Catskill Mountains

If there are mountains nearby, I will find them! Before moving to NY I had never heard of the Catskill Mountains. However, I knew after my first week living on urban asphalt I would be in need of some "nature therapy." Nothing in comparison to the majestic Rockies, however they still have a summit, are far away from the city bustle, and allow both my lungs and spirit to breathe a little easier.

So, yesterday I spent the day yesterday hiking with a group from Outdoor Bound. It is always a bit of a gamble to commit to spending a day with a random group of people- before meeting any of them. However, after my solo-exploration of the city all week, I was more than ready for some company of any kind. So, I dusted the Colorado dirt off my hiking boots, loaded my backpack and walked to the subway! A few stairs among the early commuters as I rode to my meeting place, but nothing New Yorkers haven't seen before. About an hour into the ride north, I realized I might actually enjoy more than just nature on this little outing. My co-travelers were kind of like those middle of the night infomercials buys (well some of them). You wonder what you are getting yourself into, and then are surprised by your great find!

The day turned out fabulous and was exactly what I needed to re-enter the city, ready for the week ahead.

Slide Mountain- (highest point in the Catskills)

August 6, 2009 - For Sean

It is hard to imagine
How only a few months ago
We all sat wondering
Where we would be
Today
Worrying, hoping, praying
That we would have someplace to go

It is easy to imagine
How right now
You are cracking a sarcastic joke
About how YOU landed the best place of all.
Smiling over us.
Wowing the angels with your vocabulary.

I can also imagine
how you would not want us
To cry, mourn, or ruminate
But I will
Not because I don’t care
But because I do

Sara's Moving Service

I flew into LaGuardia on Friday (thank goodness it wasn't Sat. with the bomb evacuation), and got to my new place by early afternoon, which was good considering what was to come. I shipped my 17 boxes on Monday, so the mailroom was eagerly awaiting their removal by the time I arrived. Unfortunately, the room where packages are held is another building... down the street... down the hill. So, the fun began at about 1:00 and didn't finish until about 3:00. After loading up the first group of boxes, I pushed the "large, awkward bin on wheels" down the sidewalk and turned onto my street. Suddenly that gradual slope I just walked down didn't appear so gradual. So here I stood at the corner heaving my body into the side of the cart to get it started up the hill. And once I was started there was no way I was going to let it stop... at least that was the thought. However, the sidewalk was a little choppy and one of the wheels became lodged in a crack, which put an abrupt end to my momentous climb. Apparently I really had been clipping along because as I came to a jolting stop one of the boxes flew off the top of the pile. As I walked around the cart to heave it back up the cart started wheeling back down the hill. Not wanting to cause a major traffic accident on Broadway, I dropped the box and ran for the cart. Luckily there was a man watching my whole dilemma (with amusement) who helped me get back on my way up the hill- with all my boxes back in tact. .. After making it to my apartment and to the 12th floor, the cart and I set out for Round #2. Yes, 17 boxes meant 5 trips up that lovely hill, with more trips to come when my 15 boxes of books arrive. I think "Sara's Moving Service" is going out of business!

Try This Again

To continue my tradition of moving across the country and starting a blog, I am creating a sequel to my first blog Reflections from the Rockies. While the view out my window this time is not nearly as breathtaking, I hope my adventures here will be just as great! You may notice that my previous blog lasted all of 3 months, and so sadly my faithful blog followers (all 2 of you) missed out on my writing about things like: summiting my first fourteeners, teaching at Ames (an amazing staff/school) and then finding out it would be closed at the end of the year, maneuvering the rapids of the Arkansas River, and of course the day of "the decision letter" that brought me to where I am now. I am hoping this blog will continue a bit longer (and with encouragement from you in the comments it just might!) So, the journey continues, I hope you will travel with me!