American-Heartland-Bob Davis-Podcast-1108

American Heartland

Firstly the American Heartland is thriving. I’ve driven across 6 states so far. All back roads. Avoiding the major cities. Pure Travel Bliss, Details in American-Heartland-Bob Davis-Podcast-1108.

Navigating On The Fly

In addition I’ve been navigating on the fly.

Two Parts

Secondly this podcast is recorded in two parts.

Therefore two different locations in the American Heartland.

Hello Road

All things considered it is great to be back on the road.

Sea Of Green

In fact rolling through a sea of green…

Alone On Two Lanes

Even more most of the time no one else on the road but me…

Pure Travel Bliss

All of this must be remembered as truly pure travel bliss.

Don’t Listen To The Alarmists

Another key point the the talk about food shortages and other alarmist content.

Bursting At The Seams

As a matter of fact I am here to tell you the American Heartland is bursting at the seams with plenty as we near the harvest.

Value

It’s important to realize the value of actually ‘going down to the front’.

Rural America

That is to say going out to actually see what is going on in rural America is worth the trip.

Not A Fairy Tale

To be sure it’s not a fairy tale.

Contrast Surprises

But I am always surprised by the contrast of Urban Blight and the abundance of farm states.

Hitting The Road Again

Above all I have been stationary for months camped out on a Wisconsin lake shore.

So hitting the back roads for pure unfettered travel is fantastic.

New York State On The Horizon

I am henceforth headed to New York State to pick up my lithium power station from the Campulance Man.

Off Grid

I am truly off grid afterward heading for New York’s Pioneer district.

Love It

Thirdly this is what I do and I love it.

All in all I love traveling this way…

Learning

Furthermore I find opportunities to ask questions and learn.

Soul Killing Mind Numbing

Comparatively air travel and the interstates can be soul killing and mind numbing.

I do what I do for that reason.

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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.

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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

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