Unable to copy my data to external drive "needs to be downloaded"

[iwtunx]

Attempting to copy all of the data from my home folder to an external. Tried both CLI and gui. With gui I select the folder and copy, then try to paste to the external drive. I get an error saying that the folder needs to be downloaded. Navigating to it is via the finder, and of course I select the boot drive, then users, then my name. The get info shows creation date of almost 3 years ago. 141.97gb used. I don't understand why my data needs to be downloaded, especially since the 'Where" says it's on the Macintosh HD > Users. I understand Apple took away the cloning ablity, but why can I not copy my user folder to an external drive? I've been using macs for quite a while. I think I have the original model downstairs in a box with like a 5" display, or whatever it was. I had a CLI script for cloning which I used up until Apple took away that functionality. I don't see a reason to pay for a backup program since we can no longer clone anyway, I just want to copy all of my data. Any suggestions?
UPDATE: Here's a weird little factoid. I posted a very similar question in the apple community discussions. Apparently there's something wrong with my question because it was removed from my "subscriptions". I posted it again, and it was removed again. No notification from Apple as to why my question is inappropriate. I did take a screenshot of the 2nd one. Very strange.

 

[NoBoMac]

iCloud Drive turned on? Sounds like some "stale" folders/files were offloaded.

Same thing could be going on with other cloud storage. For example, my Dropbox account was recently converted to the new way of doing it Apple's way (folder in ~/Library/CloudStorage) and it's giving me some "problems" with scripts I have to clean up stale data there and some files are not set to "offline accessible" mode (ie. not downloaded).

 

[iwtunx]

iCloud Drive turned on? Sounds like some "stale" folders/files were offloaded.

Same thing could be going on with other cloud storage. For example, my Dropbox account was recently converted to the new way of doing it Apple's way (folder in ~/Library/CloudStorage) and it's giving me some "problems" with scripts I have to clean up stale data there and some files are not set to "offline accessible" mode (ie. not downloaded).

I do use the iCloud drive but I was under the impression that data from my HDD was copied to iCloud. I'm sure I can guess the answer to this but is there an easy way to have data on iCloud AND local HDD in case of issues with internet or say a massive EMP attack? Or just grandpa with his rocker on the internet cable? BTW thanks for the quick response! One reason I love the forum. Lotsa smart guys here (as opposed to just smartya$$es lol)
UPDATE: I just checked and I do NOT have it set to optimize storage on the Mac, which I thought should mean that all data is stored on the Mac and iCloud.

 

[Fishrrman]

The above user's problem illustrates why I would NEVER use iCloud (or any other service) to "manage" my storage.

I can manage my storage well enough by myself, thank you very much.