A Change of Coast
I now remember why we will never live East Coast again (never say never, I know). Let’s see…could it be the people, the traffic, the gloomy winters, the humid summers, the beeping, the disrespect for pedestrians, the pace, the funny accents (just kidding!), the crowded cities, lack of *real* mountains, or the people (oops, I already said that). Seriously though, even the Front Range of Colorado is starting to look to East Coastish for us. The one thing I do miss about the East Coast, NE in particular, is the level of education and the “blueness” of the states. The backwards folks have to keep quiet there b/c they’re definitely outnumbered. I know that was offensive, and I’m sorry, but every now and then I get to say what I want since this is my blog.
We really have fallen totally in love with small town life in the West, and I can’t wait until we can actually live in one of the quaint towns where people actually wave as they drive by a mom running with a baby in stroller. Or where you run into at least 3 people you know (not including the cashier) every time you go to the grocery store. Or where people don’t scowl when your kid cries in a restaurant. Or where a car wouldn’t dream of blocking a crosswalk. That’s the kinda town we’re living in this summer in Western/Central Colorado, and I’m loving it. BTW, here’s a pic of the doctor’s sweet guest house we get to stay in while Travis is working with him:
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And here’s a picture of my dream house, also in that town. Maybe someday, once the $400K in debt goes away…
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Anyway, here are some more pics of our awesome jeep tour, off-roading through the Alpine Loop in Colorado. There was definitely more than 1 moment of nearly pissing my pants as we defied gravity and I was sure we’d flip right over the edge of a cliff. I’m now even more convinced Jackson’s first word (other than mom and dad) will be the F* bomb. Oh well, when used appropriately, it really is a great word for emphasis. The poor kid will probably be talking like a truck driver by the time he’s 2. I’ve really gotta curb my language!
All that open space just makes me feel so…free.
Oh, and I’m pretty sure I found where the Teletubbies live!
We went on a really nice hike, followed by a frigid swim in a 56 degree mountain river. The hike was a little nerve wracking in spots because there were about 5 log bridge river crossings. Thankfully, Trav was the one with the baby on his back.
Caught in a moment after their swim:
You think Travis driving is scary? Well it is. But check this out:
And can someone else please confirm: my husband’s hair is getting dangerously close to being considered a mullet?! His little sister calls the part that grows like weeds along Trav’s neck his “backburners,” but I call it his scarf. Either way, I gotta cut that thing.
Speaking of the progressive, relatively mullet-free, but gloomy, humid, trafficy and often unfriendly East Coast, we flew into Boston last night and are now on Cape Cod for the weekend. The Cape is actually really cool, and Jackson and I swam in the ocean today. I was such a warm water snob, having grown up in S. Florida, I never would’ve imagined that I’d think water above the Georgia Coastline was warm. But after the numbing experiences of Colorado lakes and rivers, the ocean was actually a very pleasant temperature today. Trav and I are in our friends’ wedding on the Cape this weekend, which will take place on the lawn of their family’s beautiful home by the water. It’s going to be a gorgeous wedding and this weekend we will FINALLY get to meet our new goddaughter, Ashlyn, Brad and Melanie’s new pumpkin. She’s 2 months old now, and we’re baptizing her in the Greek Orthodox Church in the fall (Mel’s family and mine are both Greek Orthodox).
That’s our story, and we’re stickin to it. Have a great weekend everybody!
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19 comments
Love the pictures!
I am so jealous! I just love the Cape and have tons of family there. Curious what town you are in. I am sure the wedding will be beautiful! Have a lobster roll and some chowda for me.
Love the nakey pic of Jackson and his daddy. ANd yes, cut the mullet, preferably before the wedding!
Hey there… as a New Englander, I can say, I am not insulted at all. I have been off the east coast, and do agree there is something to be said for southern and midwestern hospitality. They are warmer and fuzzier, and more relaxed. That being said, I feel obliged to defend my home turf. The bigger cities (at least in the northeast) do have outrageous traffic, mean people, and sometimes glaring looks towards crying babies. But now take yourself out of Boston, Providence, and Hartford, (and that only takes 5 minutes to get out of the city in Providence) and you are almost instantly in the rural parts of the state. This is where you will find kindness and a slower society (still not as slow as down south… we will never wind that far down.) Our mountains are reputable, what we lack in size we make up for with our oceans. But I do agree… there is an aggressiveness, especially in Southern New England and New York to be on your way and get there quickly. It probably is hard to adjust if not used to it.
Glad I live in the deep South so I don’t talk funny LOL However, I do promise that in my town you would be waved at, no one would scowl at that cutie of yours and everyone would say hi to you in the grocery store (leaving you wondering if you really do know them??)
Love all the pics..please tell me you are blowing up and framing the one of them after the swim!!
Have fun at the wedding with hubby…business in the front/party in the back!!
I love your post, the pictures are awesome! I love Jacksons little booty too! Mullet man does need a trim. You live and amazing life girl! Oh and I have quite the potty mouth too
mullet alert! you know you secretly love a man with a mullet!:)
Wow. You guys live such an adventurous and exotic life!! My wilderness adventures consist of taking the trash out to the curb.
I think I may be in the minority regarding Travis’ hair. I don’t think it is too mulletish yet… Longer hair is the style now for men. Maybe you could compromise and have the back trimmed up a bit and leave the front longer?
Hi Laurie,
We exchanged a few mails way back…I am happy to say that we are almost ready to submit our dossier to Vietnam
I saw your blog again via-via another adoption blog. Your beautiful baby has grown! I’m glad I came across your blog again. Take care.
I’ve been reading your blog for some time now, although I think this might be my first comment. Just wanted to say I am loving all the pictures! I have enjoyed following all your journeys, plus Jackson is simply adorable so he makes it even better.
I live in the midwest, a red state for that matter, and I’m not offended in the least! I usually refer to myself as a “blue stater” stuck in a red state. Yep, we might be a minority but there are quite a few of us out here. It’s a give and take living here…low crime, good schools, friendly people versus a lack of, well, almost everything else! But at least we’ll still be here when the ice caps flood the coasts.
I’ve never been to Colorado. I think it’s a must-visit sometime.
The picture of Travis and Jackson after the swim is amazing. It so captures a moment in time, an emotion, a shared love. I sound corny, but it’s true.
Everything sounds wonderful. I’m so glad
I should have had you just drop off the Hotsling, you’re so close….not quite….
As a midwesterner who moved to LA when she was 2.5 and then to small to midsize city PA when she was 5, I have to say that I really love the west coast laid back culture, and for tightly wound people like me, living on the east coast does not help us relax….
More gorgeous shots!
We want to see the wedding pix too! Love Cape Cod!
Those are beautiful pictures!!!!!! And how hilarious that you sneak in that you are off in Cape Cod! I totally agree about the east coast. But I think midwest is even worse. You don’t even have the justification of the ocean to lure you in here! The people here are just so angry and crabby alllll the time! Yay for vacations that remind you why you want to go home!!!!!! LOVE your temporary quarters and the dream home, too!
It looks amazing there. Love the photo of them after the swim. That’s precious.
We live in a little town (although it’s called a city) where you will always see someone you know. Where it only takes me 5 minutes to get to work. Where people wave at cyclist instead of trying to run them over. Some times I forget how nice it really is to live in a small town.
I would love to know what kind of camera you have. Your pictures are wonderful!
That’s so funny - the east coast commentary. I grew up in a variety of small towns my entire life, mostly southern. Then as an adult I bounced around the west coast, and then came back east to settle in the Maryland/DC area. I did love the Monterey area, but I couldn’t love the DC metro area more. I too love the general education level here, and more so, the innumerable things there are to do and see. (I always thought it creepy in small towns that you’re almost always expected to have a conversation and tell your life’s story to someone in the grocery store check out line). Honestly though, I would love to leave the east coast just for a few years and live/work in VN. I loved Hanoi. Hmm… perhaps I should join city-hollics anonymous!
The jeep drive sounds fun! I can understand the defying gravity thing- we have a jeep too and it has certainly been places I never thought it could- or should!- go.
Colorado is wonderful, I must attest! Although we are no where near as adventurous as you guys. Colorado is a very neat place to live and there is so much to see and do. Great pictures!
You all are the CUTEST family! Anyone tell you ever that hubby looks like Jim from The Office?….
That pic of him crossing the log bridge with Jax on the back - gives me the SHIVERS! I think of you climbing w/ Jackson, but more hiking on trails. That looks so dangerous! I couldn’t take it - I’d have had a heart attack before he even started across that. MAN - your husband must be part donkey or llama, to be so sure-footed and have such good balance…. Yikes!
As always, your photos are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing. Reminds those of us stuck in these tiny (but safe and neighborly) towns that there is more out there!
Can’t wait to see wedding pics….
Oh, and my stomach almost dropped when you said $4ooK debt, but maybe w/ the adoption and med school, it is a lot… Another YIKES!
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