Poor-Man’s-Paradise-Bob Davis Podcast 1120

Poor Man’s Paradise

Firstly as city life continues to deteriorate many Americans are searching for a Poor Man’s Paradise. Secondly Quartzsite Arizona might be the best of all. Details in Poor-Man’s-Paradise-Bob Davis Podcast 1120.

Cultural Crossroads

A friend and I were discussing this point recently as an illustration of different cultural crossroads.

Q-Town

Certainly Q-Town is a cultural crossroads.

Back In The Day

But these days are not like the bad old days of the late seventies, early eighties and nineties when hundreds of thousands of RV people crowded into the campgrounds around this southwestern town back in the day.

Think Jersey Shore

Accordingly in those days the streets were as crowded in winter as the Jersey Shore in summer.

In light of that kind of traffic these days it’s tame.

No Insult

In Poor-Man’s-Paradise-Bob Davis Podcast 1120 I’ll explain the most compelling evidence why it’s no insult to refer to Quartzsite as a poor man’s paradise.

Life Is More Expensive

Certainly as everything gets more expensive only the top one percent can afford the resorts.

For one thing the perks and extras in those places would fuel steaks and wood for campfires for all of us out here for weeks.

Snow Birds and Nomads

In addition snow birds and nomads would not be able to experience the true cultural crossroads this place is.

History

Another key point is there is a history to this place.

As a matter of fact there’s a museum in town that tells the story very nicely going back to the frontier days.

Enthralled

But in the same fashion I am enthralled by the people who run the businesses here in town…

And the new friends we meet along the way.

Questions

Finally I get a lot of questions from listeners and subscribers about Quartzsite.

For one thing they want to know what it’s like.

And they want to know how to prepare for it if they come down here.

Although helpful I am not going to provide that kind of content.

Because I think people should jump in and see what it’s all about for themselves.

Experiences May Vary

To put it differently your experiences might vary.

Dark Side

Certainly some see the dark side.

Thriving Temporary Town

However I see a thriving town thrown up every year to serve campers…

And to have fun too.

Isn’t that what it’s all about?

Poor-Man’s-Paradise-Bob Davis Podcast 1120

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Bougie-Sedona-Arizona-Bob Davis Podcast 1023

Bougie Sedona Arizona

Firstly if you like spas, hair and nails, pretentious art and Tortellini then Bougie Sedona Arizona is for you. Learn more in Bougie-Sedona-Arizona-Bob Davis Podcast 1023.

A General Store And Shacks For Hippies No More

Secondly many remember when Sedona was a General Store and a few shacks where hippies lived.

Welcome To Myrtle Beach

However these days Sedona is more like Myrtle Beach than Arizona.

Bottom Of The Barrel

And Myrtle Beach is the bottom of the Barrel.

True West?

Even more locals and old timers remember when all these towns around here were true western mountain towns.

How Picking Up My Mail Became A Trip Through Newport California

Most importantly I came to Sedona to pick up my mail!

But even the mail effort did not work out here.

Some Great Campgrounds Though…In The National Forest

On the other hand I found some great National Forest Campgrounds Between Bougie Sedona and what some even call Bougie Flagstaff.

And I was able to stay up there for three days.

Day Areas Crowded

In addition there’s so much great hiking up there even the day areas are crowded.

In Season…Or Not

Therefore if you’re coming during before or after the season expect LA level traffic jams

Lots Of Pretty People There

Certainly the good news is lots of really good looking people sitting in their two hundred thousand dollar Mercedes Coupes and Porsche Cayenne’s.

Welcome To The Jersey Shore

Consequently one can only accept that these once western towns have become just like Orange County California, or even worse the Jersey Shore.

In the same vein you expect traffic jams and saltwater taffy on the shore.

Even the locals think it’s gone way too far. You’ll hear them in Bougie-Sedona-Arizona-Bob Davis Podcast 1023.

Kitsch

On the other hand you don’t expect that level of kitsch in the mountains of Arizona.

We All Want An Experience

Finally everyone wants a unique experience these days.

Camping. Hiking. Breathing the fresh air.

These ‘wants’ have become ‘needs’.

Just Not This Experience

In short this development question comes up again and again in my travels.

The Search For The Unspoiled West Continues

We all have to travel to the most remote sections to find what one might think of as unspoiled.

To sum up I get it.

I’m not against people making money.

Or the idea that certain things are necessary in small towns.

Pave Paradise…

But I think there’s a real question and concern about development destroying whatever remains of the myth and reality of what once was…

The Old West.

Bougie-Sedona-Arizona-Bob Davis Podcast 1023

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Carolina-Outer-Banks-Quest-Bob Davis Podcast 988

In The Carolina Outer Banks

Firstly I am in the Carolina Outer Banks on a quest to find the ultimate weather beaten old school beach town. Learn more in Carolina-Outer-Banks-Quest-Bob Davis Podcast 988,

Atlantic Coast Challenges

Secondly from Florida to North Carolina the Atlantic coast is a challenge for travelers.

Back Roads Always

Even more I’m staying off the interstates and taking the back roads.

On The East Coast A Lot Of Frustration

Traveling off the interstates adds up to a lot of stop and go traffic and frustration.

Myrtle Beach…Oh God

For example Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Welcome To New Jersey

Stop and go traffic. An endless stream of shopping centers. Auto Parts stores. Worn miniature golf places.

Beach? We Don’t Need No Stinking Beaches!

In the same vein you can’t get to the beach. Too many high rises and retirement villages.

Memories of Florida…Back In The Day

On the other hand I can always revert to halcyon memories of Florida back in the day. Before the onslaught of development.

Outer Banks

Most importantly we come to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Finally

Finally the Atlantic Ocean. Without having to park in a high rise parking lot.

Weather Beaten Villages

Moreover this is where you’ll find the weather beaten, old school villages.

Welcome Home To The National Seashores

Meanwhile as I drive these National Seashores and stay in the National Parks Campgrounds I realize the importance of these designations.

Certainly there are some who feel the national park system can be over bearing.

Without National Reserve Designations…More Golf Resorts

However especially here I get the impression that without these national designations, these coastlines would just be more condos and golf resorts.

Development Done Poorly

To sum up, I’m not even talking about environmental stuff so much here as the fact that development in these resort communities is often done poorly.

Essential

In short while I suppose development is essential for communities, sometimes it’s better for everyone is it isn’t allowed at all.

Wiping Out History

Likewise the urge to put in golf villages, hotels and condos all along what used to be a pristine coast may or may not be an environmental issue. However it does have the effect of wiping out history.

Back To The Memories

Finally I go back to the memories of visiting the Atlantic Coast as a boy, especially in Florida. Before the big rushes of the 80’s, 90’s and two thousands.

Great To Find An Unspoiled Coast

In conclusion we all want modern conveniences. But when you’re looking for a pristine beach or a vision of what it was like back in the day, it’s really great to be able to find it.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Carolina-Outer-Banks-Quest-Bob Davis Podcast 988

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