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I’ve been in Colorado for almost four days and I’ve learned a few things already, most importantly - how to figure out where the hell I am at any given moment.
I’m in the North Denver Suburban area until Ashley gets here in February and we move up to Boulder, and I’m fortunate enough to have access to a car during the days so long as I take the man* to work and don’t forget to pick him up. So, thanks to the Maps app on my iPhone and some good directions, I’m starting to learn my way around. I say starting, because while I’m now able to get from Thornton to Wheat Ridge to wherever Chelsea lives to Boulder and anywhere between those four points, I’m never quite sure which side of the road the highway entrances are going to be on so I’m a ball of nerves and heightened senses every time I hit an interchange.
Fortunately, I typically have a fairly reliable sense of direction, but for some reason here I keep finding myself a little backwards. The only thing saving me is the fact that the mountains are always west. This obvious, but important nugget (see what I did there?) of truth, is one of many little things I’ve learned or noticed already that I’m filing into Things I Should Probably Know While Living in Colorado.
Here are some of the other observances I’ve made and things I’ve learned in these first few days:
Drivers here don’t seem to be in as big of a hurry as they are other places. No one’s flying past me on the highways, people slow down to let me merge, and there just seems to be less of a sense of urgency than other places.
You know those notes on food packages with the cooking instructions that note that higher altitudes may require cooking times to be adjusted? They’re not lying. I tried to cook rice today (something I’m already not good at unless it’s Minute Rice) and totally failed. So I went with a box of Tuna Helper instead. Cook time says 10 minutes. It actually took closer to 20 for all that extra saucy stuff to absorb. So, now I have to learn to cook again?
It’s completely necessary to bathe daily in moisturizer and lip balm. I knew it was Nosebleeds-Happen dry here, but I have never been so hydrated or moisturized in my life. And everyone assures me that you never *really* get used to it, you just learn to grease up all the time.
The mountains are always west. Seriously, this has saved me many a wrong turn.
Sixty degrees in January is phenomenal. I’ve been told that this is not at all uncommon and while snow happens and colder temps happen, this is pretty normal. I’m ok with that.
In the Denver area, the numbered streets run west-to-east and the higher the number, the further north you are. This, along with that whole mountains-are-always-west point might be the very basis for all you need to know to get around this area.
Everyone here is a transplant and they never leave. Well, most everyone. I met one woman who moved out here for a summer. Fourteen years ago. A shop clerk today told me that she moved here thirty years ago from Texas. It was her first time here, and she was visiting a friend in college over Christmas break. She told me that she came out here a few days before Christmas, announced to her family on Christmas Day that she was moving to Colorado, and was here by New Year’s. This is interesting considering that I’ve planned for Colorado to be the first of a few new cities I explore over the next few years. More than one person has laughed at me when I say that, smiled, and said, “Yeah, right. Just wait.”
The people here are incredibly welcoming, helpful, and friendly. I’ve told a few folks (at the post office, in a card shop, etc.) that “I’m new here” and arrived less than a week ago. They then share with me their story about how they came here, what coffee shop to try, and how to get back out to the highway from where I am.
Settling In
It’s definitely making for a smoother adjustment period to feel less like an outsider and more like a new addition to one big eco-friendly, outdoors-obsessed, sunshine-loving metro area. My favorite thing so far has been the morning/sunrise drive south down I-25 towards downtown. The eastern sunrise reflects off of all of the buildings and the mountains stand proudly in the background against the most ridiculous shade of blue sky I have ever seen.
Granted, I have moments where I feel like a tiny little speck in a great big Sea of Unfamiliar, but so far I’ve been able to close my eyes, shake it off, and get right back on track to where I was headed.
Up and coming? I’m spending tomorrow in Boulder again talking with some folks about a couple of really promising opportunities (one includes yoga! and young people!), and this weekend will be going back up there to look at a couple of potential apartments and houses because now that I’m starting to get more comfortable here, it’s time to find a home.
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Doniree Walker is an aspiring yogini, jet-setter, foodie, and story-teller. She's a writer and geek girl by trade, and a lover and a connector by lifestyle, and is currently obsessed with: train travel, single-serving chocolate milk, and brand new notebooks. Oh, and she's also part supergirl. Wanna be friends? 
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Aww, it's so nice to hear that you're enjoying yourself already! Sounds like you are going to have a total blast as things fall into place
I could get on board with this relocation plan — two of my favorite spots!
Wow, sounds like you are settling in nicely! My roommate here in Colombia is actually from Boulder and was just home over the holidays doing lots of yoga – random! I hope things continue to go well for you…good luck!
this makes me want to move to colorado. i swear, if my friend hadn't moved back to washington last summer, i'd be living in their spare bedroom right now. sunshine and 60 in january? yes please!
also, my new goal in life is to take one of your yoga classes!
That is one area of the country I've never been to but RRRRREEAALLLLY want to visit. Badly. I'm glad you're settling in nicely!
I am so glad you're adjusting already! In CA the Ocean is always WEST, which help in driving places. It has taken me so long to get used to driving here, not just because here in the bay area— everyone is so spread out.. but because I used my GPS so much. I have been trying to not use it, and learn places myself recently, which has been really good.
So glad you are able to get around and start to get familiar with the area. I told a guy last week at the Wine Seminar you had moved to the DEN area, and he said, “She will not want to leave.”
Love ya
Pops
How exciting for you! I spent a month in Colorado one summer volunteering at a camp and fell completely in love with it. I still have moments where I think about packing up & going back but that might not be the most stable thing for my 3 year old. Lol. Good luck to you!
How awesome that you are finding your way around now! I have a feeling you're like me: never quite comfortable till you have a good grasp of where you are. I wonder if you'll end up leaving or staying like so many others.
I haven't ever cooked at a high elevation, but I have experienced the dry skin of the west. It definitely requires dutiful lotion application! At the very least, I highly recommend a hearty hand lotion (I like Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream) before bed every night.
I remember during my trip to CO a few years ago just how slooowww the drivers were. I also saw quite a few tractor-trailers doing 40 in the passing lane (I think there must not have been rules keeping them out of those lanes on some of the highways). When I was heading back to Vegas on I-70, I remember seeing a woman driving a small SUV pass a huge, unstable truck carrying gigantic pieces of lumber and then proceed to sit right in front of him. He then PASSED HER, the truck swaying side to side. She seemed none the wiser while I was praying for my life.
I live in Denver!
P.S. You need to let me know how it goes!!!!! So glad youre adjusting well xoxo. I've had a lot of fun the last couple days welcoming youuuuu akdjalkdjalkdjalk!
Aww, it's so nice to hear that you're enjoying yourself already! Sounds like you are going to have a total blast as things fall into place
That is one area of the country I've never been to but RRRRREEAALLLLY want to visit. Badly. I'm glad you're settling in nicely!
aw yay doni i'm so excited for you and glad you are settling in so well. and man the idea of relearning how to cook sort of freaks me out a bit, that's just nuts, haha.
How awesome that you are finding your way around now! I have a feeling you're like me: never quite comfortable till you have a good grasp of where you are. I wonder if you'll end up leaving or staying like so many others.
I haven't ever cooked at a high elevation, but I have experienced the dry skin of the west. It definitely requires dutiful lotion application! At the very least, I highly recommend a hearty hand lotion (I like Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream) before bed every night.
I remember during my trip to CO a few years ago just how slooowww the drivers were. I also saw quite a few tractor-trailers doing 40 in the passing lane (I think there must not have been rules keeping them out of those lanes on some of the highways). When I was heading back to Vegas on I-70, I remember seeing a woman driving a small SUV pass a huge, unstable truck carrying gigantic pieces of lumber and then proceed to sit right in front of him. He then PASSED HER, the truck swaying side to side. She seemed none the wiser while I was praying for my life.
I live in Denver!
P.S. You need to let me know how it goes!!!!! So glad youre adjusting well xoxo. I've had a lot of fun the last couple days welcoming youuuuu akdjalkdjalkdjalk!
aw yay doni i'm so excited for you and glad you are settling in so well. and man the idea of relearning how to cook sort of freaks me out a bit, that's just nuts, haha.
You're wonderful and lovely and I'm just so excited for this new adventure you're on. It's all going to work out brilliantly.
You're wonderful and lovely and I'm just so excited for this new adventure you're on. It's all going to work out brilliantly.
Thanks, parallel lifer. As will you
I know you live in Denver! I was just trying to figure out which NEIGHBORHOOD. You're not Wash Park, but you're awfully close, huh? Silly girl
Apparently there are high altitude cookbooks? I'm going to have to get my hands on one of those…
Ha, yeah I tend to drive a bit slower when I don't know my way around and I keep thinking I'm going to piss someone off, but they just keep moving right along! Thanks for the lotion tip, too!
Sounds like you're settling in beautifully, I'm so glad that this has worked out so well for you and that you're feeling at home. Even if you can't cook rice. =)
Thanks, parallel lifer. As will you
I know you live in Denver! I was just trying to figure out which NEIGHBORHOOD. You're not Wash Park, but you're awfully close, huh? Silly girl
Apparently there are high altitude cookbooks? I'm going to have to get my hands on one of those…
Ha, yeah I tend to drive a bit slower when I don't know my way around and I keep thinking I'm going to piss someone off, but they just keep moving right along! Thanks for the lotion tip, too!
Sounds like you're settling in beautifully, I'm so glad that this has worked out so well for you and that you're feeling at home. Even if you can't cook rice. =)
I'm glad you're settling in, lady! It's funny how you talk about people visiting there and just never leaving. A co-worker of mine just made the decision to move to Boulder after visiting a friend in college there a couple weeks ago. She'll be moving back down in 2 weeks. Looks like that theory definitely holds true!
Best of luck in your future navigational endeavors
I'm glad you're settling in, lady! It's funny how you talk about people visiting there and just never leaving. A co-worker of mine just made the decision to move to Boulder after visiting a friend in college there a couple weeks ago. She'll be moving back down in 2 weeks. Looks like that theory definitely holds true!
Best of luck in your future navigational endeavors
So excited for you! Sounds like you are going to just fine settling in and finding your place in Colorado!!
When I moved to Toronto I was so lost at first. Then, I figured out where the CN Tower was and now I can find my bearings anywhere downtown with the help of my buddy CN.
So excited for you! Sounds like you are going to just fine settling in and finding your place in Colorado!!
When I moved to Toronto I was so lost at first. Then, I figured out where the CN Tower was and now I can find my bearings anywhere downtown with the help of my buddy CN.
So, this might help….
Mountains are WEST, so that means, right of them is North, left is South and East is opposite!
Just saying…
So, this might help….
Mountains are WEST, so that means, right of them is North, left is South and East is opposite!
Just saying…
Yay! I'm so happy for you that you're discovering the ways of high altitude. In Flagstaff, we live at 7,000 ft. and it's pretty overwhelming sometimes! The boyfriend and I are planning to move to Boulder (because it's exactly like Flagstaff) once he graduates and our leases are up. So, maybe I'll see you there!
I just love love love mountainy, green, arty, hippy towns.
Yay! I'm so happy for you that you're discovering the ways of high altitude. In Flagstaff, we live at 7,000 ft. and it's pretty overwhelming sometimes! The boyfriend and I are planning to move to Boulder (because it's exactly like Flagstaff) once he graduates and our leases are up. So, maybe I'll see you there!
I just love love love mountainy, green, arty, hippy towns.
Let me know if you make it here!
Let me know if you make it here!
I'm a bit behind on the get go, but I had no idea you moved here!! I work in Boulder, but live close to Thornton–I'm glad to see things are working out for you!! If you ever need anything, let me know!
Thank you! I'm actually learning to take the bus from Thornton (boyfriend lives there) to Boulder and then to various places from there. I'm finding the folks at the bus station and driving the buses to be incredibly helpful!
Where in Boulder do you live? I'd love to meet up and grab coffee or a drink sometime – maybe next week? Are you going to Girls in Tech tomorrow night? Are you in tech? Ha, I just assume most people here are, but that's been a pretty fair assumption for the most part.
Thanks for reaching out! I'd love to meet in person sometime!
I'm a bit behind on the get go, but I had no idea you moved here!! I work in Boulder, but live close to Thornton–I'm glad to see things are working out for you!! If you ever need anything, let me know!
Thank you! I'm actually learning to take the bus from Thornton (boyfriend lives there) to Boulder and then to various places from there. I'm finding the folks at the bus station and driving the buses to be incredibly helpful!
Where in Boulder do you live? I'd love to meet up and grab coffee or a drink sometime – maybe next week? Are you going to Girls in Tech tomorrow night? Are you in tech? Ha, I just assume most people here are, but that's been a pretty fair assumption for the most part.
Thanks for reaching out! I'd love to meet in person sometime!
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