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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? 
{ 94 comments… read them below or add one }
I'm in love with this post. IN LOVE. I may marry it that's how much I love it. I CANNOT wait to move out there and see mountains and just BE IN COLORADO.
PS I really want to get involved in Yoga while I am out there, we must chat about that.
PSS. OMG I'M MOVING OUT THERE IN TWO WEEKS. ##$^$%^@Q#$!(*@#%)(@&$^@$$%!!!! So. Effing. Excited.
So when I moved to Boston, I got around by remembering that the ocean was always east. And then I moved to San Francisco where the ocean is always west. It took me about a year longer than it should have to adjust.
Sometimes I think getting lost is the most fun part of living in a new city. You run across wonderful things you weren't even looking for! (At least that's what I always told myself.)
I have a list of names you can give your name your man.
You should probably email me those.
I'm in love with this post. IN LOVE. I may marry it that's how much I love it. I CANNOT wait to move out there and see mountains and just BE IN COLORADO.
PS I really want to get involved in Yoga while I am out there, we must chat about that.
PSS. OMG I'M MOVING OUT THERE IN TWO WEEKS. ##$^$%^@Q#$!(*@#%)(@&$^@$$%!!!! So. Effing. Excited.
So when I moved to Boston, I got around by remembering that the ocean was always east. And then I moved to San Francisco where the ocean is always west. It took me about a year longer than it should have to adjust.
Sometimes I think getting lost is the most fun part of living in a new city. You run across wonderful things you weren't even looking for! (At least that's what I always told myself.)
I have a list of names you can give your name your man.
You should probably email me those.
Did I ever tell you that Mike lived in Denver for a year? (it was while we were engaged, actually, so I visited him 2.3 million times).
I was at his house for Easter dinner and there were two girls there who knew my roommate in college. How random is that?
Because it seemed like everyone there was from the Midwest!
It's a lot of fun – so many biking trails, so much to do! And my engagement ring (conflict free diamond!) came from a jeweler on downtown. Oh, and the Taste of Colorado! So much fun.
You are going to love it!
Doniree: I just started reading your blog, but I love your posts and this adventure you're on. Keep learning, keep trying, keep enjoying; I certainly am looking forward to reading. Wishing you the very best of luck in your new home!
I love hearing about the small differences about moving to a new place. I still find things here in Canada that are new and different from England and I've been here for ten years! Crazy about the cooking – I wonder what the science if behind that?
I love reading your posts. They are so…..you! (And I get to see things through your eyes.) Keep having fun, and you'll figure it out. You always do.
Did I ever tell you that Mike lived in Denver for a year? (it was while we were engaged, actually, so I visited him 2.3 million times).
I was at his house for Easter dinner and there were two girls there who knew my roommate in college. How random is that?
Because it seemed like everyone there was from the Midwest!
It's a lot of fun – so many biking trails, so much to do! And my engagement ring (conflict free diamond!) came from a jeweler on downtown. Oh, and the Taste of Colorado! So much fun.
You are going to love it!
Haha, my mother went through the cooking thing when my parents moved to Bozeman. She thought her ovens thermostat was off so she had someone come out and adjust the it everything before she finally figured out it was the altitute. Glad you figured it out without going through that.
I have always found rice to be quite difficult to cook. Minute rice and uncle ben's version of minute rice I'm much better at, but it's never quite what I expect.
And I'm only at 600 ft.
If Chris and I were to ever move, it would be Denver/Boulder or the Pacific Northwest. I definitely want to visit you soon!
But what happens when it gets dark? Can you still tell which way is west?
That is so cool! It seems like there are a lot of midwesterners here, for sure. Just this morning I met someone who went to college in St. Paul!
I love hearing about the small differences about moving to a new place. I still find things here in Canada that are new and different from England and I've been here for ten years! Crazy about the cooking – I wonder what the science if behind that?
Ooooh a man eh? Do tell
Also, I am jealous you are inhabiting an area where bad drivers are not the norm. SO EXTREMELY JEALOUS I SAY.
I'm glad you are settling in sweetie! Can't wait to hear about these possibly promising opportunities that await you.
Thanks, Susan! If today's any indication, Colorado and I are going to get along just swimmingly.
Thanks, Ma! Now come out here already
Ha, well I was warned but I had no idea to what extent they'd right!
I'm so there. When should I go?
The Pacific Northwest is definitely on my list of places to go – so… come here, then we can all transplant there?
Thanks! I can't get over the drivers! Someone told me that people are generally just all happy here, so maybe road rage doesn't exist here?
Find a home so I can come visit, plz.
I love reading your posts. They are so…..you! (And I get to see things through your eyes.) Keep having fun, and you'll figure it out. You always do.
So it takes twice as long to cook anything there? I know then that I would NEVER cook. I'm always too impatient here let alone somewhere it will take double the amount of time. I'm an instant gratification type of gal when it comes to food. Especially now that I am hungry non-stop.
Glad to hear you are adjusting easily. I've also heard that once you go to Colorado you never leave. I have a friend from college who did just that. She loves it there.
One word: Hooray!
I'm so excited you are loving and learning your new city. It sounds truly incredible, and I know it will continue to be. Also? I've never been. We might have to remedy this at some point…
Haha, my mother went through the cooking thing when my parents moved to Bozeman. She thought her ovens thermostat was off so she had someone come out and adjust the it everything before she finally figured out it was the altitute. Glad you figured it out without going through that.
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!
I have always found rice to be quite difficult to cook. Minute rice and uncle ben's version of minute rice I'm much better at, but it's never quite what I expect.
And I'm only at 600 ft.
If Chris and I were to ever move, it would be Denver/Boulder or the Pacific Northwest. I definitely want to visit you soon!
Find a home so I can come visit, plz.
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.
One word: Hooray!
I'm so excited you are loving and learning your new city. It sounds truly incredible, and I know it will continue to be. Also? I've never been. We might have to remedy this at some point…
But what happens when it gets dark? Can you still tell which way is west?
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!
That is so cool! It seems like there are a lot of midwesterners here, for sure. Just this morning I met someone who went to college in St. Paul!
Ooooh a man eh? Do tell
Also, I am jealous you are inhabiting an area where bad drivers are not the norm. SO EXTREMELY JEALOUS I SAY.
I'm glad you are settling in sweetie! Can't wait to hear about these possibly promising opportunities that await you.
Thanks, Susan! If today's any indication, Colorado and I are going to get along just swimmingly.
Thanks, Ma! Now come out here already
Ha, well I was warned but I had no idea to what extent they'd right!
I'm so there. When should I go?
The Pacific Northwest is definitely on my list of places to go – so… come here, then we can all transplant there?
Thanks! I can't get over the drivers! Someone told me that people are generally just all happy here, so maybe road rage doesn't exist here?
So it takes twice as long to cook anything there? I know then that I would NEVER cook. I'm always too impatient here let alone somewhere it will take double the amount of time. I'm an instant gratification type of gal when it comes to food. Especially now that I am hungry non-stop.
Glad to hear you are adjusting easily. I've also heard that once you go to Colorado you never leave. I have a friend from college who did just that. She loves it there.
I've noticed that about drivers here too. They don't speed much and they also never pull into the intersection when trying to turn left under a green light, with the end result that some of them could theoretically be stuck at the light for the rest of their lives. One thing they do is weave like nuts between lanes, though. I've had several near misses by people who've cut me off.
Also, the cooking at altitude thing? It's baking that gets me. I haven't had a problem with rice (I just keep adding water and tasting it until it's not crunchy anymore), but I am scared to even try to make hard-boiled eggs. Seriously. How long do you cook them for when the boiling temperature is different? And is there a way to know when they're ready without cracking them open? IT IS A MYSTERY.
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