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

Thanksgiving-Backroad-Bliss-Illinois-Indiana-Bob Davis Podcast 878

One Of My Best Trips

I am willing to say now this is one of the most noteworthy roadtrips I’ve taken yet and I have taken a few. Time to talk about this route. Let’s discuss what it’s like to drive and create on the road as well. Learn more in Thanksgiving-Backroad-Bliss-Illinois-Indiana-Bob Davis Podcast 878.

Back Roads Rules

First of all I am obsessed with back roads. I would rather take a back road anywhere than save some time on the Interstate. Especially anywhere in the mythical Midwestern United States.

Fields Like Oceans

In the fall the skies and fields seem to open up. It’s like being on an ocean of brown and black, set against blue skies. Certainly the sunrises and sunset pastels of orange and red are unforgettable.

Why I Do This

Above all in Thanksgiving-Backroad-Bliss-Illinois-Indiana-Bob Davis Podcast 878 I take a moment to reflect on why I do this. In addition I’ll make some special notes on very inviting towns in the Land of Lincoln and the Hoosier State.

Rust Belt? Downtrodden? Don’t Believe It!

These days you can’t turn on the TV or read political commentary without some reference to the long suffering ‘rust belt’. The downtrodden in America’s ‘former’ industrial centers. Most of the time the people making those observations have never been here.

Good Old Days and Changes

Even more, sons and daughters of Chicago, Indianapolis, and place like Fort Wayne may pine away for the good old days.

I like to get the feel of what’s going on in these places.

For example Peoria has always been a hard bitten industrial town.

Moving Caterpillar’s corporate HQ to Chicago was a blow, but the plant is still there.

Some Of The Best Secret Small Towns In America

Especially relevant are Logansport and Peru Indiana, as well as scores of little towns along the way.

I wanted to shack up in every one of them.

Back To The WalMart Parking Lot

Finally I think the most challenging thing dealing with the stress of travel and creating at the same time. Sometimes just finding a place to shut down and get some sleep can be frustrating. Especially when you don’t stay in hotels and cook your dinner on a camp stove in the WalMart parking lot.

Challenging and Satisfying Work

In conclusion this kind of travel and creating is some of the most satisfying work I have done. After about a thousand miles, you start settling in and having a good time.

That’s when the trip begins.

Sponsored By Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and Reliafund Payment Processors

Thanksgiving-Backroad-Bliss-Illinois-Indiana-Bob Davis Podcast 878

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving-Road-Trip-Planning-Bob Davis Podcast 876

Mega Road Trip!

I have started the countdown clock for departure for my 2019 Thanksgiving Mega Road Trip. Find out why I only do back roads. In addition, why am I taking a trip through the American Midwest. Learn more in Thanksgiving-Road-Trip-Planning-Bob Davis Podcast 876.

Back Roads Only Please

As far as I am concerned back roads are most noteworthy. I don’t do freeways or toll roads. The back roads are where you learn what is really going on in this country.

Podcasting From The Road

Moreover I really have a passion for podcasting from Mobile Podcast Command, a ‘repurposed’ 2000 ambulance.

Places No One Ever Reports On Or Goes To

On America’s two lane state, county and farm roads, a traveler sees and feels places no one ever goes to or reports on.

“No One Ever Comes Here”

Especially relevant are two Iowa farmers I interviewed last summer. With all the politicians in Iowa you’d think someone would have knocked on their doors. “That’s all up in Des Moines”, they said. “No one ever comes here to talk to us”.

Real America

In contrast I’ve taken the back roads from coast to coast, north and south, east and west. Because of the back roads I’ve learned a lot about America.

Mysterious Ancient Paper Maps

As a result I have learned the value of a mysterious thing called a map. I don’t mean google maps. I’m talking about paper maps. I’ll explain in Thanksgiving-Road-Trip-Planning-Bob Davis Podcast 876.

Exact Route

Above all I’ll give you the exact route I’ll be taking this Thanksgiving across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Virginia. Pretty much all back roads.

RV Nomads

Finally when I started back roading in mobile podcast command, there weren’t very many RV Nomads out there. This podcast is a salute to all the Van Life and Skoolie Conversion people I follow. Now there are millions. Maybe they’re onto something.

Mobile Podcast Command Is Primitive

In contrast I won’t be living in relative luxury in my RV. Mobile Podcast Command is primitive. I sleep in a hammock. Cook my dinners on a camp stove. I Take showers at Yoga studios and Truck Stops. I do have a coffee maker, however.

Real Happiness Through Travel

Above all, happiness is a clean windshield and a full tank of fuel.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and Reliafund Payment Processors

Thanksgiving-Road-Trip-Planning-Bob Davis Podcast 876