Hella-Truck-Stop-Nation-Bob Davis Podcast 1153

Hella Truck Stop Nation

It’s a Hella Truck Stop Nation. In this case “Hella” is used in the negative sense. Get the full scoop in Hella-Truck-Stop-Nation-Bob Davis Podcast 1153.

Las Vegas

Firstly I am supposed to be enjoying a perfect Southwestern sunset in front of a warm campfire.

Instead I am in Las Vegas waiting for a heater I’ve ordered to arrive at Camping World.

And dealing with a strange noise and potential mechanical problem with Mobile Podcast Command.

Therefore I am rotating around Las Vegas.

Truck Stops

From time to time visiting various truck stops both in the city and in surrounding areas along the freeway.

Long Time Traveler

More importantly I have been doing this for a long time.

That is to say traveling around the country visiting towns and cities.

Certainly spending most of my time on the back roads and avoiding the major cities.

Shiny Hotels Of Las Vegas

All things considered when most people come to Las Vegas they come to the shining hotels.

In essence to gamble, enjoy an expensive and delicious dinner and see a show.

Miss The Back Streets

Under those circumstances visitors never see the back streets of this city.

Desperation

In particular the in town truck stops.

At the present time I don’t think I have seen this many desperate people.

And not just here in Las Vegas.

But all over the Southwest.

Fool No One

To explain we’re talking about people sleeping in cars and converted vans and utility trucks that fool no one.

Or the free campgrounds in the desert.

Digging A Little Deeper This Time

Therefore I certainly could have recorded a breezy and fun podcasts about how much I love truck stops.

On the other hand I decided to dig a little deeper and push a little harder.

Haves And Have Nots

There’s nothing like a trip to Vegas to emphasize the gap between the haves and the have nots,

The Abyss

As well as the unfortunates who have fallen off the last rung of the economic ladder…into the abyss. And sure there’s jobs for those with certain skills.

And of course there are those who I describe as useless.

Sharecroppers

Thirdly about 90 years ago hundreds of thousands of Oklahoma Sharecroppers headed west.

Grapes of Wrath

For the purposes of illustrating our current situation I spend some time discussing “The Grapes of Wrath”.

There Is No Plan

Finally the difference between today’s desperate and the Okies is a plan.

In conclusion there is no plan.

Word To The Wise

In fact if you’re a nomad or want to be one you have to be able to identify this situation and the places you don’t want to stay.

Sponsored by 36 LYN

Hella-Truck-Stop-Nation-Bob Davis Podcast 1153

 

Freezing-My-Ass-Big-Bear-California-Bob Davis Podcast 1152

Freezing My Ass In Big Bear California

Freezing my ass in Big Bear California. Not really. From Los Angeles to Big Bear in Freezing-My-Ass-Big-Bear-California-Bob Davis Podcast 1152. It’s a little cooler at seven thousand feet than it is down in the desert.

Oil Change

Firstly after trying several mechanics in LA I discovered no one wants to take the big old ambulance on for an oil change..

Forget LA

Secondly I called in an audible.

As a matter of fact my Brother and Sister in Law have a place in Big Bear. We came up last week after Thanksgiving.

And we planned to come back up this weekend anyway.

Welcome To Big Bear Country

So I decided to take a chance and find someone to do an oil change up at Big Bear.

Family and Fun

By the same token it is not only fun but really good for me to spend some time with family up here.

Furthermore the mooch-docking continues.

Basically what’s not to like.

Big Bear History

To begin with Freezing-My-Ass-Big-Bear-California-Bob Davis Podcast 1152 takes a very surface look at the history of this area.

From Native Americans to Miners and later Settlers. And Grizzlies.

The American West

In fact I am fascinated these days with the history of the American West.

Real History

Even more one of my conclusions is that the history of the settlement of the American West is in many ways the real history of the United States.

Tests

That is to say that the real test of the legal institutions of the new country back in the day was the push west starting with the Ohio River Valley.

People Led The Way

Significantly I think it’s fair too suggest that the people led the way during the decades before the Continental United States became a reality.

Controversy

Of course controversy is and has always been a factor in this part of the country.

Therefore I am not taking a position on any of these historical realities.

Natural Beauty

In addition California continues to amaze me with its natural beauty.

The Drive Up

Accordingly the drive up to Big Bear from LA starts with the usual traffic jams.

Mountain Views

Giving way to breathtaking mountain views afterward.

New Podcast

All in all there is a lot to talk about in this podcast.

Future Plans

in like manner I take a little time to talk about future plans.

Fly Over

Equally impressive was the experience of getting buzzed by my pilot nephew and the audio I was able to capture.

Short Distance Travel

To sum up being able to travel short distances and have a complete change of point of view is just what the doctor ordered for this nomad.

Details in Freezing-My-Ass-Big-Bear-California-Bob Davis Podcast 1152.

Sponsored by 36LYN Now With Healthy Snacks

Freezing-My-Ass-Big-Bear-California-Bob Davis Podcast 1152

 

Nomads-Getting-Restless-Bob Davis Podcast 1104

Nomads Getting Restless

Nomads getting restless. It’s said restlessness is caused by anxiety. When nomads are getting restless it’s wanderlust. Details in Nomads-Getting-Restless-Bob Davis Podcast 1104.

Pace of Travel

Certainly the pace of my travel has changed since my first year as a nomad.

Indeed this year I spent 8 months in the desert.

And due to family stuff I have now spent almost four months lakeside in Western Wisconsin.

Winter To Spring

On the positive side I have been able to experience winter to spring…

To Summer

And now Spring to summer…

Lake Side

Here on the shore.

Ready To Travel

But now I am getting restless.

That is to say I am ready to travel.

Change

Therefore it’s a great opportunity to talk about how my travel has changed over the years.

Back and Forth

For example in the first year of full time nomad life I barrelled back and forth across the country.

Border To Border

To say nothing of my trips to the Northern and Southern US Borders.

Experiential Desire

These days I am thinking I want my travel to be a little more experiential.

Bucket Lists

Comparatively many travelers hit all the national parks.

Or every major league baseball field.

People and Places Are My Jam

By comparison I’d like to find different places and people.

Colorado

For instance a town I visited in Colorado last summer with people trying to live a different way.

New England

At the present time though I’m planning a trip to New England from Western Wisconsin.

Travel Preparation

Leaving in about a month.

Still Some Time

All in all I still have some time left.

Travel

Finally I talk a lot about travel and the travel experience.

The Drive

And I love to drive.

To Learn

To explain a little further, one of the reasons I do this to learn more about America.

Avoid Judgements

By the same token one of the things I’ve learned is to avoid categorization and judgement when it comes to the places I’ve been and the people I’ve met.

Whole World

To sum up we nomads know there is a whole world out there.

Opposite Of Anxiety

Hence our restlessness is the opposite of anxiety.

We can’t wait to get out there.

As much as we love hanging out lakeside.

Sponsored by 36LYN The Independently Owned And Operated Refueling Station in South Minneapolis

Nomads-Getting-Restless-Bob Davis Podcast 1104