You’re Doing What? Trading Colorado’s Peaks for Kentucky’s Green

Reflection

I’ve had plenty of practice the past several weeks saying it: I’m moving from Colorado to East Kentucky. You’re doing what? Why are you doing that? Are you crazy? What’s in Kentucky? Not one person initially utters supportive words. Most people are incredulous. “Why are you leaving? That’s where I dream of retiring!” one coworker stuttered.

Among states, Colorado has a certain celebrity status. I get it. I’ve lived here for a quarter century. I’ve climbed literally hundreds of her mountains, paddled her waters, downhill skied her big name resorts, rafted her raging rivers. Colorado has it all, many people think. It has some of the highest mountains in the continental US, a quirky wine country on the Western Slope, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Rocky Mountain National Park, microbreweries, “300 days of sunshine”, desert heat and winter snow in the same day, the mighty Colorado, Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak in the same photo frame. For God’s sake, the ghost of John Denver practically haunts the high country aspen slopes.

Why am I leaving?

My Solution

It’s pretty simple, really. My nirvana isn’t your nirvana.

First of all, many people in love with Colorado are smitten with the vacation version of Colorado. The sun’s always shining, the powder is always deep, the fish are always jumping and the views are amazing, but the trails not too steep. I’ve lived here for 25 years, I’ve battled the increasing traffic, the savage mountain weather, endless brutal winters, draughts and wildfires and a spiraling cost of living and crime. I’m done.

But even more importantly, I’m old enough now to know that life really does have seasons. I’ve entered a new season. My new nirvana has green leaves on the trees and brilliant colors in fall, water rushing in ample streams and folks with a soft, easy drawl. The woods smell like heaven and at night, come alive with fireflies and croaking frogs. I’ll be close to my parents, well into their 80s, and can tread the ground of both of my grandfathers. Old timers will pronounce my name (Sarah) as “Sherrah”. I’ll just smile and say “Yes ma’am / sir!”

The Appalachian Mountains stir something deep within my spirit in a way the cold, baren Rockies could only dream.

Your Key Takeaways

Life has seasons. But it can be really, really hard to recognize when a change of seasons is occurring. Once you do, though, acknowledge it’s time to pivot. Allow yourself a bit of mourning if you’re there. I already miss the Colorado high country, and I still live here for the time being! Collect those memories and cry over them, it’s ok. Jimmy Buffet joked about “Changes in latitude, changes in latitude”. And while he was crooning over witnessed changes in the tropics vs. up north, our location really does impact us, our attitude and our day to day lives. A change of location can be a very beautiful and necessary thing. I think this is especially true for folks in their 50s. A lot of us are entering a new season now. Don’t deny the call.