Is-Nomad-Life-Over?-Bob Davis Podcast-1129

Is Nomad Life Over?

Firstly it’s a good time to ask Is Nomad Life Over? Details in Is-Nomad-Life-Over?-Bob Davis Podcast-1129.

Fully Committed

Secondly while I remain fully committed to the nomad lifestyle I wonder whether the trend is starting to fade.

Reality Bites

Certainly the longer I do something the more I see the reality in it.

Community

But these days I am not feeling the much vaunted nomad community as much as I used to.

Social Media Presence

Another key point are the Vanlife and Nomadlife Instagram posts.

As well as YouTube videos.

And videos on other platforms.

False Reality?

Undeniably the reality is often not the picture presented in social media.

Unquestionably there are difficult days.

Sublime Moments

Notwithstanding those difficult days there are truly sublime moments.

In fact that’s why I still want to live the nomad life.

Trend Starting To Wear

In view of all this though it feels like the trend is starting to wear.

To put it another way I am seeing a lot more RV people out here these days than straight up nomads.

Attendance Spotty

In addition attendance at some venerated ‘nomad’ events has been spotty.

Economic Hardship

This is said to be on the account of economic hardship.

On the other hand it seems to me more Americans are being called back into the work place.

Therefore barnstorming around the country isn’t as easy as it used to be.

With that said it doesn’t mean there is a great desire to be physically present.

But there it is.

Meaning and Purpose

Even more I think there might be some questions about what it all means.

In fact a great purpose.

Negative Experiences

On the negative side I’ve had some experiences and there have been some situations out here this year that should raise eyebrows.

Sustainable

All in all one wonders what is needed to create a sustainable nomad experience?

Eventually further technology improvements will only make nomad life easier and more productive.

In the meantime we’ll see you out there.

Sponsored by 36 LYN

Is-Nomad-Life-Over?-Bob Davis Podcast-1129

Nomad-State-Of-Mind-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1127

Nomad-State-Of-Mind-2024

In the first place it’s winter and a good time for this nomad to check his state of mind. Details in Nomad-State-Of-Mind-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1127.

Struggling

Secondly I find myself struggling a little bit as 2024 opens.

Gut Check Time

Therefore it’s a good time for a gut check.

In the long run I like to run.

That is to say I feel better when I am traveling.

Staying Put

Although at the present time I am still in the mode of staying put.

The reason for that being higher fuel prices.

Certainly over the past two or so years I’ve found solace in staying put and saving money that would have been spent on fuel.

Beginning Of Change

But we may be seeing the beginning of some pretty solid reduction in prices for fuel.

Therefore I am feeling restless.

Check List

Even more I have developed a sort of check list to determine my state of mind.

Mindfulness

Equally important is the idea of mindfulness.

Although a cliche these days mindfulness is important.

Trance State

The idea being we nomads might run through the same tasks everyday…

and that allows the mind to float.

Yes that is to say we are often in an almost trance state.

Analogous to forgetting which route you took to work this morning.

Or whether I took my vitamins…

And brushed my teeth.

Being Present

In contrast being mindful is being present for all these tasks.

Accordingly this is how we can also be present for the many interactions we have with people every day.

State Of Mind

I find above all these are important metrics to be aware of when it comes to state of mind.

With this in mind I don’t really get depressed.

In fact I get restless and frustrated.

Even bored.

In the hope that I can get back on the road soon.

Henceforth Nomad-State-Of-Mind-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1127 is a peek into the day to say state of mind for this nomad…

and perhaps others.

Desert Winters

Lastly I know winter in the desert is considerably easier to take than winter up north.

Wind Storms

On the other hand this podcast was recorded in the midst of a huge windstorm and figures prominently in it.

Salute To A New Year

Finally here’s a salute to the new year…as well as to my planning!

and whatever it brings.

Sponsored by Garden Gurus MN

Nomad-State-Of-Mind-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1127

 

Nomad-Rig-Dreams-Plans-Bob Davis Podcast 1096

Nomad Rig Dreams Bob Davis Podcast 1096

Firstly there are an infinite number of ideas and plans for the vehicles we nomads drive and camp with. Details in Nomad-Rig-Dreams-Plans-Bob Davis Podcast 1096.

Current and Future Oil Prices

Secondly any discussion of getting a new rig has to include some analysis of current and future oil prices.

Economic Questions In Planning

Moreover I have done more than a few podcasts getting into the economic question over the last few months.

Wait and See Approach

However I think the best thing to do is to take a wait and see approach rather than make predictions.

Fingers Crossed For Cheaper Fuel

That being said I have my fingers crossed for a recession because it would probably herald cheaper fuel prices.

Certainly we’ll have to wait and see.

Rigs According To Use

In the meantime I classify rigs according to use.

For example RV enthusiasts have different needs than nomads.

Systems Are Delicate

Moreover it has been my experience the systems in some of the more expensive RV’s done always do well under the constant pressure of nomad travel and living full time.

Robust Is The Key

So this is why we look for more robust rigs.

Crazy Conversions

And why you see so many creative and sometimes crazy conversions of almost any kind of truck made.

That is to say ambulances, buses, airport buses, Utility and Box trucks.

Range Free

But a great deal of the so called nomad experience depends on being able to range free.

To wander.

Expensive Fuel Kills Nomad Experience

Unfortunately wandering is more difficult when fuel is expensive.

Even more there is a lot of noise out there when it comes to analysis of the markets.

Noise

As well as the predictions of the talking heads.

Metrics To Watch

As a result I’ll give you some metrics to watch as you decide what your next rig will be.

Choice

Finally our choice also depends on how long we’ve been doing this and what we feel we’ll need going forward.

No Illusions

In fact I am under no illusions or needs for luxury.

Roughing It

Even more we nomads are used to roughing it.

But creature comforts and a little more space aren’t such bad things.

Back Roads

In conclusion the rig for you depends on whether you’ll be on back roads, climbing mountains.

Cities and Interstates

Or city and Interstate driving.

Definitions

To sum up some of the terms I use in this podcast definitions for Deflation here. For inflation here. Disinflation here. And Demand Destruction here.

Sponsored by GardenGurusMN.

Nomad-Rig-Dreams-Plans-Bob Davis Podcast 1096