Unhappy-#Vanlifers-Doing-It-Wrong-Bob Davis Podcast 1133

Unhappy #Vanlifers Doing It Wrong

Are unhappy #Vanlifers really doing it wrong? A recent Wall Street Journal post about the hash tag Van Life again points out the obvious. Details in Unhappy-#Vanlifers-Doing-It-Wrong-Bob Davis Podcast 1133.

Nomad Coverage

Firstly I have rarely seen positive coverage of the nomad experience.

Hard Life

Secondly the recent Wall Street Journal piece reports on a few #vanlife people complain about how hard the life is.

Instagram

And say Instagram has it all wrong.

As a result I’ll ask again whether anyone actually believes anything they see on social media?

Best Foot

Of course we put our best foot forward.

Or show our best face to the world.

In other words analogous to cleaning your house before guests arrive.

But there’s more.

Negative Experience

Because the article in question illustrates a number of negative experiences for the vanlifers interviewed.

For example, no place to sleep.

And not being able to take showers.

Or being lonely because the dating life out here sucks.

Finally the unexpected costs of mechanical problems and fuel.

As I have said many times in many different podcasts…

Not A Bowl Of Cherries

In general life is not always a bowl of cherries.

Overcome

In fact part of the experience in #nomadlife is overcoming setbacks and solving problems.

Won’t Quit

To sum up the article on a positive note all of the van life people interviewed said they won’t quit.

Great Potential

All in all I believe there’s great potential in nomad life.

And as I have noted as the infrastructure for digital nomads gets better…

In time more may choose this lifestyle.

Establishment Media Hates Nomads

However I don’t think the establishment back home or the establishment media will give our lifestyle a break.

Presently reporters and editors seem to love the idea that social media is ‘lying’ about living on the road.

Don’t Dream

In essence don’t dream of a different life.

It’s too dangerous.

Stay Back In The World

Meanwhile keep paying ridiculous amount of rent and commuting four hours a day.

By and large living in huge expensive cities and stepping over homeless people to get to the subway.

Of course doing a digital job and being required to work in an office…

When even in the present time you can work from anywhere.

Just In Case

Just in case you’re thinking about buying a van and dumping your absurdly expensive efficiency in said large city…

Take a look at these poor idiots in this Wall Street Journal story without delay.

After that you’ll accept your life as it is.

Reality

In reality over time nomad life can be easy and satisfying.

Lots To Learn

Of course there is a lot to learn.

Yes You Can

But if you can do it and you want to try.

Go for it.

Sponsored by 36 LYN The Independently Owned And Operated Refueling Station

Unhappy-#Vanlifers-Doing-It-Wrong-Bob Davis Podcast 1133

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:50 — ) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

https://www.thebobdavispodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/The-Bob-Davis-Podcast-458.mp3

Handling-Mechanical-Problems-On-Road-Bob Davis Podcast 1131

Handling Mechanical Problems On The Road

Handling mechanical problems on the road is a challenge for anyone. Especially nomads. Details in Handling-Mechanical-Problems-On-Road-Bob Davis Podcast 1131.

Firstly this isn’t my first rodeo.

Bigger Problems

Above all I have been traveling for about ten years in my current rig.

So I have had a few problems to deal with.

However as a full time nomad it’s a bigger problem.

This Is My House

Not to mention the fact that the rig is also my house.

This is important to make clear when the mechanic says, when do you want to pick it up?

Freak Out Quickly

In addition when it happens don’t freak out.

Feel It And Move On

Although emotions are not always easy to overcome in an emergency you have to feel it and move to problem solving.

Padre Island

Accordingly I was on my way to Padre Island National Seashore.

To explain I I was having a great day thinking about where I was going to camp.

Volt Meter

All of a sudden I looked down at Mobile Podcast Command’s volt meter.

To begin with the meter was reading lower than what it should have.

And it was sinking.

Happened Before

Because this had happened before I knew what to do.

I had to find somewhere to address the problem without delay.

Firstly I found an auto repair shop within a mile.

In this situation it’s important to realize you have to take what you get.

Lucked Out

Secondly I lucked into finding a great bunch of guys to help.

Most importantly I tell that story in Handling-Mechanical-Problems-On-Road-Bob Davis Podcast 1131.

Alternator

In the long run I learned I needed two alternators.

All things considered another lesson.

Money

It’s going to cost you money and you have to be prepared for that.

Opportunity For The Sublime

However this was also an occasion to stop and realize there are always opportunities for sublime experiences.

In brief an opportunity to earn how other people work and what they do.

Life On The Road

As well as having an experience you didn’t plan on.

That’s life on the road.

And I suppose life in general.

Handling-Mechanical-Problems-On-Road-Bob Davis Podcast 1131

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:57 — ) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Maps-Planning-Arizona-Florida-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1129

Maps Planning Arizona To Florida 2024

Time to check the maps and do some planning for my Arizona to Florida 2024 adventure. And some stories too. Details in Maps-Planning-Arizona-Florida-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1129.

Firstly it’s been a minute since I was on the roads.

Great To Be Back

Secondly it sure feels good to be preparing for a 2500 mile road trip from Quartzsite Arizona to Sarasota Florida.

On The Back Roads

As a matter of fact I have been stopped down here in the desert since October of 2023.

So I am ready to hit the road.

To say nothing of the power of the back roads.

Maps And Planning

With this purpose in mind I’ll share the types of maps I use complete with the sound of turning pages.

Rig Improvements

In addition I’ll share some of the improvements to mobile podcast command.

Planning

Furthermore we’ll also discuss travel plans for this trip.

Navigation

And how to navigate the back roads on the fly to get where you want to be and save fuel.

In view of the main objective and the distance to be traveled…

I don’t need to point out there are many different options available.

First thing to remember is the type of maps.

In fact I started out with a Rand McNally road atlas.

But recently graduated to Benchmark Maps.

All things considered the Benchmark maps are very useful for navigating the back roads anywhere in the west.

Places and Things

Above all I like to talk about some of the places I’ve seen and roads I have traveled.

Maps-Planning-Arizona-Florida-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1129 is a great opportunity to talk about these subjects.

Staying Off The Interstates

Certainly staying off the Interstates is a learned skill.

Practice Makes Perfect

If you are plying the back roads then you know it takes a lot of practice to make sure you end up where you want to.

As I have shown the nomad ends up navigating on the fly in almost all these situations.

To that end when it works it’s a joy.

However when it doesn’t then let’s just say it’s a learning experience.

Finally it’s great to be back on the road and moving again.