Loneliest-American-Highway-US-50-Bob Davis Podcast 1161

Loneliest American Highway

Firstly US Route 50 is unofficially called the Loneliest American Highway. Join me for the trip in Loneliest-American-Highway-US-50-Bob Davis Podcast 1161.

Best American Highway

But Route 50 turns out to be one of the best road trips you can take.

Mega Road Trip California

With this in mind as I ended my mega road trip up the California coast…

Sacramento To The East Coast

I headed for Sacramento as soon as I wrapped up on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Here’s The California Road Trip Podcasts

As a matter of fact if you want to check out the PCH trips go here for part one; https://thebobdavispodcasts.com/mega-road-trip-2025-bob-davis-podcast-1159/

And here for part two;https://thebobdavispodcasts.com/perfect-pacific-vibe-bob-davis-podcast-1160/

YouTube Channel

And here’s the YouTube channel link if you want to see video versions of these podcasts; https://www.youtube.com/@thebobdavispodcasts9768

US 50 Is Different

However US Route 50 is something altogether different.

Mountains To Deserts

That is to say we start in the mountains and deserts of Eastern California.

Free Camping

In particular in these mountains I encountered my first ‘free’ campsite.

In contrast with the bracing breezes on the West Coast my first campground was a thriving babbling brook.

Most importantly I arrived too early in the year for the campground to be open.

But the gate was down and other people were camping.

Therefore I spent a great first night at the side of the brook.

Subsequently on into the California and Nevada deserts.

Nothing Like A Two Lane Highway For Freedom

Above all I can say there is little more in this life more therapeutic than a deserted two lane highway stretching into infinity.

Open Road

In other words if what you seek is the open road US 50 has it in spades.

Mountains To Valleys

Equally important are the shifts from mountains to valleys and deserts as we travel this route.

Life Pressure

Certainly these days we all wonder what will happen next.

Corporate Grind

Even more the pressures of day to day life and corporate life are heavy for many.

Small Town Antidote

I took a closer look at many small towns along the way with this purpose in mind

What Comes Next

In other words if you didn’t do what you’re doing now how would you do whatever comes next

Small Town Life

As an illustration of that question small towns like Ely, Nevada and Delta Colorado help the traveler imagine what life would be like if things were a little different.

Colorado Mountains and Continental Divide

Finally moving into the Colorado Mountains including crossing the Continental Divide at Mammoth Mountain.

Plains

Then we moved straightaway into the plains of Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas.

National Parks and Truck Stop Camping

From time to time camping at more free campgrounds, national parks like The Great Basin and Black Canyon, and an occasional Truck Stop.

Meditating On History

In addition to the meditation of driving there’s a lot of history in this region of the country.

Farming Ranching Mining

Especially ending in Fort Dodge Kansas, I am reminded of the ranching history of the plains as well as the mining, pioneer and Native American history of Colorado, Nevada and California.

Ancient People

To this end there are artifacts like the Petroglyphs in Nevada where people lived and thrived more than ten thousand years ago.

Full Experience

To sum up all of this is waiting to be experienced on supposedly the loneliest highway in the United States.

But I think Route 50 is one of the best highways.

Sponsored by 36LYN

Loneliest-American-Highway-US-50-Bob Davis Podcast 1161

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

 

Joshua-Tree-National-Park-Bob Davis Podcast 1150

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is certainly one of the best National Parks in the US. Some rate it the best. I am live from Joshua Tree in Joshua-Tree-National-Park-Bob Davis Podcast 1150.

Dry Lake Bed It Is Not

Of course it is a far dry from the dry lake bed I’ve been staying at for over a month.

Although the dry lake bed has its charms.

Loving National Parks

Equally important is the fact that I am growing partial to National Parks.

Grand Canyon and now Joshua Tree

Of course getting stuck for a month in the Grand Canyon is pretty great. Listen to the Grand Canyon Podcast here.

Bureau of Land Management

It’s important to realize the difference between the Bureau Of Land Management ‘camp’ sites…

Other Options For Nomads

As well as the National Forests, State Parks and of course the National Parks.

Although you have to pay in a national park…and most forests and of course state parks.

And you have a fourteen day limited stay…

Worth It

Altogether it’s worth it.

Discounts and Passes

Especially if you take the time to investigate various discount passes you can get.

BLM Stewardship Is Not Like The National Parks

In addition I spend a little time in this podcast talking about recent issues with the Bureau of Land Management’s stewardship of the land.

Never Pay Camp Fees?

In the same fashion while I know many nomads consider it a badge of honor of they never pay camp fees.

Free Is Good

To be sure free is good.

Condition of Free

However balanced against the state of some ‘free’ campgrounds I wonder whether ‘free’ is actually worth it.

Vibe

Furthermore Joshua Tree National Park has a special vibe.

For one thing two deserts come together in the park.

Therefore one part of a stay in the park might be completely different from another part.

Equally important are the hiking options throughout the park.

No Travel Tips Though

Finally I don’t really do travel tips and I talk about this a fair amount in this podcast.

Presently there are plenty of travel tip and advice videos available on YouTube.

Travel Is A Personal Discovery

But I think the real juice of travel is discovering it on our own.

Now I have certainly gotten myself into more than one mess with this attitude,

On the other hand in the end, it has been worth it.

Grateful for the sponsorship of 36/LYN

Joshua-Tree-National-Park-Bob Davis Podcast 1150