a lesson in topography

Seven weeks in and six and half weeks out, I'm at my half way point for my time in Colorado Springs. It's amazing how quickly time passes when living in 3 month segments! When I moved to Dallas nearly 4 years ago, I had a list of things I wanted to do while there. It wasn't a formal written list, just a few things that I had every intention of accomplishing while there. One of those things was to volunteer with Catholic charities to work with the immigrants and refugees in the area. I put in my application and went to an information meeting but by the time my background check cleared I was busy with work and grad school and kept putting off returning their call to figure out how I could be involved regularly. Three years went by and I never took the time to make that a priority. The same was true with other good intentions, including going to a mavs game and a rangers game - two more frivolous "to dos" on my Big D checklist that never happened. I did a lot of other very cool and fun and meaningful things, but my point is that I am pretty bad about putting things off — I am a procrastinator in life (as evidenced by the frequency of my blog posts). Living life in shorter segments however is teaching me to make the most of every day, every week and that is especially true with my current placement in Colorado. You know how you think of all the things you want to see and do while you are on vacation or visiting a new place and then when you go, you actually do them, or at least most of them? Well that is kind of how my life is right now. When I first arrived in the Springs, I was overwhelmed by how many things there are to do — I still am! There are endless options for hiking, biking, running and exploring in and around the city, besides all of the unique points of interest and local shops. With only three months to see enjoy this beautiful part of creation and the people that live here, there is a heightened sense of urgency. Nearly every weekend has been spent discovering a new area with a friend, everything from trying a new restaurant to going on a hike to driving across the state. The lifestyle of learning to make the most of every opportunity is one that I could stand to live with long after I leave Colorado.

a typical view of Pikes Peak from my neighborhood

the clouds coming across the city from the mountains

One of my favorite things about living in Colorado Springs is the view of the mountains from just about anywhere in the city. As I drive to work, I look to the west at every cross street to see Pikes Peak just over the trees and roof tops.  When I walk out of work at the end of the day, I turn around to see the mountain towering over the city. There have been several days in recent weeks that the mountains have been hidden from view by a thick blanket of cloud. Yesterday, as I drove home from a grocery run I could not see the mountains, but I could see clouds coming down from the peaks and rolling across the city.  I wondered what surprises the clouds held for us as they moved my direction. Less than a mile from the house, I noticed white flurries blowing into my windshield. Sure enough, it was snowing on May 2nd. It did not stick, it rarely does. And today it was sunny and warm.

The mountains are full of surprises besides sending us unusual weather.  Several weekends ago, I made the 2 hour trip to Buena Vista for a ski weekend. I expected that I would be driving on winding mountain roads the entire trip and nearly an hour into the trip I was lost in my own thoughts, admiring the mountains and expecting nothing more. Just when I least expected it, I went around a curve and was awe-struck by a vast open expanse that lay before me. I’m nearly certain that my jaw dropped as I took in the unpredicted view while continuing down the mountain side and into the high plains. I could see more mountains in the distance, but I had not at all anticipated the straight flat road that lay hiding between two mountain ranges. To people from this part of the world, this may seem entirely normal, but I have never lived in the mountains, and I am learning so much!

the "vast open expanse" that awed me

A few other tidbits that I have learned since moving to Colorado Springs include:

• Drink a lot of water when at higher elevations and allow for more trips to the restroom accordingly.
• Sealed products such as yogurt cups and lotions build up pressure when moved to higher elevation, be careful when opening.
• Hills + high elevation = running is really hard
• Always have a jacket, umbrella and sunscreen accessible, don’t be surprised by drastic weather changes.
• Baking at high altitude does require some modifications.
• People who live in Colorado, for the most part, like it just as much as those who want to move here from the rest of the country — that explains why a very high percentage of the people who live here are not originally from here. 

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil"  Ephesians 5:15-16