Here are a few pics of our soon to be
new home!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Monday, November 17, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
THE Move
It was certainly quite an endeavor to move back across the country after just 11 months in Teton Valley. After swearing never to go that far with a Uhaul again, I found some budget movers online and made a reservation. Big mistake! They were very unclear as to when they would arrive to pick up our belongings, and after many phone calls and much debating, we insisted that WORLD WIDE VAN LINES (AKA never use this company!) return our deposit, as we were convinced they were a sham. So, on the day we thought we would be happily hitting the road WITHOUT a Uhaul, we drove to both Rexburg and Rigby Idaho to pick up the very same equipment from Uhaul that had moved us across the country the first time.
The day before, I had come down with mild food poisoning. So, needless to say, I was not feeling great as we began loading our belongings at 6:00 in the evening. We finished loading and cleaning the house the next day, which meant we hit the road at 3:00 PM, making our intended destination (10 hours away in Nebraska,) a true impossibility. We used Clyde as our mobile hotel and spent the night at a truck stop in Rawlins, reminiscing of the horrendous weather we had experienced in the opposite direction, and happily watching a movie on the computer.
The next day was nothing but Nebraska and more of Nebraska. This state is eternal. I have to say something about Kansas seemed more interesting and pretty, but maybe my hatred of the sheer distance across Nebraska is adulterating my memory. Again, we slept in a truck stop, and marveled at the reality and sheer, um, size of "corn-fed" folks. The third day was a welcome reprieve as we passed many state lines, making it feel like we were finally making progress. By the time we reached Phil's aunt and uncle's house in Louisville, we had spent the day in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. We were certainly ripe for a shower by this time!
We made it to NC on a sunny Tuesday and I was delighted to see that the leaves were still making for quite a fall splendor. I had visions of chronicling this move with fun and assorted pictures, but when you drive 2000 miles in a Uhaul with the tail end of food poisoning, all you can really think about is getting to your destination. I will say with the lack of 60 MPH headwinds and the current state of gas, we spent $650 LESS in gas in this direction. Amazing! It feels a touch surreal to be back in NC- like Wydaho was a distant dream. But, I am indeed happy not to be driving the Pass, happy to see trees, and to see friends and family! Our re-launch party is this weekend, so we hope to see many of you at the shop. On to a new blog and a new chapter for the Hoffmanns!
The day before, I had come down with mild food poisoning. So, needless to say, I was not feeling great as we began loading our belongings at 6:00 in the evening. We finished loading and cleaning the house the next day, which meant we hit the road at 3:00 PM, making our intended destination (10 hours away in Nebraska,) a true impossibility. We used Clyde as our mobile hotel and spent the night at a truck stop in Rawlins, reminiscing of the horrendous weather we had experienced in the opposite direction, and happily watching a movie on the computer.
The next day was nothing but Nebraska and more of Nebraska. This state is eternal. I have to say something about Kansas seemed more interesting and pretty, but maybe my hatred of the sheer distance across Nebraska is adulterating my memory. Again, we slept in a truck stop, and marveled at the reality and sheer, um, size of "corn-fed" folks. The third day was a welcome reprieve as we passed many state lines, making it feel like we were finally making progress. By the time we reached Phil's aunt and uncle's house in Louisville, we had spent the day in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. We were certainly ripe for a shower by this time!
We made it to NC on a sunny Tuesday and I was delighted to see that the leaves were still making for quite a fall splendor. I had visions of chronicling this move with fun and assorted pictures, but when you drive 2000 miles in a Uhaul with the tail end of food poisoning, all you can really think about is getting to your destination. I will say with the lack of 60 MPH headwinds and the current state of gas, we spent $650 LESS in gas in this direction. Amazing! It feels a touch surreal to be back in NC- like Wydaho was a distant dream. But, I am indeed happy not to be driving the Pass, happy to see trees, and to see friends and family! Our re-launch party is this weekend, so we hope to see many of you at the shop. On to a new blog and a new chapter for the Hoffmanns!
Friday, October 24, 2008
As I get close to leaving...
I am daily thinking about things I am sad to leave and also reminded of what I am excited to see in NC.
Leaving Wydaho:
I am sad to leave the daily enormity of wilderness here. Everyday I see the below sign at the top of The Pass, and every single day I am in awe of it. (Although, there are already days this month when the weather is bad enough that I am just trying not to skid into the buffoon in front of me going 5 MPH because it is snowing and I really can't see the view.) I will certainly miss having my pick of extraordinary places to run after work, places that are essentially totally on my way home. Despite their accessibility, it is a constant possibility to bump into an unsuspecting moose or bear, although that has yet to happen. I particularly like running with Daisy, because she bounds up the trail and hopefully warns whatever looms around the corner. Jasmine stays so close to me, I don't think she helps me out much to warn creatures!
I will miss the small town-ness and remote-ness of both Jackson and Victor. Both towns really offer everything imaginable, and I really appreciate not having miles of industrial blah to tread through to get to the good stuff. The good stuff is virtually everywhere. There are so many places I have not gotten to explore, but I have gotten a pretty incredible sampling across all four seasons, and I am grateful to have experienced more than a week of touroning. I will certainly miss moose. I still love any chance to see one!
Returning to NC
I would say that at least one of the peaks of our yearning for NC just was when Phil and I saw The Avett Brothers in concert this summer in JH. A friend had tried unsuccessfully to introduce me to them, but from the second they hit the stage, it was quite different from listening to them on a stereo. For those of you who don't know them, they are a group from NC and they are a pretty wild mixture of rockabilly, bluegrass, bare naked ladies, violent femmes, and perhaps a hernia. They certainly break a lot of strings and play like they are strumming for their lives after escaping a civil war era, abusive step-father at the height of puberty. They are a must see and I am getting pretty hooked on them ever since. Phil and I hooped and holler'd every time they mentioned anything about NC and I would say that was truly the beginning of the inevitability of returning to NC soon! I am listening to them nearly every night as I pack, and bits of southern accent are again making themselves comfortable in my vernacular.
I can't wait to be warm in my house. I can't wait to be welcomed by both friends AND strangers. I am excited that most of our family will be a few hours away. I am excited for the limitless green of the mountains and the lushness of the South. I am excited not to drive 50 miles a day. I am excited to see the ocean and get more use out of my flip flops. I am excited at the possibility of being a homeowner without first being a millionaire. I am excited to be a millionaire- maybe in 2075! I am excited to swim and water ski and go barefoot.
It will be both a sad day to leave and a happy homecoming to return!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Big Changes
First and foremost, we are moving back to North Carolina! We are moving to Brevard, North Carolina, which, as many of you know, is near Asheville and is a great gateway town to the Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Pisgah National Forest and Dupont Forest will be our backyard (picture hiking, climbing, paddling, and biking galore.) You may ask yourself why on earth we are moving AGAIN, but we found an opportunity we felt we couldn't pass up, and it included being a lot closer to many of you folks, whom we have missed dearly. Wydaho has been a grand adventure, and I will forever cherish the opportunity we had to explore this area.
So, the additional big news is that we have bought Looking Glass Outfitters, a small climbing-focused gear shop in Brevard. If you are a climber from the southeast, it should be on your radar already. If not, it is our new goal to change that! There is much to be done as far as re-vamping, re-stocking, and just generally rejuvenating the store, so I anticipate a wild and furious transition for us. Nevertheless, please come see our new little shop and at the very least, regardless of where you live, join our email list and do some shopping online at www.lookingglassoutfitters.com . (We will have free shipping for the holidays.) The inventory will be growing significantly in the next few weeks, so keep us in mind as the holidays inch closer.
I will continue to work for Mountain Khakis and Phil will take the reins of the store. We should be completely moved by early November. I can't wait to hear from or even see each of you in our new home!
So, the additional big news is that we have bought Looking Glass Outfitters, a small climbing-focused gear shop in Brevard. If you are a climber from the southeast, it should be on your radar already. If not, it is our new goal to change that! There is much to be done as far as re-vamping, re-stocking, and just generally rejuvenating the store, so I anticipate a wild and furious transition for us. Nevertheless, please come see our new little shop and at the very least, regardless of where you live, join our email list and do some shopping online at www.lookingglassoutfitters.com . (We will have free shipping for the holidays.) The inventory will be growing significantly in the next few weeks, so keep us in mind as the holidays inch closer.
I will continue to work for Mountain Khakis and Phil will take the reins of the store. We should be completely moved by early November. I can't wait to hear from or even see each of you in our new home!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
More Fall Goodness
This area does not cease to amaze me, and I feel so blessed to have the chance to see the landscapes across multiple seasons. I hiked into Death Canyon today, despite ominous skies and a sketchy forecast. The weather ranged from sunshine to snow and a little bit of hail, but it was still quite nice hiking weather despite having to take my rainjacket on and off a half dozen or so times. Against the backdrop of massive cloud cover, the brilliant aspens and flaming shrubs seemed even more brilliant. I guess I am happy I did not see any bears, although a pica did squeak at me in irritation. Thank goodness my risk with the weather paid off, as I was distinctly aware that I could be facing white out conditions if the skies unleashed. It has been a very rainy weekend, and the higher elevations have gotten fresh snow. In fact, it snowed on top of the pass as I drove to Jackson this morning.
It was the Feast of St. Assisi today, and the folks at St, Johns enjoyed their annual invitation to bring their pets to church. No kidding, I sat in the pew with a sheltie and a bichon frise, who became fast friends. It was bizarre but fun!
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