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...

Natural Hot Springs!!!

A woman's prerogative is in force - you know the one - where I can change my mind....

Natural hot springs!!! What a fantastic way to celebrate the move. Chico Hot Springs outside of Bozeman, Montana....www.chicohotsprings.com My body will love my decision. Check it out. Quaint and yet very affordable.

Will be checking out at least two more natural hot springs later this year. I hear one near Ashville, North Carolina is pretty good too.

Spring...

I have for the most part settled into my artist loft. Working on the Spring Art Crawl in Lowertown and have made a decision on my first trip of 2010. Love those emails announcing and tempting one about travel bargains!

Ireland it is!!! I'm aiming at mid to late May. Will have camera slung over my shoulder, laptop in my carryon and ready for an adventure of a lifetime!