Podcast 354

The Napa Valley. As our time in California comes to a close, the Napa Valley is a perfect place to say goodbye. Whether it is Napa, Sonoma, Calistoga, finally ending up in Nevada City the Golden State is a seductive place. The so called ‘warm and dry end’ of the Napa Valley was the destination for the parties of pioneers, of which the infamous Donner Party was part of. This valley is where many of them settled, and prospered after that fateful winter of 1866. Calistoga was also the adopted home of Robert Louis Stevenson, a fact they would much rather talk about than the fate of the Donner Party. Some highlights of the Donner Party story, and an interview with Al Derrick, who minds the Sharpsteen Museum in Calistoga. What does this tragic story in the history of settling California tell us about decision making and democracy? This is the only subtly political moment in this podcast. In the end, its seems tawdry to taint a Road Trip podcast with the grease of political pontification. (Editor’s Note: It must be pointed out, however, that the Hillary Clinton ‘inevitable’ presidential campaign has apparently borrowed the idea of hitting the road, going to real places and talking to real people, but not in a repurposed ambulance! Whether she is actually in the creeper van which headed for Iowa or not is another question.) Wine country is an impressive, pastoral location. It wasn’t always wine country tho. At one time this valley also produced Walnuts, prunes and other agricultural products on smaller farms. Today, vineyards are everywhere — and they are perfect. Finally, a surprise in the mountains as we come upon a Bikram Yoga studio in the middle of nowhere! Sponsored by Baklund R&D.

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Podcast 212

And the Beheadings Just Keep On Comin’! The Bob Davis Podcasts, On The Road. Live from Scottsdale Arizona. Recorded in front of a live audience; Bob’s best friend Andy, treading water in the pool. A wonderful Sunday night reverie interrupted by more ugliness from The Islamic State. The White House must be pulling out all the stops as the New York Times runs a puff piece on how thoughtful the President is. The sources? Unidentified guests at a White House dinner held the night of the address outlining ‘The Strategy’ for ‘degrading and destroying’ ISIS last week. Meanwhile, ‘The Strategy’ is not going so well. Arab ‘allies’ responded tepidly, and ISIS just cut a deal with one of those Syrian ‘moderate’ groups John McCain and John Kerry are so hot to trot to make deals with, or maybe even arm. Don’t worry though, there’s a Hurricane Brewing in the Pacific that might wipe out Cabo, so that’s all you’ll be hearing about for the next 48 hours as cable news networks and the big broadcast networks send reporters and camera crews to cover. By the way, did you hear someone else got beheaded? What was his name? What’s the name of the other guy that got beheaded? Meanwhile, back to the historic landmarks in Scottsdale. A visit to the apartment where Hogan’s Hero’s Star Bob Crane met his demise, plus a conversation about Bob’s visit to Andy’s house — the very same house this podcast was recorded in — nearly 40 years ago. Then we veer off into discussion about Bob Crane’s porn addiction, Crane’s x-rated pictures, and pictures of the crime scene on the Internet, sex addiction, the movie Auto Focus, the work ethic of radio people, age reversal therapy and what it will mean, Bikram Yoga, Andy’s 1967 International Scout, growing up in the 1970’s, Paradise Valley, a a story about Prince, and for you political junkies, we talk about the real story going on beneath the headlines; The off year election. Organizing to win votes and raise money, means real influence in politics. If you want change, you have to change things by doing actual work, door to door, to make sure people vote for your candidates. Sponsored by X Government Cars. EDITOR’S NOTE: Yes, I am aware I have skipped podcast 211, which will become the new ‘Lost Podcast’. Watch for it. It’s a doosey.

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