Freedom, Wisconsin

I turned 56 years young today in Freedom, Wisconsin. By far, the largest small town I have visited. Not just in land mass or in numbers of residents. The warmth and hospitality I have felt as I arrived was huge. Within 20 minutes of crossing from the vast dairy farms just outside of town into the center of this community I was very much a part of tonight’s livelihood. Shaking hands and greeting total strangers seems normal here.


Wait, it doesn’t seem normal, it is! Beginning with a simple passing conversation in a convenient store about my trusty sidekick, Mozi and getting a little history about the town of Freedom, Wisconsin I was lead to believe there was a menu item at Rico’s with my name on it. I had seen the restaurant on Google Maps over the course of planning my trip since 2009. “Family Dining”, the references stated. I just had the most incredible half slab of ribs with all the fixings. The Trainee was not in need of training. She was pleasant, courteous and right on time with everything, right down to the refills of soda.

Rico arrived and he and I discussed the trip a little. Soon, there were no less than 4 people on one side of the counter and I was on the other. It was near closing time and work appeared to be halt as we shared ideas, laughed about football games and how this town turns into a scene out of the movie, Grease, on nights when the local boy are dressed with pride for a showdown with a visiting team who dared to challenge Freedom Irish!

The night was not to end. I wanted to find the Historical Society Building before sleeping so I could find it easier in the morning. And there it was with a cool look to it in the clear night air and stunning lights. I had to take a few pictures at this moment. I must say, people were looking at me through their living room windows as if I were up to something. Well, I was! I was up to my elbows in middle America, filled with the security that Neighborhood Watches provides.

I met Derrick as he was closing up shop and we ventured over to the fire station so I could get a good look at the trucks, hoses, jackets on drying racks, all housed in the town building of multiple uses. Let’s go forward to around 11PM. After spending so much time sitting in the fire station with people who accepted my idea of traveling across America to discover, discuss and document Freedom in this great country we live in, it was time to go home. As Mark put it, “This party is over for me.” For the time being, I had to agree.

Yet, I knew in the morning the sun would shine on the soil surrounding us and I would, once again, be showered with kindness and become a local for the day in the few short hours I am able to stay in Freedom, Wisconsin before venturing out to the next town, next state in search of another dose of what I am feeling at this moment in my life, a sense of home…

Belief Without Evidence.