The Gay Lane Podcast: Allllll Aboard the Durango Train

The Gay Lane Podcast: Bright Lights, Sequined Steps, and Pride in Sydney

Hello from the land down under! This week, we’re recapping the first part of our recent trip to Australia, where we spent several days in Sydney and Byron Bay, both in New South Wales. For the Sydney portion, we witnessed Vivid Sydney, a ravishing annual lights festival, and toured Qtopia, the largest queer cultural center and museum in the world. We had some of the best meals — and views — of the year, and partook in more queer culture on a gay walking tour, in gay bars, and at the Pride Fest Gala. Where we ate/drank: The Oriana [https://orianasydney.com.au/], The Rusty Rabbit [https://www.therustyrabbit.com.au/], Bills Bondhi [https://www.bills.com.au/locations/bondi-beach], The Palomar [https://thepalomar.com.au/], The Oxford Hotel [https://theoxfordhotel.com.au/] Where we stayed: Shangri-La Sydney [https://www.shangri-la.com/sydney/shangrila/], 25Hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia [https://25hours-hotels.com/sydney/the-olympia/] Where we visited: Vivid Sydney [https://www.vividsydney.com/], Soak Bathhouse [https://soakbathhouse.com.au/visiting-us/bathhouse-alexandria-sydney/], Sequined Steps [https://www.sydney.com/things-to-do/tours/24-hours-sydney/sequined-steps-lgbtqi-sydney-tour], Qtopia [https://qtopiasydney.com.au/] Thank you for reading, following, and listening! With Pride, Matt and Nathan Thank you for following The Gay Lane. To support independent queer creators, please consider subscribing or making a donation [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=9GRV9D7DRLNHN&no_recurring=0&item_name=Your+donations+go+directly+to+supporting+independent+queer+creators.¤cy_code=USD]. We take great Pride in authenticity and originality, and that means going the extra mile — or thousands of miles — to celebrate queer culture in unexpected places. This may sound simple, but it takes a great deal of intentional effort, time, and resources to bring this to life with the quality and care that we believe it deserves. Your support makes all the difference. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegaylane.substack.com/subscribe [https://thegaylane.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Gay Lane Podcast: Allllll Aboard the Durango Train

We’re back! After a brief podcast pause to catch up on work and life (and travel to Australia!), we’re chatting about our favorite Colorado mining town on this week’s podcast! Located in SW Colorado, Durango is a place that has been a thread through Nathan’s life, from his first visit as a toddler, to later returns as a father, a solo traveler going through divorce, and a husband on his honeymoon. It’s a story he wrote all about here [https://substack.com/@thegaylane/p-201161196], and it’s beautiful. On this episode, we’re talking about the famous Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train [https://durangotrain.com/], our beloved Strater Hotel [https://strater.com/], and the Durango Hot Springs [https://durangohotspringsresortandspa.com/] — and Beanie Babies! — from Matt’s recent solo trip. Where we ate/drink: The Bookcase and Barber [https://bookcaseandbarber.com/] speakeasy, Animas Chocolate Co. [https://animaschocolatecompany.com/], El Moro Spirits & Tavern [https://elmorotavern.com/], Diamond Belle Saloon [https://strater.com/diamond-belle-saloon/] Where we stayed: Strater Hotel [https://strater.com/] Where we played: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad [https://durangotrain.com/], Durango Hot Springs [https://durangohotspringsresortandspa.com/], Durango Antique Market [https://www.durangoantiquemarket.com/] Thank you for reading, following, and listening! With Pride, Matt and Nathan Thank you for following The Gay Lane. To support independent queer creators, please consider subscribing or making a donation [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=9GRV9D7DRLNHN&no_recurring=0&item_name=Your+donations+go+directly+to+supporting+independent+queer+creators.¤cy_code=USD]. We take great Pride in authenticity and originality, and that means going the extra mile — or thousands of miles — to celebrate queer culture in unexpected places. This may sound simple, but it takes a great deal of intentional effort, time, and resources to bring this to life with the quality and care that we believe it deserves. Your support makes all the difference. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegaylane.substack.com/subscribe [https://thegaylane.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Gay Lane Podcast: Gay Bars and Porn Star Martinis in Rotterdam and Amsterdam

Hello and welcome to The Gay Land Podcast, where we’re celebrating queer culture in… expected places?! This week, we’re wrapping up our three-part Norwegian cruise series with a recap of our days in Rotterdam and Amsterdam — two iconic global queer destinations, known for their queer culture. And boutique condom emporiums. We dig into the seaport and architectural history of Rotterdam, discuss our love of Porn Star Martinis (and our disdain for nightclubs), and embark on a gay bar whirlwind in Amsterdam. Including our first naked bar! You can read a SFW version of our surprisingly wholesome naked bar experience here [https://substack.com/@thegaylane/p-194630626]. You can listen to our previous Norwegian cruise episodes on Norway here [https://substack.com/@thegaylane/p-195699759], and the cruise itself here [https://substack.com/@thegaylane/p-194247340]. Where we stayed: Where we drank: Thank you for reading, following, and listening! With Pride, Matt and Nathan Thank you for following The Gay Lane. To support independent queer creators, please consider subscribing or making a donation [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=9GRV9D7DRLNHN&no_recurring=0&item_name=Your+donations+go+directly+to+supporting+independent+queer+creators.¤cy_code=USD]. We take great Pride in authenticity and originality, and that means going the extra mile — or thousands of miles — to celebrate queer culture in unexpected places. This may sound simple, but it takes a great deal of intentional effort, time, and resources to bring this to life with the quality and care that we believe it deserves. Your support makes all the difference. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegaylane.substack.com/subscribe [https://thegaylane.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Gay Lane Podcast: Dreams, Screams, and Harald With the Good Hair in Norway

After our last episode [https://substack.com/@thegaylane/p-194247340] on our Holland America cruise on the North Sea, we’re sailing along with a deep dive into our four stops in Norway. We shopped for trolls in Nordfjordeid… Celebrated our anniversary with viking swords and petroleum in Stavanger… Road a boat by the dreamiest island homes in Lillesand… And went from the Munch Museum to butter-fried cod in Oslo. It was a week we’ll remember forever, and we’re already itching to go back! Thank you for reading, following, and listening! With Pride, Matt and Nathan Thank you for following The Gay Lane. To support independent queer creators, please consider subscribing or making a donation [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=9GRV9D7DRLNHN&no_recurring=0&item_name=Your+donations+go+directly+to+supporting+independent+queer+creators.¤cy_code=USD]. We take great Pride in authenticity and originality, and that means going the extra mile — or thousands of miles — to celebrate queer culture in unexpected places. This may sound simple, but it takes a great deal of intentional effort, time, and resources to bring this to life with the quality and care that we believe it deserves. Your support makes all the difference. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegaylane.substack.com/subscribe [https://thegaylane.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Gay Lane Podcast: Sailing the North Sea

Freshly back from a week-long Norwegian dream cruise with Holland America Line, we’re reflecting on the journey itself, and the onboard moments we loved the most. The tagline for Holland America is “Savour the Journey,” and we did precisely that. Save for a little seasickness on the first day (the North Sea is no joke!), we had a great time aboard the MS Rotterdam. On this episode, we’re focusing on the ship itself, including its restaurants, live music, art, and amenities. We also recall some of our standout memories from our first Holland America cruise together, a few years ago on the Mediterranean. Thank you for reading, following, and listening! With Pride, Matt and Nathan Thank you for following The Gay Lane. To support independent queer creators, please consider subscribing or making a donation [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=9GRV9D7DRLNHN&no_recurring=0&item_name=Your+donations+go+directly+to+supporting+independent+queer+creators.¤cy_code=USD]. We take great Pride in authenticity and originality, and that means going the extra mile — or thousands of miles — to celebrate queer culture in unexpected places. This may sound simple, but it takes a great deal of intentional effort, time, and resources to bring this to life with the quality and care that we believe it deserves. Your support makes all the difference. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegaylane.substack.com/subscribe [https://thegaylane.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]