I’ve ridden one of my motorcycles all over the state of VA for years. I ride about 20k miles a year.
Two things I’ve observed in the last 2 years:
1. Businesses closing down all over the place, one’s that have been there for years.
2. Thousands - and I mean thousands - of acres of old hardwood forest are being clear-cut everywhere. Heart-breaking. Appears land-owners are desperate for the money.
It ain’t good out there folks - and it is a lot worse than anyone will let on......
Lots of empty storefronts here in MA. I’ve lived near Framingham, which is the shopping capital of Massachusetts, for about 50 years. Prior to the fundamental transformation of America, I had never seen an empty storefront. Now they’re everywhere. Maybe 5-10%. And two major stores were replaced by a giant Salvation Army store, and another similar second-hand store.