So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish

Well, loyal readers, I have decided to move to Utah. I have had enough of this miserable state of Florida: the old people, the terrible drivers (but I repeat myself), the ungodly heat and humidity, and the ridiculous lack of mountains. I'm heading off to places where I can do the things I enjoy doing-- hiking and backpacking, namely-- and where I can maybe learn to do some other things (such as skiing and rock climbing). I want to live in a place where vacations are generally unnecessary, because the sorts of places I would visit on vacation are all right there in my backyard. Perhaps it will help me stay in one place longer than 9 or 10 months, which I haven't really done for several years, but would like to.

The trick will be to find a job. Ideally, I'm heading for Moab, Utah, nestled as it is against the Colorado River, smack dab between Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, with the La Sal Mountains beckoning just beyond the town limits, and endless other spectacular places to explore all around. I've spent some time in the town itself, as well, and enjoyed it quite a bit. Of course, it's a very small town, and finding work will be iffy. So, I may end up elsewhere: Durango, Farmington, Flagstaff, etc. I'd like to stay in the area of the Colorado Plateau if possible, great country, that. Though I also hear good things about Santa Fe.

Anyways, I'm leaving today (am on the road even as you read this) and probably won't be posting for a while, aside from a few I have scheduled. I plan to stop for several days at the Grand Canyon, which I have never seen, save from 30,000 ft on a flight to San Diego-- even from that vantage, it seemed endless, and I am determined to get down into that vastness for a while. A few days there, then up to southern Utah to view an annular solar eclipse, then... who knows? I might take a few weeks to myself, visit some places I once knew, and others I missed last time I was there. Eventually I'll try to find a place for me in Moab, yes, but it will be an unsettled life for a while, and I cannot guarantee regular posting.

I'm not shutting this blog down, though. I love to write, and will probably still have things to say, if not more so than I already do. Even these last few days, I notice my dreams are already becoming more vivid and memorable, a good omen to my mind, especially after the last several months of quite the opposite. It's like a period of stagnation and standby is ending, and I can start moving forward again. Toward what, I have no idea. But there are sure to be thoughts that need writing and sharing. Getting online, though, will certainly be happening less frequently.

So I guess this is just a heads up. I hate to lose readers, especially those who comment, because those comments mean a lot to me. They challenge my thinking, show me new angles on things, and at the very least, it's nice to have the feeling of a conversation on the things I write about, rather than me just shouting into the dark void of the blogosphere. I'm sure all my spammers will be hanging around, though, so I know I'll never be quite alone here in this space ::sniff::

That's all for now. Stick around, if you can; I plan to start a photo blog, and am sure to have some good stuff to post on it, considering where I'm going. Or maybe I'll keep it all on this blog, not sure, haven't decided.