Late-Summer-Michigan-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 947

Great Summer Road Trip To Michigan

These days taking a long road trip is pretty much out of the question. But a short road trip from Minnesota to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and West Coast is perfect. Learn more in Late-Summer-Michigan-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 947.

You’ve Never Been?

First of all when I told friends I was headed to the Midwest’s ‘West Coast’ people said, “You’ve never been?”

Second as a Chicagoan I’d been to Benton Harbor and the Indiana Dunes, right?

The West Coast

However not on up Michigan’s West Coast.

The Upper Peninsula

I’d certainly been to the Upper Peninsula. But I haven’t spent much time there.

Wow

I’ll just say it. Wow.

I Want To Go Back…In The Winter!

More importantly, I think it is one of the best places to visit in the summer. So much so, I want to go back in the winter!

Not Big On Travelog Podcasts

Above all I am not one for travelog podcasts. Every bend in the highway is chronicled. Routes and places to stay talked about and so on.

The Routes

I can tell you about Wisconsin 77 connecting to Ashland County GG, and ultimately 77 all the way to Ironwood, Michigan.

Some Of The Campgrounds

Even more the Alpine Campground near Ironwood, or US 20 to US 41all the way to Marquette, Michigan. Then all the way across to Michigan 123 on down to the magnificent Mackinac Bridge.

But It’s The History That Gets Me

Then most importantly the great maritime towns along Michigan’s Lake Michigan coast from Petoskey to Charlavoix on down to Traverse City, Manistee and all the way to Ludington.

The SS Badger Is The Cherry On Top

Finally the cherry on top for me was the four hour ferry ride on the SS Badger the only steam powered boat on the lake these days, and the last remaining rail ferry.

The Old Industrial Midwest

I am product of the old industrial Midwest.

Factories, Farms, Railroads, Mines and Lakes

My home is a heartland of factories and mines. I can’t forget the farms and train yards.

Won’t Forget Working Class History

I won’t forget the working class history here.

Still An Industrial Powerhouse

Likewise I have to point out this area remains one of the world’s most powerful industrial regions.

Travel Is All About Learning

To sum up what gets me about this kind of travel is the history.

Plenty of that in this podcast.

Sponsored by Kim Nybo Insurance and Les J Hill Life and Business Coaching

Late-Summer-Michigan-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 947

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TruckStop-Washday-Four-States-24hours-Bob Davis Podcast 905

Seven States

First of all after hitting seven states in less than three weeks, it’s time for a break. Learn more about my latest mega trip in TruckStop-Washday-Four-States-24hours-Bob Davis Podcast 905.

Questions About Travel

These days I am asked a lot of questions about my travels.

Food and Laundry

Certainly the best questions are about simple stuff. What do you eat? Where do you do your laundry? Is Mobile Podcast Command an RV?

Truck Stops

Let’s start with two friends of the traveler. WalMart and Truck Stops.

Pilot!

When it comes to Truck Stops I have my favorites. Flying J, Pilots, Loves and T/A’s. Even more, some of the truck stops with names I can’t remember are great. Pilot is my favorite.

Wash Day At The Truck Stop

In TruckStop-Washday-Four-States-24hours-Bob Davis Podcast 905 we spend wash day at the Pilot south of San Antonio, Texas. The music’s classic rock, the People’s Court is on TV and there’s a full range of stuff to look at.

Travel In An America You Don’t See On TV

In addition in this podcast I make some observations about travel in an America saturated with political ‘news’ coverage.

Stressed Drivers and Travelers Need Calm

In contrast at most of the truck stops there’s no CNN, or Fox News or talk radio. There’s country, and classic rock, and a generally calm atmosphere for stressed truckers and travelers.

Back On The Road

Fill up. Get Something to eat. Take a shower. Do some laundry. Back on the road.

24 Hours of Driving and Back To Minnesota

Four states in one day in this podcast. From San Antonio to Dover, Oklahoma, and then onto Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, to finally end in Minnesota on an unusual sunny and warm day in February.

Unsung Heroes

Here’s to the unsung heroes on the road. The drivers, the people at the Pilot, the WalMart, the guy in Oklahoma who stopped to talk to me about my T-shirt.

No Academy Awards Here

Especially relevant is the fact that none of these people will probably ever win an academy award, run for congress, or even make a speech beyond funerals or their kids’ birthday parties.

On The Job

Above all though, they’re back on the job every day. All across this vast country.

Real America

Finally it was a great relief to see real America after two weeks of speechifying and media coverage of politics in Iowa.

Sponsored by the Strategists at Virtus Law

TruckStop-Washday-Four-States-24hours-Bob Davis Podcast 905

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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

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