Keene, New Hampshire
It’s fair to say I have a bad case of the wanderlust. Hopefully this year as a Motorhome Diaries crew member I’ll get a bit of that out of my system as we criss-cross North America. I’ve known that one day I’d decide to settle down somewhere but when looking into the future I couldn’t picture where that would be. After spending too-many years in Washington DC, I can confidently cross that off the list.
During our “search for freedom in America” we’ve met a lot of great people and have been to many beautiful places but for me, one sticks out: Keene, New Hampshire. Our friends at FreeKeene.com cover the vibrant pro-freedom activism scene in great detail that got my attention and inspired me and Pete to make it one of our first stops. This is my second visit and if one can fall for a community, I’m smitten. I’ll explain.
We rolled into Keene on Sunday after caravaning with Dan, Leah and Liam Patrick from New York. We arrived just before the the weekly Sunday Social that is held at 4PM. Members of the Keene community stopped by, signed our guestbook / ceiling and chatted with us for a bit. We then rolled into Vendetta (seriously) to hang with fellow fans of freedom. I spent my time discussing ideas and helping others prep the lastest edition of the New Hampshire Free Press for local distribution. After dinner we parked our motorhome at the “Liberty Bunker,” which as Pete wrote is “a double duplex that’s home to the most Free Staters under one roof in the whole state.” Jesse and Shaunna have been so kind to us, allowing MARV to hook into their electricity and feeding us dinner two nights in a row.
On Monday Pete took MARV to a get his oil changed and tires filled with air while I did laundry for the crew.
On Tuesday I noticed that Colonial Theater was playing the original “Planet of the Apes” so I got to watch those “damn dirty apes” in big screen glory. The Colonial is a beautifully restored theater that, I’m told, shows new and classic movies in addition to live theater. I imagine I’ll be there often. Afterward I called Adam and he and Ryan joined me for a stroll downtown and a drink at one of the many Mexican restaurants downtown.
On Wednesday I woke up and headed over to Athens Pizza for a slice, except that they only sell whole pizzas. I did my best to finish off a small pepperoni pizza but it bested me, despite it being delicious. I then walked to the coffee shop I saw the night before located next to the Colonial.
It (like Athens Pizza) advertised free wi-fi so I decided to work from here most of the day while sipping on a mocha. It’s where I’m currently writing from as I look out the window as people and cars pass by the charming downtown area.
Today will be our last day in Keene for a while since we leave tomorrow AM to be part of a caravan headed to the Porcupine Freedom Festival (Porcfest). That promises to be an amazing weekend capping off a wonderful week in New Hampshire.
More of my photos from Keene on Flickr.
Great article.. posting it to Free Keene. Some suggestions for next time you’re here:
Pizza is available by the slice at Amicci’s on Main St. It’s cheap and also the best in town, in my opinion.
Also, I hope you didn’t eat at Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant – liberty activists boycott them as their company supported the smoking ban. Recommended and also on Main St: Pedraza’s and Armadillo’s.
Keene is already home for me. I came in from VT and ended up catching some sleep in a hotel parking lot near the police station. I didn’t sleep well, but watched the sun come up over the trees off in the distance and it rained slightly. It was awesome.
I had to get the obligatory shot of the cannon too. The deli people are Price Chopper were awesome and I saw +GUNS+ as a license plate in the parking lot. I ate breakfast at Friendlies and saw the coolest thing… a father actually helping to teach his child as she struggled to read a sign posted on the crane game.
Yeah, Keene is awesome, and most of that was even BEFORE I met up with Free Staters.
Being, myself, from Keene, I’d like to say, “Welcome liberty activists.” Thank you for coming and we are glad to have you. See you at Porcfest.
As a Keene native, welcome! (though I’m currently only there in spirit)
I’m happy to see Athens pizza still in business! It was great 20 years ago, and apparently still great now.
It was always my favorite — but then I’ve never tried Amicci.
Oh, try papagalos
I hear you about DC. I appreciate those who live in DC and fight for liberty, but it’s a soul crusher.
There’s also a friendly moonshiner in Keene; the ethical solution for your alcohol needs.