Starting over again

An on-line journal

To die would be a great adventure. (Peter Pan in the movie "Hook").

September 2, 2000

Don't go looking for me in Montana, because I am no longer there.

My family and I have relocated to Rawlins, Wyoming. I apologize to my on-line friends for not telling you this sooner, but this move was a difficult process, exhausting physically, financially, creatively. If I could get away with it, I would never move again.

But we are here, and in the end, this is not a bad move. My wife found a job in her field of employment, and I work as a reporter at the local newspaper. I am hoping this job will be less demanding physically and mentally, leaving me more time for other pursuits such as writing poetry. So far, this has been true.

How do I compare Rawlins to Glendive? Eastern Montana is a big empty place. Wyoming is bigger and emptier, but oddly, it is not as isolated -- not geographically and not spiritually. There are several larger metropolitan areas within easy driving distance: Casper, Laramie, Rock Springs and Cheyenne. In addition, we are about halfway between Denver and Billings.

The big problem has been the housing. We searched for about four weeks before we could find an affordable place where we wanted to live. Our needs are difficult to fill here. We need at least a three-bedroom house, and we have two dogs. If we got rid of the dogs and one kid, housing would be much simpler.

The place where we live now is not perfect, but it is comfortable. It doesn't have as much room as we wish, but it has enough for our needs. It is for sale, which means it could be sold out from under us. Hopefully not for awhile, however; I am not anxious to move again -- not right away.

The people are extremely nice. I have never met a group so willing to sit down and talk.

I have also noticed people in Rawlins are more optimistic than in Glendive. People in Glendive are no longer looking to the future. There is a feeling the city has seen its best times, and things will never be better than they have been -- at least not for a while. Rawlins, too, has its share of pessimism, but the city also seems to expect things can be better. People have a belief the economy, for example, will improve, with a little luck and some hard work.

For better or worse, we are here. With luck, faith and work on our part, it will be for the better.