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

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Montana-Yellowstone-Idaho-Bob Davis Podcast 1145

Montana Yellowstone Idaho

Firstly I’m on another big trip from Wisconsin through to Montana, Yellowstone and Idaho. Ultimately I’ll be pulling into Quartzsite, Arizona earlier than planned. But this is a great route south. Details in Montana-Yellowstone-Idaho-Bob Davis Podcast 1145.

Custer National Battlefield Monument

Secondly my Montana visit was punctuated with a visit to the Custer National Battlefield Monument. For details on that experience check out my YouTube channel here.

Soul Happy

Above all when I am traveling my soul is happy.

Juices Flowing

That is to say when the wheels are turning the creative juices are flowing.

Much To See

Also there are always amazing things to see.

Observations

Another key point is my observations on what I have experienced on the trip so far.

Old Story From Yellowstone

Certainly a ‘pass-through’ this year was a lot different from a old story about pushing a VW Bug through the park in the middle of the night.

This experience differed markedly from the VW experience so many years go.

What’s With The Bison?

For one thing people these days seem to be mad to get through the park so they can get pictures of Bison.

I’ve witnessed behavior in the same fashion at the Grand Canyon.

Jewels

As much as it is important to celebrate the fact that we Americans have these wilderness jewels to marvel over…

On the negative side I’m not sure people are actually experiencing these parks.

Selfies

They are too busy taking selfies.

Camping Booked

On the other hand I am glad the park was too busy for camping.

Pass Through

Because a pass through was just what the doctor ordered at this point in the trip.

Land Of Sky Blue Waters

Because I camped all summer as I like to say on the shores of a lake in the ‘Land of Sky Blue Waters’…

After that I am not so keen to camp.

Truck Stops

All in all truck stops are my go to these days.

Recording In Flying J’s Lot

Basically it’s pretty hard to miss in this podcast since I recorded in a Flying J Parking Lot.

Oil Cheaper

Overall oil is getting cheaper…

Winter Travel

Therefore the winter looks promising for more travel and adventure.

By all means getting down to Quartzite is my priority…

115 Degrees

But when I last checked the weather it was 115 degrees in the desert out there.

By all means the subject for my next podcast.

Sponsored By 36/LYN The Independently Owned And Operated Refueling Station

Montana-Yellowstone-Idaho-Bob Davis Podcast 1145

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Maps-Planning-Arizona-Florida-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1129

Maps Planning Arizona To Florida 2024

Time to check the maps and do some planning for my Arizona to Florida 2024 adventure. And some stories too. Details in Maps-Planning-Arizona-Florida-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1129.

Firstly it’s been a minute since I was on the roads.

Great To Be Back

Secondly it sure feels good to be preparing for a 2500 mile road trip from Quartzsite Arizona to Sarasota Florida.

On The Back Roads

As a matter of fact I have been stopped down here in the desert since October of 2023.

So I am ready to hit the road.

To say nothing of the power of the back roads.

Maps And Planning

With this purpose in mind I’ll share the types of maps I use complete with the sound of turning pages.

Rig Improvements

In addition I’ll share some of the improvements to mobile podcast command.

Planning

Furthermore we’ll also discuss travel plans for this trip.

Navigation

And how to navigate the back roads on the fly to get where you want to be and save fuel.

In view of the main objective and the distance to be traveled…

I don’t need to point out there are many different options available.

First thing to remember is the type of maps.

In fact I started out with a Rand McNally road atlas.

But recently graduated to Benchmark Maps.

All things considered the Benchmark maps are very useful for navigating the back roads anywhere in the west.

Places and Things

Above all I like to talk about some of the places I’ve seen and roads I have traveled.

Maps-Planning-Arizona-Florida-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1129 is a great opportunity to talk about these subjects.

Staying Off The Interstates

Certainly staying off the Interstates is a learned skill.

Practice Makes Perfect

If you are plying the back roads then you know it takes a lot of practice to make sure you end up where you want to.

As I have shown the nomad ends up navigating on the fly in almost all these situations.

To that end when it works it’s a joy.

However when it doesn’t then let’s just say it’s a learning experience.

Finally it’s great to be back on the road and moving again.