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Six-Thousand-Miles-Backroads-Part1-Bob Davis Podcast-1135

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

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.

Six-Thousand-Miles-Backroads-Part1-Bob Davis Podcast-1135

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Monsoon-Musings-Bob Davis Podcast 1066

Monsoon Musings

Late summer means the Monsoon season out west and that means it’s time for some Monsoon Musings. In my case that means midnight between downpours. Up in the mountains in Monsoon-Musings-Bob Davis Podcast 1066.

Monsoons Are Not Created Equal

Firstly every year out here is different when it comes to the Monsoon.

Bad Monsoon

Secondly this is a bad Monsoon.

Above all it seems like every afternoon the thunderheads come up and the downpours start.

Spectacular Storms

Certainly the storms are more spectacular in the deserts down toward Phoenix.

Utah Monsoon

However I am in Utah.

And Utah has its share of summer storms.

Flooding

For example it doesn’t take much rain to produce flooding and a lot of mud.

Campsite Flooded

In fact my campsite was flooded when I recorded Monsoon-Musings-Bob Davis Podcast 1066.

Stay On The Black Top

On the other hand that is why nomads avoid sandy and dirt roads this time of year and park on the black top.

Reflections

But it’s a great time for reflections.

Musings

Monsoon Musings.

In the same vein I have been up in Salt Lake for a lot longer than I would have liked.

Consequently I have a few stories from my truck stop and Walmart parking lot stays.

In addition I had a chance to scout the whole area for great campgrounds.

Bryce Canyon

Finally I headed up to the Bryce Canyon area and camping at King’s Creek in the Dixie National Forest.

[Editor’s Note: Of course I called it King’s Crossing in the podcast!)

Dixie National Forest

To clarify this campground is about nine thousand feet up. When it rains there it’s cold.

Fog!

And foggy.

Red Rock Road

Therefore I was happy to get back down to the desert near Red Rock.

Two Takeaways

To clarify there’s two takeaways from this podcast.

Desperation In The Truck Stops and Parking Lots

Firstly I don’t think I have seen this many homeless and desperate people in the truck stops and parking lots in my travels.

And Utah has services and plenty of room for broken down car dwellers.

Nomads Have A Dream

Secondly it’s been my experience that nomads have a dream.

That is to say many nomads dream of a piece of land somewhere in the mountains.

Or beaches.

Forests too.

In short we talk a lot about what one would need for the perfect off grid ‘cabin in the woods’.

My Heart Is On The Road

But on the other hand my heart is not in those discussions although I don’t mind having them over a fireside steak and a piping hot cup of coffee.

My Cabin In The Woods

In conclusion Mobile Podcast Command is my cabin in the woods, mountain or beach.

Gratitude

And I am very grateful to stay on the move.

Sponsored by the Independently Owned And Operated Refueling Station in South Minneapolis 36/Lyn

Monsoon-Musings-Bob Davis Podcast 1066

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Death-Valley-Solitude-Heaven-Bob Davis Podcast 999

Death Valley Solitude

Above all the lessons you learn on the road is the value of solitude, especially in Death Valley. The trip out of LA to the park and much more in Death-Valley-Solitude-Heaven-Bob Davis Podcast 999.

Questions About My Experience

Certainly people ask questions about what life is like as a nomad.

First of all one of the best questions came from a good friend recently.

What lessons have you learned on the road?

Secondly I had to really think about that one.

Bustle Of The City

Subsequently I spent a week with friends and family in the LA area. Mobile Podcast Command needed service. Between having six or seven people in the house and three kids it was hectic to say the least.

Seeking Solitude

Consequently rather than head up the Pacific Coast I sought the solitude of Death Valley.

Hub Bub Is Good

To clarify I’d just say I think travelers need the normalcy and hub bub of family life every now and then.

So Is Solitude

However I have come to rely on the solitude this life brings. I’ll share why in Death-Valley-Solitude-Heaven-Bob Davis Podcast 999.

Enter Death Valley

What better place to enjoy it than in the vastness of Death Valley.

Desert Meditation

These days the more time I spend in the desert the more I value the whole thing as a sort of meditation.

Rock and Hot Wind

To sum up I don’t need incense and chanting. I just need to see rock, sand and feel the hot wind.

Modern Life?

Moreover it seems to me that much of what we take as the essentials of modern life is pretty much nonsense.

Conversation

Especially conversation.

Mountains and Canyons

For example, gossip, politics, movies and TV shows all pale in contrast to the view into a Death Valley canyon from a mountaintop.

Deep Conversation

Most importantly it makes me wonder why conversation isn’t deeper.

Search For Meaning

How important certain people are to us.

What the meaningful things in life really are.

Why People Seek Out The Wilderness

In addition I used to wonder why so many Van life and nomad people seek out the wilderness.

Now I know.

Learning Something About Solitude

Further at the edge of these mountains and throughout my nomad travel experience I’ve learned something about solitude.

Pleased To Meet You

In conclusion the thing I’ve learned is you meet yourself on the road.

Everyday People

And, above all, some amazing everyday people.

Sponsored By Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Death-Valley-Solitude-Heaven-Bob Davis Podcast 999

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