Colorado

What can I really say about Colorado? I've been out here two summers in a row now and must come back next summer. Some people see mountains and nature and say "Oh wow, that's pretty". It's more than that for me. Mountains give me hope. They make me a more positive person and if you know me, you know this is a big deal. I've lived in Georgia most of my life now. Though I like to claim the North, I was really only there for 6 or 7 years. Georgia has been home for almost 20 years really. It's made me claim the Atlanta Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs (College World Series, WOOO!), but it's never done much else for me except give me reason to complain. There's nothing to see in Atlanta. I don't go downtown. I don't go "clubbing". And I shouldn't even get started on suburbia...That may be all well and good Jim, but you live in Athens now - this is what i say to myself. However, I'm finding that Athens is just a clever way for me to keep a Georgia teaching salary, act like a college student, and more than anything, be safe. Safe seems to be the best word to define my existence. I have these "wild" dreams of moving out west, of joining Americorps, of spending a year working at a National Park, building trails, doing whatever I'm told. I remember threatening to move to Montana when I was younger, but part of me really meant it. I get to travel during the summers with the whole teaching gig, but I don't think it's enough. I don't want to be safe.

Both times I've been out here, I suddenly turn into friendly guy and talk to complete strangers. When we went to the Great Divide Brewery in Denver before the Rockies game, this guy (all be it somewhat inebriated) and I started talking all about Sweetwater Brewery in Atlanta and about how moving to Denver was the best decision of his life. Another time, Fred and I were hiking up around the Flat Irons in Boulder when I just randomly picked up a conversation with a guy and his dad who were hiking along the same trail. I caught myself wondering if Fred was shocked at this sudden change in his brother. Who knows what comes over me. This was not the first time Colorado made me more social. Last summer, I was hanging out at the Walnut Brewery in downtown Boulder and me and a guy talked all about baseball while watching Sportscenter at the bar (and he was a Yankees fan). Maybe it all boils down to being a happier person out here. I'm not pissed off at the humidity or the ignorance or the traffic, and even if I do get upset over something, I can look up at the mountains and know that life is beautiful and full of meaning.

**So that was my early morning rant as I think about leaving Colorado. I'm sure it was not all that focused, but rarely are my thoughts ever focused, just bouncing endlessly. I'll write more about details the next time I can get the Internet, probably Vegas. Up next...Arches National Park!!!