My Free State Experience

William and I joined the Free State Project over 5 years ago while living in Arizona. What a great idea?! Joining other liberty loving people to show the rest of the sheeple what true freedom and prosperity is. We were one of the fortunate ones who actually got to vote on which state we thought would best fit this endeavor. I am one who enjoys the heat so, needless to say, New Hampshire was not my first choice. It was not surprising that it was the popular choice though. It's the “Live Free or Die” State, man!

As time went by, stuff happened and we didn't think the Project was going to take flight. We had abandoned hope until the First 1000 Pledge was adopted. Sign us up. The big day arrived. It was time to move. Holy cow – New Hampshire is really far away. What the heck were we thinkin'? We sold just about everything in our store and what didn't go we packed up in the trailer. The trailer got hooked up to the motor home and we were on our way. (-- theme to the Beverly Hillbillies).

We were able to take our time and really enjoy the trip across the country. Family reunions, aunts birthday party, Chi-town, Cedar Point, Amish country, tourist traps, Niagara Falls, and then the final stretch to New Hampshire and PorcFest 2008.

This was our first Porcupine Freedom Festival. He was finally going to be around like minded people that didn't have to be “educated”. I, however, am a little more reserved. I do a lot of listening while William does more of the informing. It's a good mix but all of a sudden I was going to be around hundreds of Williams. I was getting nervous as William was getting more and more excited.

My apprehension was quickly defused. Everyone we met was so welcoming. As soon as we told them that we were staying here for good, the open arms abounded. It was amazing. And it hasn't stopped. Many great discussions were had in the Sakel-CAI tent and new things were learned with the vendors and the Alt-Expo. I was able to go shooting with the ladies and learned how to knit. We couldn't have had a nicer time.

The next step was exciting but more difficult then we originally thought. It was time to find a place to set up roots. Where to live? We were offered open invitations by so many people to come and visit that it was almost overwhelming. We hit the Eco-village in Barnstead and then to “Little Minnesota” to enjoy our lifetime membership to Ron's shooting range. Both areas were gorgeous.

Next stop – the coast. We took our time through Portsmouth and Hampton Beach on our way down to visit Max and the Seabrook PorcManor. We were able to dip our feet in the Atlantic Ocean for the first time since both of our childhoods. It was cold.

Seabrook was a cute town. We did freak out just a little bit when we missed the turn to the house and 2 seconds later ended up in Mass. Help!! Get us out of here as soon as possible!! A few turns and -phew!- back in the free state. Max and his Seabrook group were very cool. We had some meals, watched some movies and did a little activism. Overall, an excellent time was had.

Next stop, the doctor. While at the Porcupine Festival, William and I met Gene Fitzpatrick with Balanced Health in Nashua. He did some amazing demonstrations with muscle testing to evaluate the body's imbalances. William had had a sore neck for months. He tried massage therapy and it helped but it wasn't great. Gene used him during the demonstration and his neck hasn't hurt since. We decided to check him out in more detail. This was the first “doctor” I've been to for a check up in over 20 years. My body told me what was wrong and how to make it better. So far so good. If you decide to go a check Gene out for yourself, I will warn you – he has a sense of humor so be ready for a chuckle or two.

It had been our intention to visit everywhere we were invited (sorry to all those invitations that we were unable to use) and was considering living by the time the Burning Porcupine Festival started. This was much more difficult than originally expected. With so many invitations and different areas, we were running out of time quickly.

We decided to make our next stop Henniker to visit Rik.

Rik has built his own geodesic home. Actually 2. He has made them into a duplex. We roll up to his home and he is laying grout. His quote is, “ I have to run to work. I'd appreciate if you could wipe up some of the extra grout before it dries. Make yourself at home. Bye.” Hi, I just met you. Come into my house. I was floored. This is the first time I have met this man. William spent quite some time at PorcFest talking to him but how well can you really get to know a person in a couple of days. (I guess really well when they are Free Staters. That's all you have to say to another Free Stater and it's almost like it explains everything about you. It's lovely). We ended up staying there for a few days and then headed up to Grafton to meet the Grafton crew.

I was very hesitant about going to Burning Porc because I thought there weren't going to be any hot showers. Give me a break! I am a girl and my hair can only look so good for so long. Well, needless to say, I was completely stoked when we got there and hot showers had been built . Yeah!! And they rocked too. I love it. More open arms. More laughs. More stories, debates, conversations. Bonfires, hikes, and pitch fork throwing contests. Tai chi in the morning and knocking candy out of the George Bush pinata at night. Oh, and you can't forget Lloyd's naked dancing around the bonfire. Good times!!

So, the time had come. Where are we going to hang for the winter? We headed back to Rik in Henniker. The only one on Earth. And much conversation and debate, Henniker was the choice. It's a quaint town and pretty central to a lot of different places. We are interested in settling in Grafton come spring and build our hobbit home. Living at Rik's will allow us to learn about different home building techniques.

So what is the point of my story. I guess I just want to let everyone who reads this to know to let go of your fears, excuses or hesitations about moving to New Hampshire for the Free State Project. You will immediately be surrounded by a family like no other. There are single people, families, anarchists, pacifists, gun and non gun toting. Any type of personality in the spectrum. You can find your true brothers and sisters. And everyone is their own individual but answer the call to duty in a heartbeat. I hope that this never ending story will help anyone who is nervous. I was there. I was freaked. But all that was immediately displaced with the first smile and hug. I still think that I am a newbie but having only been here a couple of months, I am far from it. People are moving here in droves.

Take the step. Don't be scared. Start finding excuses on why you should get your butt here. You will finally feel truly free. Atlas would be able to stand up straight. What a breath of fresh air!!

Thank you,

AmyO