I don’t know how to feel

That’s a bit of a misleading title. This was the phrase that popped into my mind when I was asked if I am feeling ready to leave Reno after another summer here.

Bailey and Becky – our friends and summer-landladies whose basement we rent – were sitting next to me and I could see them both frowning and shaking their heads. It’s true: another entire, yawning summer with our lives in full parallel swing, and too many impromptu hangouts together to count. I’ve told people that this must be the best of co-housing: getting to share infinite, casual overlapping life moments with people you love and who make you laugh.

But when I think about if I’m feeling ready to leave Reno, the truth is I haven’t really considered that question beyond the logistics of it. While in Reno, we got a bunch of needed repairs done on the Airstream. Big, dealership level stuff after three years of ownership and two years of full time living in it: grey water tank repair, propane fixup, wheel replacement. We spent a full day in full consolidation mode after the stuff-splosion we enjoyed for the better part of the summer. I know, vaguely, our reservation in Utah starts in two days.

What I’ve loved about Reno this summer:

• Living with our friends,
• Making new friends and deepening existing friendships,
• Creating art,
• Long runs in and around Reno and Tahoe,
• Casual proximity to and get togethers with Reesa and family,
• Walking and scooter-ing around a city,
• Impromptu adventures: weeknight lake swims, late night prowling around the city, an after work inner tube float on the Truckee River.

When I think past logistics to consider it, what I’m looking forward to from here:

• Longer, more focused training runs in red rock country, from Snow Canyon State Park to Moab,
• Seeing familiar faces + friends in UT,
• Focusing on resuming painting and art projects in an environment where I have less socializing, including the Escalante Fine Arts Fair coming up,
• Same with focusing on existing/potential consulting work,
• Moving into race-mode in November, followed by a visit from my best friend + fam (!), then heading back to Reno for the Wobble Before You Gobble Thanksgiving Day race Wes/I work, and then a trip back east with Reesa.

Considering both of the above lists, I end up feeling a net-neutral. There’s so much I have enjoyed in Reno this summer and, if we were staying, would continue to enjoy. But also, I love whatever adventure is ahead, especially knowing that I’m heading back to the incredibly beautiful and magical part of the country that is the southern Utah region.

It’s a good sign and affirmation that this whole “living full time in an Airstream and moving around seasonally” lifestyle is still right for me and for us. I think if I were pining for anything too hard, it might be a sign that something in my present circumstance is off.

So, here we are getting ready to hitch up yet again and go. But it won’t be for too long; not in any one place. I’m (still) good with and happy about that.

Some pics celebrating summer below.