Maine-Extreme-North-Down-East-Bob Davis Podcast 1009

Maine Extreme North Down East

Most importantly I am in Maine’s Extreme North heading all the way Down East and you can learn more about the trip in Maine-Extreme-North-Down-East-Bob Davis Podcast 1009.

It Was A Quick Tour Of The Northeast

Firstly I am taking what started out as a quick tour of the Northeast US.

Wanting To Spend More Time

Secondly I am finding myself wanting to spend more time here.

Three States

Above all there were three states I had ever been to despite all my travels.

Vermont. New Hampshire. Maine.

Southern New Hampshire Still To Come

To clarify haven’t spent much time in New Hampshire because I went through quickly on my way to Maine.

Days in Vermont and Maine

On the other hand I spent three days in Vermont and now an equal amount of time in Maine.

Massachusetts!

Of course I’ll be heading back through southern New Hampshire on the way Massachusetts.

Wild and Wonderful

Consequently while Vermont feels like a warm blanket Maine feels wild and wonderful.

Down East

I would think that certainly most people are most familiar with ‘Down East’.

Maine’s South Eastern Shore

Even more if they’re from the East Coast they’ve probably spent time on Maine’s South Eastern shores,

Origin Of Down East

However the origin of the term ‘Down East’ is a sailing term and only refers to geography secondarily.

Corrections Are In Order

Therefore I have to correct my own definition of the term in Maine-Extreme-North-Down-East-Bob Davis Podcast 1009.

Partial To Northern Maine

Finally I find myself partial to Northern Maine, up by the Canadian Border.

Moreover I am not sure why.

Maybe because every place I saw around the bend looked like a scene from a Stephen King novel.

Maine’s State Parks

Certainly Maine’s state parks are great.

Remote Regions

And Northern Maine features some of the most remote regions in the United States let alone the East Coast.

Extremes

Likewise it is hard to imagine a place more remote and extreme considering I am within driving distance of some of the most densely populated cities in the country.

History? We Got Your History!

Finally if it is history you’re looking for Maine has it in spades.

French Explorers and Extreme Weather

Native Americans, French Explorers, Colonial Wars, Early Settlements and Extreme Weather.

Down East Is Civilization

To sum up once you get ‘Down East’ you’ll see more of the colonial era villages Vermont is famous for.

Harbors and Ferries

Even more the harbors and ferries.

Acadia!

And don’t forget Acadia National Park which I did!

Leaving Something For The Next Visit

In conclusion it’s always good to leave some things undone on any tour through a state like Maine.

Because I’ll be back.

Pace Of Travel

In addition it’s always good to spend a little time in these podcasts talking about the pace of travel and the internal processes of a nomad.

Sponsored by Privacy Post

Maine-Extreme-North-Down-East-Bob Davis Podcast 1009

 

 

Front-Porch-Summer-Stories-Bob Davis Podcast 928

Live from the Front Porch! These days we all need some summer fun. I once lived on the front porch for an entire summer and it was pure bliss. Summer stories in Front-Porch-Summer-Stories-Bob Davis Podcast 928.

First of all we honor those who have fallen in battle for our country on Memorial Day.

Second we’re not supposed to say, “Have a happy Memorial Day Weekend”.

Finally I did anyway. I know. Just seems like we all need some good summer vibes.

Consequently I might take some flack for my summer best wishes. However this three day weekend in the US is also our summer kick off.

More importantly this is probably going to be the weirdest Memorial Day weekend in memory.

Therefore as I we kick off the weekend time to share some stories about summer.

For example there was the time I spent an entire summer living on the front porch. My backyard ‘fort’. Running around the neighborhood in the middle of the night. Spending the entire summer at the Lion’s Club Pool.

What about those rainy cold summers? Day after day spent playing cards with all the other kids on the neighbor’s front porch. At the end of the summer someone would announce school was starting soon. What happened to the summer?

Above all summers in the upper Midwest are short. Memorial day weekends are usually rainy and cold. Due to the extreme nature of our seasons up here we approach every moment of any warmth with gusto! We’ll talk about it in Front-Porch-Summer-Stories-Bob Davis Podcast 928.

In conclusion, join me on my front porch today as I test out some new podcasting equipment and tell some stories. We all need a break from the insanity.

Sponsored by La Croix Law For Real Estate

Front-Porch-Summer-Stories-Bob Davis Podcast 928

 

 

 

Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724

The Boy Scouts of America recently changed its name. The reason? Scouts USA will admit girls. These days a decision like that can kick off a firestorm of criticism. There’s even a new Christian alternative to the Boy Scouts. For my best friends and I, BSA was all about camping. We’ll talk about it in Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Best Friends Like None Other

I had two best friends growing up. Both of them invited me into the Boy Scouts. The other day one of them texted me, concerned that the Boy Scouts would not admit girls. “Are you gonna do a podcast about that?”, he wondered. I said I didn’t think so. The idea of a podcast about changes in our social institutions though, stuck with me.

Summer Memories

Especially relevant is how summer brings back memories. It’s warm already in Minnesota and that makes me think about my best friends, camp outs, summer camp and fun. For us, that’s what the Boy Scouts were. So I’ll share some stories about our campouts in Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Nonconformist Scoutmaster

What’s more, as I researched and thought about this podcast I realized how important our scoutmaster was to all of us. It’s not what you’d expect. Our scoutmaster and the men who watched over us were anything but conformists.

No Patience For Rules and Regulations in 1970’s America

As world war two vets, our scoutmasters weren’t about to take crap from anyone. Moreover, they didn’t have much patience for bureaucracy, rules and regulations. What they did was make sure we were safe, had a good time, and took care of each other. They also stood up for us, celebrated us and had our back. In Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Changing Institutions

Most noteworthy to this podcast is the idea that institutions like the Boy Scouts are changing. Crumbling even. There’s no shortage of criticism for ‘Scouts USA’ from commentators who make sure to tell the reader they were Eagle Scouts and went on to Explorers. We didn’t. In fact we thought ‘Super Scouts’ were kind of weird.

Friends For Life

For us it was all about camping and the kind of friendship none of us will have again. I think it was that way with our scoutmasters and the fathers of the kids who came to the campouts too. For me, I don’t mind leaving it all behind and keeping those times as memories. As Stephen King once wrote, “I never had friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12. Jesus. Does anyone?”

My sentiments exactly.

Was it the Boy Scouts? Or was it us?

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating Of Saint Paul

Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724