Overheard in a coffee shop!

All it takes is Action.

Yes, that is absolutely correct. Action. That's exactly what I did. I took action. I even amazed myself.

Discontent. Plan. Action.

That's how it was for me.

I took a year of decision making. Then a plan. And then action.

At an age when most people think you are too old to make drastic changes in your life - I upturned the ol' apple cart. Lock, stock & barrel I changed my environment - took charge of my own life and moved.

A big city kind of gal most of my life - cities like Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Orange County, Twin Cities - no more - I chose a quaint mountain village - Red Lodge.

Discontent. Plan. Action.

That's how it's done - no matter how old or how young you are.

Discontent. Plan. Action.

What's it all about...

Blue skies in Big Sky Country - that's what it's about.

Sitting in the Coffee Factory Roaster sipping a coconut latte and enjoying the quiet - the tranquility of a new old town in Montana. new for me - old for Montana.

Watching out the window - watching a few people walking on Broadway (the main street) - it's a brisk April late afternoon. The sun is shining but the air is crisp still with that winter feel to it.

It's easy to get lost in the quiet repose of this Montana village with it's very laid back way of living. I'm told that's the Montana way...

Blue skies in Big Sky Country - for a big city kind of woman this is an adjustment. No Target to run a quick errand. Target is a destination about an hour away. One has to makeplans for that journey. There are some things one must plan for - other things can be spontaneous - like blue skies to be thrilled with - the quiet of a snowfall - the sun how it shines thru the windows and fills my new apartment - the views of the mountains no matter what direction you look to.

Blue skies in Big Sky Country...

A different way of life - a simple, less stress way - the Montana way.

Easy to lose oneself in the relaxed way - easy to isolate yourself. Enjoy the moment - enjoy the simplicity - enjoy the tranquility - it's the Montana way.

Yup - I like the Montana way...

Blue skies in Big Sky Country...

And the new adventure gets

even better! Wasn't even in town 24 hours and some cowboy tried to pick me up at Red Lodge Cafe. I guess I'm feeling it's obvious I'm the new kid in the neighborhood. Even my new neighbor in the apartment came out to greet me as we were moving things into my apartment.

Friendly little village and it truly is a little Alpine Village of sorts with a very western appeal. Very laid back, gentle village where they really stop for people crossing the street - Broadway is themain street. Everything is within a block or two - easy to walk out my door and get what I need.

Waking up hearing birds chirping. Looking out any of my windows and seeing the Beartooth Mountains! I am in awe!!! The beauty is magnificent. No urgency. No stress.

I do need my cowboy hat. Have the cowboy as I was reminded this morning. LOL Just need my hat.

Life is good...

What an Adventure this...

has already been! Had not been to the Greyhound depot in years. Oops they built Target Field...where is Greyhound? After going around the block we found the depot. Plenty of time...bus doesn't leave until 9pm. We're good. Don't panic.

The trip was interesting. While we were waiting in the depot there was one child that was sort of letting off a lot of energy - daughter to mother "sure hope he doesn't sit near you..." hmmmm....we'll see. Another woman was rather boisterous and telling about the woes of the trip for her - cross country no less. Yup...both were on my bus to Billings!

Finally, on our way. The driver told me to sit in one of the front seats. Guess he thought I needed company. Actually did appreciate it. Most of the passengers went toward the back or is that because they were closer to the bathroom. Who knows. It was nice to have a quiet front seat - altho it was chilly. Glad I brought that extra coat. Oops...bus is going slower and it's snowing and we are only in St Cloud. The driver pulls over to see what is wrong. Two belts broke. He finds one good one in his compartment of spare whatevers. Company wants him to come back to Minneapolis. Nope. He replaces one belt and says he's good to make it to Fargo and onward we go. We are late into Fargo by about an hour.

No problem. The bus in Fargo cannot leave until we get there - we are his passengers!!! Finally on the road again. This driver is obviously from Montana - why? Cowboy hat, big buckle and boots!!! Yup, Montana Cowboy. That's ok - I like cowboys.

Unexpected emergency transfer of buses in Miles City, Montana. Hmmmm....one transfer route has now become a two transfer trip. Sure lucky I'm flexible. That is my middle name, you know. Miles City here we come!!!

Interesting little town. Switch buses and now we have a new driver. I sat up front again. I do like those front seats. And, I will have to say...the little boy...well he was an angel. For a 15 hour bus ride and two transfers that little boy was quite the trooper. Never a peep out of him except when his dad took him off at stops to stretch his legs and then he would say Hi...Hi...Hi - he was a cutie for sure. Very smiley. Very friendly. A good kid for sure. Better then some adults!

Miles City goodbye and onward to Billings except for a brief dropoff at Glendive and a briefstop at Rosebud (?) and Billings is now far away.

At last Billings,MT - just 45 minutes late. Now that is not bad considering the horrid weather the extra transfer and one driver that drove like a granny!

My personal tour guide is waiting for me at Billings. After a Target stop onward to Red Lodge.

Monday...Tuesday...Wednesday....OMG

I bought my ticket for Greyhound - 1 Sr Adult - OneWay...three days until I leave Minnesota for Montana. A year of contemplation. A year and a half of emotional upheaval. Then the right decision. At first I thought New Mexico would be a good spot. North Central New Mexico. But just didn't feel the magic of New Mexico. It held no attraction. No draw. No compelling need to become one with the essence of New Mexico.

Loved going to Ojo Caliente. And, thus started my love of natural hot springs. The cool fall air. The hot steaming waters of the hot spring. I was hooked. Thus started my research for a place that I would fall in love with and had the natural hot springs that I was definitely drawn to...compelled to take in...to let my body indulge and heal with the magical waters.

I was able to walk better...to move more freely...those nuts & bolts that held my two places in my lower spine together loved those waters. And, then I discovered Montana...and how many natural hot springs there were!

The moment I flew over Montana into Billings...I felt a sense of something marvelous...I felt after three days at Chico Hot Springs and touring the south central area of Montana that I have found a place I had fallen in love with the moment I put my foot on Montana soil. I was home.

All these last minute things I have to do. I thought I had planned it all out but you know how the best laid plans go...they go awry...

But the important thing is...I'm going home...I am going on a great adventure. This was not only my New Year's Resolution for 2011 but also my birthday gift to myself...

Countdown!!! 15 DAYS until move

Whew!!! I have exhausted myself this past week. First thing that happened was I got the ok for renting a cozy (buzz word for small) apartment in Red Lodge. Just off of Broadway which is there "Main" street. It really is adorable. The main post office is directly across the street from the building. A beauty salon is attached to the lower street level - how convenient is THAT!!! No excuse not to get my hair cut. The bedroom has glass paned French doors - ambiance for sure.

The truly nice thing is that there are retail spaces on the street level. And, there is one that I would love to rent. I will settle in to live in Red Lodge and then think about an artist co-op with studio space for classes, demos, shows.

Will be making my Greyhound reservations from Minneapolis to Bridger, MT. A taxi service will pick me up and take me to Red Lodge (40 miles) and then I'm home....

Plans for my first night in Red Lodge - walk across the alley to Natali's Front Bar for a Guinness - yes my Irish roots are showing...

This is so exciting and what an adventure!!!

Mid Move

and now I'm houseless - not homeless - just no place to call home yet. I'm with my daughter until the end of March. Have applications in for an apartment in Livingston, MT. Really even more perfect for me then Red Lodge altho I'm sure I will end up in Red Lodge.

Livingston has two theatre companies AND a ballet company. A real movie theatre too. Lots of art galleries and just a fun place to be and to photograph.

Now I play the waiting game...

First Phase...

The journey is beginning. On February 26 I moved out of the loft in Lowertown. A cold day with snow and crazy woman harassing everyone moving out or moving in!!! What a send off...but the journey began.

Progress!!!

I paid my last rent here in the loft. My movers are confirmed. My larger storage unit has been reserved. Have been watching Red Lodge sites and Craigs List for places to live. Crossing my fingers that the unit I want will be available still at the end of February. I am more then willing to rent the space without seeing it. I have seen the Virtual Tour and a friend went and photographed the exterior and the surrounding neighborhood.

This is going to be a very exciting journey and adventure. Hopefully I will find an SUV that fits my needs. It will be spring in Montana and I want to see those Wild Horses of Montana. I want to learn to fly fish. Just proves you can teach an "old" dog new tricks. LOL

How lucky am I...

The Adventure Begins...

I was fortunate enough last October to spend 3 glorious days at Chico Hot Springs in Paradise Valley - south central Montana. It goes without saying, but I will anyway, I fell in love with Montana. The hot springs was pure heaven.

The first step has been taken. I did not renew my annual lease for my loft. I have given official notice and will vacate on February 29th. It's scary but oh so exciting. Have not made this kind of move in several decades!!!

I have decided to settle in Red Lodge - small and has a good tourist trade.

more to follow...