Almost-Perfect-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 882

Travel Is A Romance

I love to travel. I cover a lot of ground in a short period of time. All on back roads. This time it all came together. Learn why in Almost-Perfect-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 882.

Podcasting All The Way

Even more I’ve been podcasting the whole way. If you’re interested in where I’ve been and what it’s been all about, check out some of the travel podcasts here.

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.

Like A Dream

First of all a complete ‘takeaway’ is improbable. It takes time for a trip to gel. There are so many experiences. What’s especially relevant today, might not be a few days from now.

Takeaways

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.

The Heartland Is Not A Petri Dish

These days everyone wants to know what’s going on in America’s heartland. The media prefers to use statistics and tie ins to existing top line stories to make their points.

Learn By Going There

I prefer to go to places, actual towns and cities to get the feel of things myself.

Sick and Tired Of Washington DC News

Perhaps due to all of this gas bagging about the state of our nation and so on, more than one person remarked to me how sick and tired they are of political news.

When It Comes To Economy Some States Are Better Than Others

Maybe I pay more attention to the media than I should. One of the biggest surprises is the general prosperity of the central United States. In contrast to the states that have not adjusted their taxation rates and incentives to businesses, those that have seem to be booming.

Amazed and Humbled

I continue to be amazed at the beauty and scope of this country. Indiana on a cold misty morning. Winding mountain roads in West Virginia. A sunset drive up Minnesota’s Highway 61.

Through it all, Mobile Podcast Command just kept right on rolling!

Sponsored By Reliafund Payment Processors

Almost-Perfect-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 882

 

 

 

Backroad-Weather-Adventure-North Carolina-Bob Davis Podcast 880

Back To Minnesota

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

Moreover since I am all about the back roads staying abreast of the weather situation, especially temperatures, is important.

Back Roads Are Fading? What?

What I have learned on this first leg of the trip home? First of all, back roads even in places like North Carolina are starting to fade. I’ve been talking about this on all the podcasts from this trip.

Growth Means Interstates

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.

Two Lane Roads And National Highway System

Even more this says something about the argument against big highway systems in general. The classic American two lane road is usually associated with the National Highway System built after World War One. I’ll explain in Backroad-Weather-Adventure-North Carolina-Bob Davis Podcast 880.

An Interstate Is Not A Back Road

Google ‘national highway system’ today, and you’ll get articles about the Interstate system. Decidedly not two lane roads. Consequently the highways people often associate with ‘back roads’ might just be Interstates that cut through less urban areas.

No More Cruise Control Please

Certainly for me it’s all about those two lane roads. And I do fight to stay on them. The scourge of freeway driving known as ‘cruise control’ makes driving on the Interstate a pain.

The Route South and West From Richmond Virginia

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.

Sponsored by Tim LaCroix of LaCroix Law for Real Estate and Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Backroad-Weather-Adventure-North Carolina-Bob Davis Podcast 880

 

 

Roadtrip-Adventure-Ohio-West-Virginia-Bob Davis Podcast 879

West Virginia Stand Out

I promised a podcast for Ohio and West Virginia. West Virginia though, is most noteworthy. Find out why in Roadtrip-Adventure-Ohio-West-Virginia-Bob Davis Podcast 879.

Hard To Remember Where I was!

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.

Hairpin Curves and 10 Percent Grades

Due to the mountains, there are times when Mobile Podcast Command was rumbling along at 25 to 40 miles an hour, rather than freeway speeds. Through most of the state 33 is two lanes, with hairpin curves and 10 percent grades up and down. Almost heaven!

Story Within A Story

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.

Now I get to plan the return trip.

Stay Tuned

Sponsored by Fitness Together Private Customized Personal Training and Nutrition and LaCroix Law Real Estate Attorney

Roadtrip-Adventure-Ohio-West-Virginia-Bob Davis Podcast 879