Almost-Perfect-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 882

Travel Is A Romance

I love to travel. I cover a lot of ground in a short period of time. All on back roads. This time it all came together. Learn why in Almost-Perfect-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 882.

Podcasting All The Way

Even more I’ve been podcasting the whole way. If you’re interested in where I’ve been and what it’s been all about, check out some of the travel podcasts here.

Back Home By The Fire

I’m home now here in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, so it’s time for a podcast from my home studio. Most noteworthy are the first impressions and takeaways from a trip that took ten days and covered thousands of miles.

11 States…Ten Days

Moreover all in the central United States. Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Virginia going out. North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and up through Indiana and Illinois again, sliding through Wisconsin and Minnesota on the way home.

Like A Dream

First of all a complete ‘takeaway’ is improbable. It takes time for a trip to gel. There are so many experiences. What’s especially relevant today, might not be a few days from now.

Takeaways

Certainly I have some takeaways though and I share them in Almost-Perfect-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 882.

Back Roads Baby!

My back roads navigating effort came together almost perfectly this time. A few glitches here and there to be sure, but all in all, in conclusion I have to say it was one of the best trips I have taken so far.

The Heartland Is Not A Petri Dish

These days everyone wants to know what’s going on in America’s heartland. The media prefers to use statistics and tie ins to existing top line stories to make their points.

Learn By Going There

I prefer to go to places, actual towns and cities to get the feel of things myself.

Sick and Tired Of Washington DC News

Perhaps due to all of this gas bagging about the state of our nation and so on, more than one person remarked to me how sick and tired they are of political news.

When It Comes To Economy Some States Are Better Than Others

Maybe I pay more attention to the media than I should. One of the biggest surprises is the general prosperity of the central United States. In contrast to the states that have not adjusted their taxation rates and incentives to businesses, those that have seem to be booming.

Amazed and Humbled

I continue to be amazed at the beauty and scope of this country. Indiana on a cold misty morning. Winding mountain roads in West Virginia. A sunset drive up Minnesota’s Highway 61.

Through it all, Mobile Podcast Command just kept right on rolling!

Sponsored By Reliafund Payment Processors

Almost-Perfect-Road-Trip-Bob Davis Podcast 882

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:01 — 73.3MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Android | RSS

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:30 — 85.8MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Backroads-Adventure-Minnesota-Iowa-Bob Davis Podcast 877

Stoked For The Road

I am as stoked as a kid can get at the beginning of a trip. These days you hear so much about ‘The Midwest’. Seems like none of the New York and Washington reporters ever go there. That’s the mission in Backroads-Adventure-Minnesota-Iowa-Bob Davis Podcast 877.

First Rule Of Roadtripping?

Already posted the actual plan for the trip so I don’t have to do that again. Except for one thing. First of rule of road tripping? A plan is only a plan. More than once I’ve had to make ‘audible’ calls.

US And State Roads Not Always Well Marked

It’s especially relevant for future road trippers to realize the people responsible for these things don’t mark US Highway and State Roads very well in urban areas.

Google Maps and Real Maps

Moreover I do not like google and apple maps. Yes, they’re efficient. However they take the romance out of navigating your way through cities like Des Moines in an effort to stay on course.

Going There Beats Seeing It On You Tube

First of all if you want to see the mythical ‘Midwest’ you have to actually go there. Second navigating the backroads allows the traveler to ‘angle’ up or down. On the Interstate the traveler is often shunted in hard angles.

Back Roads Save Fuel

Yeah it sure seems like you’re going fast. Truth is the traveler can save time and fuel by using our complex network of local and state roads, and the old national highway system.

You Have To Pay Attention

Furthermore it works pretty well. The problem is you have to really pay attention. More details on this subject in Backroads-Adventure-Minnesota-Iowa-Bob Davis Podcast 877.

Road Thoughts

Finally I don’t want to limit myself to simple travelogue podcasts. You’ll know where I am and what I am doing. It’s the thoughts that come to a person when they’re hitting the road at Thanksgiving that are more memorable.

Summer and Winter Road Tripping

Consequently you’ll hear all about the difference between winter and summer road tripping, driving during the night this time of year, and more.

How Independent Are We?

Even more, after driving through one of the most productive farm centers of the United States, and seeing the federally funded development in more than one small town, I wonder how independent we really are.

Burlington Iowa Development

Certainly I was thinking along these lines when I stopped in Burlington, Iowa on the Mississippi, just before heading into Illinois.

Indiana, Illinois and Ohio Next

In conclusion to hear the whole plan for the trip go here. Stand by for more podcasts on the road this holiday season from Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, next.

Sponsored by Fitness Together Private Personalized Training and Nutrition and Tim Lacroix Real Estate Law