Courtesy Content Notice: This episode contains true stories about hunting, animal injuries/death, and butchering animals for food. It is not unnecessarily graphic, but may not be suitable for individuals who are not comfortable hearing about such topics. Please use discretion; we respect your choices.

Stubbs (Lucus) returns to the Stories from Cold Springs podcast with a collection of vibrant tales that transport listeners to the backroads and rural communities of a bygone era. His natural storytelling ability shines as he recounts adventures with remarkable detail, humor, and authentic southern charm.

Take a journey to Arkansas as Stubbs describes an unforgettable road trip, riding six hours on the tailgate of a 1965 Chevy pickup with a Corvette engine, all to purchase a prestigious Finley River Chief coon dog puppy. The colorful cast of characters they meet along the way, including some modern-day ”Cheech and Chong” types at a coon dog gathering, paints a vivid picture of rural Americana in the late 1970s.

The tension ratchets up when Stubbs recounts camping on Blue Mountain and being awakened by mysterious motorcyclists in the dead of night. With no weapons and plenty of adrenaline, Stubbs prepared to defend himself with nothing but a battery-powered spotlight, leading to what he and his friends would forever call ”the Crucifying Cruisers” incident.

Beyond the adventures, Stubbs offers cultural insights about traditions like coon hunting, explaining its practical origins in protecting corn crops and the sport that evolved around it. His description of climbing trees to shake raccoons out so dogs could chase them again reveals how these rural activities were often more about camaraderie and skill than hunting.

The conversation takes a thoughtful turn when ”Doc” shares his own powerful childhood memory of his first hog-killing experience and the unforgettable breakfast that followed: fresh sausage, homemade biscuits, and cane syrup. (What we city folk call molasses.) This exchange highlights how food traditions created lasting bonds and memories in rural communities, with Stubbs extending a heartfelt invitation to experience modern-day cane syrup making.

These stories preserve a disappearing way of American life, one where adventure was found in everyday experiences, communities were tightly knit, and simple pleasures were deeply appreciated. Join us for this authentic celebration of rural storytelling and the characters who made these communities so memorable.

Subscribe to Stories from Cold Springs to hear more tales that capture the heart of American rural traditions and the unforgettable characters who lived them.

We are already planning incredible Christmas episodes.

WE WANT YOUR STORIES! Have a country or small town-themed true story for us? Please send it to our producer at [email protected]. Put SFCS-Holiday in the subject line. By submitting your story, you are permitting us to read it on air. Please let us know if you prefer us to use your name or a pseudonym/alias. If we get enough stories, we can have a ” Stories from Our Listeners episode!!