Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers Episode: Listener Episode #14: Pikes Peak Mishaps & A Dog Left Behind
Release Date: June 26, 2025

Introduction

In this heartwarming yet chaotic episode of Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers, hosts Seth Meyers and Josh Meyers delve into the unpredictable nature of family vacations. Balancing cherished memories with unforeseen disasters, the brothers share their personal travel woes and engage with listener-submitted stories that highlight the hilarities and hardships of traveling with loved ones.

Josh’s Misadventures: Shelburne Falls to Philadelphia

The episode kicks off with Josh recounting a seemingly serene family trip to Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, celebrating his father and stepmother's 30th anniversary in Brattleboro, Vermont.

• Hanging the Bird Feeder
  [00:46] Josh describes a mundane yet frustrating task: installing a bird feeder equipped with a camera.

  "Every three minutes she gets an alert because there's a squirrel just totally pillaging this bird feeder, and they're definitely gonna wreck it within a week."

  • Challenge: Constant interruptions by squirrels sabotaging the feeder turned what was meant to be a delightful addition into a nuisance.

• Traveling Home: A Series of Unfortunate Events
  As the family begins their 20-hour journey back, complications arise that test patience and resilience.
  [02:10]

  "She always finds it very difficult to say goodbye. And so as a result of that, she sort of hangs out for a little bit longer than one should hang out when you have a flight to catch."
  Josh finds himself frustrated with Mackenzie's reluctance to leave, leading to missed check-in times and further delays.

• Flight Fiascos
  [03:14]
  The brothers encounter a cascade of flight issues:

  "We're sort of taxiing and they're like, actually, no, this plane's no bueno. We're gonna have everybody get off and find another plane."

  • Mechanical Problems: Multiple engine issues and crew fatigue prevent timely departures, forcing an impromptu overnight stay.

• Hotel Horror Story
  [06:08]
  Staying at a less-than-ideal hotel, Josh faces a creepy encounter:

  "There is a bug on the wall that looks like a thumb with a thousand legs on it. Yeah, man, it really had me freaked out."
  His efforts to peacefully remove the bug turn into a sleepless night, compounded by the stress of constant flight delays.

Listener Stories: Tales of Travel Turbulence

1. Chris from Massachusetts: The VW Camper Catastrophe
Chris shares a vivid childhood memory of a road trip in a 1973 VW camper to Colorado, highlighting both the adventure and peril.

• Leaving Shanti Behind
  [13:09]

  "We took in an amazing view and then immediately realized that we'd left our dog at the gas station."
  The family’s oversight leads to a frantic return trip to rescue their beloved golden retriever, Shanti.

• Brake Failures in the Rockies
  [15:59]
  The situation escalates as the camper’s brakes fail amidst the treacherous Rocky Mountain roads:

  "We were basically a marble on a marble run. It's amazing that we didn't go airborne."
  Chris, acting as the eldest sibling, distracts his crying younger siblings to help manage the crisis, ultimately ensuring the family's safety and Shanti's retrieval.

2. Jana from Texas: The Spit-and-Dip Airport Incident
Jana recounts a 2012 family flight to Sarasota, Florida, where her mother's inadvertent ingestion of her brother's dip (tobacco spit) creates an unforgettable travel mishap.

• Tobacco Troubles on a Flight
  [19:02]

  "She had accidentally grabbed my brother's cup, which he had turned into a portable spittoon."
  In a moment of confusion, Jana's mother drinks from the contaminated cup, leading to a distressing yet humorous situation onboard.

Hosts’ Reflections and Interactions

Seth and Josh engage in light-hearted banter, reflecting on the unpredictability of travel and the humorous side of mishaps. They discuss the resilience required during travel disruptions and the importance of family support in stressful situations.

• Josh’s Flight Struggles
  Josh laments the lack of courteous treatment from airlines:

  "No one was being treated nicely. There's a lot of... it's a tough situation."
  Seth empathizes, highlighting the shared frustrations travelers face.

• Seth’s Light-Hearted Anecdotes
  Seth shares his enthusiasm for baseball cards and his amusing experiences meeting a young fan, adding a personal touch to the episode's narrative.

Listener Questions and Audience Engagement

The brothers address listener-submitted questions, further enriching the episode with diverse perspectives and advice.

• Grand Canyon vs. Niagara Falls
  [38:45] Casey from Pittsburgh questions whether Niagara Falls shares the overrated reputation of the Grand Canyon. Seth and Josh weigh in, acknowledging the awe-inspiring nature of such natural wonders while maintaining their viewpoints on their personal merits.

• Family Trip Traditions and Food
  Hosts discuss the role of food in family trips, sharing their own traditions and favorite road trip snacks. Seth highlights Alexi's impressive sandwich-making skills:

  "We just sort of... at this point, if we're traveling with my brother-in-law, you know, we're three and then an aisle and three."
  Josh humorously critiques the idea of handing out hard-boiled eggs to kids on long drives.

Conclusion

Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers Episode #14 offers a blend of personal anecdotes, listener stories, and engaging conversations that illuminate the joys and challenges of traveling with family. From lost pets in VW campers to unexpected spills on airplanes, Seth and Josh Meyers showcase the unpredictable elements that make family trips unforgettable. Their relatable storytelling and humorous exchanges provide both entertainment and a sense of camaraderie for listeners navigating their own travel adventures.

Notable Quotes:

• Josh on the bird feeder dilemma:

  "Every three minutes she gets an alert because there's a squirrel just totally pillaging this bird feeder, and they're definitely gonna wreck it within a week."
  (00:46)

• Josh on the plane’s mechanical issues:

  "We're basically a marble on a marble run. It's amazing that we didn't go airborne."
  (15:59)

• Chris on distracting his siblings during the camper crisis:

  "I made my stuffed rabbit, Snuggie Bunny, dramatically fight himself over and over again, and that worked pretty well."
  (14:00)

• Jana on her mother's accidental dip drink:

  "She had accidentally grabbed my brother's cup, which he had turned into a portable spittoon."
  (19:02)

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - 02:00: Introduction and Josh’s initial trip frustrations.
• 02:00 - 07:55: Return trip flight delays and hotel stay woes.
• 13:09 - 16:00: Listener story from Chris about the VW camper and Shanti.
• 19:02 - 21:10: Listener story from Jana about the dip incident on a flight.
• 38:45 - 46:32: Listener questions on Grand Canyon vs. Niagara Falls and family trip food traditions.
• 46:12 - 51:33: Additional audience interactions and humorous exchanges.

Final Thoughts

This episode underscores that while family trips can be fraught with unexpected challenges, they often become the very stories that strengthen family bonds and provide lasting memories. Whether dealing with mischievous squirrels or accidental spitting incidents, Seth and Josh Meyers remind us that a good sense of humor and flexibility are essential for navigating the unpredictable landscape of family travel.