Dozing polar bear, Indianapolis Zoo

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Off to the races

There are going to be some changes around here.

First up: Mr. T has landed his dream job in the Spokane, Washington area. Squee! So we'll be moving from Portland this winter. It's going to be a nonstop thrill trying to sell our house in this ugly housing market, but we shall persevere. One of the great things about this is we'll finally be about three hours from the Montana place. I'll be able to spend weekends up there, people. Weekends.

And there's the promise of new landscapes to explore and photograph. I've always been fascinated by Washington's wheat-growing Palouse region, and now I'll be a short drive from it. But we'll still be able to enjoy the parts of Oregon we've come to love so well, and the people we're close to here, because it's not too far.

Next up: Because life is never complicated enough for us, we'll be implementing our year-long supersecret plan to start our own company. We've been tossing this idea around for a long time. We'll be selling stuff made from environmentally friendly materials or with an environmentally friendly function. Our goal with the company is to work toward moving these materials and processes into the mainstream. We've got a name and a website we're working on, and I have to complete the incorporation documents. But we've already gotten some samples of items that we're really excited about. More on that as it unfolds.

So, my plan for 2008: Fewer suburbs, more mountains, new places to explore, and new challenges. I can't wait.

11 comments:

A Lewis said...

Well, that's just great....go ahead and leave us out here in rain country. How exciting for you guys! As for the Palouse, there's nothing more beautiful on earth....especially in the early morning or evening when then shadows cast their gaze across the rolling hills. And for your environmentally friendly company: i see that Portland has a new Natural Burial company selling recyclable caskets. Hum. I'll be you wouldn't take that laying down. Happy days ahead.

Trailhead said...

Ha! My friend Tony sent me a link to the Natural Burial article and I was going to blog it.

And as to the Palouse region, agreed. I've only shot there a couple of times, and I'm looking forward to really exploring it.

Anonymous said...

As you know, I'm thrilled for you. But, I'm also thrilled for me, in part, because your pictures of the Palouse region are my favorite shots you've taken. Ever.

Trailhead said...

No kidding. Really? I didn't know that. My stock agency dinged those. Bastards. Now I know how wrong they were. :)

I'll definitely have to post them now that I know that.

kris said...

How exciting!!! Nice that you'll be closer to your Montana place.

Please post your photos of the Palouse area - I'd like to see them.

I hadn't been here in forever - so I've just spent a lovely hour or so catching up and leaving you comments here and there (hope you have them sent to your mailbox!!). Thanks for the kind words on our family addition this spring. I might be emailing you about long distance grandparenting - Seattle seems like it's a long way from Minneapolis right now!!

Happy New Year, Trailhead!

Trailhead said...

Kris, don't worry. My mother and my mother-in-law are in Indiana and Georgia respectively, and my son is CRAZY about both of them. Regularly tells me he's going to leave and go live with one of them.

My personal advice is to tempt his parents with alone time that you will provide by taking care of the little one. I tell you, one of the best blessings our mothers have ever bestowed is that wonderful feeling that I can sleep or have alone time and know with every fiber of my being that my kid is bathing in sweet, indulgent love.

I hope I can do the same for The Kid someday, should he decide to spawn.

Jennifer (ponderosa) said...

!!!!!!!

Hooray for you!

My sister sold her house in N. Portland in 3 weeks. At a profit. So it's possible!

kris said...

Thanks Trailhead! I've already told them that I plan to spend half my time in Seattle when this little guy arrives - and that I think they should use that time to get away by themselves, go out with friends, etc. I can't wait until he's old enough to spend time here - yes! kayaking!! It's nice to hear that others are doing the long distance thing successfully.

Trailhead said...

Jennifer, I'm really glad to hear about your sister's house. I would LOVE to unload this thing in three weeks.

Anonymous said...

The Inland Empire, eh? Welcome to Washington! Okay, now I really have no excuse to put off my Montana research any longer. I can bunk with you halfway! Okay, I'll give you the chance to unpack first. Congratulations.

Trailhead said...

Of course our doors are always open for you. But I should probably wait to say that until we actually get doors.

You could always stay a spell up on the mountain, which is probably closer to your destination. Just let me know when you're thinking, and I'll try to head up there. And if you're going grave-hopping (and not visiting someone), can I tag along sometime?

By the way, I sent you an email in mid-December. Did the spam blaster eat it?