We arrived in Jackson WI around 9 a.m. on August 5, a few hours ahead of schedule. Pete woke up early to drive the distance to Jackson from a spot we pulled in the night before, that we drove to after a meet up in Lansing OH hours prior.

Adam was expecting us in the afternoon, so we contacted him to notify him we’d be early. We pulled up to the driveway at the Jackson Motel minutes later and parked at the far end of the lot. We caught up and later met Adams mother Kathy, his brother Matthew, his sister Stephanie and her son Landon. We’ve had fun conversing and learning about each other over the past few days and we’ve been lucky to stay here while we’ve worked. In addition, we are appreciative to Kathy for having served us many great meals and for securing rooms for us to sleep in.

We originally planned to have a meet up in Jackson, but because of complications, we chose to toss it for the Milwaukee meet up the next evening (basically every one who was going to attend the Jackson meet up was going to the Milwaukee meet up as well). Adam contacted every one who RSVP’d for the Jackson meet up and notified them about the change in plans. Then in the middle of the night, we heard a voice emerge: “Motorhome Diaries?” Startled, Adam went to the window to determine who was there. It was Daniel Lakemacher (an individual I recently learned of after hearing about his site War Is Immoral) outside the window of the hotel. Adam went out to talk with him (though at the time I didn’t realize who it was). Adam returned after several minutes and explained that Daniel traveled for hours to meet with us for the Jackson meet up, which he unfortunately did not know was canceled since he did not RSVP. We were unable to have Daniel over at the time, but luckily he was able to join us in Milwaukee for dinner the next evening.

Before driving out to Milwaukee, Adam planned to have a potluck type event inviting the community over for priceless burgers and bratwursts and to meet the MHD crew. He fired up the grill around noon anticipating a consistent amount of hungry people spanning over the following five hours. It was pretty quiet. Perhaps people were not compelled by our sign.

Landon and our free food sign

Regardless, we did have a few guests join us, and we had fun talking with them while eating outside in the bright sun. Afterward, we got ready and left for the Milwaukee meet up scheduled for 7 pm.

We drove a ways and parked outside of the Power Plant bar and met up with some members of the local Liberty On The Rocks. We entered the bar, and predictably, with in moments identification of age was requested of me, and I stated I had no form of ID with me. I was informed by the bartender that ID was required and I asked if that meant I had to leave, and if I was in violation of law. She answered yes to both questions. She never asked me to leave though. Then she called the management to determine if I would be allowed to stay in the bar. While she did so, I initiated a discussion with a woman at the bar who appeared to think I was unfairly judging the situation. I asked her if an individual has the authority to choose to consume a beverage. She did not understand, so I challenged her to consider the fact that governments coerce bar owners with fees, license confiscation, and ultimately robbery and caging, if they choose to serve some one under the age of 21 years, a beverage with particular properties, and it was for those reasons that I was being discriminated against. The woman was not convinced of my views, however we shook hands and went on our way.

About 14 of us left the bar and relocated to the Palomino bar and restaurant nearby. We sat outside and it seemed like a more comfortable setting anyway.  Some musicians who were hanging out at the Power Plant bar also followed us over.

Dinner with fans of freedom

The dinner was fun, and I had some neat discussions with a variety of people who all were together motivated by an instinctive pursuit of freedom. After dinner, several of us continued the discussions back at the Jackson Motel for a couple hours until the party died down.

Milwaukee meet up

Also, to those who were unable to join us in Milwaukee, please make sure you join us today in Madison.