What Makes Us Go: Retracing America’s First Road Trip

What happens when modern van life retraces one of the boldest journeys in American history? In this special episode of Steel Stories, host Bernie Swanson takes us beyond the mill and onto the open road, where past and present collide. Inspired by the 1903 cross-country expedition of Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson and mechanic Sewall K. Crocker, Vanlifer's Court and Nate, follow the same coast-to-coast route, from California to New York, proving that adventure still runs deep in the American spirit. But this isn’t just about road trips. It’s about grit. Risk. Innovation. Safety. And, steel, quiet, strong, and ever-present that makes movement possible. From historic highways to modern highways, from early automotive breakthroughs to today’s engineered materials, this conversation explores how far we’ve come… and what still drives us forward. If you’ve ever wondered what connects van life, American history, and the backbone of our infrastructure, this episode is for you.