The Bob Davis Podcasts Bob Davis

Six Thousand Miles of Back Roads Part2

Above all traveling six thousand miles on backroads across 15 states in sixty days is a mega trip and I’ll tell you all about it in Part 2 of this series. Details in Six-Thousand-Miles-Backroads-Part2-Bob Davis Podcast 1136.

Florida

Firstly we’ll start in Florida.

Where the most compelling evidence for over crowding and over development is getting kicked out of a state park…

Of course not to mention the traffic…

And expense of the so called Sunshine State.

Secondly take Florida off your travel list in season.

Undoubtedly Florida is overdeveloped.

However there are less populated and more quaint parts of Florida worth visiting and spending time.

Georgia

Hence we move on to Georgia

Certainly the Saint Simons Cumberland national seashores are beautiful.

For example Jekyll Island, Saint Simons, and the rest of the Georgia Coast has a lot of history.

South Carolina

Then in South Carolina I discovered some great dusty beach towns.

But I am not going to name those towns because I don’t want to see them ruined.

Otherwise they are there.

North Carolina

Subsequently the North Carolina coastline was fantastic

For example highway 179…

and Ocean Isle Beach, Oak Island on out to the Carolina Beach.

Finally the Ferries are low cost and so much fun.

Thereafter-Emerald Island, Atlantic Beach and the rest of the Outer Banks.

Ocracoke Island

Especially Ocracoke Island.

In due time you get on Route 12 which goes all the way up to Kill Devil Hills.

All in all The national Seashores keep these areas from being over developed.

The Old Dominion

Afterward I headed to Virginia on some personal business.

Most importantly here is the fact that I lived in the Old Dominion State for ten years at one point.

And Virginia has some great back roads.

Eventually I left Richmond headed up 460 to Bristol, Virginia.

Tennessee

Presently I left Bristol for Tennessee. Details again in Six-Thousand-Miles-Backroads-Part2-Bob Davis Podcast 1136

By all means the best of the latter parts of this trip was the navigation.

Using GPS Doesn’t Make A Road Trip

It must be remembered that most people enter a location on their GPS.

Eventually hitting start and driving on the Interstate until the GPS tells them they have arrived.

All things considered using GPS on the Interstates just isn’t any way to travel for me.

Maps

To this end I love maps.

And navigating with maps.

Nashville

In short I navigated to the Nashville area without all the traffic.

Because Nashville is booming.

Civil War History

a href="https://www.nps.

Six Thousand Miles Backroads Part 1 Of A Series

I’ve traveled six thousand miles on the Backroads since I left Arizona in February. More than eleven states and many experiences. Details in Six-Thousand-Miles-Backroads-Part1-Bob Davis Podcast-1135.

Arizona to Wisconsin

Firstly I talk about the routes I’ve taken from Arizona to Wisconsin by way of several states.

From the Southwest

Secondly it all started in Quartzsite Arizona.

To clarify I spend my winters in the Southwest.

To The South East

So a spring wedding scheduled for March 15th in Sarasota Florida was a great motivator and trip goal.

Therefore on about February 26th, 2024 I left Quartzsite to begin what would turn out to be a six thousand mile trip.

Experiences

Above all in Six-Thousand-Miles-Backroads-Part1-Bob Davis Podcast-1135 I detail the routes and experiences along the way.

Backroads

In the same fashion I explain my motivation in staying to America’s BackRoads.

However every now and then I have to take an interstate.

But I try to keep that to a minimum.

Accordingly I headed out East along Interstate 8 in Southwestern Arizona.

Routes and Takeaways

Additionally I detail some takeaways from each state I traversed on my way to Florida.

One For The Books

All in all this trip through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and eventually Florida is one for the books.

Desert Border

For one thing the whole trip was either along the US-Mexico border…

Gulf Coast

Or the Gulf Coast.

Including at length beach towns and shores along the Gulf Coast.

Series

In contrast this journey is a series because of my experiences in Florida and on up the East Coast.

Truck Stops To Parking Lots

From potential campgrounds to truck stops and parking lots it’s been quite an experience.

Overall deserts, mountains, beaches and swamps.

Small Towns

And some undeniably wonderful small towns along the way.

Low And Slow Travel

One of the points overlooked by many thinking about the nomad lifestyle is the fact that we travel low and slow.

That is to say that travel does not have to be compressed into a short period of time.

The Vast Nation

Even more the opportunity to observe and catalog vast swaths of the country seen from its back roads is key.

Media Disconnect

Most important is the country one sees from the back roads is not the country the media shows us.

Positive

In the positive side I saw a lot of development and activity this trip.

Negative

In a similar fashion I did not see mayhem on the US Border.

Conclusion

In conclusion aside from in season traffic and too much development in Florida…

There’s nothing like a long trip on the back roads.

Birthplace Of Country Music Museum

Firstly this podcast is about music and specifically the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Bristol Virginia earned that title way back in 1927. Learn more in Birthplace-Of-Country-Music-Museum-Bob Davis Podcast 1134

Walk and Talk

Secondly we’ll walk and talk through the Birthplace Of Country Music Museum.

Musical and Historical

Most importantly much of the museum is musical and historical.

And it is focused primarily on audio.

Featured Sounds Headphones On

So those sounds are featured in this podcast.

How Did Bristol Earn The Birthplace Of Country Music?

Undoubtedly Bristol earned this title in the summer of 1927 when record producer Ralph Peer arrived in town to record 19 artists from Appalachia.

Greater Impact

Equally important is the fact that the so called Bristol Sessions had an impact far greater than anyone could have predicted in 1927

This Museum Is A Gem

Thirdly my listeners know I like to roll through places rather than stop. But I made an exception for this. Above all this Smithsonian museum in Bristol is a gem.

Influential Recordings

Because recording what was called Hillbilly music then has proven influential in so many music genres today.

Arrived Through The Mist Of Time

Another key point is how this music made its way to these hills.

And the songs go back to the Lowlands of Scotland, Wales and England.

Bristol Boom

Significantly Bristol was booming back in 1927

It was unquestionably a very active town of railroads, new industry, agriculture, retail commerce and logging.

Big Bang

Scholars call the Bristol Sessions analogous to the Big Bang.

Johnny Cash

Accordingly Johnny Cash called the Bristol sessions the single most important event in the history of country music.

Resonates

With this mind this subject resonates with me because music, history, and radio are brought together here.

Carter Family

From the Carter family with their photographic memories and in effect revolutionary style of playing..

All The Original Stars Of Country

To the already reigning stars of the genre in 1927 such as Earnest Stoneman.

Radio History Too

Of course by 1927 The Big Barn Dance was already on WLS from Chicago…

And the Grand Old Opry on WSM aired regularly on WSM in Nashville.

Therefore a brand new radio and record industry were just beginning to change American Culture forever.

Time Changes Everything

Finally the small towns have become cities the enclaves have become suburbs.

On The Crooked Highway The Past Is Present

But every now and then the traveler can still see places that people back in 1927 might have called home.

Up to the present time the best place to see it is The Crooked Highway.

That is to say Highway 58 Virginia which takes the traveler to Bristol, Virginia…

But, we’re all lucky they made the trip in 1927.

Sponsored by 36LYN The Independently Owned and Operated Refueling Station and Convenience Store

Birthplace-Of-Country-Music-Museum-Bob Davis Podcast 1134

 

 

 

Unhappy #Vanlifers Doing It Wrong

Are unhappy #Vanlifers really doing it wrong? A recent Wall Street Journal post about the hash tag Van Life again points out the obvious. Details in Unhappy-#Vanlifers-Doing-It-Wrong-Bob Davis Podcast 1133.

Nomad Coverage

Firstly I have rarely seen positive coverage of the nomad experience.

Hard Life

Secondly the recent Wall Street Journal piece reports on a few #vanlife people complain about how hard the life is.

Instagram

And say Instagram has it all wrong.

As a result I’ll ask again whether anyone actually believes anything they see on social media?

Best Foot

Of course we put our best foot forward.

Or show our best face to the world.

In other words analogous to cleaning your house before guests arrive.

But there’s more.

Negative Experience

Because the article in question illustrates a number of negative experiences for the vanlifers interviewed.

For example, no place to sleep.

And not being able to take showers.

Or being lonely because the dating life out here sucks.

Finally the unexpected costs of mechanical problems and fuel.

As I have said many times in many different podcasts…

Not A Bowl Of Cherries

In general life is not always a bowl of cherries.

Overcome

In fact part of the experience in #nomadlife is overcoming setbacks and solving problems.

Won’t Quit

To sum up the article on a positive note all of the van life people interviewed said they won’t quit.

Great Potential

All in all I believe there’s great potential in nomad life.

And as I have noted as the infrastructure for digital nomads gets better…

In time more may choose this lifestyle.

Establishment Media Hates Nomads

However I don’t think the establishment back home or the establishment media will give our lifestyle a break.

Presently reporters and editors seem to love the idea that social media is ‘lying’ about living on the road.

Don’t Dream

In essence don’t dream of a different life.

It’s too dangerous.

Stay Back In The World

Meanwhile keep paying ridiculous amount of rent and commuting four hours a day.

By and large living in huge expensive cities and stepping over homeless people to get to the subway.

Of course doing a digital job and being required to work in an office…

When even in the present time you can work from anywhere.

Just In Case

Just in case you’re thinking about buying a van and dumping your absurdly expensive efficiency in said large city…

Take a look at these poor idiots in this Wall Street Journal story without delay.

After that you’ll accept your life as it is.

Reality

In reality over time nomad life can be easy and satisfying.

Lots To Learn

Of course there is a lot to learn.

Yes You Can

But if you can do it and you want to try.

Go for it.

Sponsored by 36 LYN The Independently Owned And Operated Refueling Station

Unhappy-#Vanlifers-Doing-It-Wrong-Bob Davis Podcast 1133

 

 

Summer Sounds 2024

Most importantly it’s still winter in the North. Perfect for a dose of summer sounds. So, put your headphones on and prepare to be immersed in summer in Summer-Sounds-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1132.

Summer Sounds Podcasts Every Year

Equally important is the fact that I do these summer sounds podcasts every year.

No Talk

Accordingly I only talk at the beginning and end of Summer-Sounds-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1132.

Immersed

As a result you can sit back and be completely immersed in summer.

Imagine

And if you need a thought starter…

Imagine an undeniably weather beaten cabin on a bluff overlooking a golden lake.

In the same fashion you can almost feel the breeze through the ancient screens…

In like manner the boats on the lake.

At length as the sun slowly sets across the lake song of the summer bugs rises to greet you.

Meanwhile you can drift off with summer washing over you.

While snow falls outside your window…

Transported

You are transported to high summer.

In fact trust me…

From time to time while producing this podcast I found myself feeling better and better.

Disclaimers

Firstly there are a few disclaimers.

As has been noted I have posted several summer sounds podcasts through the years.

By and large these podcasts have been a whole summer encapsulated.

For example the sounds of kids at the pool…

Even thunderstorms

And of course the Fourth Of July Fireworks.

Smooth Ambient Sound

But this time I decided to go with smooth ambient sound.

For this reason there are no sharp sounds to wake the listener from their reverie.

Time To Run

We all know that in reality in the far North winter has some time to run.

Even more Spring can sometimes be even more trying.

Mental Health

Having Summer-Sounds-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1132 at hand can make a big difference in mental health up North this time of year.

In due time summer will be here.

Or you can have it right now.

Summer-Sounds-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1132

 

Handling Mechanical Problems On The Road

Handling mechanical problems on the road is a challenge for anyone. Especially nomads. Details in Handling-Mechanical-Problems-On-Road-Bob Davis Podcast 1131.

Firstly this isn’t my first rodeo.

Bigger Problems

Above all I have been traveling for about ten years in my current rig.

So I have had a few problems to deal with.

However as a full time nomad it’s a bigger problem.

This Is My House

Not to mention the fact that the rig is also my house.

This is important to make clear when the mechanic says, when do you want to pick it up?

Freak Out Quickly

In addition when it happens don’t freak out.

Feel It And Move On

Although emotions are not always easy to overcome in an emergency you have to feel it and move to problem solving.

Padre Island

Accordingly I was on my way to Padre Island National Seashore.

To explain I I was having a great day thinking about where I was going to camp.

Volt Meter

All of a sudden I looked down at Mobile Podcast Command’s volt meter.

To begin with the meter was reading lower than what it should have.

And it was sinking.

Happened Before

Because this had happened before I knew what to do.

I had to find somewhere to address the problem without delay.

Firstly I found an auto repair shop within a mile.

In this situation it’s important to realize you have to take what you get.

Lucked Out

Secondly I lucked into finding a great bunch of guys to help.

Most importantly I tell that story in Handling-Mechanical-Problems-On-Road-Bob Davis Podcast 1131.

Alternator

In the long run I learned I needed two alternators.

All things considered another lesson.

Money

It’s going to cost you money and you have to be prepared for that.

Opportunity For The Sublime

However this was also an occasion to stop and realize there are always opportunities for sublime experiences.

In brief an opportunity to earn how other people work and what they do.

Life On The Road

As well as having an experience you didn’t plan on.

That’s life on the road.

And I suppose life in general.

Sponsored by 36 LYN

Handling-Mechanical-Problems-On-Road-Bob Davis Podcast 1131