The Next Chapter

Wow! It's still hard to believe that Peter and I are here in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and that in our backyard is Yosemite National Park. The last few years have been spent preparing for this next chapter but even with all of the farming classes and practicing we did on our previously small San Diego property actually putting this knowledge into a larger scale operation is a dream come true. Granted the land is pretty untamed right now but fortunately we have good imaginations!

This all wouldn't have been possible without the support of our family and friends. So many people have been instrumental in helping us get here. We've had many interesting conversations with others as we prepared for this. Some people think we're crazy but most have been very supportive. I would like to take a moment to recognize those who were most influential.

First and foremost I would like to recognize our family. Without your support we couldn't have gotten this far. It was very difficult to leave our family in San Diego and I suspect it has been difficult for them too. But fortunately when we're not able to spend time in person we are able to spend time virtually. Our family from the Bay Area was here this past weekend to help us settle in and unpack a few more boxes which was most appreciated. And our family in Alabama has offered to come and show us how to field dress a deer. At what point do we officially become red necks? ;)

I would also like to recognize my manager at work. She has been my mentor for the past 4 years and a big supporter of this move. One of my favorite sayings of hers is, "Live for today because you never know what tomorrow holds." That has really become my mantra as well. So hopefully she'll be understanding when I can't take a work call because I'm out field dressing a deer! Jk!

Finally I would like to recognize our friends and hopefully you know who you are. Thank you for your support and continued friendship even though we may not see you or speak to you as often as I would like, you are always in my heart.

This is the beginning of our third week here and the pile of boxes are slowing diminishing. My goal is to be pretty much unpacked by Thanksgiving. Fingers crossed that will happen.

The people we've met here are incredibly generous. So much so that a few days ago Peter jokingly asked if I thought we had moved into a cult like environment! For example, the other day I went to the town dump/recycling center to drop off a carload of packing paper. I mean the packing paper was packed! With the middle seat down the entire back of the car was stuffed with paper. There was a woman parked next to me by the dumpster for paper and she was just finishing up. When she saw how much I had she came over and started helping me. Who does that for a complete stranger!?! From her I learned about volunteer opportunities and other goings on in the community. While we were unloading my car a man nearby had overheard that I was new to the area and came over to tell me about different concerts that happen in Yosemite. In the short time here we've gotten to know business owners, neighbors and even the town Sheriff knows who I am but I'll save that story for another day.

Thank you all for reading our blog and being a part of our journey. I hear Peter in the garage cutting some wood for a closet addition and it's time for me to get back to unpacking.

As Garrison Keillor says, "Be well, do good work and keep in touch."