I hiked to storm castle yesterday. sat on the edge of the abyss and watched the system roll in. I knew it was coming. I had been watching the clouds for a few days now. I watched it rise from the valleys. collect and build. it looked like it was going to be big, and I knew, when I would awake tomorrow, seasons would have changed. (and my poor muddy mountain bike might have to wait a whole season until I can wash the damn thing. ugh. that’s just bad etiquette.)

and just like that, it’s finally here. there’s a certain unrest in the town. I sense a buzzing of sorts. everyone is stocking up on skiing gear, asking each other which pass they got this year. it’s snow culture out here.

I have been spending a lot of time lately staring at a map. I understood yesterday that my initial unrest over bears and other critters in the woods have dissipated the longer I’ve lived here. I still carry my pepper spray, but I am not senselessly worried about it. I know they’re out there, but I’ve never been approached by one. other than being an idiot and going out at dusk by myself in mountain lion territory, I don’t worry too often. but I must say, I kinda wish I would have spent more time hiking and backpacking this summer. which seems silly as I generally now detest just hiking for the sake of hiking, but what I miss about it, is the adventure and exploring. the idea of discovering something new.

I realize that my intermittent boredom stems from the fact that everything I do now is a day activity, or one that would only take an afternoon and then I’ll be back in town. while it’s awesome I can do that, I wish I would have spent more time in the dirt this summer. this is not to discount the summer I had, I had an amazing time! but there’s so much terrain here I wish i would have taken the time to explore before the winter set in again.

but oh, well. snow has arrived and I am stooooooked!!!