What this is.

America turns two hundred and fifty this summer, and I've never felt more discouraged about where it's going. I've always believed the easiest way to understand this country is from the road, going slow enough to talk to people. So: one summer, one truck, one loop around the United States.

Minneapolis to Kansas City for the World Cup. East through Amish country to the Finger Lakes and the Adirondacks. Down the Blue Ridge, across the South, up the Rockies, over Utah's Highway 12, past the desert where they tested nuclear rockets, into the Sierra, and home through Wyoming and the Dakotas by August 12. If the truck agrees.

I write essays about what I see. They go out by email. Photographs and shorter notes end up here between them.

The name

LARP: "Live Action Role Play. A LARPer is someone pretending to be something they're really not.

In the 70's and 80's LARPs were people dressing up like dungeons and dragons for Renaissance Fair. Since the dawn of YouTube and social media, LARPs are the new psyops. People LARP on YouTube as Truthers, Christians, Social Justice Warriors, and civilians."
(Urban Dictionary).

America: a place where rich men pretend to be outlaws and cowboys.

I'm 26. I'd never driven a truck before I bought this one. One third of a law degree, and zero nights in a camper before this.

The rig

A 1996 F-250, extended cab, bought used in Minneapolis. The camper is a 1977 Bethany pop-up: made in Minnesota, rides in the bed, sleeps one. She's older than the truck and holding up better.

Say hello

If the route goes through your town and you know where I should eat or who I should talk to, email me. Or sign the guestbook below.