Spring in Wisconsin is all about embracing change. The same is true in life. We’ll talk about it in Embracing-Change-Wisconsin-Spring-Bob Davis Podcast 1162.

Above the thing about travel is the constant change.

Therefore when I stop down for the summer in Wisconsin I am confronted with these same issues in life.

As a matter of fact as I work harder and harder on my videos for the YouTube Channel that in itself is a big personal change.

For the link to the video version of this podcast click here.

Equally important is the nature of the season of spring.

After all most of my travel this winter has been in the Southwestern US.

And I have produced several videos and podcasts about my travels.

For example the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Death Valley and finally heading east on America’s Loneliest Highway Route 50.

Given many thousands of miles of nomadic travel this season staying in one spot gives me an opportunity to watch a full seasonal change.

Spring eventually becomes summer.

Firstly up here in Northwestern Wisconsin when one is existing in the depths of winter…

It’s undeniably true that it feels like summer will never come.

But it does!

And it’s truly glorious.

Because I was able to see the change from barren brown and grey to verdant green and blue skies…

I was able to draw the analogy to changes in life as a result,

‘Secondly it is also true that we resist change.

Yet we run to the change of seasons.

Especially winter to spring and then on to summer.

Given these points I wonder why we don’t embrace change in our lives in the same manner?

Even if we’re moving from Fall to Winter we might be grateful the heat of summer has passed.

In contrast when it comes to personal change we wonder what we did to ‘deserve’ a certain result.

Or we fight to prevent the change from happening.

Finally we’re living through an era significant because of its complexity and chaotic change.

On the one hand change is good,

On the other hand it isn’t always easy to handle.

Even more we all age.

In addition those around us grow up and grow old.

In spite of our efforts people pass away.

Afterward I’ve always thought it strange that they have moved on but all their stuff is still here.

Meanwhile lie goes on and we must cope.

Also from time to time we are confronted with difficult circumstances which have the same finality.

At this instant it isn’t easy.

But we have to go on.

These days I am thinking it is better to embrace change than to fight it.

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Firstly US Route 50 is unofficially called the Loneliest American Highway. Join me for the trip in Loneliest-American-Highway-US-50-Bob Davis Podcast 1161.

But Route 50 turns out to be one of the best road trips you can take.

With this in mind as I ended my mega road trip up the California coast…

I headed for Sacramento as soon as I wrapped up on the Pacific Coast Highway.

As a matter of fact if you want to check out the PCH trips go here for part one; https://thebobdavispodcasts.com/mega-road-trip-2025-bob-davis-podcast-1159/

And here for part two;https://thebobdavispodcasts.com/perfect-pacific-vibe-bob-davis-podcast-1160/

And here’s the YouTube channel link if you want to see video versions of these podcasts; https://www.youtube.com/@thebobdavispodcasts9768

However US Route 50 is something altogether different.

That is to say we start in the mountains and deserts of Eastern California.

In particular in these mountains I encountered my first ‘free’ campsite.

In contrast with the bracing breezes on the West Coast my first campground was a thriving babbling brook.

Most importantly I arrived too early in the year for the campground to be open.

But the gate was down and other people were camping.

Therefore I spent a great first night at the side of the brook.

Subsequently on into the California and Nevada deserts.

Above all I can say there is little more in this life more therapeutic than a deserted two lane highway stretching into infinity.

In other words if what you seek is the open road US 50 has it in spades.

Equally important are the shifts from mountains to valleys and deserts as we travel this route.

Certainly these days we all wonder what will happen next.

Even more the pressures of day to day life and corporate life are heavy for many.

I took a closer look at many small towns along the way with this purpose in mind

In other words if you didn’t do what you’re doing now how would you do whatever comes next

As an illustration of that question small towns like Ely, Nevada and Delta Colorado help the traveler imagine what life would be like if things were a little different.

Finally moving into the Colorado Mountains including crossing the Continental Divide at Mammoth Mountain.

Then we moved straightaway into the plains of Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas.

From time to time camping at more free campgrounds, national parks like The Great Basin and Black Canyon, and an occasional Truck Stop.

In addition to the meditation of driving there’s a lot of history in this region of the country.

Especially ending in Fort Dodge Kansas, I am reminded of the ranching history of the plains as well as the mining, pioneer and Native American history of Colorado, Nevada and California.

To this end there are artifacts like the Petroglyphs in Nevada where people lived and thrived more than ten thousand years ago.

To sum up all of this is waiting to be experienced on supposedly the loneliest highway in the United States.

But I think Route 50 is one of the best highways.

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Firstly my trip up the Pacific Coast Highway is a continuation of the Mega Road Trip for 2025. That is to say I am taking the scenic route on my way back to Wisconsin from the California Deserts. Details in Perfect-Pacific-Vibe-Bob Davis Podcast 1160.

Secondly for review listen to Podcast 1159. Here’s the Link.

In addition both the video versions of these podcasts are available at the Bob Davis Podcasts YouTube Channel.

What’s more the scenery is stunning.

By all means there’s plenty of information about what routes I took from Death Valley to the coast.

And on up the coast to the Redwoods.

Thirdly I do not tell listeners ‘how’ so much in these podcasts and on the video channel as I show and share the experience.

Nevertheless many people include a trip down the Pacific Coast Highway on their so called ‘Bucket Lists’.

That being said I don’t do bucket lists.

In fact I have been up and down this highway more than once in the last few years.

To be sure the Pacific Coast Highway never disappoints.

But a planned camping trip threw a wrench into the plans to continue the trip up the full length of the PCH from Santa Barbara.

Even though I put a lot of time into maps and planning some happy accidents made a huge difference in the star crossed nature of this trip.

Accordingly getting lost and finding campgrounds that were deserted and free completely by accident made this trip one for the books.

Correspondingly finding backroads and mountain roads with incomparable views was a feature.

With this in mind I don’t know if I could tell listeners and subscribers just how I got to a place.

Given these points it’s really all about getting there and now how.

To put it differently many lessons on the road often turn out to be great life lessons too.

By all means its important to hold space for those happy accidents that lead to the sublime.

Overall many listening to Perfect-Pacific-Vibe-Bob Davis Podcast 1160 who have been traveling themselves for any length of time will identify with this idea.

Especially since time and again I found myself in a campground or circumstance that literally took my breath away.

Finally people often ask me why I wanted to spend so much time in California this year.

Basically California is one of the most unique places in the US and maybe even the world.

Obviously and certainly it’s expensive and Golden Staters themselves think it’s weird.

But all things considered this is still one of the the best road trips I have been on.

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I am on a Mega Road Trip for 2025. Most importantly this podcast covers my trip from the desert, mountains and beaches. Details in Mega-Road-Trip-2025-Bob Davis Podcast 1159.

In the first place I’ve learned doing Roadtrips with hell bent for leather travel isn’t so great.

Most importantly if the traveler has the time low and slow is the way to go.

For example I plan on taking almost two months to get to the California-Oregon border.

Furthermore I plan on taking the same approach to Oregon and Washington if possible.

Generally this podcast covers my trip for the deserts in Eastern California, to the mountains about thirty miles from San Diego and ultimately to the beaches south of Los Angeles.

Certainly there is history involved.

That is to say that the purpose I’ve selected for this trip is to learn more about the Mission System in California dating back to the Spanish.

Even more one of the historical figures I am interested in is Jedediah Smith.

By all means Smith blazed many trails in his life.

But perhaps the most important exploration he accomplished was to find the southern route to California.

With this purpose in mind Smith was both saved and incarcerated by the Spanish at the mission at San Gabriel and at the Presidio in San Diego.

In Mega-Road-Trip-2025-Bob Davis Podcast 1159 I tell that story.

But there’s more.

All in all I got to spend some time at superb mountain campgrounds and on the Beach at Carlsbad, California.

Finally it’s amazing to me that I am only a short way into this Mega Roadtrip for 2025.

So follow my progress as I head north and eventually east to Wisconsin.

Above all subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch as well.

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Do oversharing nomads ruin travel? These days it seems like all the travel highlights have been detailed by oversharing nomads. Details in Oversharing-Nomads-Ruin-Travel-Bob Davis Podcast 1158.

Certainly the world is full of opportunities for Discovery and Exploration.

And I discuss these subjects in relation to nomad life.

However recently I have noticed almost every place and experience has already been documented with a pin in a map…

So everyone else can have the same experience.

By all means we have the freedom to experience and enjoy where we go in our own way.

Nevertheless one of the pitfalls of the so called #nomadlife ‘movement’ is a tendency to overshare ….

And as a matter of fact lecture everyone else about where to go and what to do.

Even more with people who learned nomad life a certain way from certain people…

They are generally apt to pull right up next to a vehicle and force themselves on other campers.

On one hand this behavior is based on the idea we’re all brothers and sisters in this effort.

On the other hand this behavior shows a pronounced lack of manners and boundaries.

Accordingly it is not unusual to find yourself listening to a whirlwind travelogue with ‘pointers’ on where to go and what to do.

With this in mind one wonders when adventure, discovery and exploration happens…

If all we do is tick boxes on a list from someone else.

In fact my sense is social media and modern technology have made the practice of telling everyone else about ‘amazing’ and ‘incredible’ places very common.

In the final analysis we should be leaving something to discover for the new travelers.

In addition these same people stress that Nomad life is extremely complex and difficult.

In summary it’s not that hard.

Sooner or later we all discover the world is a big place and there’s a lot to see.

Maybe some experiences are still pristine.

If you find one…Keep it to yourself.

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Life at an Off Grid BLM Camp near Yuma is an acquired taste. Details in Off-Grid-Yuma-BLM-Bob Davis Podcast 1157 .

Firstly I have been traveling and camping at some spectacular National Forest campgrounds,

And National Parks.

Even more at some amazing Bureau Of Land Management campgrounds which are well maintained and fantastic.

But the so called Long Term Visitor Areas are a different story.

Certainly my listeners and subscribers have followed my tribulations through the LTVA experience in Quartzsite, Arizona.

Above all Yuma isn’t much better.

By the same token the vibe in at Yuma is a little more chill than a hundred miles to the North in Quartzsite.

Basically I ran into some first time RV people; the other day and they expressed their displeasure with these LTVA’s run by the Department of The Interior.

Overall this is a great place to wait out the final few weeks of what we call cold weather down here.

In fact with temperatures in the 80’s as I write…

It won’t be long until I start spring travel into the higher elevations.

Undoubtedly first time RV people have their concerns.

It’s important to realize that these places have no power or water hook ups.

Nevertheless there is garbage service and fresh water.

In the same fashion bathrooms are provided.

Unfortunately sometimes they don’t work.

Another point overlooked is the BLM isn’t very good at fixing things…

Or cleaning things up.

In contrast to nearby military bases with five bars of 5G…the US Department of the Interior cannot seem to figure out how to get cell service into these LTVA’s.

On the other hand once you accept all those drawbacks life can be pleasant here.

Secondly one of the things about this environment is it tends to be more social.

All things considered I am changing my requirements when it comes to camping.

In fact these days I prefer more solitude and emptiness.

For that reason I will generally avoid these kinds of places.

For the time being though this is a good place to wait out the final few cold nights and plan for future travel.

On this occasion one takes the good with the bad.

Sponsored by 36 LYN

Off-Grid-Yuma-BLM-Bob Davis Podcast 1157

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Firstly time for a Nomad Winter Escape Adventure. Details in Nomad-Winter-Escape-Adventure-Bob Davis Podcast-1156.

Secondly right about now just about everyone in North America is looking for a winter break.

Certainly the arrival of the Polar Vortex and Winter Storms are key.

In addition even out west it’s cold in the higher elevations.

Equally important is the need for nomads for warm days and nights.

Accordingly the adventure here is the often challenged nomad migration from the higher altitudes to the lower.

Of course because life on the road requires multiple stops in transit it becomes an adventure.

Thirdly I love the Eastern Sierras.

However this locale is a lot more palatable in the Spring and Fall.

Since I just made the trip from Lone Pine California to Organ Pipe National Monument in Arizona I can tell the story.

All things considered I was warmer in the below sea level reaches of Death Valley.

But I don’t like to back track.

It’s for this reason that I headed toward San Diego.

Owing to the fact that I had video to upload I was in search of a Starbucks and a place to hole up for a night while I uploaded.

In reality apparently San Diego doesn’t like Truck Stops or National Forests.

And, like Florida, this part of the California frowns on stays in Walmart parking lots, Cracker Barrel’s, or Denny’s.

All things considered any nomad out there is nodding their head.

In the final analysis I do not blame the San Diego area.

At the same time the best I could do was a rest area about forty miles east of the city.

At length let the downloading begin!

Finally found a great campground a little farther east.

At length I found the nights still too cold with the Santa Ana winds and headed for Arizona.

With this in mind Nomad-Winter-Escape-Adventure-Bob Davis Podcast-1156 is all about the little errands and things we have to do that makes nomad life an adventure sometimes.

In any case any refugee from the current Polar Vortex will find California and Arizona quite pleasant despite slightly cool evenings.

And Organ Pipe National Monument is a dream.

Sponsored by 36 LYN

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Adventure, Freedom and History in Death Valley and The Eastern Sierras.There’s so much to see and so many thoughts! Details in Adventure-Freedom-History-Bob Davis Podcast 1155.

Firstly my last podcast dealt with the Eastern part of Death Valley. Podcast 1155 deals with the Western Part of Death Valley and the Eastern Sierras.

Secondly I am doing this podcast as I exit the freezing northern reaches of Lone Pine California and head for warmer parts of Southern California.

Most importantly heavy winds and near freezing temperatures make it pretty cold up in the mountains.

That is to say given the elements I don’t know how the pioneers even considered trekking up the Sierras with their belongings and animals.

Certainly the Donner Party experience led to later western emigrants to seek a southern route.

This literally led through Death Valley.

Altogether I love the history in the west.

But the Death Valley Sierra area is jam packed with all kinds of historical stories.

Even more every view is packed with beauty.

With this in mind while I retreat to warmer climes I am doing this podcast in Mobile Podcast Command as I head south.

Above all this is a great time to discuss issues of freedom.

At the present time I am struck by the number of people I know who feel deeply constrained in their jobs,

Even more life seems also to be exerting a tremendous weight on shoulders ‘back in the world’.

All things considered I think this is one of the reasons people are so interested in nomad life.

Sponsored by 36LYN

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It’s time for a higher vibe to ring in the New Year and Death Valley is the place to do it. Details in 2025-High-Vibe-Death-Valley-Bob Davis Podcast 1154.

I came here to stay one or two nights and ended up extending to the maximum time.

As a matter of fact I could live here if they let me.

What a contrast to the Truck Stops of Las Vegas.

Especially the stars.

Of course this is the largest National Park in the Lower 48.

But at the holiday time of year I was surprised by the number of people camping up here.

Certainly it’s true that our end of year rituals rooted in primitive man.

So it’s fair to suggest Christmas and New Year’s celebrations precede the Christian Era.

And our commercial hustle and bustle suggests a return to pagan roots for some.

But I am still surprised at the number of people camping here for Christmas and New Years.

Accordingly this place has a lot of primitive history.

With this in mind the ghosts of Ancients, American Indians and Pioneers have a certain currency.

As well as the miners and entrepreneurs that built some of the best attractions in the Park as well as in the region around it.

Up to the present time this place has a lot of history.

Furthermore as a nomad I am grateful for the ability to enjoy places like this at length.

The first thing to remember is the vibe in the campgrounds is high.

Firstly every night there is a lot of talk around the campfire of where people camped and what they saw that day.

Crush Of Holiday Activities Back Home

Secondly and chiefly a huge relief and respite from the shopping and food and family intensity of Thanksgiving through the New Year.

Meanwhile the Winter Solstice is supposed to be for resting and refitting.

In addition for preparing our seeds to be planted in Spring.

In summary Death Valley is a special place with a lot of life!

Sponsored by 36 LYN

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It’s a Hella Truck Stop Nation. In this case “Hella” is used in the negative sense. Get the full scoop in Hella-Truck-Stop-Nation-Bob Davis Podcast 1153.

Firstly I am supposed to be enjoying a perfect Southwestern sunset in front of a warm campfire.

Instead I am in Las Vegas waiting for a heater I’ve ordered to arrive at Camping World.

And dealing with a strange noise and potential mechanical problem with Mobile Podcast Command.

Therefore I am rotating around Las Vegas.

From time to time visiting various truck stops both in the city and in surrounding areas along the freeway.

More importantly I have been doing this for a long time.

That is to say traveling around the country visiting towns and cities.

Certainly spending most of my time on the back roads and avoiding the major cities.

All things considered when most people come to Las Vegas they come to the shining hotels.

In essence to gamble, enjoy an expensive and delicious dinner and see a show.

Under those circumstances visitors never see the back streets of this city.

In particular the in town truck stops.

At the present time I don’t think I have seen this many desperate people.

And not just here in Las Vegas.

But all over the Southwest.

To explain we’re talking about people sleeping in cars and converted vans and utility trucks that fool no one.

Or the free campgrounds in the desert.

Therefore I certainly could have recorded a breezy and fun podcasts about how much I love truck stops.

On the other hand I decided to dig a little deeper and push a little harder.

There’s nothing like a trip to Vegas to emphasize the gap between the haves and the have nots,

As well as the unfortunates who have fallen off the last rung of the economic ladder…into the abyss. And sure there’s jobs for those with certain skills.

And of course there are those who I describe as useless.

Thirdly about 90 years ago hundreds of thousands of Oklahoma Sharecroppers headed west.

For the purposes of illustrating our current situation I spend some time discussing “The Grapes of Wrath”.

Finally the difference between today’s desperate and the Okies is a plan.

In conclusion there is no plan.

In fact if you’re a nomad or want to be one you have to be able to identify this situation and the places you don’t want to stay.

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