I've landed.

On May 29th, 2025, My husband and I departed from Chicago. Despite having "trimmed the fat" from our possessions, our moving truck was filled to the absolute brim. But, Once we had squeezed our last boxes into place and completed a final sweep of the apartment, we bid a tearful farewell to the place that had become our home for three years.

The Journey

The journey was mostly smooth, with our biggest mistake being the attempt to leave Chicago on a Friday evening at 5 p.m. My husband was driving the moving truck while I followed in our "Party Honda," accompanied by our exclusive guests: my dog, Tillie, and my cat, Roscoe. Once we got past the Chicago city limits, we found ourselves in a vast rural landscape that I hadn't fully appreciated for a while. With many miles ahead, we were on our way.

The initial part of the journey offered a much-needed moment of solitude. The setting sun cast a dramatic array of red and pink hues across the sky. As it vanished behind the horizon of Rock Island, Illinois, it was a beautiful farewell. Shortly after, we crossed the border into Iowa, reaching Iowa City, Iowa, where we spent the night.

The second day was definitely the longest drive for us. We departed from Iowa City early in the morning and eventually reached Sterling, CO. The journey took about 10 hours, including stops. The roads were quiet, and the scenery was just as expected—flat and vast. We passed several fields of wind turbines, which I always enjoy. These enormous spinning blades generate energy, acting like the whirligigs of the sky. However, the unseen power of the wind was always noticeable while driving the box truck! So during this stretch, be cautious—slow down, stay in the right lane as much as possible, and avoid sharp turns!

On the third day, we reached our new home in Arvada, Colorado.

Arrival

Ty and I have a tendency to lease properties in cities we've never visited. While I'd like to believe it's a bit more strategic than randomly picking a spot on a map, it often feels that way. When we relocated to Chicago, I had never been there, and our only apartment tour was a virtual one with a realtor. This move was similar, and we just hoped the place matched the photos. Luckily, it did—we're thrilled with our new home! The pets love basking in the yard, and it's much more spacious than our Chicago apartment. Plus, we have air conditioning!

Seeing that first view of the mountains as you arrive into Colorado is like stepping into a painting. As you gaze upon their winding peaks, the beauty of that skyline is unparalleled (and Chicago has a pretty good one!) One can't help but reflect on the challenges faced by the early settlers, miners, and pioneers who traversed these towering piles of Earth. How did they navigate such rugged terrain without the modern technology we have today? Hint- It was a lot of trial and error.

The people of Colorado have been friendly. Our neighbors are kind, and coworkers pleasant. Their laid-back energy must be attributed to the fresh air and green spaces, because it can't possibly be their love for I-70. Here, the lifestyle is often centered around nature, with a strong emphasis on outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. The people in this region tend to share a deep appreciation for the environment and a commitment to preserving the natural beauty that surrounds them. The sense of camaraderie among those who enjoy the great outdoors fosters connections that transcend the usual barriers of geography and background.

The Adventure

Since our arrival, Ty and I have been exploring. Our initial excursion was to Breckenridge, where our friend Billy resides. Billy is a true mountain man, having worked in nearly every ski and bike shop in town. He spends his time either on a trail or planning his next ski trip for the winter. He welcomed us with a tour, and we caught up over some pizza at Giampietro's.

Fourth of July weekend was packed! Friends were in town for a birthday celebration and it was a weekend to remember. Day one, we explored Old Town Arvada. The following day, Fourth of July, we went to Recess in the Highland neighborhood, and then Freedom Street Social, which over looks Coors field. We caught the fireworks at the end of the Rockies v White Sox game.

The following day, we went to RedRocks, a world-class music venue, to see Vulfpeck perform- they were great! We booked a party bus to haul all seven of us there, and I highly recommend it. We parked close by and got into the show quickly. The final day, we went back to Breckenridge and did an 11 mile bike ride! And I only careened into a tree once!

Reflections

I have now lived in North Florida, The Midwest, and the Rocky Mountain regions. Each location offering its unique charm and cultural nuances.What I have realized is that, despite crossing state lines and time zones, we are all quite similar to one another. Regardless of the geographical differences, fundamental human values such as kindness, community, and the pursuit of happiness resonate universally.

We all have jobs and experience the associated stress. We chat about local issues, whether it's "dealing with the worst drivers" or "construction projects that seem endless." Wherever I end up, the politicians are useless, but the people are decent.

It must be said, there is truth in the saying: You cannot outrun your problems, they persist, as you do.

And while I am enjoying this great adventure, I am now honing in on all the things in my life that I want to be better at; A better friend, daughter, wife, pet mom, sister, co-worker.... Not that I don't have those things, but there is always room to improve. I want to pursue my writing with diligence and see what I can make of it. And face my fears of the future, head on, in healthy ways.

In conclusion, U-Haul has yet to offer a truck package that simultaneously solves all your problems during a big move, but if they do, I will certainly let you know!