Late-Summer-Michigan-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 947

Great Summer Road Trip To Michigan

These days taking a long road trip is pretty much out of the question. But a short road trip from Minnesota to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and West Coast is perfect. Learn more in Late-Summer-Michigan-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 947.

You’ve Never Been?

First of all when I told friends I was headed to the Midwest’s ‘West Coast’ people said, “You’ve never been?”

Second as a Chicagoan I’d been to Benton Harbor and the Indiana Dunes, right?

The West Coast

However not on up Michigan’s West Coast.

The Upper Peninsula

I’d certainly been to the Upper Peninsula. But I haven’t spent much time there.

Wow

I’ll just say it. Wow.

I Want To Go Back…In The Winter!

More importantly, I think it is one of the best places to visit in the summer. So much so, I want to go back in the winter!

Not Big On Travelog Podcasts

Above all I am not one for travelog podcasts. Every bend in the highway is chronicled. Routes and places to stay talked about and so on.

The Routes

I can tell you about Wisconsin 77 connecting to Ashland County GG, and ultimately 77 all the way to Ironwood, Michigan.

Some Of The Campgrounds

Even more the Alpine Campground near Ironwood, or US 20 to US 41all the way to Marquette, Michigan. Then all the way across to Michigan 123 on down to the magnificent Mackinac Bridge.

But It’s The History That Gets Me

Then most importantly the great maritime towns along Michigan’s Lake Michigan coast from Petoskey to Charlavoix on down to Traverse City, Manistee and all the way to Ludington.

The SS Badger Is The Cherry On Top

Finally  the cherry on top for me was the four hour ferry ride on the SS Badger the only steam powered boat on the lake these days, and the last remaining rail ferry.

The Old Industrial Midwest

I am product of the old industrial Midwest.

Factories, Farms, Railroads, Mines and Lakes

My home is a heartland of factories and mines. I can’t forget the farms and train yards.

Won’t Forget Working Class History

I won’t forget the working class history here.

Still An Industrial Powerhouse

Likewise I have to point out this area remains one of the world’s most powerful industrial regions.

Travel Is All About Learning

To sum up what gets me about this kind of travel is the history.

Plenty of that in this podcast.

Sponsored by Kim Nybo Insurance and Les J Hill Life and Business Coaching

Late-Summer-Michigan-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 947

 

July-Fourth-Fireworks-Eclipse-Radio-Bob Davis Podcast 938

Fourth, Fireworks and Eclipse!

You don’t often get a July Fourth, Fireworks and an Eclipse all rolled together these days. Let’s enjoy it together in July-Fourth-Fireworks-Eclipse-Radio-Bob Davis Podcast 938.

Karen Ruins The Fourth

Firstly it seems to me like the scolds have ruined yet another holiday.

No Tedious History Lessons Here

What used to be an oasis of fun has been turned into a tedious history lesson.

Do Your Own Research

Secondly do your own research about our glorious or tawdry past. I’m certainly not going to waste your time.

Leaving The History Lessons Out This Year

Most importantly I leave the history lessons out in July-Fourth-Fireworks-Eclipse-Radio-Bob Davis Podcast 938.

The 1700’s. Yay! Now Back To The Fireworks!

Certainly I’ll share a few facts about the 1700’s. That’s about it.

Better To Share Stories Of Fourth’s Past

However I think it’s more fun to share some stories of fourths I remember as a kid. Even more fun to do it while the eclipse gets rolling and the kids shoot fireworks in the park.

Great American Detroit Rolling Steel

For example for some reason I seem to remember all the wonderful cars from back in the day in my stories. Giant hunks of American Steel.

Backyard Parties! Martinis! Beer! Coffee! Cigarettes!

In addition those backyard parties with my grandfather’s sales guys.

Best Memories Are Childhood Memories

Truth is to a kid, everything is bigger than life. Especially the smells. Martinis. Beer. Coffee. Cigarettes. Cigars. Even Perfume.

Nostalgia Beats Bitching and Moaning

Finally it sure seems to me like reminiscing is better therapy in today’s world, than bitching and moaning about interpretations of the signing of the declaration. Besides, those guys in the park have fireworks!

Nothing More American Than A Perfect Summer Night!

To sum up don’t forget! A perfect summer night. Fireworks. An eclipse. The entire neighborhood partying.

(Editor’s Note: Yes I do refer to the American Colonies circa 1776 as ‘The United States’. My mistake, but perhaps understandable considering the amount of fireworks in the background. Obviously we did not become These United States until after the ratification of the US Constitution in 1788, and the Bill of Rights later in 1790.)

What could be more American than that?

Sponsored by Kim Nybo Insurance

July-Fourth-Fireworks-Eclipse-Radio-Bob Davis Podcast 938

Rural-America-Urban-Covid-Refugees-Bob Davis Podcast 934

Covid Refugees Head Up North

For people in the upper Midwest summer means ‘Up North’. Especially relevant to Rural-America-Urban-Covid-Refugees-Bob Davis Podcast 934 even city people might find Up North a little crowded these days.

Not Just An Old Cabin In The Woods Anymore

Even more cabins in the woods these days are becoming sophisticated enough to qualify as second or even first homes.

Designated Meet Up When It All Goes Down

Firstly for most extended families ‘The Cabin’ or ‘Up North’ is the designated meet up if things go south.

Relatives Who Bugged Out

Therefore Father’s Day weekend seemed like a perfect time to get together with my son who bugged out from New York City.

Pandemic Panic Brought Them From Big Urban Centers

Secondly since then other family members from New York, Chicago and Los Angeles have jumped on the refugee bandwagon.

We’ve Been Here For Generations

On the other hand we have a lot of relatives who’ve lived ‘Up North’ for generations.

How Are The Rural People Getting Along With The Urban Denizens

Consequently I wondered how everyone is getting along.

Chicken, Steak and Conversation

Time to grill out and have some conversation.

Getting Along

You might think fur would fly between the locals and the refugees but it turned out great.

Millennial Approach To Collaboration

Moreover one of the things I was impressed with is how the millennial generation handles working together across cultural lines. We’ll talk about it as we get the ‘Up North Experience’ in Rural-America-Urban-Covid-Refugees-Bob Davis Podcast 934. This a standard topic on the podcasts these days.

Plenty Of Room For Everyone

Certainly there are funny stories and things to talk about. However as my nephew put it, there’s plenty of room here for everyone.

Not Done With ‘The Covid’, Though

Finally I think it’s fair to say we’re not done with Covid.

Second Wave?

For example spikes are reported already in areas that have opened up. Of course there’s also the official ‘second wave‘ predictions to think about.  Not to mention unrest in the cities.

No Urban Or Rural Emphasis

In conclusion I am impressed with our ability to pivot to working from home and anywhere, and doing it successfully or even better. Maybe the future doesn’t have an urban or rural emphasis.

Sponsored by Auntie B’s Rentals and Realty One Group

Rural-America-Urban-Covid-Refugees-Bob Davis Podcast 934