original Dueling Banjos: The Sequel (collection) / CMH Records
• Les Brown and his Orchestra, "Joltin' Joe DiMaggio," Baseball:  A Film by Ken Burns (soundtrack) / Nonesuch
• Elizabeth Cotton, "Washington Blues," Shake Sugaree / Smithsonian Folkways

* indicates filler music used during internal breaks on the broadcast

• In the intro at 6:39, Rick mentions that Virginia state officials have decided to remove statues of Confederate War generals in Richmond.
• At 6:55 Rick refers to the show's "15th anniversary year."
• Chris Solomon notes that Aniakchak only had 19 visitors in 2012, and no more than 100 "last year."
• At 22:37, Jason Cochran refers to the "Johnny Reb" statues you see displayed prominently in virtually every Southern town, which were often sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
• Jason describes the Memorial Illumination, held every December at Antietam National Battlefield, starting at 29:15.
• Rick opens segment C at 40:00 saying "Summertime usually means it's baseball season in America."
• The segment C interview talks about visiting all 30 major league baseball stadiums, in 28 cities.  In the open, Rick sets the stage by noting the Ballpark Boys made their road trip in the summer of 2011. At 46:20, Rick notes that the Ballpark Boys interview first aired in 2012.
• Travis notes at 54:08 that Fenway Park was celebrating its "100th anniversary this year" and Kellan adds that they were in Boston for the Fourth of July fireworks with the Boston Pops Orchestra.