Loneliest American Highway
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.
Best American Highway
But Route 50 turns out to be one of the best road trips you can take.
Mega Road Trip California
With this in mind as I ended my mega road trip up the California coast…
Sacramento To The East Coast
I headed for Sacramento as soon as I wrapped up on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Here’s The California Road Trip Podcasts
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/
YouTube Channel
And here’s the YouTube channel link if you want to see video versions of these podcasts;
https://www.youtube.com/@thebobdavispodcasts9768
US 50 Is Different
However US Route 50 is something altogether different.
Mountains To Deserts
That is to say we start in the mountains and deserts of Eastern California.
Free Camping
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.
Nothing Like A Two Lane Highway For Freedom
Above all I can say there is little more in this life more therapeutic than a deserted two lane highway stretching into infinity.
Open Road
In other words if what you seek is the open road US 50 has it in spades.
Mountains To Valleys
Equally important are the shifts from mountains to valleys and deserts as we travel this route.
Life Pressure
Certainly these days we all wonder what will happen next.
Corporate Grind
Even more the pressures of day to day life and corporate life are heavy for many.
Small Town Antidote
I took a closer look at many small towns along the way with this purpose in mind
What Comes Next
In other words if you didn’t do what you’re doing now how would you do whatever comes next
Small Town Life
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.
Colorado Mountains and Continental Divide
Finally moving into the Colorado Mountains including crossing the Continental Divide at Mammoth Mountain.
Plains
Then we moved straightaway into the plains of Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas.
National Parks and Truck Stop Camping
From time to time camping at more free campgrounds, national parks like The Great Basin and Black Canyon, and an occasional Truck Stop.
Meditating On History
In addition to the meditation of driving there’s a lot of history in this region of the country.
Farming Ranching Mining
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.
Ancient People
To this end there are artifacts like the Petroglyphs in Nevada wh...
