Issue #05: The highs and lows of our first week on the road
1,023 miles later and we made it
🎧 Abby’s Greatest Fear & The One Gift That Freed Her, We Can Do Hard Things: We listened to this episode of We Can Do Hard Things while driving through the wide open spaces of Nebraska and was moved to tears multiple times during this heartfelt discussion. A truly beautiful and vulnerable look into the complexities of grief, the stories we believe and finding meaning in this great big world.
🥣 “Zuppa Soup”: After a long day of cross-country skiing, this potato sausage soup was the only thing that could warm our weary souls. This recipe is a staple in our house, and while you can’t go wrong following the recipe verbatim, I usually top with parsley and parm, and will add extra seasoning with a heavy hand (Italian herbs, fennel & red pepper flakes).
✨ A Breath of Fresh Air: Glimmers from the week of January 23rd
15 hours, a quick stop in Iowa City, one Nebraska Pasty and a last minute Facebook Marketplace purchase later, we finally touched down in a small Colorado town where community comes easily and conversation flows as freely as the river that runs through it.
Our first morning in Colorado, we went for a stroll to get a feel for our new home and were instantly struck by the silence that echoed through the air, despite there being a full-blown festival taking place that afternoon. We talked in hushed tones as we explored; Window shopping on Main Street and stopping into a local shop for coffee and breakfast burritos before continuing our stroll along the river, laughing at the fact that the stillness made us feel as though we had to whisper.
Popping into a local bread shop, we struck up conversation with the Barista who we learned had just moved back after completing grad school in Chicago. “Don’t get me wrong,” she affirmed, “Chicago’s a great city, the people are so nice, but I’m so glad to be back. I can actually hear myself think again.”
And she’s not wrong. Although the neighborhood is absolutely overflowing with warmth, the mountains must subtly demand the sort of reverence and contemplative stillness typically reserved for an empty church at dawn. A completely foreign sensation after a decade of dancing to the restless rhythms of the city.
I’ve put off writing this post to give myself time to settle into my new scenery, yes, but also because there’s been so much I’ve wanted to include that it’s been hard to narrow things down into a single post. Since it’s only been a week, here are some of the highs/lows of our first week on the road. Starting, of course, with the lows, because that’s just simply the only way to do it. What kind of person would I be if I didn’t leave you all on a high note?!
And by “Lows” I really mean one major, sinking pit that has momentarily tanked team morale. (and yes, I do know that I have a flair for the dramatic — Sue me!)
A few weeks before departing on our trip, Violet injured herself while playing fetch and although her condition has been improving and she was cleared for travel by her regular vet, they suggested that she see a neurologist in an abundance of caution. We got lucky and found a specialist a few miles away, but our luck ran out when they “prescribed” an additional 2 weeks of bed rest. Thank God this Airbnb has chickens to keep her occupied or we’d be toast.
For the past four years, Violet has been my constant companion, playing coworker, therapist, roommate, adventure guide, and all-around best friend. As someone who thrives on the familiar, getting my bearings without our usual routine has proven to be a bit challenging. Not to mention the fact that everywhere I look, I see things that I know she’d love - the hikes behind our Airbnb, visits to the local coffee shop for treats, splashing in the river, chasing wild geese in the park, etc. Although I’ve been reminding myself that this is a temporary sacrifice we must make to ensure that she’s healthy and strong for the rest of her life, it’s been a disappointment that she can’t enjoy it with us.
Oh and on a completely separate, but equally as distressing note, our Airbnb does not have a dishwasher. Meaning I must submit myself to the torture of feeling wet, slimy food on my fingers on a regular basis. *shudder*
The sense of community! This town is small - about 2 streets of small businesses and restaurants - but that’s part of its charm. It’s only been a few days and it already feels like we’re a part of the family. Live bluegrass music at the local brewery, Tuesday night bingo, square dancing on the weekends…It seems almost every night is marked by a different event or ritual aimed at building a sense of community between both locals and visitors alike. Everyone here seems to live life with arms wide open and I can honestly say that I’ve met more people in the 7 days that we’ve lived here, than in the entire 5 months living in the suburbs before our move (and maybe even the near-decade spent living in the city).
Finding a local yoga studio to call home for the next 4 weeks has been a pleasant surprise and one of the driving forces keeping me grounded and sane through the stress of Violet’s recovery.
Bakeries with absolutely divine homemade sourdough and an abundance of sandwich shops. My dream.
So. Many. Animals. It’s only been a handful of days and we’ve already seen Elk, Mule Deer, Pikas, Geese & Black-Billed Magpie.
Cross-country Skiing! Growing up downhill skiing, I never really understood the appeal of cross-country despite the fact that so many people around me were gushing over the sport. That is until we spent an afternoon gliding through the wonder that is Rocky Mountain National Park. With views that took my breath away and the hot winter sun on my skin, consider me converted.
Calling all Colorado Readers: What are your favorite towns/hikes/restaurants in and around the Denver/Boulder/Fort Collins areas? Any must tries?
Fellow Dog Owners: Has your dog ever been on “bed rest”? How did you keep them happy and entertained in the process? We’ve stocked up on chews and have been feeding all of her meals in a frozen Toppl, but any and all other suggestions would be appreciated!
While this will first and foremost be a travel newsletter, I’ve never been one to like being put into a box. In the spirit of following my curiosity and creativity, you can expect this space to also turn into somewhat of a “creative playground”. I won’t send these creative ventures out via email like the main newsletter, but I will link to any recently posted work in case you’d like to take a little look-i-loo.
These first two posts are poems from years past, that I particularly enjoyed and wanted to share. Enjoy!
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Sending love and hoping for a swift recovery for Violet! I'm loving your travelogue so far 💛