LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

A glimpse into why we are here, where we are going, and what matters most

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Palomino County, a celebration of American tradition, culture, and style. This month is our official launch, and we are so grateful you’ve found us.

We know, at first glance, it’s confusing. You may be wondering: “Is Palomino County a real place? It sure sounds like a real place, probably in California or maybe Colorado. Can I get in my car and drive there? Because I could really use some horse vibes right now.”

In the words of masterful improv actors everywhere…”Yes, and.” 

Yes, Palomino County is a real place, because it’s a mindset—and you can go there anytime you want with anyone you want. It is accessible to you, if you’re willing to look. 

For me, it’s my 15-acre farm in Springfield, Tennessee, surrounded by rolling green hills and black angus cattle; it’s where my dogs run free and my husband fires up the grill for a smokey barbeque while I perch nearby with a good book. Between professional and personal obligations, and life’s big messes, it’s where I find solace and reflection on the hard work done to get me here. Not just my hard work, but also the work of others before and beside me. Here, I am rooted in gratitude. 

In 10 seconds, can you think of this place for you? Maybe it’s a beach along the coast of 30A, a dude ranch in Montana, or a lakefront property in Texas. Perhaps it’s your own back porch, where you sit every morning with a cup of coffee and your grandpa’s threadbare Bible.

As you contemplate your own personal Palomino County, I want to share more about us: who we are, what we stand for, and what you can expect to find in both our digital and print publications. Additionally, I want to share our vision for the future, so you can get excited about it too, and hopefully decide to come along for the ride. 

First and most importantly, I want to talk about our team and contributors, because they essentially set the tone for this entire operation. They hail from a range of backgrounds, experiences, and geographic locations. From seasoned executives and entrepreneurs to former law enforcement officers and members of the military, our writers and content producers do not fly in on their jets from the Ivys. Rather, most of them came up through the ranks of state schools, grew up in small towns, and embody 90% of the United States population. Their perspectives are often gritty, funny, and sentimentally sound; and always grounded.

In Palomino County, we will do our best not to lead our readers down rabbit holes about what's “wrong” with American culture. Of course there are evil people—both historically and presently—but our pages will not be dedicated to stories that essentially divide us. Plenty of other places have a corner on those cottage industries of journalism. Here, our goal is to offer a place of respite, healing, and damn good storytelling. We want to be part of the solution, not the problem. We want to inspire new thinking and adventure seeking. Ultimately, we want you to put down your phone, go outside, and roll around in the grass. Then, go shopping for a new pair of boots while you book your next hunting or dude ranch getaway.

In terms of our themes of tradition, culture, and style, here is what we hope to show the reader through the people, places, and things we write about. In essence, this is our journalistic promise.

Tradition

We are not hard-hitting journalists, we are curious, good-humored observers of the world around us; we like sharing stories that unite us, and give us a different perspective. We want to look at history and heritage for inspiration, and to provide rich context for where we are today. By celebrating those who came before us—who fought for us, sacrificed for us, and built for us—we can drive the conversation forward.

We will not take a pious approach to conversations about faith and spirituality; rather, a contemplative one. We are on a mission to unearth people and places that have been lost, and to give our readers interesting facts to take to dinner parties. Our stories are meant to build community.

Culture

We will put a spotlight on the men and women behind iconic American brands, artistry, and craftsmanship; and we will highlight upcoming innovators rooted in the belief that family, freedom, and faith are the cornerstones to a meaningful life. While we are apolitical in nature, we do want to tell stories that matter and explore what makes America a never-ending paradox—by asking questions such as: “Why is our legacy media obsessed with stories about celebrities going to space for a 10-minute photo opp, but doesn’t seem to care that Veterans are losing their grip on reality in droves?” 

It’s an interesting quagmire, one that can be approached in a constructive way by listening to those who have first-hand experiences. Rather than lecturing you, our reader, what we will do is show you these stories—and let you decide what you think about it. This is also why we are prioritizing Veteran-owned businesses in our editorial pages, and why we have developed a partnership with Veterans Voices, a publication that specifically gives the great men and women who have served our country an opportunity to share their experiences through essays, poetry, and commentary.

Style

Think of us as Modern Huntsman meets Vogue. While we celebrate rugged individualism, we also believe community is what keeps the wheels on the bus; beauty is a God-given gift to be enjoyed—rather than exploited. We appreciate the finer things in life—arts, culture, travel, whiskey, and wine—but we aren’t snobs about it.

In essence, we are quiet yet approachable luxury. We like to take our time and dig a little deeper, instead of moving on to the “next best thing.” Perhaps most importantly, we can do all of these things with levity and a bit of humor; and with a large dose of self-awareness. 

The road ahead

Beyond our pages, we see more than just words—we see a community saddling up for some real-life adventures. Think rodeos, wine and food festivals, and curated events where you can actually meet our team and contributors (we clean up okay, I promise). Maybe we’ll even open a trading post or two in select cities. Or launch our own brand of bourbon—smooth, bold, and with just a hint of frontier charm. Hand-crafted leather bags? Absolutely. Matching hats? Don’t tempt us.

The sky’s the limit, and we’re excited to grow with you—ideally with good wine and better company.

On behalf of our investors, executive team, and the fine folks who bring this publication to life, we’re genuinely thrilled to get to know you, hear from you, and build something that feels a little like home on the range. Together, we can turn Palomino County from a dream into a destination—and maybe, just maybe, leave a legacy that smells faintly of campfire and ambition.

In gratitude,

Rebekah

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