Actually, it’s been one-year and 16 days since my first “(Almost) Due West” post.
A lot of time has passed—and a lot of life has happened—since that first post.
I was traveling, without my laptop, on July 11, so I didn’t get to write my anniversary post, which would have gone something like this...
“During this past year, I’ve adjusted to...Thanks to all who have stayed with me this past year.
A dearth of trees
Constant wind, which I now refer to as a “breeze”
Wearing jackets on the 4th of July
The three seasons in Wyoming—June, July and Winter
Snow in September, April, May and June
Shoveling, not once, not twice, but sometimes thrice on any given day
Learning to drive not just on snow, but on snow and ice packed roads
Ice covered parking lots and learning how to walk like a penguin, so as not to fall
Periods of negative 35 below temperatures
A fairly consistent and shinning sun, warming even the coldest of days by 10 to 15 degrees
College kids wearing shorts, t-shirts and sandals, in 30-degree weather
Having my windshield nicked on the beautiful Wyoming roads, and then crack when the temperature hits below zero
The fact that my windshield may very well get nicked, and crack, again and again
Igloos on wheels, as apparently no laws about cleaning snow off the tops—or sides—of cars seem to be enforced in Wyoming
Shopping at Wal-Mart and a piss-poor Kmart
Driving an hour to shop at Whole Foods, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Sam's club, Target or any other big box stores
Traveling two hours to the airport
Five and six year olds biking, or walking, to school, all by their little lonesome
Ominous clouds rolling in off the mountains on any given afternoon and strong winds whipping up as late afternoon thundershowers roll in
The sky clearing and the sun shinning 10 to 15 minutes after said late afternoon thundershowers—just like it never happened
Lighting, one can see for miles and miles
Amazing cloud formations, one can see for miles and miles
Blue sky, one can see for miles and miles
Snow capped “Snowies” in the Medicine Bow National Forest, visible from our living room windows
Sightings of sheep, lama, goats, horses, and pronghorns (with elk and moose being more elusive)
Learning how to spin roving into yarn
Traveling 30 MPH everywhere, in town
Not eating out
Eating better because home is so close to work and school, so there’s more time to cook healthier meals
Being a student again and having to learn how to study, all over again
Having school and work all within a four minute drive from home
Biking to and from work and school
Making new friends
Missing our friends back east
Trying to learn how to write
Trying to learn how to keep an online journal
The realization that we’re not too old to make major life changes
The realization that life can change, dramatically, and still be good
No Diane Rehm, Kojo Namdi, or Michelle Martin
The realization that WPR is every bit as good—if not better—than WAMU
The realization that I now want to live my days in the shadow of a mountain
The sad realization that I probably won’t get to live my days in the shadow of a mountain
The happy fact that I love living in this beautiful state and this small, but welcoming town, though I still can’t say “why,” only that I do.”
I wish I could say “this blog is for you,” when in reality it’s been for me—but I’ve appreciated the support and comments.
Thanks for being here for me...
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