BJ from Kentucky came up to visit us here in Keene in December and was blown away by the experience. Here’s what he wrote:
“There was once a dream that was Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper, and it would vanish — it was that fragile. And I fear that it will not survive the winter.”
— Emperor Marcus Aurelius Caesar, in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator
In our time, there is a dream that once was, and is no longer there, much like in Marcus Aurelius’ Rome. The founders of the United States of America had something like this in mind when they separated themselves from the British empire. Even in its flaws, their great plan was noble, and for a time it seemed to work.
Then something went terribly wrong. Why? Because there was government, and lots of it. This was a fact I had come to realize years ago, but had felt like there was nothing that could be done to save myself or others from the inevitable police state. Then I heard the whisper, of a dream that was set into motion, and finally one day, I decided it was time to see for myself if this dream really could come true.
Late into the night on December 24th, I set out on the road, headed for Keene, New Hampshire. It was to be an 800-mile journey with long hours and seemingly endless freeways. The purpose of the trip overshadowed any notion that the task at hand would be arduous or unworthy of the attempt. I was going to New Hampshire to explore the nature of the third American Revolution. Yes, third: The American Civil War was the second, and although a failure, was a response to government becoming more vast and intrusive.
The Free State Project is a very simple idea that basically asks those people who believe in freedom and liberty to move to one place where they can be amongst like-minded people, and hopefully reverse the trend toward larger and more powerful government. The idea is to get at least 20,000 people to move there, to join in the activism already taking place, or begin their own. Once 5,000 people had signed the pledge, a vote was taken, and New Hampshire was chosen as the location.
My arrival into Keene was somewhat anticlimactic, as I’d driven all night, and had not slept. So at first I was too busy being tired to admire the scenery around me. This would soon change, as I’d no sooner driven into town and posted on the online forums that I was there, than welcomes and offers to assist me began coming in.
The immediate observation one can make about New Hampshire is that it is very nice and clean. The small neighborhoods are quite attractive around the town, with the rural outlying areas being even more picturesque. Every place I visited appeared to have come right off a postcard.
Having just arrived in town — on Christmas Day, no less — I was invited to a gathering of Free Staters. After getting the directions and making my way to the party, my trip to New Hampshire really came alive, and I in many ways also came alive for the first time in my 28 turns around the sun.
I was welcomed into the midst of about fifteen liberty-loving strangers, who made me feel like I had known them for years. There was no mistaking that these were “my people” — a revelation I’m sure many others have felt upon coming to the area. No longer was I isolated, nor was I made to feel as if I were crazy. All in just the first fifteen minutes of the evening.
As the gathering dwindled down, one person suggested going to the jail and singing Christmas carols. Most of those who were still at the party were willing, and after the plan was posted online, others wanted to join us. Altogether, ten activists got to the jail. I was humbled and amazed at the manner in which this took place. Here were people, many of whom have already lost or sacrificed enough themselves, going out of their way (and the jail was definitely out of the way, by about 15 miles) on this holiday occasion to show their support to other people whom they may not even know — at the time, only one other activist was in the jail.
After about twenty-five minutes of singing, the activity dispersed just as quickly as it had originated, serving the purpose of demonstrating that criminalizing people who have not actually harmed anyone is wrong. I returned to my hotel room. The day’s excitement had kept me awake despite not having slept the night before, but now it was time to rest. I would need even more energy for what was yet to come.
Having gone an entire day without sleep, I woke the next day about 5 P.M. and soon had several invitations to do something or other. Keep in mind that this was my second day in Keene, and other activists are already assimilating me into the local scene as if I had lived there for years. I don’t even feel that welcome in my own hometown, and it’s about 1/6 the size of Keene.
The people I was hanging out with took me to a place called Abunara. This is a social club that offers food, hookah, and a relaxing atmosphere. It is also fast becoming the prime social scene for Keene activists, particularly on Sundays, but for this night the place was quiet. We enjoyed a few games of chess, ate some good food, and most important, discussed politics and local activism. I was having an all-around enjoyable night — with people like me!
After parting ways with these folks, I returned to the hotel again. Before I went to bed, I called friends and family back home and was already relating my experiences to them as if I had settled into town permanently. It was becoming quite clear to me that I had to try to make the move much sooner than I’d originally intended.
Sunday would prove to hold even more excitement than my first two days in town. Upon waking, I wanted to drive around some and get a feel for the area. I’m still not quite sure where I was driving — somewhere out in the country — but it was picture-perfect. New Hampshire is a terrific place for those motivated by the outdoor life, with many trails and scenic areas. I returned to the hotel with plenty of time to spare, as one of the activists had asked about interviewing me for a podcast, in which I told a bit about why I was coming to New Hampshire. Shortly after this, it was time to head to the Social Sunday gathering, and I made my way downtown to Abunara.
Anyone who has read the online forums that describe Social Sundays in Keene is only reading a text description of what takes place. Sure, Social Sunday is a gathering of Free State activists to socialize, play games, and discuss politics and ideas — but it is far more! Imagine the feeling you have when walking into a place that holds many happy memories for you. The feeling comes from a knowledge that everyone in the room is on the same team. There were nearly twice as many people at this event as there were at the Christmas party, all of similar ideology and energy.
For nearly six hours I played board games, argued politics, discussed business ideas, and most important, felt at home. Abunara is a very Free State – friendly establishment, and will no doubt be the site for many discussions of ideas and plans for the liberty movement in New Hampshire. As the night was getting late, I headed back to my hotel room and crashed onto the bed once again, exhausted by all the excitement and energy of the Free State!
When I woke the next morning, I already had an idea of my own. I wanted a way to say a final farewell to those I had met, and posted online that I was inviting any interested Free Staters to dinner. On rather short notice, the particulars were arranged for later that evening. In the meantime, I took another sightseeing drive of the surrounding area. I wanted to really take a good look at the community, and what it had to offer.
Keene is certainly a smaller town, so if big cities are your flavor, then perhaps you might find Concord or Manchester more appealing, but I would not be so quick to write Keene off the map. The area offers its share of urban comforts, along with a very friendly, energetic community. All the people I encountered working in or running the local businesses were amiable folk — neither too hurried nor too lethargic. As Goldilocks said, they were just right.
In my perusal of local businesses I would tell them I was looking to move to the area and getting a feel for local shops. One business owner asked if I was a Free Stater. I said I was, and he told me that he was also involved in his own fashion. This caught me off-guard — in a good way!
While I was in his store, one of the more recognizable locals, who has a public access tv show, walked in. While there are plenty of Free Staters moving to New Hampshire, many of the people living there are already liberty-lovers — another reason New Hampshire was a good choice. This movement is real, and it’s about real people, who are making things happen every day.
After a stop at a rest area that boasted a short hiking trail, it was time to return to town for the food and fellowship. I had no idea how many people might show up, but I knew it could be anywhere between zero and a hundred. The restaurant had a rather good deal on pizza, and even if more people arrived, it was the least I could do to demonstrate just how truly welcomed I’d felt during my visit.
About ten people showed up, most of whom I had already met, all of them Free Staters. It was a pleasant way to end my last night, and would make the long drive I faced the next day much more bearable.
After the dinner party ended, I said a few last goodbyes, and headed to the home of some activists whom I had arranged to stay with on my final night. The night was capped with some wonderful political discussion and talk about future plans. The next morning, it was time to return home, and I truly did not want to leave. I actually kept stalling the inevitable departure and got on the road a little later than planned. There was a sadness about having to leave Keene, but with it came the knowledge that I would be returning, because I felt like this was where my home really should be.
The drive home was intense, taking nearly seventeen hours, and included more than one stop to rest. As I approached Kentucky, I felt I was farther away from home, rather than getting closer to it. Hopefully in the next few weeks, my big white Suburban will take me north once more, and I will hear my new friends and neighbors say, “Welcome home.”
