I hope you drive through Mendocino County, where I live. Interesting because for so many years it thrived on the weed economy but has now been hollowed out economically by cannabis legalization. California is interesting in its contradictions - dystopian and too expensive to live a comfortable life but excruciatingly beautiful and hard to leave.
Totally agree with your characterization, Amanita! I too live in Mendo. And CJ, as I mentioned in my comment on your initial post floating the idea about the road trip, I'd be happy to host you here in lovely Ukiah.
I am friends with a Cherokee man who is married to a German woman. They run sweat lodge ceremonies in Cherokee and they also own a jewelry store together that is in downtown Cherokee (NC). It’s called traditional hands. I could connect you with them. I think it’s important to include indigenous voices because they really are the original inhabitants of what we call America and it wasn’t so very long ago but they often get totally ignored because of how fucked up and full of lies and propaganda this country is.
What a gift this will be to humanity, CJ. I am so grateful you are embarking on this adventure and hope I will have the opportunity to hug you in person along the way.
Hello CJ. I live in a quaint liberal town called Rhinebeck just 2 hours north of NYC and close to other places that might inform your 'update' on America 2025 like the post-industrial city of Poughkeepsie, the village of Woodstock now reformed from hippy-dome into a conservative enclave. We are close to Albany - seat of the 'new normal New York' - and are on the way to New England via the Taconic or Thruway highways. We have a room for guests as well. And who knows... we might be related! Mark Hopkins
You mentioned the major regions broadly and talk of cafes and bookstores reflect a Eurocentric viewpoint. (I’ve been to Europe). You can find these in larger urban areas in the US but this is not the discarded population of the US. Might I suggest a trip through Appalachia. Perhaps a zig zag between Deep South and the Midwest. Start off I40 in Asheville, NC and drive north on US23. Along the way you’ll see beautiful forested mountains populated by independently minded people raped for timber and coal resources. Industrialized mid century, now brownfields, again abused by unemployment, opioids and now fentanyl. Many surviving only on government handouts. Recently hit by weather related disasters. A dichotomy of people beaten down but still managing to move forward. At least those not sucked into the ubiquitous local drug subculture.
Since you're coming through NYC, you might want to take a look at what's going on surrounding the mayoral election. It is truly wild this year, not just Mamdani vs the three well-known candidates trying to stop him. Unpredictable in rhetoric and likely the result, it represents the crack-up going on in American society and politics.
And make sure to interview (or ask about) Curtis Sliwa even though in a blue city he probably has no chance. He's endeared himself to me by his two main concerns: street safety and animal rights.
Money sent. I live as deep in the south as you can get but not the Deep South you are probably referring to, SWFL. You are welcome to stay here for a few days but this probably too far off the path. Anyway, good luck. If interested let me know privately and I’ll send email and address etc. so we can coordinate.
Thank you so much for your generous contribution to the project! I wish we could get down to South Florida, but, sadly, we probably won't have time. Hugo and I grew up together in Miami, and did the long drive up and down the state in the course of several road trips in our younger days, once during a hurricane.
This is a wonderful west coast place with a book club that meets monthly. I would love to see you there. They need to hear your voice. https://www.thescoutwinebar.com/
The Scout looks lovely, and we plan to be in that vicinity. Can you get in touch with me via the contact form at the Consent Factory? https://consentfactory.org/contact/
Here is a suggestion from a reader who appreciates having a few collectible hardcover books worth preserving (God willing): set up your fundraiser to include a special edition pre-order. Sign it and have your photographer to the same. I'd appreciate the opportunity to support the trip in that way. If that's hard to do, no worries. Btw, I recently purchased a hardcover of the book you asked supporters to buy. Haven't read it yet but look forward to that. Stay well, Mr. Hopkins.
Hi CJ, I live in the Sacramento area. My husband and I have a big old farm house that you would be welcome to stay in. Also, I would be willing to arrange a venue for you to give a meet and greet.
😂! Glutton for punishment and big fun! White Sulphur Springs WV - home to America’s Resort - the Greenbrier Hotel- pretty fascinating place - summer White House for 5 Presidents, early 1800’s. Bunker built in the late 50’ to house congress and Supreme Court for continuity of government in case of nuke, tours given now that it’s declassified.
Owned by Jim Justice - who’s owned by USR since they bought his debt last fall just before he won DC Senate seat🙄. Lots of not so beautiful stories for a beautiful area and place.
I run a small gallery in its Artists Colony.
Could provide nice accommodations and hot showers 😂😎.
Beautiful area, pretty close by, the foothills of the High Country, birthplace of Pearl Buck. Many northerners have relocated to Pocahontas Co. In waves, ‘70s and ‘80s back to the landers and in the past 6 yrs from the C psyop. There are still a lot of old families about the area too, my old CPA does most of their tax work😉. Clues one in on lifestyle and ethic. I’ll stay tuned.
It’s a great idea. You should come to Reno, Nevada. Only a few hours east of San Francisco where you’re sure to go anyway. Here you have Lake Tahoe, Virginia City, Tesla is here and that entire development is an absolute wonderment of the planet. A real must see.
Mark Twain spent time here; it’s the Old West!
As a proud paid subscriber, if you guys come, I’ll show you around the Biggest Little City in the World.
I hope you drive through Mendocino County, where I live. Interesting because for so many years it thrived on the weed economy but has now been hollowed out economically by cannabis legalization. California is interesting in its contradictions - dystopian and too expensive to live a comfortable life but excruciatingly beautiful and hard to leave.
Another Mendocinan! Hi Amanita – I'm out here as well.
Totally agree with your characterization, Amanita! I too live in Mendo. And CJ, as I mentioned in my comment on your initial post floating the idea about the road trip, I'd be happy to host you here in lovely Ukiah.
Reminds me of The Air Conditioned Nightmare by Henry Miller. Will be fantastic to compare perspectives of the US 80 years apart.
I was thinking that too.
I am friends with a Cherokee man who is married to a German woman. They run sweat lodge ceremonies in Cherokee and they also own a jewelry store together that is in downtown Cherokee (NC). It’s called traditional hands. I could connect you with them. I think it’s important to include indigenous voices because they really are the original inhabitants of what we call America and it wasn’t so very long ago but they often get totally ignored because of how fucked up and full of lies and propaganda this country is.
Thank you ... noted!
What a gift this will be to humanity, CJ. I am so grateful you are embarking on this adventure and hope I will have the opportunity to hug you in person along the way.
Hello CJ. I live in a quaint liberal town called Rhinebeck just 2 hours north of NYC and close to other places that might inform your 'update' on America 2025 like the post-industrial city of Poughkeepsie, the village of Woodstock now reformed from hippy-dome into a conservative enclave. We are close to Albany - seat of the 'new normal New York' - and are on the way to New England via the Taconic or Thruway highways. We have a room for guests as well. And who knows... we might be related! Mark Hopkins
You mentioned the major regions broadly and talk of cafes and bookstores reflect a Eurocentric viewpoint. (I’ve been to Europe). You can find these in larger urban areas in the US but this is not the discarded population of the US. Might I suggest a trip through Appalachia. Perhaps a zig zag between Deep South and the Midwest. Start off I40 in Asheville, NC and drive north on US23. Along the way you’ll see beautiful forested mountains populated by independently minded people raped for timber and coal resources. Industrialized mid century, now brownfields, again abused by unemployment, opioids and now fentanyl. Many surviving only on government handouts. Recently hit by weather related disasters. A dichotomy of people beaten down but still managing to move forward. At least those not sucked into the ubiquitous local drug subculture.
Since you're coming through NYC, you might want to take a look at what's going on surrounding the mayoral election. It is truly wild this year, not just Mamdani vs the three well-known candidates trying to stop him. Unpredictable in rhetoric and likely the result, it represents the crack-up going on in American society and politics.
And make sure to interview (or ask about) Curtis Sliwa even though in a blue city he probably has no chance. He's endeared himself to me by his two main concerns: street safety and animal rights.
Please try n toodle thru the western slope of the Rocky Mountains (Colorado) … Grand Junction is the biggest town
Money sent. I live as deep in the south as you can get but not the Deep South you are probably referring to, SWFL. You are welcome to stay here for a few days but this probably too far off the path. Anyway, good luck. If interested let me know privately and I’ll send email and address etc. so we can coordinate.
Thank you so much for your generous contribution to the project! I wish we could get down to South Florida, but, sadly, we probably won't have time. Hugo and I grew up together in Miami, and did the long drive up and down the state in the course of several road trips in our younger days, once during a hurricane.
I completely understand. Have fun.
Never re-visit places of youth. "Development" will entirely destroy your nice memories.
This is a wonderful west coast place with a book club that meets monthly. I would love to see you there. They need to hear your voice. https://www.thescoutwinebar.com/
The Scout looks lovely, and we plan to be in that vicinity. Can you get in touch with me via the contact form at the Consent Factory? https://consentfactory.org/contact/
Here is a suggestion from a reader who appreciates having a few collectible hardcover books worth preserving (God willing): set up your fundraiser to include a special edition pre-order. Sign it and have your photographer to the same. I'd appreciate the opportunity to support the trip in that way. If that's hard to do, no worries. Btw, I recently purchased a hardcover of the book you asked supporters to buy. Haven't read it yet but look forward to that. Stay well, Mr. Hopkins.
Hi CJ, I live in the Sacramento area. My husband and I have a big old farm house that you would be welcome to stay in. Also, I would be willing to arrange a venue for you to give a meet and greet.
Thank you ... noted!
Happy to make a contribution. I don’t live in the US so I am really looking forward to the book and your perspective.
Keep on trucking’
😂! Glutton for punishment and big fun! White Sulphur Springs WV - home to America’s Resort - the Greenbrier Hotel- pretty fascinating place - summer White House for 5 Presidents, early 1800’s. Bunker built in the late 50’ to house congress and Supreme Court for continuity of government in case of nuke, tours given now that it’s declassified.
Owned by Jim Justice - who’s owned by USR since they bought his debt last fall just before he won DC Senate seat🙄. Lots of not so beautiful stories for a beautiful area and place.
I run a small gallery in its Artists Colony.
Could provide nice accommodations and hot showers 😂😎.
3hrs from DC.
It’s a big country big guy - good luck 🍀😘❤️
We're doing a thing in Hillsboro WV on September 14. Stay tuned.
Beautiful area, pretty close by, the foothills of the High Country, birthplace of Pearl Buck. Many northerners have relocated to Pocahontas Co. In waves, ‘70s and ‘80s back to the landers and in the past 6 yrs from the C psyop. There are still a lot of old families about the area too, my old CPA does most of their tax work😉. Clues one in on lifestyle and ethic. I’ll stay tuned.
As a WV resident I look forward to some of your expert commentary about what is happening to the rural poor in this state.
Perhaps you can stop in for a visit in once thriving towns of Logan or Welch?
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/west-virginia/articles/2025-07-22/mcdowell-county-west-virginia-birthplace-of-food-stamps-faces-a-disappearing-safety-net
I can make a slight drop in the ocean of adventure.
It’s a great idea. You should come to Reno, Nevada. Only a few hours east of San Francisco where you’re sure to go anyway. Here you have Lake Tahoe, Virginia City, Tesla is here and that entire development is an absolute wonderment of the planet. A real must see.
Mark Twain spent time here; it’s the Old West!
As a proud paid subscriber, if you guys come, I’ll show you around the Biggest Little City in the World.