Chapter summaries America the Beautiful? Blythe Roberson

Chapter 10: Be Respectful for Fuck’s Sake

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Blythe Roberson and her friend Emmy drive from Denver to Cisco, Utah—a ghost town owned by their friend Eileen. Cisco has no running water or stores; Eileen has spent years rebuilding its structures using scavenged materials, turning the town into an artist residency. The group works on a camper for the residency, takes a break to visit Arches National Park, and discusses the phenomenon of #VanLife. Blythe reflects on tourism, entitlement, and her own motivations for travel. She contrasts Eileen’s community-building with the performative, individualistic culture of Van Lifers. The chapter ends with Blythe feeling torn between her desire to stay in a place like Cisco and her obligation to continue her road trip collecting Junior Ranger badges.

Key Events

  • Blythe picks up Emmy at Denver airport; they drive I-70 to Cisco, remarking on the stunning scenery.
  • They meet Eileen, Bart, J., Z., and M. in Cisco, a ghost town Eileen has been restoring since 2013.
  • Eileen gives a tour of the town, including a log cabin, a repurposed bus, and a camper being built for an artist residency.
  • Blythe and Emmy had first visited Cisco as tourists the year before, when they met Eileen and were invited to stay.
  • The group visits Arches National Park; they hike to Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch, and discuss cryptobiotic soil.
  • Blythe works on the camper (ineptly), and the group shares meals and conversations about Van Life and capitalism.
  • Bart spray-paints a cicada on the camper roof; the group watches bats and stars.
  • On the last day, they dig a trench for an extension cord, find a scorpion, and go to Moab for dinner.
  • Blythe leaves Cisco, feeling it was the best part of her trip so far, and reflects on her own search for freedom versus performative travel.

Character Development

  • Blythe Roberson: Shows growth in self-awareness. She admits to initial tourist behavior and feels shame, but also sees the value of staying put and building community. She questions whether her own travels are genuine freedom or just following cultural grooves.
  • Emmy: Acts as a supportive friend and co-traveler; her calm presence contrasts with Blythe’s anxiety.
  • Eileen: Reveals deep resourcefulness, artistic vision, and a commitment to community. Their decision to turn Cisco into a residency shows a rejection of profit-driven tourism.
  • Bart: Demonstrates craftsmanship and patience; his cicada painting highlights the small, meaningful acts that define the Cisco project.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Tourism vs. Community: The chapter contrasts invasive tourists (who ignore “FUCK OFF” signs) with Eileen’s intentional community. Cisco is a place where visitors are welcome only if they contribute respectfully.
  • Van Life as Performative Capitalism: Blythe critiques #VanLife for its aestheticized, individualistic grind, opposing it to Eileen’s communal, non-monetized art project.
  • Cryptobiotic Soil: This living soil symbolises fragility and the long-term impact of human carelessness—echoing the theme of respect for place.
  • The Stars and Bats: Natural beauty in Cisco offers a sense of wonder and possibility, prompting Blythe to imagine an alternative life away from New York.
  • Building as Creation and Resistance: Eileen’s physical rebuilding of Cisco becomes a metaphor for reclaiming space from extractive industries and capitalist pressures.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 10 deepens the book’s central tension between authentic experience and touristic performance. By placing Blythe inside a genuine community project, it tests her earlier assumptions about freedom and adventure. The chapter also sharpens the critique of social-media-driven travel (Van Life) that began earlier in the book. Eileen’s story offers a tangible alternative: a life built on art, friendship, and ecological consciousness, even if it means living without modern amenities. The Cisco stay becomes the emotional high point of Blythe’s road trip—challenging her (and the reader) to ask what kind of traveler she wants to be.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. How does the chapter distinguish Eileen’s project from #Van Life?
    Eileen’s project is rooted in place, community, and art, not in monetizing a lifestyle. Van Lifers often turn travel into a capitalist grind, while Eileen builds a permanent residency for other artists, accepting financial hardship rather than pursuing sponsorship or influencer status.

  2. What does the cryptobiotic soil discussion reveal about the chapter’s attitude toward responsible travel?
    Blythe explains that cryptobiotic soil takes centuries to recover from damage, linking it to the Dust Bowl (caused by cows). This reinforces the imperative to “take nothing but pictures” and be respectful—a direct contrast to the entitled tourists who trespass in Cisco.

  3. Why does Blythe call Cisco “the best part of my trip so far”?
    In Cisco she experiences real connection with friends and contributes to a shared goal (building a camper). Unlike the solitary badge-collecting of national parks, Cisco offers community, purpose, and a sense of belonging—making her question the value of her solo road trip.

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