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

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

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Thanksgiving-Road-Trip-Planning-Bob Davis Podcast 876

Thanksgiving-Road-Trip-Planning-Bob Davis Podcast 876

Mega Road Trip!

I have started the countdown clock for departure for my 2019 Thanksgiving Mega Road Trip. Find out why I only do back roads. In addition, why am I taking a trip through the American Midwest. Learn more in Thanksgiving-Road-Trip-Planning-Bob Davis Podcast 876.

Back Roads Only Please

As far as I am concerned back roads are most noteworthy. I don’t do freeways or toll roads. The back roads are where you learn what is really going on in this country.

Podcasting From The Road

Moreover I really have a passion for podcasting from Mobile Podcast Command, a ‘repurposed’ 2000 ambulance.

Places No One Ever Reports On Or Goes To

On America’s two lane state, county and farm roads, a traveler sees and feels places no one ever goes to or reports on.

“No One Ever Comes Here”

Especially relevant are two Iowa farmers I interviewed last summer. With all the politicians in Iowa you’d think someone would have knocked on their doors. “That’s all up in Des Moines”, they said. “No one ever comes here to talk to us”.

Real America

In contrast I’ve taken the back roads from coast to coast, north and south, east and west. Because of the back roads I’ve learned a lot about America.

Mysterious Ancient Paper Maps

As a result I have learned the value of a mysterious thing called a map. I don’t mean google maps. I’m talking about paper maps. I’ll explain in Thanksgiving-Road-Trip-Planning-Bob Davis Podcast 876.

Exact Route

Above all I’ll give you the exact route I’ll be taking this Thanksgiving across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Virginia. Pretty much all back roads.

RV Nomads

Finally when I started back roading in mobile podcast command, there weren’t very many RV Nomads out there. This podcast is a salute to all the Van Life and Skoolie Conversion people I follow. Now there are millions. Maybe they’re onto something.

Mobile Podcast Command Is Primitive

In contrast I won’t be living in relative luxury in my RV. Mobile Podcast Command is primitive. I sleep in a hammock. Cook my dinners on a camp stove. I Take showers at Yoga studios and Truck Stops. I do have a coffee maker, however.

Real Happiness Through Travel

Above all, happiness is a clean windshield and a full tank of fuel.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and Reliafund Payment Processors

Thanksgiving-Road-Trip-Planning-Bob Davis Podcast 876

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Travel-Setbacks-Breakdowns-Backroads-Bob Davis Podcast 844

Travel-Setbacks-Breakdowns-Backroads-Bob Davis Podcast 844

Back Road Breakdown

One most noteworthy thing about back roads travel is what you do when you break down. These days the more travel on the back roads in a twenty year old truck means more chances to break down. Join me real time in Travel-Setbacks-Breakdowns-Backroads-Bob Davis Podcast 844.

Didn’t Think About That!

Especially relevant? You just can’t predict when something you didn’t think about will put you on the side of the road. Then what?

Close To Home

Moreover I always wonder why breakdowns happen close to home. On this 8 state tour of the Mid Southern and Midwestern states I have traveled more than three thousand miles. Almost all back roads.

Now, less than two hundred miles from home, it’s an alternator.

Even more Mobile Podcast Command has two alternators and three batteries. For more than a hundred miles it ran until it sucked power from all its batteries.

Cover A Lot Of Ground

I cover a lot of ground when I travel. Driving 12 hours a day. Hence my drive to make it home.

Flashers

When it all goes down, I am left with barely enough for flashers.

Give Thanks

First of all while I am on the side of the road I remember to give thanks I am still alive. One time I came close to not being alive because of a breakdown by the side of the road.

Look For The Lessons

What’s the lesson here? Above all it’s important to know when a problem is serious enough to stop in a town and wait for service.

Stop and Smell The Weeds

On the other hand I got to meet some great people from HABHAB towing in Ames, Iowa and State Farm Insurance. In addition I got to stop and smell the roses. Or, in this case prairie grass and weeds.

Life On The Road

Finally I follow a lot of people doing with van life thing. Living on the road in a converted school bus or whatever. Most of the time Instagram and Facebook posts make it look like a blast.

Unpredictable and Without Warning

Truth is, almost all of us out here encounter set backs and breakdowns, usually unpredictable and without warning. Doesn’t matter if you checked everything out before you left, you’re still going to have unpredictable problems.

Smile

In conclusion I’ve learned to bear it all with a smile and to be grateful for the opportunity to learn something.

Even if you’re by the side of the road in the middle of the night.

Sponsored by Reliafund Payment Processors and Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Travel-Setbacks-Breakdowns-Backroads-Bob Davis Podcast 844

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