Texas-Grit-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 1166

Texas Grit Road Trip

Firstly, I’ve always wanted to take the Texas Grit Road Trip. A more than thousand mile romp through Texas from the Gulf to the West Texas Oil Fields. It’s all in Texas-Grit-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 1166.

New Rig

Secondly I’ve got a great new rig that needs a shakedown cruise.

Tennessee

Weirdly enough the Texas Grit Road Trip starts as a matter of fact our trip starts in Tennessee, of all places.

Natchez Trace Trail

That is to say I got a great suggestion from a friend to hit the Natchez Trail.

Analogous to great scenic routes like Skyline Drive along the Blue Ridge the Natchez Trace trail runs from Tennessee all the way to Natchez, Mississippi.

Louisiana and The Gulf Coast

Henceforth I headed into Louisiana and then on down to Corpus Christie Texas. And now we’re getting into the core of the Texas-Grit-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 1166

Beach Camping

Accordingly this podcast highlights some of the beach camping options as well as a few truck stops along the way.

Texas-Mexico Border

Thereafter all along the Texas-Mexico Border on up to Del Rio.

Pecos

Afterward to the best part of the trip, the road North to Pecos, Texas.

Oil Fields and West Texas

And out to the oil fields in West Texas.

Guadalupe Mountains

Finally following the route through the Guadalupe Mountains back down to the border across New Mexico to Arizona.

Lots To Talk About

Above all there’s a lot to this podcast.

Traffic

To emphasize the working nature of this part of the United States the traffic out in the oil fields is as intense as any major city.

Heavy Trucks and Heavy Work

Notwithstanding the fact that all the vehicles were heavy trucks carrying all kinds of cargo to and from the fields.

At length the so called ‘man-camps’, truck stops and pull off points with everyone seeming to be on a mission.

Covering Ground

Certainly it’s true I love to cover ground in my travels.

Seeing and Learning

Most importantly it’s a chance to see people doing what they do.

Work Work Work

And this part of the world seems to be focused on work.

History

In light of the nature of the places I got to see there’s also a ton of history here.

Texas Weather

At the present time you might see a place like Sanderson, Texas that looks a little worn down…

But not know that a tornado a few years ago nearly destroyed the place.

Harsh Conditions

But stories like that are common in a part of the world where harsh conditions prevail.

All things considered these places live up to the reputation.

True Grit

That is to say this part of the country was forged by true grit.

Finally I use the term ‘Grit’ in as positive a manner as I can express.

All things considered Texas itself has never been an ‘easy’ place to live.

It’s Not Big City Life

On the whole these days life in the big cities can be pretty cushy.

Ranching Farming Oil and Small Towns

In truth though, whether it’s ranching, farming or oil West Texas is a place that values and embodies hard work.

Texas-Grit-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 1166

 

#Nomadlife-Lessons-Part One-Bob Davis Podcast 1139

#Nomadlife Lessons Part One

Altogether after many years as a nomad it’s time to share some lessons in #Nomadlife-Lessons-Part One-Bob Davis Podcast 1139.

With this purpose in mind I set out to cram all the lessons into one podcast.

But it turns out I have a lot of content to share when it comes to nomad lessons.

State Of Mind

In #Nomadlife-Lessons-Part One-Bob Davis Podcast 1139 I begin with our state of mind when we first test the nomad waters.

Accordingly there’s some discussion about economic conditions these days.

Conditions Before You Go

That is to say conditions which might drive people out on the road and into #Nomadlife.

Firstly there is the fact that housing has not decreased in price despite the reduction of inflation.

Triggers

Even more most working people have thirty to forty percent less buying power than they did in 2019.

Certainly part of the reason I got rid of just about everything I owned was the increasing price of rent.

And the overbearing nature of efforts to contain the pandemic.

After that being on the road meant being free.

No More Free Money

In addition back in 2020 there were a number of pandemic relief funds and incentives which helped many to adopt the nomad lifestyle.

All of the sudden those measures are no longer available…

Back To Work Peasant

Significantly as well these days more businesses are exhorting workers to return to the office.

So I think the bloom might be off the rose slightly when it comes to hitting the road…

On the other hand this reality can also be a trigger for chucking the nine to five suburban lifestyle.

Especially when you consider some commutes are now seventy minutes long.

Romance Is Still Strong

However that does not diminish the romance of this alternative lifestyle.

Revenue Stream

Therefore these days one has to have some kind of revenue stream to do this.

Obviously retirees have savings, pensions and social security.

Contrarily younger people might not have those resources.

And you don’t want to hurt your own savings or future retirement.

Temporary Jobs

In view of this fact I spend a little time sharing what I know about some of the temporary jobs available ‘out there’.

Forget YouTube

On the negative side many future nomads imagine themselves making bank from their YouTube channel.

Of course if you have experience creating content that’s one thing…

But chances are a YouTube channel or Instagram is not going to foot the bill for a nomad life.

Most Nomad Content Include Lists

Finally I see a lot of content on line about ‘the three things you have to do before becoming a nomad’ or ‘the sixteen things you need’ and so on.

Certainly some of this is good advice…

Adventure

Equally important though, is the sense of adventure that comes from not knowing too much about something before you do it.

Enlightenment

And realizing you’re getting a lot out of something as you do it.

Detail

I’ll give you a little more content in detail about what this experience is like in the first of these two #nomadlife lessons podcasts.

No Regrets

In conclusion unlike many of the posts these days decrying the lifestyle I have not regretted doing this for one day.

Sponsored by 36LYN The Independently Owned Refueling Station

#Nomadlife-Lessons-Part One-Bob Davis Podcast 1139