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

 

Monsoon-Musings-Bob Davis Podcast 1066

Monsoon Musings

Late summer means the Monsoon season out west and that means it’s time for some Monsoon Musings. In my case that means midnight between downpours. Up in the mountains in Monsoon-Musings-Bob Davis Podcast 1066.

Monsoons Are Not Created Equal

Firstly every year out here is different when it comes to the Monsoon.

Bad Monsoon

Secondly this is a bad Monsoon.

Above all it seems like every afternoon the thunderheads come up and the downpours start.

Spectacular Storms

Certainly the storms are more spectacular in the deserts down toward Phoenix.

Utah Monsoon

However I am in Utah.

And Utah has its share of summer storms.

Flooding

For example it doesn’t take much rain to produce flooding and a lot of mud.

Campsite Flooded

In fact my campsite was flooded when I recorded Monsoon-Musings-Bob Davis Podcast 1066.

Stay On The Black Top

On the other hand that is why nomads avoid sandy and dirt roads this time of year and park on the black top.

Reflections

But it’s a great time for reflections.

Musings

Monsoon Musings.

In the same vein I have been up in Salt Lake for a lot longer than I would have liked.

Consequently I have a few stories from my truck stop and Walmart parking lot stays.

In addition I had a chance to scout the whole area for great campgrounds.

Bryce Canyon

Finally I headed up to the Bryce Canyon area and camping at King’s Creek in the Dixie National Forest.

[Editor’s Note: Of course I called it King’s Crossing in the podcast!)

Dixie National Forest

To clarify this campground is about nine thousand feet up. When it rains there it’s cold.

Fog!

And foggy.

Red Rock Road

Therefore I was happy to get back down to the desert near Red Rock.

Two Takeaways

To clarify there’s two takeaways from this podcast.

Desperation In The Truck Stops and Parking Lots

Firstly I don’t think I have seen this many homeless and desperate people in the truck stops and parking lots in my travels.

And Utah has services and plenty of room for broken down car dwellers.

Nomads Have A Dream

Secondly it’s been my experience that nomads have a dream.

That is to say many nomads dream of a piece of land somewhere in the mountains.

Or beaches.

Forests too.

In short we talk a lot about what one would need for the perfect off grid ‘cabin in the woods’.

My Heart Is On The Road

But on the other hand my heart is not in those discussions although I don’t mind having them over a fireside steak and a piping hot cup of coffee.

My Cabin In The Woods

In conclusion Mobile Podcast Command is my cabin in the woods, mountain or beach.

Gratitude

And I am very grateful to stay on the move.

Sponsored by the Independently Owned And Operated Refueling Station in South Minneapolis 36/Lyn

Monsoon-Musings-Bob Davis Podcast 1066