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Back Home By The Fire
I’m home now here in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, so it’s time for a podcast from my home studio. Most noteworthy are the first impressions and takeaways from a trip that took ten days and covered thousands of miles.
11 States…Ten Days
Moreover all in the central United States. Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Virginia going out. North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and up through Indiana and Illinois again, sliding through Wisconsin and Minnesota on the way home.
Certainly I have some takeaways though and I share them in Almost-Perfect-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 882.
Back Roads Baby!
My back roads navigating effort came together almost perfectly this time. A few glitches here and there to be sure, but all in all, in conclusion I have to say it was one of the best trips I have taken so far.
First of all in the 1950’s, 1960’s, and most of the 1970’s there was no Internet, no social media, no cable television and no way for a generation to communicate except for radio. I’ll explain in In Top40-Radio-Museum-Roadtrip-Bob Davis Podcast 881.
Building Companies and Lives
Second, operators and employees of these radio stations in growing small and medium markets across the country could build companies and lives on the profits.
I am on the road heading back to Minnesota. These days the name of the game when it comes to back roads is avoiding the weather. It’s most noteworthy that I avoided the snow and ice. I did not avoid the rain. Learn more in Backroad-Weather-Adventure-North Carolina-Bob Davis Podcast 880.
My Radar And More Help For My Back Road Adventure
Especially relevant is an AP called ‘My Radar‘. Really helps to be able to track storms, so they can be avoided. Unlike summer storms, winter storms mean icy road conditions and that is no fun.
Weather Is More Important When Back Roading In Winter
As a result of the growth in the South freeway systems we used to associate with big northern cities are becoming the norm here. Bottom line? If you want the back roads in some parts of the south you have to fight to stay on them.
Finally, join me as I roll south through Virginia on the classic and perfect US 360, to US 29, on through Western North Carolina on the way to Chattanooga, Tennessee.
I’m on a mega road trip for Thanksgiving week. Heading across the central United States from Minneapolis and Saint Paul all the way to Richmond Virginia and back. As a result it gets difficult to remember just where I was.
Back Road Fading
First of all I intended to include more of Ohio. My route for a good part of this trip is US 33. Truth is, much of 33 through Ohio is actually more like an Interstate than it is a two lane back road.
Pouring Rain and Autobahns
Moreover through most of the time in Ohio, it was pouring rain. As I angled down toward West Virginia I focused on driving. In addition, I was a little frustrated with highway improvements that have left 33 a four lane autobahn with seventy mile an hour speed limits. I am searching for adventure in Roadtrip-Adventure-Ohio-West-Virginia-Bob Davis Podcast 879. That means backroads.
Wild and Wonderful
In contrast, there is West Virginia. I am enchanted with this “Wild and Wonderful” state. A place that turned out to be the stand out of the trip so far.
Mountains Mountains Mountains!
Maybe it’s the mountains. Towns and mountain hamlets. Old trailers and school buses. Picturesque unincorporated clusters of churches and antebellum houses. The contrast between wealth and poverty in some places goes back generations.
Seems like every little turn and twist in West Virginia’s mountain roads have a story. From Glenview to Elkins and more. Almost certainly all these places actually do have pretty good stories.
Crystal Clear Night
Finally this podcast ends in Virginia. One hundred miles from nowhere. On a crystal clear quiet night just before Thanksgiving.
I am willing to say now this is one of the most noteworthy roadtrips I’ve taken yet and I have taken a few. Time to talk about this route. Let’s discuss what it’s like to drive and create on the road as well. Learn more in Thanksgiving-Backroad-Bliss-Illinois-Indiana-Bob Davis Podcast 878.
In the fall the skies and fields seem to open up. It’s like being on an ocean of brown and black, set against blue skies. Certainly the sunrises and sunset pastels of orange and red are unforgettable.
Why I Do This
Above all in Thanksgiving-Backroad-Bliss-Illinois-Indiana-Bob Davis Podcast 878 I take a moment to reflect on why I do this. In addition I’ll make some special notes on very inviting towns in the Land of Lincoln and the Hoosier State.
In conclusion this kind of travel and creating is some of the most satisfying work I have done. After about a thousand miles, you start settling in and having a good time.