In some ways celebrating the new year is kind of like a birthday to me, both cause reflection and a feeling of another chapter. This year was another amazing year, living life at full speed ahead. It really feels that way sometimes, especially when I think about all that has happened and all that is to come. In trying to relay a story to my parents at Christmas Eve dinner I realized that sometimes it takes me a bit to remember where I heard something, or where I even was. I think that is mostly because I have been in a different city nearly every week for most of the year. The girls at 3033 can vouch for that. Many, many great experiences and life definitely keeps me on my toes and looking for more.
The start to 2012 definitely feels like the start of a new chapter. I packed nearly everything into a Uhaul trailer and Simba and made the big move, to Boulder, Colorado. For those last few days after Christmas and before I left, somehow the reality of the move didn’t quite hit. I was a task-master, getting the necessary things done to drive away at 6am on Wednesday morning. The 15 hour drive to Salt Lake could be seen as a good time for reflection, but towing a trailer out of the city was a little intimidating and I think it took all the way until Ellensburg before loosen my white-knuckled grip on the wheel.
It is not with out a lot of thinking and reality check of all of the cool things I have in Seattle that I made this move. I grew up here. I know this place so well. Nearly every corner holds a dear memory all the way back to early childhood. My parents still live in the same house that I grew up in and from Seattle I can be with them in about an hour and everyone who knows me knows that I love to hang out with my parents. This running community is what pushed me to the trails and has sustained my love for them since. The people that will endure long drives, wet conditions and dawn patrol running are what are extremely real about trail running in the PNW. A community that has seen me through every stage of life and special ones that kept me on the trails when times were tough. I am so thankful for the time spent in 3033. It has been an amazing home base, mostly because of the two girls I shared the space with. Those two will forever be my roomies. The city is super cool, with lots of amazing restaurants and beautiful grocery stores. I love the inner peace that the big, open water brings me. Our mountains are incredible (just take a little longer with traffic to get to them). Seattle is a great place that I am lucky to be from and will visit often.
The thought of living close to the mountains, like run out my door close, being in a smaller town, finally living in the same state as my sister after 12 years, and connecting with people that I have been traveling to visit are a few of the pulls to leave all that I love about Seattle. Additionally I feel the draw of the life challenge to step out of what I know and get to know some place else. I feel a lot of people that I know have ventured to live some place and then can either decide to go home or realize their home is someplace else. Seattle is a great place to call home and therefore easy to stay there comfortably. To truly explore and get to know someplace else is part of the intrigue to move away.
In my first week+ here everything is of course shiny and new and I am giddy every morning that I can run right out my door and be on pretty incredible trails within 5 minutes. I found a home super close to Chautauquah Park and the exploring seems endless at this point. The trail conditions change daily this time of year which adds to the fun. I think I may wear people out because I keep commenting on how close I get to live to the trails. I’ve heard it existed, it is pretty amazing to be able to live it.
I feel like I am slowly jumping (note the irony of those two words together... how do you slowly jump??) into this new community. I have great people around me already that are showing me the ropes and making me feel right at home.
For me to settle, #1 priority for me is to find my trails and/or running routes. This fortunately means meeting up with the best local trail guides and good running friends I have been visiting here for years. #2 local grocery and eating hot spots. Trying new restaurants is always a favorite and what a great excuse, being new to town, to get people to meet up for a coffee, meal, happy hour or just a drink. #3 gym membership. Silly sounding, but I love yoga classes, I am a firm believer in cross training & weights and the total added bonus of Movement is the amazing indoor climbing. Plus JU will meet me there for climbing and all sorts of classes, so lots of fun and good catch up time with my Boulder sister. #4 unpacking boxes. Fortunately Ma Moehl made a trip down to help me settle more, find a few more key pieces of furniture and unpack the final boxes.
The house is feeling more and more like home and I am finding my way around town. I realize there are many more steps and a lot of time to figure out my routes, paths, circles and haunts and I really am excited by the the potential for evolving and exploring that lay ahead.
