We took a 2,000+ mile road trip in early June that carried us through the California desert, Nevada, a little bit of Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Along the way, I noticed something different.
On previous trips, we’ve always seen some form of MAGA presence, whether it was people wearing hats, bumper stickers, or flags flying above businesses, farms, and homes. This time, I didn’t clock a single one.
That’s not to say there weren’t any. I’m sure I missed a few along the way. Still, the change was noticeable. The overt displays of Trump enthusiasm seemed largely absent. Most of what we encountered felt apolitical, while many of the people we met projected an edge of desperation as they worked hard to make ends meet.
America feels different. The shift is subtle, but noticeable. It gives me hope.
Not necessarily the kind of change I would like to see, but movement in what feels like the right direction. It’s as if many of my fellow citizens have backed away from in-your-face politics in favor of other priorities, such as making a living or dealing with the outrageous cost of food, housing, and gasoline.
There will come a day when this is all behind us. I don’t see things going back to normal. I don’t even know what normal is anymore.
Whether what I observed represents a real political shift or simply fatigue with constant political messaging, I don’t know. But it feels different than it did a few years ago.
For the first time in a while, I have hope.
Peanuts In My Pocket 
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