#mtliving

It’s hard to believe I’ve been here just over a week.  Feels like longer.  Not in a bad way, just that packing (shoving) the last few things in my car and saying goodbye to friends and family seems far in the past (it was less than two weeks ago).

My sister and I road tripped out here from Denver.  Brigette, the red Volvo was packed to the brim despite my best efforts to purge unnecessary stuff.  C’est la vie. With a stop-over in Jackson to see friends and take advantage of their amazing hospitality, we did the drive in 2 days and made sure to do lots of U-turns just to make sure it was an official road trip. Quick shout out to my sister…she thought she was going to Puerto Rico when she scheduled PTO but still came along when the placement ended up being Plains…Rockstar status for sure.  

The first week has been good. I have made 3 new recipes and actually cooked dinner for myself. I took a nap, read in the middle of the day, listed to numerous podcasts, made cookies, went for walks, watched sports, opened a P.O. box, took a bath, sat and watched it snow, and been bored to the point that I went to bed at 8:15pm on a Friday night.  I wouldn’t want this forever, but in the short term, with a set endpoint, it feels good.  

The place I found to live is incredible and has probably ruined all future travel housing.  It’s a one-bedroom house on around an acre of land, surrounded by trees and forest.  There’s an iron elk out one window and no blinds or shades because there are no other houses in view.  I met my neighbor down the road yesterday and thankfully he is going to plow the driveway for me when it snows again.  I spent 4 hours on Friday shoveling the driveway...the next time it snows, that will be $25 very well spent.   

Work is going well and, just like the house, may be spoiling all future travel assignments.  I’m working at the community hospital, mainly in their outpatient clinic with a few trips per week over to the 16-bed inpatient unit when there happens to be someone who needs PT.  I leave at the end of the day with my work done and nothing to worry about except showing up the next morning on time.  The cherry on top is working 4, 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday so I have 3 day weekends to relax here or go out and explore…#winning

If I had to summarize my time here so far in one word, it would be contentment...with a splash of longing.  I would not say that I am bursting with happiness, but neither am I crying myself to sleep every night. I miss Denver and my community there, but I feel grounded and present and open to new experiences here.  I am excited to meet more people and get out hiking, skiing, and exploring.  But I also don’t feel the need to rush it and am really enjoying staying at “home” and not having any plans. 

Please, please give a holler if you find yourself in Northwest Montana, or just need a break from hectic city life, between now and April.  The door is open.