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.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:54 — ) | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

The-Real-Matrix-Bob Davis Podcast 1063

The Real Matrix

Firstly The Real Matrix exceeds the wildest dreams of movie makers. Details in The-Real-Matrix-Bob Davis Podcast 1063.

Provo

Secondly what better place to talk about The Real Matrix than a Walmart Super Center in Provo Utah?

Walmart As A Reference Point

Above all this kind of place is kind of a reference point for me.

Certainly there are Walmart’s all over the United States.

I’ve been to a lot of them.

Walmart All Night

In addition you can still hang out in some Walmart parking lots all night.

Convenience For Nomads

And Nomads love the convenience in transit.

Maintenance

Most importantly I am in Utah to get some maintenance for Mobile Podcast Command.

All Terrain Tires

That is to say if you listened to my adventure in Dinosaur National Monument you know I need All Terrain Tires and maintenance.

Fragile Economic System

But as I walk through the Walmart here in Provo to do this podcast I am reminded how fragile our economic system is right now.

Enormous Influence

As a result I think it’s time to reinforce the fact that The US Federal Reserve Bank has enormous influence in our society.

The Real Matrix

Enough influence to function as The Real Matrix.

Inflation

Moreover as our central bank struggles to control inflation the result may be a recession.

Deflation

Even more a much bigger and more dangerous recession may be in the making.

Meanwhile every nomad I know is rooting for a deflationary recession.

Food and Fuel

That is to say much lower prices for fuel and the things we nomads need.

Back In The World

On the other hand this kind of situation might not be good for people back in the world.

Pressures Of Life

Finally I have often talked about the pressure of life back in the land of bricks and sticks.

No Judgements

Certainly this is not offered as a judgement.

Observation

But only an observation.

Gratitude

And it makes me glad to be a nomad.

Income Not Keeping Pace With Inflation

For example recent data shows incomes are not keeping pace with inflation.

Adds To The Pressure

And that adds a lot of pressure to life.

Provo Itself

To sum up Provo itself is a much younger community.

Therefore I talk about Provo’s demographics and history a little bit.

And of course, there’s nothing like a walk through a Walmart!

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

The-Real-Matrix-Bob Davis Podcast 1063

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:30 — 76.7MB) | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

Road-Trip-Back-Roads-Only-Bob Davis Podcast 839

Whenever I feel like I am in a rut these days, a road trip is always the best medicine. Even more a road trip on the back roads. I’ll tell you all about it in Road-Trip-Back-Roads-Only-Bob Davis Podcast 839.

Mobile Podcast Command has been up and down both coasts. I’ve traveled in this old ambulance across the Midwest, out west, out east, around Florida and the gulf coast many times. Lately though I have become a back roads snob.

Especially relevant is my new mantra. Unless it is absolutely necessary, I prefer the old National Highway system, state roads, county roads or even rural routes. I feel this is where you really get a feel for what’s going on in this country.

Moreover big city people and especially big city media people seem to harbor a belief that there is something sinister and dangerous about rural America.

In Road-Trip-Back-Roads-Only-Bob Davis Podcast 839 I wonder whether some people can travel back roads, and see small town and rural America for what it is, without judgement. Because there is a lot to like about some of the places I have been.

It’s most noteworthy that the lessons you learn hitting America’s back roads seem to coalesce in your mind a few weeks after the trip is over. In addition, I have crisscrossed parts of this country so many times I’ll remember an experience I had, but forget just exactly where it happened.

What’s important in rural America? For one thing, small business and local business.

As I blog I am sitting in a shopping center parking lot about fifty miles south of Roanoke. I’ve rolled through Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and now Virginia.

Truth is some of those back roads are really back roads. Switchbacks through the mountains.

In conclusion, the best part of it all? You get to enjoy all this amazing scenery without being bothered. Usually you’re the only vehicle on the road.