Thinking of visiting the USA

I have travelled around a bit and always avoided the USA because of my anti Vietnam and generally anti USA foreign policies.
BUT, reading this site I have come to realise I may have some kindred spirits there.
As a pacifist, and left winger, motorcycle racing,  off gridder, [ because its not available] and living on 20 acres of parched ground in the middle of a huge Box -iron bark forest [ 7500 Hectares -20,000 acres ]
Civil engineer who welds and sells earth block machines and plays with hot rods
I have an interesting back story.

Where would you suggest I come and talk with people and share?

John C Daley wrote:Civil engineer who welds and sells earth block machines and plays with hot rods

Sounds like you may find the people at Open Source Ecology to be of interest to you (they designed an open-source rammed earth block machine and are working on many other machines). They are based near Kansas city, however their site is not open to the general public or to casual visitation. They do hold invitation-only events from time to time, including a new "immersion program."

I'm not affiliated with them in any way, but I think what they are doing is really cool.

Thanks, but they seem a bit over the top.
I am thinking of catching up with land visits

I don't have any suggestions on where to speak/share, however, I'm glad you are changing your mind about visiting the US.  There are lots of incredibly beautiful places and lots of good people here.  Especially the Pacific Northwest fits your political/hobby leanings.

Hi John, there are tons of places to visit.  There are millions of people to talk to.  There are many places to share.  I guess it depends on how you want to do it and what you want to see.  When you say "share", do you mean something like a speaking tour for money or just hanging and talking to fellow humans?

If you want similar conditions to Bendigo, I'm guessing the southwest US would be most applicable.  If you want to see something totally different, pick a different part of the country.  

If you are aiming for a summer visit, there's stuff to see everywhere.  If you'd come in January, the farm tour options may be a bit more limited to the southern fringe of the country.

Finding places to visit will take some detective work.  Maybe the fine folks at Permies would be a place to start.  List a rough itinerary and see who'd want you to visit (feel free to swing by my homestead).  If you want official permaculture farms, the search will be a bit harder.  Justin Rhodes did a stellar trip across all 50 states visiting a bunch of permaculture sites.  Blasting through his youtube journey could be a way to find some stops.

If you want to see the sights while you're here, book plenty of time.  The national parks are usually a great place to start for natural beauty.  The big cities have some of that "culture" stuff that some people like.  Pacifist, left-winger types may tend to be a bit more concentrated on the Pacific coast but they have been documented in every state if you know where to look.  Pacifist hot rod motorcycle racers are a bit harder to find

No not a speaking tour, just visiting premies really, learning and sharing

Hi John,
You have a great first name.  I would first go to the West Coast.  There is a lot of permaculture, activism, and pacifism.  

There are a lot more hot rods on the West Coast because we don't use salt on the roads. Back East, in 8 year old cars, you can see the ground underneath you as you drive by because the salt makes holes in the cars.

There would be more motorcycles in California due to the weather.  

California would look more like your area. THe PNW is more green and forested.

You could check out permies Regional sections for where people have permaculture farms, etc.

I would travel in your winter and our summer because you'll see more and be more comfortable, probably.
JOhn S
PDX OR

Thanks John, I notice you also have a wonderful name, well done.
A son of mine lived for a year on Vancouver Island and that was interesting to hear about.
I guess I maybe looking for contrasts to my normal routine