Vanlife-Nomad-Backlash-Bob Davis Podcast 980

VanLife Nomad Backlash

Suddenly there’s a Vanlife Nomad Backlash. Certainly it’s fun to be free and living out on the road. What’s the problem? My reaction in Vanlife-Nomad-Backlash-Bob Davis Podcast 980.

Full Commitment

Firstly I’ve just recently made a full commitment to living on the road. Learn more about that here.

Extended Travel

Secondly extended travel has been a part of these podcasts since the beginning.

Social Media…Again

However recently some have taken issue with some over the top social media accounts.

Hollywood Has Discovered The Modern Nomad

To clarify reporters and Hollywood have suddenly discovered the nomad trend.

Blame It On Instagram

As a result it seems like detractors want to attack the whole lifestyle as ‘fake’ because of a few over the top Instagram accounts.

Not For Everyone

Meanwhile my experience has been it’s not a lifestyle for everyone.

Demanding And Tough

In fact the nomad lifestyle can be demanding and tough but be very rewarding at the same time.

Nomad Life Is Hardscrabble

In the same vein I haven’t met too many nomads driving around in vehicles costing at least six figures.

The Majesty Of A Walmart Parking Lot

For example a nomad might experience the majesty of a campground in a national forest one week. And the majesty of a Walmart or Truck Stop lot the next.

Adventure and Fun

To sum up it’s not always glamorous. But it’s always an adventure.

Back Out On The Back Road

Most importantly while I am stuck in a driveway in Virginia as we deal with a death in the family I can’t wait to get back on the back road.

Real Experience

In Vanlife-Nomad-Backlash-Bob Davis Podcast 980 it’s time to talk about the real experiences I have had as a newly minted ‘nomad’. And most importantly the depth of those experiences.

Family and Friends

Even more I realize many nomads are interrupting trips with long stays with family and friends. Why? Because we can.

So What?

On the other hand. Who can blame us?

Shore Power and A Hot Shower

After months of taking showers in truck stops and cooking over campfires, shore power and a hot shower at ‘home’ are pure luxury.

All About The Vibe

Most importantly is the reality of a true positive vibe that comes from travel in any form.

Doesn’t Matter What Rig You Have

Whether you’re rig is a broken down conversion or a Prevost, you’ve experienced that vibe.

No Commitments

Finally, think about travel without commitments. And going where you want. Just plain fun.

Many People Hitting The Road

In conclusion it’s true there are many people hitting the road for various reasons. As a result the nomad lifestyle and Vanlife have become a trend.

Tear Down Something Just Because Lots Of People Are Doing It

Why is it necessary to attack and tear something down just because a lot of people are doing it?

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Vanlife-Nomad-Backlash-Bob Davis Podcast 980

Backroad-Weather-Adventure-North Carolina-Bob Davis Podcast 880

Back To Minnesota

I am on the road heading back to Minnesota. These days the name of the game when it comes to back roads is avoiding the weather. It’s most noteworthy that I avoided the snow and ice. I did not avoid the rain. Learn more in Backroad-Weather-Adventure-North Carolina-Bob Davis Podcast 880.

My Radar And More Help For My Back Road Adventure

Especially relevant is an AP called ‘My Radar‘. Really helps to be able to track storms, so they can be avoided. Unlike summer storms, winter storms mean icy road conditions and that is no fun.

Weather Is More Important When Back Roading In Winter

Moreover since I am all about the back roads staying abreast of the weather situation, especially temperatures, is important.

Back Roads Are Fading? What?

What I have learned on this first leg of the trip home? First of all, back roads even in places like North Carolina are starting to fade. I’ve been talking about this on all the podcasts from this trip.

Growth Means Interstates

As a result of the growth in the South freeway systems we used to associate with big northern cities are becoming the norm here. Bottom line? If you want the back roads in some parts of the south you have to fight to stay on them.

Two Lane Roads And National Highway System

Even more this says something about the argument against big highway systems in general. The classic American two lane road is usually associated with the National Highway System built after World War One. I’ll explain in Backroad-Weather-Adventure-North Carolina-Bob Davis Podcast 880.

An Interstate Is Not A Back Road

Google ‘national highway system’ today, and you’ll get articles about the Interstate system. Decidedly not two lane roads. Consequently the highways people often associate with ‘back roads’ might just be Interstates that cut through less urban areas.

No More Cruise Control Please

Certainly for me it’s all about those two lane roads. And I do fight to stay on them. The scourge of freeway driving known as ‘cruise control’ makes driving on the Interstate a pain.

The Route South and West From Richmond Virginia

Finally, join me as I roll south through Virginia on the classic and perfect US 360, to US 29, on through Western North Carolina on the way to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Sponsored by Tim LaCroix of LaCroix Law for Real Estate and Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Backroad-Weather-Adventure-North Carolina-Bob Davis Podcast 880

 

 

Roadtrip-Adventure-Ohio-West-Virginia-Bob Davis Podcast 879

West Virginia Stand Out

I promised a podcast for Ohio and West Virginia. West Virginia though, is most noteworthy. Find out why in Roadtrip-Adventure-Ohio-West-Virginia-Bob Davis Podcast 879.

Hard To Remember Where I was!

I’m on a mega road trip for Thanksgiving week. Heading across the central United States from Minneapolis and Saint Paul all the way to Richmond Virginia and back. As a result it gets difficult to remember just where I was.

Back Road Fading

First of all I intended to include more of Ohio. My route for a good part of this trip is US 33. Truth is, much of 33 through Ohio is actually more like an Interstate than it is a two lane back road.

Pouring Rain and Autobahns

Moreover through most of the time in Ohio, it was pouring rain. As I angled down toward West Virginia I focused on driving. In addition, I was a little frustrated with highway improvements that have left 33 a four lane autobahn with seventy mile an hour speed limits. I am searching for adventure in Roadtrip-Adventure-Ohio-West-Virginia-Bob Davis Podcast 879. That means backroads.

Wild and Wonderful

In contrast, there is West Virginia. I am enchanted with this “Wild and Wonderful” state. A place that turned out to be the stand out of the trip so far.

Mountains Mountains Mountains!

Maybe it’s the mountains. Towns and mountain hamlets. Old trailers and school buses. Picturesque unincorporated clusters of churches and antebellum houses. The contrast between wealth and poverty in some places goes back generations.

Hairpin Curves and 10 Percent Grades

Due to the mountains, there are times when Mobile Podcast Command was rumbling along at 25 to 40 miles an hour, rather than freeway speeds. Through most of the state 33 is two lanes, with hairpin curves and 10 percent grades up and down. Almost heaven!

Story Within A Story

Seems like every little turn and twist in West Virginia’s mountain roads have a story. From Glenview to Elkins and more. Almost certainly all these places actually do have pretty good stories.

Crystal Clear Night

Finally this podcast ends in Virginia. One hundred miles from nowhere. On a crystal clear quiet night just before Thanksgiving.

Now I get to plan the return trip.

Stay Tuned

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Roadtrip-Adventure-Ohio-West-Virginia-Bob Davis Podcast 879